December
1944
December
1944
1st December
Four flying bombs went over the hospital. Didn't go very far when their engines cut out, could hear the noise of the explosions. Wound must be causing problems as the drain is still in; pain now bearable.
2nd December
Mail from home hasn't caught up with me yet; could do with some to cheer me up. Drain taken out today. Five stretcher cases taken from this ward today, in the forenoon, for the UK - lucky blighters.
3rd December
Nothing much to write about, patients coming and going; the ward is very quiet. Wound healing rapidly, expect the stitches to come out tomorrow.
4th December
Stitches out this morning and two letters from Nancy made my day. Wounded coming in from the 15th Scottish who are now fighting in Germany. Seemingly we are taking heavy casualties due to the type of country and the fight to the death attitude of the enemy.
10th December
Haven't taken notes since the 4th as their is nothing to write about. Life becoming a bore sitting about, however, I'm now able to walk about the ward. Managed to get some Belgian currency; hope to get out soon and buy some food. Rations are scarce.
11th December
Went for a walk down the street, managed to find a barber shop (needed a hair cut badly). Glad to get back to the hospital as something has gone wrong with the wound. Trousers soaking with puss; back to bed again.
12th December
Doctors on their rounds this morning examined my leg. They had a discussion and decided I had to be evacuated. Where to I don't know, keeping my fingers crossed for Blighty.
13th December
Thought I would be on the move today but the transfer papers have not arrived. Lying in bed hoping for the best. A bit of a disturbance in the ward today. A number of patients getting treatment for Whittle in their fingers (seemingly its quite a painful thing). The men were yelling their heads off when they were getting treatment. One of the nurses called the doctor an animal for not giving them some kind of pain killer. Caused quite a scene, she was ordered out of the ward.
14th December
Early breakfast this morning and on my way to the airport at 0930 as a stretcher case for the UK. Arrived at reception to find that, owing to fog, all aircraft were grounded. returned to hospital and back to bed again.
15th December
Left Brussels airport in the afternoon on a Dakota ambulance plane with a full load of stretcher and walking wounded. Two WAAFs looked after us, keeping us supplied with cigarettes and soft drinks. After two and a half hours flying we landed at Swindon air field where a meal of bacon, sausages and eggs were waiting for us. Fed by a WAAF whilst lying on the stretcher; years since I had such a feed. On the way north, by midnight, on a Red Cross train.
16th December
Arrived at Wolverhampton at 0300. The station was packed with people waiting to welcome us. Had loads of cigarettes in my stretcher before ambulances arrived to take us to our destinations. Patients with leg wounds were taken to the Dartmouth ward of the Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton. All the staff waited for our arrival; we received quite a reception.
17th December
Surgeon, on his rounds, decided to X-ray my leg in an effort to find a reason for the wound not healing. Everyone has been more than kind even to the extent of two civilians to each bed to keep us company at night time until lights out. Bus conductors started a fund to keep us in cigarettes. Leg badly swollen - not complaining.
18th December
X-ray showed nothing unusual; waiting a second opinion. Confined to bed but allowed up for short period to walk around the ward. Most of the patients have lost at least one limb, due mainly to tramping on mines or Royal Engineers clearing mines on the beaches or minefields being booby trapped. They don't want to live.
19th December
Issued with hospital blues allowing me to go out for a stroll. They didn't fit, they never do. Was out for a half hour. Walking the streets, became embarrassing as passers-by slipped cash into my pocket: decided to return to the hospital.
20th December
Issued with free tickets to a local variety show. Ambulance used as transport. All the audience stood up until we were seated; quite a good show. Went to the RAF mess for drinks before returning to the hospital.
21st December
Invited out to lunch by one of the local solicitors. Had a nice meal and a few drinks. In the evening was the guest of honour at the Rotary Club. Refused to give a talk about the war in Europe. We are all a bit bomb happy and it will take time to get back to normal.
22nd December
Received a telegram from Nancy. She's leaving Prestwick by train tonight. Micky Caldows wife Jean is coming with her to keep her company. The Red Cross has laid on digs with a Mrs. Humphrey; can hardly believe it.
23rd December
In bed when Nancy arrived in the forenoon. She was wearing a black berry with my staff badge on the front. She got quite a reception from the patients; cheered them up a bit. Free tickets for a pantomime at night. As usual when we both arrived everyone stood up; wish I had a civvy suit. Had a sleeping out pass and further operations cancelled whilst Nancy is here.
24th December
Went to mass in the local church. Mrs. Humphrey came along with us. Have a sleeping out pass until Nancy returns home. Cold and wet; stayed indoors.
25th December
First Christmas together since I joined the army. We had nothing very much in the way of presents and just spent the day together before Nancy caught the evening train for Prestwick. Returned to the Royal feeling a bit low.
26th December
On the operating table in the forenoon in an endeavour to find the reason for the wound failing to heal. Came alive again in the afternoon, now on drugs to reduce the pain; wound left open.
29th December
The doctor can't understand why the wound is still supurating. Pain has become unbearable during the last three days. Now on heavy drugs to relieve the pain and allow me to get some sleep.
30th December
In the operating theatre for the third time, beginning to get used to the sensation of fading away. On MandB tablets to try and clear the poison from my system. The ward is a bit depressed as a 19 year old Black Watch died today (tramped on a mine and lost an arm and a leg). Sister Jones tried to help him but he just gave-up the fight. Came from Dundee.
31st December
Received about a dozen letters from Brussels bringing my mail up to date. Helps to keep the mind occupied. We get plenty of visitors but it's difficult to keep up a conversation when not feeling up to scratch. Hate bed pans so borrowed some crutches from a Scots Guard in the next bed to go to the toilet. I forgot he was six feet tall against my five foot six and a bit. Wakened the ward up when I landed on my back; the night nurse was anything but pleased.