To Gosforth Park for a walk with Russell. Afternoon to Hancock Museum.
Archives for May 2017
Wednesday 30 May 1917
Dover Castle Hospital Ship is sunk in the Mediterranean.
*She was torpedoed by the German U-boat UC-67 on 26 May 1917, while on passage from Malta to Gibraltar. The initial explosion killed seven boiler stokers but the crew was able to evacuate the wounded onto HMS “Chameleon”. The captain and a small crew tried to save the ship but she was hit by a second torpedo an hour later, and sank in three minutes.
The commander of UC-67 Karl Neumann was tried for the sinking of the hospital ship at Leipzig War Crimes Trials. However, he was found not guilty. Neumann admitted that he had torpedoed and sunk the British hospital ship but pleaded that he did so only in obedience to orders issued by the Admiralty. The German government had asserted that the enemy was using hospital ships for military purposes and declared on March 19, 1917 that German submarines would attack hospital ships not complying with several German conditions. The court held that Neumann believed the order to be a lawful reprisal and therefore was not personally responsible for the sinking. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMHS_Dover_Castle)
Tuesday 29 May 1917
Visited Hancock Museum (Newcastle on Tyne). In afternoon (at 6 pm) we go to Whitley Bay with Nurses Cowan & Turnbull & Sergt. Major Russell of the CMR’s. Have a jolly time. Visit Nurse Cowan’s uncle. We are late in returning. Arr. Back at college at 11.15 pm. Sister Nicholson sees us @ Whitley.
Monday 28 May 1917
Paid visit to Gosforth Park and round to Benton by road. In afternoon to Military Sports. Very good. Entertained to tea.
Staff Sergt. Corfield goes to London.
Sunday 27 May 1917
To Whitly Bay with S.Sgt. Corfield & Sgt. M. Russell. Walk the promenade & afterwards to tea @ Mr. & Mrs. Cook’s. Mrs. Cook is a sister of Sister Nicholson of Armstrong College. Have a most enjoyable time.
Saturday 19 May to Saturday 26 May 1917
No entries for one week.
*During this period the Russian Provisional Government issued a declaration repudiating a separate peace, and the United States Government announced a decision to send a Division of the United States Army to France at once (first contingent to arrive June 25th).
Friday 18 May 1917
Bde. due to be relieved at Petit Vimy I wonder? No matter tho’ I trust all is well with them.
Thursday 17 May 1917
Sister Nicholson Army Nurse in charge of ward.
Nurse Edith Cowan is the Night Nurse. Nurse Turnbull during day.
Wednesday 16 May 1917
Roused at 6 am to be ready at 7:30 to go in bus to boat. Embarked on P. de Coninck for Dover. Journey takes about 2 hours. Very cold. Most of troops are on deck. Enter train for Newcastle. Given soup & meat on train. S. Major Russell of 4th C.M.R. is with me. Arrive Newcastle at 11 pm & go to Armstrong College (of Armstrong Whitworth factory works) which is filled up with hospital arrangements.
*When war broke out in August 1914, the First Northern General Hospital was mobilised with the rest of the Territorial General Hospitals. The original provision was for 540 beds, but by 1917 this had risen to 2166 and the unit took over Armstrong College, Durham University, the Newcastle Workhouse Infirmary (now Newcastle General Hospital) and a private house to serve as hospital accommodation.
(http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2014-11-10/stories-behind-ww1-memorial-revealed-by-newcastle-university/)
Tuesday 15 May 1917
Change in weather to rain.
Our airmen bring down Airship L.22 in North Sea.
*L 22 was a German Zeppelin that dropped a total of 9,215 kilograms (20,316 lb) of bombs in 8 attacks on Britain. It was destroyed by an RNAS Curtis H12 flying boat flown by Flight Commander Robert Leckie (later Air Vice Marshal) near Terschelling in the North Sea on 14 May 1917 during a reconnaissance mission. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Zeppelins#LZ64
