Canadian Expeditionary Force (8A) Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC)

Canadian Army Medical Corps Overseas during the First World War

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.617.

Canadians operated a number of military hospitals outside Canada including 16 general, 10 stationary, 7 special, and 8 convalescent hospitals overseas during the First World War.  Some of the stationary and convalescent hospitals were eventually converted into general hospitals." (Official History of the Canadian Forces in the Great War: The Medical Services, by Sir Andrew McPhail, 1925)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194941)

A Canadian Field Ambulance in the forward area, very busy, during the Battle of Amiens.

The first CAMC units to arrive at Camp Valcartier were details (73 personnel) of No. IX Field Ambulance from Charlottetown on the 16th August 1914 followed on the 17th by details (240), from No. V and No. IV Field Ambulance (Canadian Militia) both from Montreal. Also two composite Field Ambulances one being made up from four Western Field Ambulances another from four Toronto Field Ambulances. From these units three field ambulances were formed for inclusion with the 1st Contingent all three were authorized by Order in Council Privy Order P.C.2067 of August 6th 1914. The 1st Divisional Field Ambulance was formed prior to the organized Regimental block numbers system. Medals are numbered between 1 and2000 some with an ‘O’ prefix. All Canadian CEF Canadian Army Medical Corps units were disbanded under General Order 211 of November 15th 1920. In the CEF Matrons held the rank of Captain and Nursing Sisters that of Lieutenant. The organization of the medial services in the First World War grew to be a huge organization with many different elements. At the start of the war the duties of the medical services were to examine volunteers to see if they met the appropriate medical standards and provide vaccinations and inoculations for diseases such as typhoid fever. Later their duties became caring for wounded and sick soldiers. By the end of the war there were over 15,500 personnel serving overseas with a further 5000+ in Canada. As of November 30 1918there were 1,415 Officers, 1886 Nursing Sisters and 12,243 Other Ranks serving in the CAMC overseas. In France there were six General Hospitals, six Stationary Hospitals, four Casualty Clearing Stations, 14 Field Ambulances, five Sanitary Sections, a Medical Depot and a Mobile Laboratory. It is pointed out that a Hospital etc., refers to the personnel and not the physical building, almost all being located at different locations during the course of the war due to the expansion. In England there were 10 General Hospitals, seven Special Hospitals, eight Convalescent Hospitals, a Laboratory Unit, four Sanitary Sections, a Medical Depot and two Hospital Ships. By November 30th 1918 the capacity of the C.A.M.C. Canadian Hospitals Overseas was 34,609 beds. (Chris Brooker)

Convalescent Hospitals

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Woodcote Park (Epsom)
1 Hyde Park Place (London)
Bearwood Park (Wokingham)
Bromley (Kent)
Bushey Park (Middlesex)
Grand Hotel - Broadstairs (Kent)
Hillington House (Uxbridge)
Monks Horton Park (Kent)
Peak Hotel - Buxton (Derbyshire)
Petrograd Hotel (London)
Princess Patricia's Canadian Red Cross Hospital (Ramsgate)
Royal Hotel - Matlock Bath (Derbyshire)
Sanatorium: Yarrow House - Broadstairs (Kent)

Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot

Base Depot Medical Stores
Central Medical Stores

No. 1 Advanced Depot Medical Stores
No. 2 Advanced Depot Medical Stores
No. 3 Advanced Depot Medical Stores
No. 4 Advanced Depot Medical Stores
No. 5 Advanced Depot Medical Stores

14 Field Ambulances.

Canadian General Hospitals

Canadian General Hospitals were formed as an integral part of the Lines of Communications Troops and were originally envisioned as two General and two Stationary Hospitals for each Canadian Division. After the arrival of the 2nd Division in England this proposed system was scraped and the hospitals were formed on an ‘as needed’ basis. The General Hospitals were originally equipped with 520 beds but this was doubled to 1040 beds in 1915, after this date the number varied up to 2000 or more beds as needed.

No. 1 Canadian General Hospital

No. 1 Canadian General Hospital was formed at Camp Valcartier being authorized under Order in CouncilP.C.2067 on August 6th 1914. The unit sailed with the 1st Contingent and was billeted on Salisbury Plain from October 20th 1914 until May 13th 1915 when it embarked for France. No 1 General Hospital commenced operations at Etaples on May 31st 1915 where it remained until July 20th 1918 when it relocated to Trouville where it served from May 7th 1918 until February.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5065553)

Surgery Tent, No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Tréport, France, 1917.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395744)

Motor ambulances, No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Tréport, France, June 1916.

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(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4167328)

An unidentified driver with a St. John Ambulance Association ambulance, No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Tréport, France, 1917.

No. 2 Canadian General Hospital

No. 2 Canadian General Hospital was formed at Camp Valcartier being authorized under Order in CouncilP.C.2067 on August 6th 1914. The unit sailed with the 1st Contingent and was billeted on Salisbury Plain from October 18th 1914 until March 13th 1915 when it embarked for France. No 2 General Hospitalcommenced operations at Le Treport March 16th 1914 and served at this location until March 2nd 1919.No.2 General Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 215 of 1920.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4167328)

"Drive it like you stole it", these ladies were likely told.  (Four drivers with a St. John Ambulance Association ambulance, No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Tréport, France, 1917.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4167329)

Five drivers with a St. John Ambulance Association ambulance, hamming it up at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Tréport, France, 1917.

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No. 3 (McGill University) Canadian General Hospital

No. 3 (McGill University) Canadian General Hospital was organized at Montreal on March 5th 1915 being authorized under General Order 36 of March 15th 1915. The unit sailed for England in May 1915 where it was billeted at Shorncliffe form May 16th until June 16th when it sailed for France. No. 3 (McGill University) General Hospital commenced operations at Dannes-Camiers on June 19th 1915 serving there until January 5th 1916 when it relocated to Boulogne. The unit commenced operations at Boulogne on January 6th 1916 where it remained until May 29th 1919. No.3 General Hospital was disbanded November15th 1920 under General Order 215 of 1920.

No. 4 (University of Toronto) Canadian General Hospital

No. 4 (University of Toronto) Canadian General Hospital was organized at Toronto March 25th 1915 being authorized under General Order 36 of March 15th 1915. The unit sailed for England in May 1915 where itwas billeted at Shorncliffe from May 28th until October 15th 1915 when it sailed for Salonika. No. 4 (University of Toronto) Canadian General Hospital commenced operations at Salonika November 9th 1915serving there until May 18th 1916 when it relocated to Kalamaria (Kalamata) in Greece near Sparta whereit served from May 19th 1916 until August 17th 1917 when it returned to England. No. 4 (University of Toronto) Canadian General Hospital served at Basingtoke from September 18th 1917 until July 2nd 1919.(No.4 General Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 215 of 1920.

No. 5 Canadian General Hospital

No. 5 Canadian General Hospital was organized at Victoria May 30th 1915 being authorized under General Order 103a of August 15th 1915. The unit sailed for England in September 1915 where it was billeted at Shorncliffe form September 5th 1915 until November 16th 1915 when it sailed for Salonika. No. 5Canadian General Hospital commenced operations at Salonika December 14th 1915 serving there until August 16th 1917 when it returned to England. No. 5 Canadian General Hospital served at Liverpool from October 13th 1917 to August 19th 1919. (No.5 General Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 underGeneral Order 215 of 1920.

No. 6 (Laval) Canadian General Hospital

No. 6 (Laval) Stationary Hospital was authorized under General Order 151 of December 22nd 1915, but the unit had previously been raised as No.6 (Laval) General Hospital. under General Order 103A of August 8th1915 from the staff and faculty of Laval University in Montreal. No 6 General Hospital commenced operations at Troyes on January 23rd 1917 with a 1.400 bed hospital. In June 1918 it transferred to Joinville operating an 800 bed hospital until after the Armistice. No.6 Stationary Hospital and No.6 General Hospital were both disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 7 (Queens University) Canadian General Hospital

No. 5 Stationary Hospital was raised from the students and faculty of Queen’s University at Kingston effective 1914 being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. Having previously sailed for England in June 1915 where it was billeted on St. Martin’s Plain. In January 1916 it was redesignated as No.7 (Queen’s University) Canadian General Hospital sailing for Egypt where is commenced operations at Cairo on August 26th 1916 with 400 beds. In April 1916 it was transferred to France where in commenced operations at Le Treport moving to Etaples in November 1916 where it served until after the Armistice.No.5 Stationary Hospital and No. 7 (Queen’s University) Canadian General Hospital were disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 8 Canadian General Hospital

No. 8 Canadian General Hospital was raised as No.4 Stationary hospital on November 22nd 1914 at Montreal being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915 having sailed for England in June 1915where it was billeted at Risboro’ Barracks. On the 21st March 1916 No.4 Stationary Hospital opened at St.Cloud near Paris with 400 beds being redesignated as No.8 General Hospital July 8th 1916. The unit remained at St. Cloud until February 2nd 1919. No.4 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 9 Canadian General Hospital

No. 9 Canadian General Hospital was originally the Shorncliffe Military Hospital it was taken over by No .9Canadian General Hospital this formed in England on September 10th 1917 serving there until December18th 1918 when it was relocated to Rhyl in North Wales five miles from Kimmel Camp. No.9 CanadianGeneral Hospital commenced operations at Rhyl on December 18th 1918 serving there until September 3rd 1919.

No. 10 Canadian General Hospital

No. 10 Canadian General Hospital was originally the Kitchener Military Hospital and was located at Brighton in England being taken over by No.10 Canadian General Hospital September 10th 1917 where it operated until September 3rd 1919.T

No. 11 Canadian General Hospital

No. 11 Canadian General Hospital was originally Moore Barracks Military Hospital located at Shorncliffe Camp this opened in May 1915 being taken over by No.11 Canadian General Hospital September 13th 1917 where it operated until September 20th 1919. No. 11 Canadian General Hospital was also affiliated with Queen’s Canadian Hospital at Beachborough Park.

No. 12 Canadian General Hospital

No. 12 Canadian General Hospital was originally Bramshott Military Hospital located at Bramshott Camp this being taken over in September 1916 by No.9 Stationary Hospital redesignated as No. 12 Canadian General Hospital October 12th 1917 where it operated until September 23rd 1919. No.9 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 13 Canadian General Hospital

No. 13 Canadian General Hospital was originally Hastings Military Hospital located at Hastings. This was taken over from the British Authorities by No. 8 (University of Saskatchewan) Stationary Hospital on January 1st 1917 serving until October 2nd 1917 when it was replaced by No. 1 Stationary Hospital, this being redesignated as No. 13 Canadian General Hospital October 2nd 1917 where it operated until June 6th 1919. No.1 Stationary Hospital which had been created under Order in Council P.C. 2067 and authorized under General Order 35 of March 15th 1915 was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211of 1920.

No. 14 Canadian General Hospital

No. 14 Canadian General Hospital was originally the Eastbourne Military Hospital located at Eastbourne being taken over by No. 14 Canadian General Hospital October 10th 1917 where it operated until October 23rd 1919.

No. 15 Canadian General Hospital

No. 15 Canadian General Hospital was originally the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital located at Taplow this opened March 15th 1915 being taken over by No.15 Canadian General Hospital September 10th 1917 where it operated until September 15th 1919.

No. 16 Canadian General Hospital

No. 16 Canadian General Hospital was originally the Ontario Military Hospital located at Orpington this opened February 19th 1916 being taken over by No. 16 Canadian General Hospital September 10th 1917, where it operated until September 20th 1919.

Canadian Military Hospital - Basingstoke (Hampshire)Canadian Military Hospital - Kirkdale (Liverpool)

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Canadian Stationary Hospitals

No. 1 Canadian Stationary Hospitals (Nos. 1 to 10)

No. 1 Stationary hospital was one of two formed at Camp Valcartier on September 3rd 1914 from CAMC personnel volunteers already at the camp. No 1 Stationary Hospital took over the duties of No. 1 Camp Hospital which had operated at Camp Valcartier by the militia IX Field Ambulance since August 17th 1914, this having been ordered out on Active Service from Charlottetown P.E.I. The establishment of the stationary hospitals at that time was approximately 400 all ranks, the compliment being completed before sailing by the addition a Nursing Matron and 42 Nursing Sisters these selected from a list of volunteers who had reported to the Immigration Hospital at Quebec City on September 23rd 1914, all sailing with the1st Contingent on October 3rd 1914. No. 1 Stationary Hospital sailed for France on February 2nd 1915 opening a 300 bed hospital at Boulogne in March 1915. There stay there was relatively brief as No.1Stationary Hospital sailed for the island of Lemnos in Greece where it opened on August 23rd 1915. In 1916 it moved to Salonica March 1916 where it served until August 1917 before returning to England where it was redesignated No. 13 General Hospital located at Hastings. where the unit continued to serve until after the armistice. No.1 Stationary Hospital which had been created under Order in Council P.C. 2067and authorized under General Order 35 of March 15th 1915 was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 2 Stationary hospital was one of two raised at Camp Valcartier on September 3rd 1914 from CAMC personnel volunteers already at the camp. In addition a Nursing Matron and 42 Nursing Sisters these selected from a list of volunteers reported to the Immigration Hospital at Quebec City on September 23rd1914, all sailing with the 1st Contingent on October 3rd 1914. No.2 Stationary Hospital was the first Canadian unit to see service in France sailing from England on November 6/7th 1914 and the staff the only Canadians personnel to meet the qualifications of entitlement of the 1914 Star. No. 2 Stationary Hospital opened as a 650 bed hospital at LeTouque on December 4th 1914 and operated at this location until being transferred to Outreau on October 21st 1915 where the unit continued to serve until after the armistice. No.2 Stationary Hospital which had been created under Order in Council P.C. 2067 and authorized under General Order 35 of March 15th 1915 was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 3 Stationary hospital was formed November 22nd 1914 being authorized under General Order 36 of March 15th 1915. The hospital sailed for England in the late spring of 1915 where it was located at Moore Barracks Hospital. No. 3 Stationary Hospital sailed for the Greek Island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea, where it opened operations in combination with No. 1 Stationary Hospital on August 23rd 1915. No 3 Stationary Hospital served in Greece until transferring to Boulogne May 25th 1916 serving there until November 21st 1916 when it transferred to Doullens in France. In the spring of 1918 its duties changed to a 1000 bed Casualty Clearing Station it was transferred to Rouen in August 1918 where it served until after the Armistice. No.3 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 4 Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 4 Stationary hospital was formed November 22nd 1914 at Montreal being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915 having sailed for England in June 1915 where it was billeted at Risboro’ Barracks. On the 21st March 1916 No.4 Stationary Hospital opened at St. Cloud near Paris with 400 beds being redesignated as No.8 General Hospital July 8th 1916. No.4 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 5 (Queen’s University) Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 5 Stationary Hospital was raised from the students and faculty of Queen’s University at Kingston effective 1914 being authorized under General Order 86 of July 1st 1915. Having previously sailed for England in June 1915 where it was billeted on St. Martin’s Plain. In January 1916 it was redesignated as No.7 (Queen’s University) Canadian General Hospital sailing for Egypt where is commenced operations at Cairo on August 26th 1916 with 400 beds. In April 1916 it was transferred to France where in commenced operations at Le Treport moving to Etaples in November 1916 where it served until after the Armistice.No.5 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 6 (Laval) Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 6 Stationary Hospital was authorized under General Order 151 of December 22nd 1915, but the unit had previously been raised as No. 6 (Laval) General Hospital. under General Order 103A of August 8th 1915 from the staff and faculty of Montreal Campus of Laval University in Montreal. No 6 General Hospital commenced operations at Troyes on January 23rd 1917 with a 1.400 bed hospital. In June 1918 it transferred to Joinville operating an 800 bed hospital until after the Armistice. No.6 Stationary Hospital andNo.6 General Hospital were both disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 7 (Dalhousie) Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 7 (Dalhousie University) Stationary Hospital was organized October 21st 1915 being authorized under General Order 151 of December 22nd 1915. The unit arrived in England in January 1916 serving at Shorncliffe until sailing for France in June 1916 where it commenced operations at La Havre June 19th 1916 with an 800 bed building and 400 bed tent annex opened at Harfleur December 31st 1916 until May13th 1917 when the No.7 Stationary Hospital moved to Argues serving there until April 18th 1918 when the unit moved to Etaples serving there for just one month until the facility was closed May 23rd 1918 when the 7th Stationary Hospital moved to Rouen commencing operations on May 24th 1918 where the unit remained until September 21st 1918 when it made its final move to Camiers where it remained in operation until after the Armistice. Finally ceasing operations on February 23rd 1919.No.7 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photos)

1997.28.418.

No. 8 (University of Saskatchewan) Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 8 (University of Saskatchewan) Stationary Hospital was organized at Saskatoon March 23rd 1916 being authorized under General Order 69 of June 15th 1917. The unit commenced operations at the Canadian Military Hospital at Hastings in England on January 1st 1917 serving until October 2nd 1917 when it transferred to the Canadian Special Hospital for patients with Venereal Disease at Witley Camp where it remained until November 10th 1917. It next commenced operations at Camiers, France on December 10th1917 until April 16th 1918, at Charmes from April 17th 1918 until November 1st 1918, to Rouen from the2nd to the 11th November 1918 when the facility was closed and to Dunkirk from November 16th until April 14th 1919. No.8 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of1920. (There are two groups of Regimental numbers for No. 8 General Hospital these being 534151 -534400 and 534171- 535400) This would indicate that the unit was raised from students and faculty at boththe University of Saskatchewan and a second as yet unidentified Western Canadian University.

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(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.421.

No. 9 (St. Francis Xavier University) Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 9 (St Francis Xavier University) Stationary Hospital was organized at Antigonish Nova Scotia March 3rd 1916 being authorized under General Order 69 of June 15th 1917. The unit commenced operations at Bramshott Military Hospital October 3rd 1916 serving there until December 5th 1917 when the unit proceeded to France commencing operations at St. Omer on December 12th 1917. The 9th Stationary Hospital served at St. Omer until April 19th 1918 moving to Etaples and commencing operations on April20th 1918 serving there until September 9th 1918 when the unit made its final move to Camiers where it served from September 10th 1918 until May 21st 1919. No.9 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

St. Francis Xavier University’s primary contribution to the war effort in 1916 was the recruiting and training of the Canadian Stationary Hospital Unit, No. 9, financed by the Canadian government. St. FX supplied the personnel — 12 doctors, 30 nurses, 150 men. Graduation came early so seniors could receive their degrees before embarking on training in March. By late July, No. 9 was in England under the command of Col. R. C. MacLeod, who became the first casualty of the unit, dying of anthrax in England. The unit went to France on December 1, 1917, and served at St. Omer, Etaples, and a general hospital at Camiens. It was the last hospital to received patients in France and the second last to leave for England. Unit No. 9 arrived home on board the OLYMPIC on July 8, 1919. (Pat Walsh, 1989,The History of Antigonish, p. 178)

No. 10 (University of Western Ontario) Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 10 (University of Western Ontario) Stationary Hospital was organized at London Ontario on May 10th 1916. The unit sailed for England in October 1916 and commenced operations at Seaford Camp on November 2nd 1916 moving to Eastbourne January 21st 1917 where it remained until December 17th 1917when the unit transferred to France. No. 10 Stationary Hospital commenced operations at Calais on Christmas day 1917 where it remained in operation until April 16th 1919. No. 10 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 211 of 1920.

No. 11 Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 11 Stationary Hospital was organized at Vancouver British Columbia on October 9th 1918 for service with the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force at Vladivostock being authorized under General Order 128of November 1st 1918. The unit commenced operations with a 575 bed facility including annexes at Vladivostock on October 26th 1918 and served until June 5th 1919. No Nursing Sisters served in Russia. No.11 Stationary Hospital was disbanded November 15th 1920 under General Order 215 of 1920.

No. 12 Canadian Stationary Hospital - possibly Forestry Corps Hospitals (6)

There is no information concerning No. 12 Stationary Hospital in the General Orders. Possibly part of the Canadian Forestry Corps Stationary Hospital. This was apparently formed in England and had two main hospital facilities in England, one at Beech Hill, Englefield Green with 75 beds and a second 20 bed facility at Sunningdale. In Addition there were detention hospitals each of six beds attached to each Forestry Corps Company in England. In France there was a 150 bed Hospitals at Lajoux, Jura, with 50 bed hospitals at Alencon and at Geradmer, a 35 bed hospital at Conches, a 25 bed hospital at Lesperson and a 12 bed facility at Parentisen-Born. Again each Forestry Company had a six bed detention hospital.

Canadian ForestryCorps Hospitals

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395761)

Operating Room. No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station, July 1916.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395809)

Casualty Clearing Station. The Princess Christian Hospital Train at the Front filling up with wounded. October, 1916.

No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station

No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station

No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station

No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station.

No. 7 (Cavalry) Field Ambulance.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395892)

Busy scene at a Casualty Clearing Station during attack on Cambrai. Advance East of Arras. October, 1918.

During the course of the First World War, four Canadian Casualty Clearing Stations, one for each Division, were raised for service with the Canadian Corps in France. The Casualty Clearing Stations went though many changes in configuration and moved between many locations to meet the constantly changing needs for emergency medical services seldom operating for any length of time from a fixed location or with a fixed establishment, additional surgical teams being brought in times of emergency. All four Canadian Casualty Clearing Stations were disbanded under General Order 211 of 15 November 1920.

No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station

No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station was opened as No.2 Camp Hospital at Camp Valcartier on 24 August 1914 from No. V Field Ambulance (Canadian Militia) this being taken over on August 27th by No.2Casualty Clearing Hospital (Canadian Militia ) from Halifax. This sailed with the 1st Contingent on 3 October 1914 with a total of 87 All Ranks under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.S.L. Ford. On its arrival on October 14th 1914 it proceeded to Taplow where it remained until February 1st and from there to Clivenden (This later the location of No.15 Canadian General Hospital); where it was reorganized becoming No.1 Casualty Clearing Station (A 200 bed Casualty Clearing Hospital) this sailing for France on 2 February 1915. Being authorized under General Order 36 of March 15th 1915. No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station commenced operations at Aire on March 8th 1915 remaining there until January1st 1916 when it was replaced by No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station. From Aire No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station went to Bailleul January 1st 1916, to Aubigny March 4th 1917, to Adinkerke June 17th 1917, to Zuydcoote October 23rd 1917, to Ruitz November 23rd 1917, to Pernes April 28th 1918, to Arneke July 1st1918, to Boves July 15th 1918, to Agnez-les-Duisans on 1 September 1918, to Gosselies November 23rd1918 when the unit moved to Germany being located at Euskirchen on 9 December 1918 and finally Bonn on 20 December 1918. No.1 Casualty Clearing Station was closed February 12th 1919.

No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station

No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station was mobilized from the Toronto No.1 Casualty Clearing Hospital(Canadian Militia) at Toronto in February 1915 being authorized under General Order 36 of March 15th1915. No.2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station sailed for England in April 1915 under command of Colonel G.S. Rennie where it commenced operations at Moore barracks Hospital at Shoreham on May 5th1915 remaining there until September 16th 1915 when the unit sailed for France where the personnel were assigned to other units for training until January 1st 1916 when the took over operations from No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station at Aire where the unit remained until July 10th 1916. From Aire No.2 Casualty Clearing Station went to Remy Sidings July 10th 1916, to Esquelbecq on April 15th 1918, back to Remy Sidings on September 16th 1918, to Leuze on 16 November 1918 to Hut on 5 December 1918 when the unit moved to Germany being located at Bonn from 21 December until closing on February 7th 1919.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3629848)

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Motorized ambulances of No. 3 Ambulance Company, July 1916.

No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station

No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station was mobilized from the Winnipeg No.3 Casualty Clearing Hospital (Canadian Militia) at Winnipeg in June 1915 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel R.J. Blanchard. No.3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station was authorized under General Order 69 of July 15th1916 a No 3 Casualty Station was also authorized under General Order 103A of July 15th 1916 but is believed to be the same unit just under a different designation as we have found no other mention of this unit in the literature. No 3 Casualty Clearing Station arrived in England on November 11th 1915 serving at the Shorncliffe Military Hospital until sailing for France where it commenced operations at Remy Siding on April 2nd 1916. From Remey Sidings No.3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station moved to Frevent March 26th 1918, to Ligny-sur-Canche on 7 June 1918, to Varennes September 1st 1918, to Ypres on 1 October 1918, and to le Quesnoy November 1st 1918 where it served until being closed March 13th 1919.

No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station

No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station was mobilized at Winnipeg on March 16th 1916 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel L. Drum arriving in England in January 1917 where it was located at Ramsgate serving at the Granville Special Hospital for Orthopaedics until sailing for France on June 1st 1917. No.4Canadian Casualty Clearing Station commenced operations at Longuenesse on June 30th 1917 moving toRuitz December 11th 1917, to Pernes March 27th 1918, to Esquelbecq July 31st 1917 to Boves on 19 August 1918, to Agnez-les-Duisans September 1st 1918, to Bois-de-Montigny October 30th 1918, to Valenciennes November 7th 1918, and finally to Mons on December 7th 1918 where the unit remained until being closedon April 3rd 1919.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395880)

Officer Commanding and Sisters of the 2nd Canadian Stationary Hospital, France. February, 1918.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395813)

Wounded soldiers being brought to a casualty clearing station from the front, October 1916.

Canadian Field Ambulance

The establishment of the First World War Field Ambulance was created in the post Boer War era and basically comprised a Bearer Division and a Field Hospital with a total of 150 beds. Each of these being formed into three sections each with a third of the Bearers and a third of the tented Field Hospital. A Field Ambulance was attached to each Infantry Brigade as Divisional Troops and later after the formation of the  an additional Corps unit. In addition there were Field Ambulances for Cavalry Troops but these with a slightly different organization with two and not three sections. The personnel of a Field Ambulance was nine Officers and 238 Other ranks plus 36 attached horse and truck drivers from the CASC. (Chris Brooker)

1st Division, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Field Ambulances

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3397028)

Canadian wounded being placed in Ambulance during advance on Lens. October, 1917.

Throughout the war, 630,000 Canadians served in the CEF, mostly volunteers. About 425,000 of those went overseas. The price of their sacrifice was high, more than 234,000 were killed or wounded, and thousands more came home alive but traumatized by their experiences. (The Canadian Encyclopedia)

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1st Canadian Field Ambulance

The 1st Canadian Field Ambulance was formed from volunteers from Military Districts No’s 3, 4 and 5.The unit sailed with the 1st Contingent with 219 All ranks being billeted at Bustard Camp. The 1stCanadian Field Ambulance sailed for France on February 7th 1915, with 219 all ranks locating at Bustard Camp. The 1st Canadian Field Ambulance sailed for France on February 7th 1915 serving on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

1st Canadian Field Ambulance Depot Reinforcements were provided from No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance Depot established November 30th1914 with two officers and 81 OR’s. this remaining in Canada. The numbers of personnel fluctuating but rising to a high of 28 officers and 531 OR’s on 31 August 1915.

2nd Canadian Field Ambulance

The 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance was formed from volunteers from Military Districts No’s 1 and 2. The unit sailed with the 1st Contingent with 265 All ranks with two sections being billeted at West Down South Camp and two at West Down North Camp. The 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance sailed for France on February 11th 1915, serving on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War. Reinforcements were provided from No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance Depot established May 31st 1915 with eight officers and 272 OR’s this remaining in Canada. The numbers fluctuating to a high of 17 officers and 680 OR's by August 18th 1915.

2nd Canadian Field Ambulance Depot

3rd Canadian Field Ambulance

The 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance was formed from volunteers from Military Districts No’s 10, 11 and13. The unit sailed with the 1st Contingent with 270 All ranks being billeted at Sling Plantation Camp. The3rd Canadian Field Ambulance sailed for France on February 9th 1915, serving on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

2nd Division 4th, 5th & 6th Field Ambulances

The 4th, 5th and 6th Canadian Field Ambulances were all authorized under General Order 36 of March 3rd1915 and disbanded under General Order 211 of November 15th 1920.

4th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 4th Canadian Field Ambulance was formed at Winnipeg in November 1914, with ‘A’ section from Winnipeg, ‘B’ Section from Victoria and ‘C’ Section from Calgary. In April 1915 the unit moving to Halifax for embarkation for England. The 4th, 5th and 6th Field Ambulances landed in England on April29th 1914 the 4th Field Ambulance being billeted at Dibgate where the unit remained until sailing for France between September 13th and 15th 1915.

5th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 5th Canadian Field Ambulance was partially formed at Hamilton November 9th 1914 moving to Toronto on November 19th where it was completed with local volunteers then entraining for Halifax on April 15th 1915. The 4th, 5th and 6th Field Ambulances landed in England on April 29th 1914 the 5th and6th Field Ambulance both being billeted at Otterpool where the unit remained until sailing for France between September 13th and 15th 1915.

6th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 6th Canadian Field Ambulance was raised in Montreal on November 13th from No. IV FieldAmbulance (Canadian Militia) one of the first units to report to Camp Valcartier but depleted as many ofthe personnel had proceeded to England with the 1st Contingent. The unit entrained for Halifax on April 16th 1915.

The 4th, 5th and 6th Field Ambulances landed in England on April 29th 1914 the 5th and 6th Field Ambulance both being billeted at Otterpool where the unit remained until sailing for France between September 13th and 15th 1915.

7th through 14th Canadian Field Ambulances were authorized under General Order 69 of July 15th 1916.

7th Canadian Cavalry Field Ambulance

The 7th Canadian (Cavalry) Field Ambulance was organized in England on January 10th 1916. Being raised with troops at the CAMC Training School, the CO and 2nd in Command having seen previous service in France. The unit sailed for France on February 13th 1916 and commenced operations at Belloyon February 16th 1916.3rd Division 8th, 9th & 10th Field Ambulance8th Canadian Field Ambulance.

The 8th Canadian Field Ambulance mobilized at Calgary on December 13th 1915 and arrived in England April 9th 1916. The unit landed in France on May 8th 1916 and commenced operations at the 3rd Divisional Headquarters on May 11th 1916.

9th (Queen’s University) Canadian Field Ambulance

The 9th Canadian Field Ambulance was raised at Queen’s University at Kingston and mobilized at Montreal on January 3rd 1916. The 9th (Queen’s University) Field Ambulance arrived in England March12th 1916. The unit landed in France on April 4th 1916 and commenced operations at the Front on April12th 1916.

10th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 10th Canadian Field Ambulance mobilized at Winnipeg on January 12th 1916 and arrived in EnglandMarch 12th 1916. The unit landed in France on April 4th 1916 and commenced operations at the Front on April 12th 1916.

4th Division 11th, 12th, & 13th Field Ambulances

11th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 11th Canadian Field Ambulance was organized in Canada and arrived in England May 30th 1916 and landed in France August 11th 1916.

12th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 12th Canadian Field Ambulance was organized at Winnipeg and arrived in England July 3rd 1916 and landed in France August 12th 1916.

13th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 13th Canadian Field Ambulance was organized at Victoria and arrived in England July 9th 1916 andlanded in France August 13th 1916.

Canadian Corps Field Ambulances

14th Canadian Field Ambulance

The 14th Canadian Field Ambulance was organized in England in May 1918 from units slated for the 5th Division. The unit arrived in France June 6th 1918 and commenced operations at Beugin as Corps troops on June 9th 1918.

(Queen’s University) Canadian Field Ambulance

The 15th (Queen’s University) Canadian Field Ambulance was raised at Queen’s University at Kingston authorized under General Order 63 of June 15th 1917. The disposition of this unit is unknown. It was likely raised for the proposed 5th Canadian Division and disbanded for reinforcements after arriving in England.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395883)

A Canadian Field Ambulance in the forward area during the advance. Battle of Amiens. August, 1918.

  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194342)

Private Lawrence, aged 17, who was wounded fifteen minutes before the declaration of the Armistice ending the First World War.

Hospital Ships

His Majesty's Hospital Ship ARAGUAYA
His Majesty's Hospital Ship ESSEQUIBO
His Majesty's Hospital Ship LETITIA
His Majesty's Hospital Ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE
His Majesty's Hospital Ship NEURALIA
other ships

Canadian Corps Dental Laboratory

Canadian Sanitary Sections

Siberia Force
16 Field Ambulance (Siberia)
No. 4 Advanced Depot Medical Stores (Siberia)
No. 10 Sanitary Section (Siberia)
No. 11 Stationary Hospital (Siberia)

Special hospitals
Canadian Eye & Ear Hospital Westcliffe (Folkestone)
Canadian Special Hospital Etchinghill (Kent)
Canadian Special Hospital Granville (Kent)
Canadian Special Hospital Lenham (Kent)
Canadian Special Hospital Whitley Camp (Surrey)