The RAMC 24th Wessex Field Ambulance Memorial

THE RAMC 24th WESSEX FIELD AMBULANCE 1914 WAR MEMORIAL

The Royal Army Medical Corps 24th Field Ambulance Memorial in Exeter Cathedral

On a dark wall at the back of Exeter Cathedral hangs an even darker memorial dedicated to the memory of west-country men who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. These were the volunteers who went into battle armed only with a medical kit or a stretcher, men who carried injured comrades for miles across open battle grounds, sometimes on their backs, ducking shrapnel and shot and always, always risking their own lives; forbidden by the Geneva convention to use weapons except in self-defence. And one reason why there were so many casualties was that it is very difficult to fire a gun while you are holding on to a stretcher carrying a wounded comrade. These men were very brave indeed.

The first and second 24th (Wessex) Field Ambulances were Territorial Battalions and the man at the head of each Battalion was not only a high ranking-officer such as a Lieutenant -Colonel, he would have been at least a Doctor of Medicine. His 2/IC would have been a Captain or Major who was a Bachelor of Medicine. The work of the Battalion was roughly divided into two - medical and logistical and a glance at the casualty statistics reveals just how successful their care was. Wounded men were quickly passed progressively along a carefully staged line of posts which ran from the front line all the way back to England if necessary and the chances of the wounded were hugely improved by the initial care they received immediately after injury, at the casualty clearing stations where they were assessed.

A Field Ambulance was not a vehicle although vehicles were used in the transport of the wounded. It was the name of a base post to which men were taken for initial treatment after being injured. Each Field Ambulance was composed of 10 officers and 224 men and was divided into three sections, each of which could sustain service by itself if necessary. Many tasks , such as driving ambulances, fumigating, delousing, provision of water and sanitation, cooking etc. were performed by men drawn from the Army Service Corps and if your ancestor served with the RAMC, don't be surprised if they also saw service with the RASC.

In spite of attributions to other Battalions or Regiments, all men named below were actually serving with of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance at the time of their death. Being a Territorial Regiment meant there were less rigid rules for the transfer of men which took place informally according to need and there was often no time to pass on paperwork. Consequently, men of the RAMC can be difficult to track down.
Column 1
F. D. BLANDY MC	Lieutenant Francis Dawson Blandy of the 24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Henry and Helen Blandy. Qualified as a doctor 23 February 1900. Born in Nottingham in 1875. Died 14 August 1917 aged Died 14 August 1917 aged 42. Awarded the Military Cross.
T. DUNCAN	Major Thomas Duncan of the 24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Husband of Isabella Duncan. Born in Auchtermuchty, Fife, in 1861. Died of wounds received in Exeter in the June Quarter of 1921 aged 61.
C. DE LA BERE	Captain Adjutant of the Royal Garrison Artillery, 66th "Y" Brigade, HQ; formerly attached to the 24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of the Reverend John de la Bere and his wife Elizabeth formerly Rector of Woolfardisworthy, Devon. Born in Charlton Kings in 1890. Died 10 September 1918 aged 28.
R. SUSSEX	2nd Lieutenant Reginald Arthur Sussex of the 4th Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment (formerly Private 224 of the RAMC), attached to the 1st Battalion, the York and Lancs Regiment. Son of William and Augusta Norah Sussex (née Sillick). Born in Dartmouth in the September Quarter of 1889. Missing, believed killed in action, 20 March 1917 aged 24.
E. A. BASTIN MM	Sergeant Ernest Albert Bastin of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. . Son of the late Joseph and Mary Ann Bastin; husband of the late Clara. Born in St. Thomas, Exeter in 1884. Died 3 March 1921 aged 37. Buried in Exwick Cemetery. Awarded the Military medal.
A. V. PENBERTHY MM	Corporal Albert Victor ("Bertie") Penberthy of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps., . Son of Charles and Elizabeth Ann Penberthy. Born in Exeter in the September Quarter of 1887. Died of wounds in Exeter aged 35 in the June Quarter of 1923 .Awarded the Military Medal.
A. BAKER	437111 Private Austin Baker 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps., . Son of Thomas and Sarah Baker. Born in Winson Green, Warks, in 1894. Died 9 August 1917 aged 23.
F. H. BAILEY	1914 Private Frederick Henry Bailey of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Robert and Annie Bailey. Born in Exeter in the September Quarter of 1894. Died 1 July 1916 aged 22.
A. C. J. BODEN	457270 Private Arthur Charles James Boden of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of William Henry and Lucy Boden of Exeter. Born in Chesterfield in the December Quarter of 1896. Died 19 November 1917 aged 21.
F. W. BOND	1275 Private Frederick William Bond of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of William and Bessie Bond of Old Town Street, Dawlish. Born in Devonport in 1895. Died 23 may 1915 aged 20.
H. J. H. CARDER	457328 Private Harold John Hutchings Carder of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of James and Emma Carder of Exmouth. Born in Exmouth in the June Quarter of 1894. Died 30 December 1917 aged 23.
C. E. CARR	457410 Private Charles Edward Carr of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Henry Carr and the late Amelia Carr of Queen's Park Road, Brighton. Born in Brighton in 1892. Died 19 August 1917 aged 25.
R. S. COLBOURNE	1924 Ralph Sidney Colbourne of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps..Son of Charles Colbourne and the late Elizabeth Colbourne of Clifton, Bristol. Enlisted in Exeter where the remaining family came to live. Born in Cambridge in 1895. Died 12 March 1915 aged 20.
W. M. COLLINS	Believed to be 2011 Private William Michael Collins of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Born in Plymouth in the June Quarter of 1881. Died in 1917. No other details yet confirmed.
H. G. DAVIS	457218 Private Henry George Davis of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Henry and Fanny Davis of School Road, St. Thomas, Exeter. Born in Exeter in 1895. Died 15 August 1917 aged 22.
R. EDWORTHY	45733 Private Reginald Edworthy of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. No other details yet confirmed.
W. J. FORD	457103 Private William John Ford of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of John Ford of 70 Pinhoe Road, Exeter and the late Alice Ford. Born in Meerhut, India. Died 1 August 1917 aged 29.
C. C. HAYES	457412 Private Cecil Courtney Hayes of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps., Son of Emma Hayes of 56 Clifton Street, Exeter and the late William Courtney. Born in Exeter in 1897. Died 27 December 1917 aged 20.
R. HULL	119631 Private Richard Hull of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance. Son of Annie Walker of Blackpool; husband of Mary Edith Hull of Blackpool. Born in Exeter in 1897. Died 13 October 1918 aged 21.
R. F. JEFFERY	1760 Private Ralph Frederick Jeffery of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps.. Son of Jane Walker of North Shields. Born in Mile End in the June Quarter of 1896. Died 20 August 1916 aged 20.
Column 2
R. H. JEFFREY	36394 Private Robert H Jeffery of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Harry and Catherine Jeffrey of Royal Leamington Spa. Born in Leamington in 1896. Died 8 April 1918 aged 21.
B.C.LAVER (Reverse Initials on Memorial)	S/256198 Sergeant Charles Bertram Laver of the Royal Army Service Corps. Son of Thomas and Kate Laver of Cross Park, heavitree. Born in Heavitree, Exeter in the March Quarter of 1897. Died 14 March 1920. Buried in the Heavitree Churchyard Extension.
T. H. NICHOLLS	1954 Private Thomas Henry Nicholls of the 61st Field Ambulance the Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 6 October 1916. Personal detail not yet confirmed.
F. W. PARSONS	457254 Private F. W. Parsons of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 27 December 1916. Personal details not yet confirmed.
J. G. PEDRICK	1961 Private James George Pedrick of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of James and Alice Pedrick. Died 17 February 1915 aged 21.
E. RADFORD	457162 Private Edwin Lewis Radford of the 1st/6th London Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Eli and Emma Jane Radford of New Street, Honiton. Enlisted in August 1914. Born in Awliscombe in 1892. Died 1 December 1917 aged 25.
B. SIBBITT	59890 Private Bernard Sibbitt of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of James and Georgina Sibbitt of Liverpool. Born in Birkenhead in 1891. Died 27 May 1918 aged 27.
F. SWEETLAND	457504 Private Frederick Sweetland of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Francis and Bessie Sweetland of Elmside, Exeter. Born in Exeter in 1896. Died 26 December 1917 aged 21.
L.S.SWITHENBANK	457341 Private Leslie Shearer Swithenbank of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of the Late Rev. Harvey Swithenbank and his wife (Martha ) Ellie Swithenbank. Born in Hastings in 1897. Died 19 November 1917 aged 20.
A.TAYLOR	9312 Private Taylor, of the 20th Static Hospital, the Royal Army Medical Corps. No other details yet confirmed.
E/E/TOTHILL	457153 Private Ernest Ellis Tothill of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Joseph and Frances Tothill of Bitton Street Post office, Teignmouth. Born in Teignmouth in 1890. Died 15 August 1917 aged 27.
W. R. L. VICARY	5458 Private (William) Reginald Lewis of the 3rd Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Lewis and Alice Vicary of Clifton, Bristol. Born in Bristol St George in 1893. Died 17 October 1917 aged 24.
A. E. VOSPER	457161 Private Albert Edward Vosper of the 3rd Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of James and Eliza Vosper. Born in Babbicombe, Torquay in 1875. Died 26 June 1917 aged 42.
H. WALKER	2099 Driver Harold Walker of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Lewis and Kate Walker of Harrogate. Born in Leeds in 1891. Enlisted in Exeter. Died 16 November 1915 aged 24.
J.WHITE	124817 Private John Frederick White of the 26th Field Ambulance; attached to the 11th Motor Ambulance Convoy. Son of John and Mary White of Portsmouth. Born in Portsmouth in 1889. Died 31 July 1917 aged 28.
W.E.WHITE	2018 Private William Ernest White of the 26th Field Ambulance; attached to the 11th Motor Ambulance Convoy. Son of William and Jane White of Weymouth. Born in the march Quarter of 1893. Died 12 March 1915 1915 aged 21,
G. WILLS	Believed to be 33 Private G. Wills of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance. No other details yet available.
2nd/1st Wessex Field Ambulance
A. W. F. SAYRES	Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Ward Fortescue of the 2nd/1st Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of the Rev. Edward Sayres and his wife Anna; husband of Bertha Sayres. Born in Cold Ashton, Middlesex in 1868. Died 10 October 1917 aged 50. He was a graduate of the College of Surgeons and had a medical practice in Exeter.
W. H. McVICKER	Lieutenant Edgar Harold McVicker of the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 2nd/5th Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers. Son of Samuel McVickery of Toronto, Canada. Born in Canada in 1893. Died 9 September 1916 aged 23. He was a Bachelor of Medicine. He was dressing the wounds of a wounded man when a shell exploded nearby and killed him.
3rd Column
LIEUT.MCNEIL (USA)	No details yet confirmed.
C. COLWILL	2690 Sergeant Cuthbert Charles Colwill of the 2nd/1st Devon and Cornwall Bridging Company, the Army Service Corps. Son of Elizabeth Ann Colwill and the late Henry Colwill of 1 Cambridge Terrace, Well Street, Exeter. Born in Exeter in the June Quarter of 1890. Died 28 April 1917 aged 27. Buried in the Higher Cemetery, Exeter.
J.K.SEALEY	457030 Corporal John William Sealey of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of John and Bessie Sealey of Teignmouth. Born in Teignmouth in 1895. Died 3 August 1917 aged 22.
A.R.COLE	457379 Lance Corporal Arthur Richard Cole of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Arthur and Sophia Cole of Exeter. Born in Monmouth in 1895. Died 10 April 1918 aged 23.
A.E.POOK	250437 Lance Corporal Albert Edward Pook of the Army Service Corps; attached to the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of William and Sarah Pook of Parr Street, Exeter. Born in Exeter in 1898. Died 11 April 1918 aged 20.
A.J.ADAMS	2291 Private Alfred James Adams of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Transferred from the 3rd Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment to the Royal Army Medical Corps. Next of kin was his aunt, Mrs Nicholls of Devonport. Born in St Germans, Cornwall in the June Quarter of 1882. Died 1 August 1916 aged 34.
A. R. BASTIN	457052 Private Arthur Richard Bastin of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Joseph and Mary Ann Bastin. Born in Exeter in 1895. Died 15 January 1919 aged 24. Buried in Exwick Cemetery.
S. BRAILEY	457356 Private Samuel Brailey of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Samuel and Susan Brailey. Born in Exminster in 1897. Died 1 August 1916 aged 19.
H.CATTERALL	341500 Private Harry Catterall of the 3rd Battalion, the West Lancs Regiment; attached to the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Information about parents not yet confirmed. Born in St. Helens, Lancs. Died 20 September 1917
E. COOMBES	5365 Private Edgar Coombes of of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Died in 1917. No other details yet confirmed.
A. J. de VIELL (Error - this should be W. J. de VIELL	t4/250441 Driver William John de Viell of the Royal Army Service Corps, formerly 2074 of the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Walter and Annie de Viell. Born in Exwick in 1898. Died 9 November 1918 aged 20. Buried in Exwick Churchyard.
F. A. MARTIN	Private Frederick Adam Sanford Martin of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Adam and Miriam Martin. Born in Cullompton in 1897. Died 3 June 1917 aged 20.
L. MURRAY	No details yet confirmed.
S. J. PARKER	2253 Private Samuel John Parker of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of George and Kate Parker. Born in Teignmouth in the March Quarter of 1897. Died 14 August 1916 aged 19.
F. H. RICHARDS	457391 Private Francis Henry Richards of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Frank and Elizabeth Richards. Born in Tiverton in 1890. Died 2 August 1917 aged 27.
R. D. W. RICHARDSON (Error - this should be R.D.C. RICHARDSON)	8064 Private Robert Daniel Crawford Richardson of the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of Oscar and Sarah Richardson of Co. Durham. Born in Crooks, Co. Durham in 1897. Died 9 November 1918 aged 22.
A. J. SHEPPERD	No details yet confirmed
L. G. STONEMAN	457344 Private Leonard George Stoneman of the 1st Wessex Field Ambulance attached to the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army medical Corps. Son of Richard and Martha Stoneman of Castle Road, Okehampton. Born in Okehampton in 1895. Died 9 April 1918 aged 23.
F. WILLIAMS	M2/048255 Corporal Frank Williams of the RAMC Mechanical Transport Unit; attached to the Pontoon Park. Son of William and Emily Williams of Cheltenham; husband of Henrietta Williams of Oxfordshire. Born in Cheltenham in 1894. Died 28 January 1919 aged 25.
A. J. YEATES (aka YATES)	2093 Private Albert James Yeates of the 1st/24th (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps; attached to the 2nd/1st (Wessex) Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of William and Alice Yeates. Born in Heavitree, Exeter in 1899. Died 14 August 1916 aged 18.