_“B” UNIT, M.H.C.C._
In the spring of 1915, when the casualties of the Canadian Overseas
Forces commenced returning to Canada, the best methods of dealing with
them had to be considered. The first men to return were not for medical
treatment. They were dealt with by the Discharge Depots at Halifax and
Quebec. At these points the men received their discharge from the army,
their tickets to their homes, a suit of civilian clothes, and the
balance of pay due to them.
Towards the fall of 1915 the sick and wounded commenced returning, at
first in small numbers; and they were also dealt with by the Discharge
Depots. Those not requiring further medical treatment were discharged
and sent to their homes, with three months’ pay, paid in three monthly
instalments. Those who required further medical treatment were also
discharged, but were sent to the Convalescent Home nearest to their
homes. These Convalescent Homes were small, and most of them were placed
at the disposal of the Government by private individuals. They were all
equipped by the Red Cross, I.O.D.E., and other local societies organized
throughout Canada by the women of Canada. In the autumn of 1915 the
Military Hospitals Commission was created, with authority to accept and
administer these Homes. The powers of this Commission were almost
unlimited as to their control, administration, and creation of Hospitals
and Convalescent Homes for the treatment of Canada’s troops returning
from Overseas.
In the spring of 1916 the sick and wounded returned in great numbers,
and the Military Hospitals Commission having foreseen this, was well
prepared to receive them, having provided large Hospital and
Convalescent Home accommodation throughout Canada from coast to coast.
The question now before the Government was how were the men to be kept
under discipline in these Hospitals and Convalescent Homes when the men
were no longer soldiers, having received their discharge from the army
when passing through the Discharge Depots at ports of arrival. It was
finally decided that those who required further medical treatment would
not receive their discharge on arrival, but would be forwarded to the
Hospital or Convalescent Home nearest to their homes and these men would
receive their discharge from the army when their medical treatment was
brought to a finality.
[Illustration:
MAJOR J. F. TAYLOR.]
To take charge of the administration and discipline of these men, in the
various Hospitals and Homes throughout the country, the Military
Hospitals Commission Command was created in June, 1916, “B” Unit being
the Unit charged with the administration of the Hospitals and Homes
throughout the Maritime Provinces. The Officer Commanding this Unit
during the whole period of its existence—two years—was Major J. F.
Taylor, of Halifax, an officer who had done excellent service in the Pay
Branch, and who was selected to command the Maritime Province Unit on
account of his tact and business knowledge. Major Taylor organized and
administered the affairs of “B” Unit in a highly efficient manner at all
times, showing great sympathy to the men under his command. Owing to his
great tact and business ability, the Unit was second to none in Canada.
The duties performed by “B” Unit were manifold. Military discipline was
adopted to a certain extent in all M.H.C.C. Institutions, but had to be
administered with regard to circumstances. The officers saw only the
aftermath of the terrible cataclysm enacted “over there,” and their
hearts were absorbed in the work of repairing broken humanity.
The personnel of the Staff of “B” Unit on March 1, 1917, was as follows:
Major J. F. Taylor Officer Commanding.
Capt. C. M. Mosher Adjutant.
Capt. F. A. R. Gow Medical Officer.
Captain Clarke Quartermaster.
Capt. A. A. Peachy Paymaster.
On November 1, 1917, Capt. C. M. Mosher resigned as Adjutant and Capt.
Walter Whitford was appointed to that office and carried on until “B”
Unit was dissolved. In November, 1917, Capt. H. C. Sircom, a returned
officer, was appointed Paymaster to succeed Capt. Peachy, who had been
transferred to the Discharge Depot Command.
The Hospitals and Convalescent Homes that were turned over to “B” Unit
by the Military Hospital Commission consisted of the following:—
The Parks Convalescent Hospital St. John, N.B.
Ross Convalescent Hospital Sydney, N.S.
Clayton Convalescent Home Halifax, N.S.
Dalton Sanitarium North Wiltshire, P.E.I.
Ross Military Convalescent Home was presented to the M.H.C.C. by
Commander and Mrs. J. K. L. Ross, of Sydney, C.B., on June 1, 1915.
[Illustration:
CAPT. WALTER WHITFORD.]
The personnel in each of these Hospitals were transferred to the
M.H.C.C., and, with the exception of a few minor transfers, carried on
in the same efficient manner that had characterized them from the
organization of the M.H.C.C. By constructing and taking over other large
buildings, the M.H.C.C. soon made adequate arrangements for dealing with
the large number of soldiers returning from Overseas. Pier 2 having been
taken over by the Militia Department for a Clearing Hospital, it was
transferred to the M.H.C.C., February 15, 1917. Necessary alterations
delayed the opening of this Hospital until April 1, 1917. Its worth as a
Hospital was well demonstrated both while under the command of the
M.H.C.C. and later under the command of the Clearing Services.
Pine Hill Presbyterian Theological College, Halifax, was taken over by
the M.H.C.C. as a Convalescent Hospital on March 1, 1917, and Capt. M.
S. Hunt was placed in charge, with Major Philip Weatherbe, Senior
Medical Officer, and Capt. John Cameron, Resident Medical Officer. Capt.
Dexter McCurdy was also a member of the Medical Staff but was
transferred on Overseas service in August, 1918. This Hospital, situated
as it was, on the shores of the Northwest Arm, Halifax, proved a great
boon to the returned convalescent soldiers. Its location adjoining Point
Pleasant Park was an ideal one for the care and comfort of convalescent
soldiers. There was an abundance of pure air, shady trees, and pleasant
walks, and though quite removed from Halifax City and its noisy traffic,
it was still sufficiently near to permit men able to walk to get a tram
car running into the city, where they could enjoy a few hours with
friends at a theatre or elsewhere. At the rear of the Home the waters of
the Northwest Arm gave the men ample opportunity for boating, bathing
and various other water sports, of which they took full advantage during
the summer months. It is the unanimous opinion of the returned soldiers
that Pine Hill was the _Ideal_ Convalescent Hospital in Nova Scotia.
In May, 1917, the Moxham Convalescent Hospital at Sydney, C.B., was
opened, with Major F. O’Neil in command. Major O’Neil who had been in
command of the Ross Convalescent Home from December, 1916, was an
efficient officer and discharged his duties in a very satisfactory
manner.
During the latter part of July, 1916, an arrangement was made with Dr.
F. A. Miller, of the Kentville Sanitarium, to deal with tuberculosis
patients; for a great number of the men returning from Overseas were
pronounced tubercular. Within a very few days Kentville Sanitarium was
full of patients, and although from time to time large additions were
built to the Sanitarium, it was always taxed to its utmost capacity. In
fact during the summer of 1917, many hospital tents were erected on the
Sanitarium grounds, for the accommodation of tubercular patients, and
when autumn with its cold winds became too severe, many patients had to
be sent to their own homes, to be treated until room was available at
the Sanitarium, when they were recalled. Great credit is due to Dr.
Miller for the splendid manner in which he dealt with the patients under
his control. Capt. A. G. Forster, a returned officer, was in charge of
Administration and Discipline of the Kentville Sanitarium and was a
conscientious, hard-working officer.
On July 1, 1917, “B” Unit had on its strength 1,886 officers and other
ranks all receiving medical treatment. About 50 per cent. of this number
were out-patients, with home leave. These men were recalled to the
Hospital from time to time as their physical condition demanded.
About this time New Brunswick became a separate Military District, and
it was decided to organize a separate M.H.C.C. Unit for New Brunswick.
This was accordingly done, and the transfer of men and documents was
completed in July, 1917.
In the early spring of 1917 construction work was begun on a
Convalescent Hospital at Camp Hill, Halifax, and by October 1, 1917, the
building was completed sufficiently to receive patients. This hospital
was fitted up with all modern medical appliances and proved a Godsend to
the people of Halifax, when on December 6, 1917, the city was shocked by
the terrific explosion.
At the opening of Camp Hill Hospital, Lieutenant Blackwood was placed in
charge by the M.H.C.C. and Major (now Lieut.-Col.) C. Morris was Senior
Medical Officer. An efficient Staff was soon organized which carried on
until the Hospital was transferred to the A.M.C. on December 6, 1917.
Immediately after the explosion all patients able to walk were given
home leave and the Hospital and Staff complete was turned over to the
Medical Relief Commission for the purpose of dealing with the sufferers
of the explosion.
The writer of this article has visited Casualty Clearing Hospitals in
Flanders on “Clearing Day” but never has he seen such human suffering as
he saw at Camp Hill Hospital when he walked into the Hospital at 4 p.m.
on December 6, 1917. The Hospital at Pier 2, also the offices of the
M.H.C.C. were destroyed by the explosion. The Hospital was quickly
rebuilt, but the offices were removed to Leith House, Hollis Street,
Halifax, and these offices were retained until the Unit was disbanded.
On March 31, 1918, the Military Hospitals Commission Command was
disbanded by an Order-in-Council. The military end of the work was taken
over by No. 6 District Depot, and the civilian end by the D.S.C.R. Final
transfer of all equipment and records, etc., of the M.H.C.C. to No. 6
District Depot was effected on April 18, 1918.