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ly in 1915 they were converted to a Pioneer Battalion and
moved to Aldershot. By the 30th of May 1915 sufficient training
had been completed and the necessary equipment had been
procured, so they set sail from Southampton for Le Havre.
Horace was part of the 37th Field Ambulance, RAMC, and was
to spend four years in France.
At this point it might be helpful to explain who did what in the
RAMC. In the front line were the Aid and Bearers Relay Posts.
They brought casualties from the battlefield, gave them first aid
and were often under fire. The casualties were then passed
back to the Field Ambulance, a mobile medical unit just behind
the lines. The casualties received further treatment, and then
were evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station. This was
set some way back from the front and would be the first well-
equipped, static medical facility the soldiers would see, albeit
probably in tents. They retained serious cases, treated and
returned slight cases to their units, the rest being sent to one of
the five permanent Base Hospitals. Once there, a soldier had
a good chance of survival.
Horace was with a field ambulance, the second line of defence.
There is little doubt, however, that he was working under fire
(probably shelling) as in 1917 he was awarded the Military
Medal. This medal was only awarded for exceptional bravery
and was probably given to him for his efforts during the deadly
fighting in the Battle of Arras. It was in this battle that the
Canadians gained much distinction by capturing the previously
impregnable Vimy Ridge.
There are now, generally, no citations existing for Military
Medals, but an article in the Stamford Mercury on 30th May
1917 at least sets the scene –
“A letter has been received from Major-General A B Scott by Mrs Carrington,
commending her son, Private Horace Carrington, RAMC, for bravery shown
in an attack on the enemy’s positions on April 9th when General Scott’s
division captured 20 officers, 1,200 men, 41 field guns and howitzers, 28
machine guns and 2 aerial torpedo throwers. All will be pleased to hear that
Private Carrington is to be awarded the Military Medal”
43
moved to Aldershot. By the 30th of May 1915 sufficient training
had been completed and the necessary equipment had been
procured, so they set sail from Southampton for Le Havre.
Horace was part of the 37th Field Ambulance, RAMC, and was
to spend four years in France.
At this point it might be helpful to explain who did what in the
RAMC. In the front line were the Aid and Bearers Relay Posts.
They brought casualties from the battlefield, gave them first aid
and were often under fire. The casualties were then passed
back to the Field Ambulance, a mobile medical unit just behind
the lines. The casualties received further treatment, and then
were evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station. This was
set some way back from the front and would be the first well-
equipped, static medical facility the soldiers would see, albeit
probably in tents. They retained serious cases, treated and
returned slight cases to their units, the rest being sent to one of
the five permanent Base Hospitals. Once there, a soldier had
a good chance of survival.
Horace was with a field ambulance, the second line of defence.
There is little doubt, however, that he was working under fire
(probably shelling) as in 1917 he was awarded the Military
Medal. This medal was only awarded for exceptional bravery
and was probably given to him for his efforts during the deadly
fighting in the Battle of Arras. It was in this battle that the
Canadians gained much distinction by capturing the previously
impregnable Vimy Ridge.
There are now, generally, no citations existing for Military
Medals, but an article in the Stamford Mercury on 30th May
1917 at least sets the scene –
“A letter has been received from Major-General A B Scott by Mrs Carrington,
commending her son, Private Horace Carrington, RAMC, for bravery shown
in an attack on the enemy’s positions on April 9th when General Scott’s
division captured 20 officers, 1,200 men, 41 field guns and howitzers, 28
machine guns and 2 aerial torpedo throwers. All will be pleased to hear that
Private Carrington is to be awarded the Military Medal”
43
