Page 20 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

18 QARANC THE GAZETTE
at Hartland Point. It was dedicated, on 26 February 2002, to the lives lost aboard HMHS Glenart Castle. On a clear day their final resting place can be seen by standing facing the memorial.
The official opening of the Glenart Castle Mess is scheduled to be held on the centenary of the sinking of HMHS Glenart Castle.
References (accessed 24 Jan 17)
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/ forums/index.php?/topic/13685- sshm-hospital-ship-glenart-castle/
http://msptv.co.uk/programmes/ deep-wreck-mysteries-series-one/red- cross-outrage/
http://www.stmodwen.co.uk/media- centre/news/view/construction- intensifies-on-longbridge-residential- accommodation-for-military-medical- specialists
http://www.wartimememoriesproject. com/greatwar/ships/view. php?pid=3095
http://www.shipwreckworld.com/ maps/hmhs-glenart-castle
http://www.maritimequest.com/ daily_event_archive/2012/02_feb/26_ hmhs_glenart_castle.htm
http://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?10947
Erica Nadin-Snelling (2014). Matron at War: The Story of Katy Beaufoy (1869-1918)
The Daily Telegraph dated 28 Feb 1918
Western Morning News dated 14 Feb 2007
The Heartland Times dated 10 May 2002
Royal Centre Defence Medicine
Glenart Castle Memorial
Ceremony
On 26 February 2017, personnel from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, myself included, had the privilege to attend a Memorial Service, at Hartland Point Devon, for His Majesty’s Hospital Ship (HMHS) Glenart Castle. The service was dedicated to 155 personnel who lost their lives when the Hospital Ship was sunk on 26 February 1918. The descendants of the Ship’s Matron, Katy Beaufoy and local Royal British Legion (RBL) Branch members have been holding a service at this site since erecting a memorial stone in 2002; this is the first time that RCDM personnel have attended.
HMHS Glenart Castle was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the Bristol Channel taking only 8 minutes to sink. Carrying 186 crew including medical, nursing and chaplaincy staff, the ship was sailing to France to collect casualties. Although clearly marked white with a green band and large red crosses and supposedly immune from attack under the conventions of warfare, the ship was torpedoed and sunk claiming 155 lives. It is believed to be the greatest loss of Royal Army Medical Corps and Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service personnel in a single incident.
Prior to travelling to Devon, the team were encouraged to watch a television programme about the sinking. This
proved valuable as the team met in the evening for an awareness brief and discussion lead by Flt Lt Davies. Inevitably, this turned to whether the Hague conventions (1907) had been breached.
On the Sunday morning, despite unpleasant weather conditions, we all gathered at the memorial site. The service began with prayers lead by RCDM’s Padre, Rev’d Jackson RNR. Wreaths were laid and we took time to remember those personnel who lost their lives. The memorial service was brought to a close with a group photograph and Maj Towler presenting Mr J Hawkins, Chairman of the Hartland Branch of the RBL, with a RCDM plaque. Following this we were kindly invited to join members of Matron Beaufoy’s family and RBL for refreshments. This gave us a fantastic opportunity to find out more about Matron’s life and military service from her descendants and to read newspaper cuttings about the sinking.
In memory of those, who gave the ultimate sacrifice on HMHS Glenart Castle, on 28 February 2018 RCDM will have the pleasure of naming the new combined Mess after this memorable Hospital Ship.
LCpl RAAJ Gurung, HCA, RCDM