Page 30 - QARANC Vol 14 No 8 2014

28 QARANC THE GAZETTE
admit 15-300 cases in rotation. Serious operations such as limb amputations were carried out here and some CCS’s were specialists units for nervous disorders, skin diseases, infectious diseases and certain type of diseases. CCS’s did not move location very often and the transport infrastructure of railways usually dictated their position. There were 4 ambulance trains in 1914 and 28 by July 1916.
One such person who worked within the CCS was Nellie Spindler who answered the nations call and volunteered to serve as a nurse within the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. The 44th CCS where she worked was closer to the danger than normal as it was positioned next to a railway and munitions dump. July 31st 1917 was an especially busy day as this was the first day of the Battle of Passendale and the CCS where Nellie worked was overwhelmed with casualties. The immediate vicinity around the CCS was constantly shelled by the enemy when trying to destroy the rail network around Ypres and lessen the allies’ supply of ammunition. Sadly during this attack one shell landed in the tent where Nellie was working and she was critically injured by some shrapnel. It is at Lijssenthoek that Nellie rests, buried the day after death – a woman among 10’000 men, men from the Commonwealth, the Allied nations and the enemy. As we stood by her grave reflecting on her story there was a real sense of peacefulness amongst a very tranquil setting.
One of our evenings included the very unique opportunity to participate
in the parade at the Menin gate. This was organised through the Last Post Association who have conducted this tradition since 1928 and intend to maintain this daily act of homage in perpetuity. The traditional salute to the fallen is played by the buglers in honour of the memory of the soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient. As we stood on parade under the arches of the gate, an overwhelming sense of pride took over, as the crowds of visitors and locals
watched on. The memorial at Menin bears the names of 543,89 officers and men who have fallen and have no known grave. This very poignant moment allowed us to reflect on all that we a have learnt and acknowledge the significance of the occasion, which I’m sure will live long in the memory of all those who took part.
Capt Z Thompson MDHU(N)