TOPIC:

Good Morning Everyone.....

I am trying to find a member of this forum who is from New Zealand and lives near or can pass on some information about the Military Camp at Trentham.

I know that this camp was founded during WW1 but I am trying to find out if they have a Museum or Archives there and how someone would be able to get in touch with them.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Trentham is located in "Windy" Wellington (Upper Hutt) and still operates today. I do not believe there is a museum open to the public there and the public are not able to enter the base.

Most military records are centralised and older records available from a number of sources. What are you looking for?

Cheers
Stephen

Good Morning Stephen.....

I purchased a group of medals and a ton of paperwork from one of our fellow members and have started to do some research and found that he may be one of the early "Whistle Blowers" with regards to medical services at Trentham when it first opened.....

Here is a photo of the medal group....





And here is a copy of a news paper article that I have found......

Mike


Evening Post, 27-July-1915

MILITARY MEDICOS

ACCOUNT OF THEIR WORK

STRAIN OF THE RUSH

TRENTHAM CAMP ENQUIRY

Yesterday afternoon was occupied by the Trentham Camp Commission, Mr. Justice Hosking presiding, in hearing the evidence of medical officers connected with military affairs.

Sergt. Yallop, New Zealand Medical Corps (in civilian life a chemist), continuing his evidence, said he had made enquiries as to whether a Private Olliver had ever been at Berhampore. He found that he was there from 27th April. He was out of bed for three or four days, and then returned to Trentbam Camp.

Mr. Gray: Do you recollect Colonel Purdy telling you on 9th June that Collie must be sent to the Hospital if he had not improved in the morning? No he may have told the sister.

To Mr. Gray: He knew of no men escaping, but the matter was talked of by the patients. Witness reported to the doctor, and asked for more orderlies.

To Mr. Ferguson: Food was always excellent at Berhampore and Kaiwarra.

KIOSK MEDICAL OFFICER

Captain W. B. V Ferguson, New Zealand Medical Corps, said that he was given charge of the hospital for general diseases (as distinguished from measles), established first in a marquee and then in the racecourse buildings. It was incorrect to say that measles cases were mingled with patients suffering from colds and influenza. Patients who came in on a diagnosis of influenza would sometimes develop measles. As soon as this was known they were removed to other buildings on the racecourse. The kiosk was taken to meet an emergency and was not equipped before it was occupied. There was no undue delay in the arrival of equipment.

Referring to Pte. Badger's case, witness said that Badger came in on 23rd June, with a temperature of 101.4. He was suffering from influenza, with some little feverishness. He improved gradually, and his, temperature had been for three or four days normal, when he was examined as a convalescent prior to being discharged. Then he had a shivering fit, and was sent back to bed. His temperature rose again, so witness had him transferred to the hospital in the trainers' quarters, where more serious cases were dealt with. As soon as satisfied that there was any danger witness telegraphed to Badger's people. They lived some distance away, and before they arrived Badger had symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage and partial facial paralysis. He was unconscious when his people arrived. Witness was satisfied that every possible attention was given to Badger. The sister in charge was a most magnificent nurse.

Dr. Martin: You think there is no ground for complaint? - Absolutely none. Capt. Ferguson said it was part of the ordinary duty of nurses or orderlies to see that patients who could not wash themselves were washed. It was not true that Badger was asked to walk to the trainers' quarters. Nor was it true that he was sent back to the Kiosk.

DRUGS FOR PATIENTS

Sergt. Morton was in charge of the orderlies in the ward. Sergt. Magnus Badger had no authority to give drugs except such as were prescribed. Witness had heard that chlorate of potash had been given, and he had stopped it.

Dr. Martin: Why was Sergt. Badger giving these drugs, not Sergt. Morton, who was in charge? Capt. Ferguson doubted whether Badeer had given drugs on his own responsibility. After Nurse Brandon, took charge, he felt certain that none but prescription drugs were given. Aspirin was not given as a general prescription, but only where the case called for it.

ORDERLIES AND NURSES

Dr. Martin: There are two classes of men in the ambulance stretcher-bearers and the nursing section which of these was drawn on for orderlies Every man available was taken.

The kiosk was opened on 14th June, 'and the first nurses arrived on 27th June.

Dr. Martin: Do you know why, no nurses came before? — No.

Did you suggest to any of the officers that nurses should be sent for?

Dr. Martin: I did not see the superior officers. I was working amongst the men all the while. Do you not understand, sir, that we were working eighteen to twenty hours a day. They had to get the men under cover when the tents were being blown down in a storm. Col. Valintine had commandeered the racecourse buildings, and it was as much as they could do to get the men in. He had no time to discuss the question of nurses. That rested with the administrative authorities. He believed that the question of nurses was mentioned at one time.

Dr. Martin: Did you ask for nurses? - No.

Then were you, as a doctor, satisfied with the orderlies? - Yes

Even when you had serious cases? — Witness replied that there were no serious cases when the kiosk was opened. They did not develop until much later. The kiosk was, in, fact, only a clearing hospital.

To Mr. Gray: There was no inconvenience caused by the absence of nurses in the early days of the kiosk hospital. He was quite satisfied with the way in which the orderlies carried out their duties.

VALUABLE HORSES AND LOOSEBOXES.

Captain Ferguson referred to the accommodation of men in horse-boxes. When the storm was raging these boxes were much more satisfactory than tents; they were used only temporarily. The flooring was of stones and the boxes were quite clean.

His Honour suggested that the accommodation provided for valuable racehorses was likely to be fairly good. The witness added that he asked every occupant if he was satisfied with the loose-box, and everyone said "This is all right. A lot better than the tent."

TWO SERIOUS CASES

Captain Henry Lionel Hughes Steele, New Zealand Medical Corps, said he was instructed by Major Elliott about 9 p.m. on 30th June to visit Berhampore to see some bad cases. They were Fordham and Pollard, both very bad cases. One was suffering from very severe bronchial pneumonia.

Dr. Martin: Did you order their removal to the Wellington Hospital? — No, I asked the nurse why they were at Berhampore.

Do you think they should have been there? - No. They should have been removed before.

Should they have been removed at that stage? - No, certainly not.

CRITICISM AND A WITHDRAWAL

In reply to questions regarding the Berhampore Hospital Captain Steele said it was half aware and half a shack, no place for a sick man to be in. It was reached by, traversing ravines.

His Honour questioned him as to his knowledge of the building. "Have you ever seen the place?" — Only at night time, on this occasion. Then how can you say that it is a shack? I am giving you the impression I formed.

"But visiting it at night how can you say"" a place built for a fever hospital is a shack? - Oh, I did not know it was built for a hospital.

Did you examine it clearly? - No.

Well why do you make this statement? - I am prepared to withdraw it.

As a medical man you should know better than to make such statements before this Commission unless you know. Would you like to see the building and then make a statement? - No. I withdraw my remark, I saw the building only at night time.

COMMANDING MEASLES HOSPITALS.

Captain Harrison, a medical officer, said ho arrived in Trentham on Ist June, and on 12th June was put in charge of the measles department. He was in charge until 4th July. He lived at the camp, and, after examining camp patients, came to town each day and visited each institution. Convalescents were sent to Berhampore. In the cases of Pollard and Pordham, slight colds developed into septic pneumonia. One day he saw them, and considered that if they showed no improvement the next day they should be removed to the Wellington Hospital. Next day they were much worse, and witness considered they could not be removed with safety. The nursing was all that could be desired at Trentham, and nursing, plus medical advice, was all that could be given in such cases.

POLITICIAN OBJECTED TO.

About three days before Pollard died he was rung up, and asked if he would consult with Dr. Thacker on his case. He refused, but agreed to consult with Dr. Herbert, and did so.

Dr. Martin: Why did you take exception to Dr. Thacker? - Dr. Thacker was a politician, but I knew that Dr. Herbert was in general practice.

The night before the men died he arranged with Major Elliott to have them visited. The next morning he sent in Capt. M'Caw, who saw them before they died. He could not stay the night himself, as he had other cases at the camp to see.

To his Honour: This was a sudden development of pneumonia.

His Honour: Was it not a large order to look after measles cases at the camp, in Wellington, and the Hutt? — l have done much more in general practice.

Could you not get assistance? - The other men at the camp had their own duties to attend to.

To his Honour: Results at Berhampore were generally very good. The building was suitable for the purpose to which it was put, though there might be better places. It was certainly not a whare or shack but a sound building.

PREVALENCE OF DISEASE.

One of these men, Captain Harrison believed, belonged to the Trentham Regt., 2nd Battalion, which had much more disease than any other section.

Mr. Gray: Can you suggest why this was? - No; it must be either that they were puny, unresisting men, or that they brought a special disease with them. On Ist June there were five patients in the general hospital in camp. Up to 8th June the number was small, when it increased in a very rapid manner attaining their resources. At that time the general camp hospital equipment was all that could be desired.

ATTENTION IN TENTS

Captain Harrison referred to the examination of men on sick parade.

His Honour: It is suggested that men were not attended to, and were left lying in their tents because medical men would not go to them? - Absolutely incorrect. Would you visit a sick man if he could not come to you? - Certainly and the other doctors would too.

'A MEDICAL CRITIC.'

Captain Edward Yeates, a medical officer having had extensive military experience in South Africa, during the war and after, and later in Samoa as Captain of the New Zealand Medical Corps, was next called to give evidence. He said that he returned to New Zealand with sick, and on 29th December reported at Trentham Camp for duty. With the exception of a little while at the remount camp he was there until 14th February. Major Holmes was then the senior officer. The camp struck him as being improperly laid out, and the tents crowded together. The medical service was without system and discipline in the regular work, particularly the sick parade. At first there, were three doctors in one marquee, with two orderlies, who were supposed to take down the ailments of the men. It was impossible to carry on a sick parade in this way, and the witness told Major Holmes so.

To his Honour: The camp was altered later kby the removal of the ambulance lines. This was by the order of Major Holmes.

Continuing, witness said that dressings and drugs were kept at first in the marquee used for medical examinations. As many of the orderlies were inexperienced, this led to confusion. Later, the drugs and dressings were removed to another marquee which had no flooring. It was impossible to get clean aseptic dressings. Brushes for throat swabs and thermometers were in short supply. Later, the system at sick parade became worse. There would be as many as six doctors in the marquee at one time. He had seen one patient taken by three doctors in turn, each supposing the man's case had not been dealt with. The number of sick increased from day to day, and was greater than should have been the case in a healthy camp. From the time he left there the authorities should have perceived that something was wrong. The medical men were all of good standing in their profession, but they had no camp experience, and did not know what was the normal health of a good camp. Witness made suggestions to Major Holmes and Capt. Fyffe for more effective isolation, and the instruction of orderlies. Some of these suggestions he put in writing, but he could not say whether they ultimately reached the authorities. Afterwards he made suggestions verbally. The camp site was not ideal, but could be made quite suitable. While he was there the tents were standing in the same place, and when one draft of men went out another would occupy the tents at once.. There was no systematic striking of tents. He saw them struck twice in two months. Men had to buy sacking to fill with straw, or else lie on the ground.

At this stage the Commission adjourned to 10.15 a.m. to-day.

It appears no love was lost between Captain Edward Yeates and the NZEF. It appears to have been a rather acrimonious relationship between the two parties hence the military records I have found are rather voluminous around the WW1 period. That may account for the large amount of paperwork you already have? Cancelled his own appointment as Captain in the NZMC on 28th Jan 1915 and appears rather messy from there on. Are we talking about the right bloke?

Attached is a minute that briefly explains what I have found.

Hello Stephen.....

Yes that is the man..... Is there anyway that you can send me a link or a readable copy of the document so that I can transcribe it.....

Mike