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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: artdec0 on Wednesday 30 April 14 09:37 BST (UK)
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Anyone any details or photos of this CCS please?
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It wasn't actually a Casualty Clearing Station, but a 'Clearing Hospital' that took in lightly wounded and sick men from disembarkation at Southampton before sending them on, usually to convalescent camp rather than hospital. It was a way of filtering off men who didn't need to take up an acute bed in hospital. It was housed in Chamberlayne School. If you do a search for 'Eastleigh Clearing Hospital' you'll find info.
Sue
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Thanks so much, Sue. :)
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The hospital at Eastleigh was at different times called a "Clearing Hospital", a "Military Hospital" and then a "Casualty Clearing Station". It was not the usual type of CCS; these were usually fairly close to the front line. The Eastleigh hospital was established in May 1915 and acted as a sort of transit camp. Fairly lightly wounded other ranks would arrive at Southampton docks and go a few miles north to Eastleigh where they waited a day or two for suitable train for onward travel to a hospital near home. For part of the time it did take some lightly wounded soldiers and treat them until they could be returned to active service. There were around 1250 beds.
We can be certain that it was, in fact, called a casualty clearing station as we have original correspondence from the commanding officer (Lt Col George Twiss RAMC) in which he refers to his establishment being a CCS. From the Eastleigh & District Local History Society.
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Hi jlankester - my sincere apologies for not thanking you at the time of your posting and thanks for the info.
Regards,
Ron