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Gnr. Sidney James Cleaver
British Army 8th Btn. 11 Section. Tank Corps
from:6 Orwell Rd, Stoke, Coventry
We have a postcard addressed to my grandfather Sidney Cleaver from his wife whilst at the hospital on 23rd October 1918 and my grandfather's WW1 diary. It finishes with the following information.
29th of September 1918. Started off at 5am after a good breakfast, this is rather a hot quarter, about 9am we had our officer gassed and then we had engine trouble and had to stop and he started shelling us, and he dropped one a bit close, I think that German must have been a decent sort as he gave me a nice little bit through my leg. Then I made my way back to an American dressing station and then went a bit further back in an ambulance to another station, where I was inoculated and then we went on a light railway to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station at Tincourt and got the wound dressed again and had something to eat and drink and was took to the hospital train at 9pm, don't know where we are going to, but we were soon asleep.
30th of September 1918, Woke up in the morning and was still travelling and arrived quite safe at Le Havre at 4pm and to the hospital at 5pm. It is a big hotel turned into an hospital, The Hotel Les Emigrants. Had a wash and change and was soon asleep again.
1st Oct 1918. Left hospital at 5pm for the hospital ship, but we did not sail till 11pm.
2nd Oct 1918. Arrived at Southampton 9am and went to the hospital train and went to Portsmouth to the 5th Southern General, Fawcett Rd. We were kept there 10 days and then were sent to an auxiliary hospital at Langton Towers, Havant it is a V.A.D. about 8 miles from Portsmouth. Was there about 6 weeks and went home the day after the Armistice was signed had a very good time and went on sick leave from Nov 12th to 22nd and then went to the depot at Wareham.
