Episode 14: 11th September to 30th October, 1917

Picking up her kit again, Nan Reay moves on to Casualty Clearing Station 36, also situated not far from the port of Dunkirk and she becomes part of a theatre team where her skills and expertise are put to good use.These Casualty Clearing Stations are nestled amongst the dunes, autumn is giving way to a cold and frosty winter and heavy enemy bombardment is almost a daily occurrence.

“Butterflies” - cluster bombs

“Nose-cap” – bomb shell

World War War 1 Timeline for Episode 14

The major battle that took place during these diary entries was the third battle of Ypres, known as the Battle of Passchendael (July and November 1917).During this battle, floods of rain caused heavy mud and created terrible problems for the infantry. The use of tanks became impossible. The whole area was covered in slimy mud and soon became a quagmire. Soldiers were unable to take their clothes off for weeks and arrived at the Casualty Clearing Stations, not only badly wounded but in a foul state with lice and infected wounds. 

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Image – Sarah Corridon

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