Kent VAD in camp at Herne June 1914

The weather favoured the lady members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments of the Territorial Force who came into camp at Herne Common on Wednesday on land kindly granted by Capt. B. Presto Westcar of the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles. The atmospheric conditions had become more seasonable. The north east wind had lost its strength; the sun shone once more; and actually it was "flaming June", and so camp life had its attractions. Moreover the site of the camp is ideal. It is in a picturesque part of the district, is surrounded by trees and thus sheltered, and although down in Herne Bay the wind may blow keen from the sea, here little is felt of it. For ten days these ladies, who are being trained to serve their country by ministering to the sick and wounded should these shores ever be invaded, will have their home beneath canvas in this picturesque spot and these ten days will be full of duties and instruction, theoretical and practical.

This is a county camp, and consequently ladies are present from all parts of Kent, but there are also representatives from Gloucestershire, Flintshire, Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Dorsetshire, Sussex, London, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Berkshire, Warwickshire, Surrey, and one from Dublin. Members of the Herne Bay company are also in camp, and are enjoying the novel experience.

The commandant is Mrs Culver, and the lady superintendent is Miss Latham, who served through the Balkan War under Princess Andrea of Greece. This lady is very highly skilled in all field work.

Those who are in command of the various detachments are -- 1, Mrs Voelker; 2, Mrs Gadd; 3, Mrs Lee Williams (Gloucestershire); 4, Miss Dale; 5, Miss Waterfield; and 6, Miss Millicent Norton.

In camp and for nursing, these ladies wear a grey cotton dress, apron, Army regulation white lawn cap, county arms badges and shoulder titles, linen cuffs and collars. For field work the uniform is navy blue coat and skirt, county buttons and shoulder titles, white blouses, white gloves, navy blue tie, black boots or shoes. The hat is of navy blue felt with red corded braid and county badge. The uniform is certainly very smart and suggests both comfort and efficiency. During the past two days it has become quite familiar in Herne Bay, and has served to remind the public of the patriotic and useful work these ladies have undertaken.

A special service will be held in the camp on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon the members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments will attend service at Canterbury Cathedral. Next Thursday will be "Visitors' Day" and the camp will come to an end on Saturday June 27.

HERNE BAY PRESS, 20 JUNE 1914

Voluntary Aid Camp, Ladies under canvass at Herne Common

The members of the Kent Voluntary Aid Detachments of the Territorial Force in camp at Herne Common near Herne Bay, on land belonging to Capt. B. Prescott Westcar of the East Kent Mounted Rifles, have put in a week of real hard work and have carried out duties which would devolve upon them in a time of war in this country. The weather has not been unpleasant although there have been one or two heavy thunderstorms during the week. Between them, however, there has been much sunshine, and really the ladies have enjoyed their stay under canvas in this picturesque spot. Among them have been the Heme Bay Company of the Voluntary Aid Detachments. Altogether there are about 170 ladies in the camp from all parts of the country. The commandant is Mrs Bruce Culver of Gravesend, while the other officers in camp are Dr. Prideaux Selby (adjutant). Miss Latham, (lady superintendent), Quarter Masters the Hon. Florence Daly and Mrs S. R. Barnwell. Miss Beryl Hall Hall is aide-decamp.

Saturday was devoted to routine work and a field hospital was improvised. A farmer's waggon was transformed into an ambulance waggon, and a "patient" was treated and removed to hospital for treatment.

At night, when all had retired, an alarm of fire was given. Within three and a half minutes all in camp had paraded and water was being poured on the "fire". It was an excellent test of the discipline and efficiency.

On Sunday afternoon 120 members proceeded to Canterbury in five of Messrs. Wacher Co.'s char a bancs, and attended a service at Canterbury Cathedral. This was conducted by Dean Wace.

There was to have been a route march to Fordwich on Tuesday but a thunderstorm prevented this, and the day was devoted to drill and lectures, and great keenness and interest was shown in these.

The Marchioness Camden, president of the Voluntary Aid Detachments of Kent visited the camp during the afternoon.

Members were called upon to treat one casualty on Sunday. A private of the 6th Dragoon Guards who was cycling by fell from his machine near the field, sustaining cuts under the right eye and on the wrists, and abrasions of the cheek and chin. His injuries were attended to at the camp, and the soldier expressed gratitude for the treatment.

A camp newspaper was produced. The editorial staff worked far into the night producing copy for the first number; but they had their reward when the members showed their eagerness to purchase copies.

After the day's work the time was devoted to recreation. The ladies took part in cricket matches, visited Herne Bay and went for motor rides in the district.

Visitors' Day

The camp was visited by many friends on Wednesday afternoon. A cricket match was played, and there was a "court martial". In recognition of the kindly treatment of one of the 6th Dragoon Guards who met with an accident on Sunday by the camp, the officers sent over the band of the regiment, and, under the conductorship of Mr. H. W. Simpson, they played a number of selections during the afternoon.

A Field Day

General Whitehead, deputy director of medical services of the Eastern Command, made an inspection of the camp on Thursday afternoon. He was accompanied by Lieut. Col. Shanahan, deputy assistant director of medical services, and on the staff was Major. J. H. Lang Sims, representing the third regimental district, Western Command.

With them was Dr. Selby, camp adjutant, Mrs Culver the camp commandant Mrs Latham, Lady Superintendent, who was a nursing sister in the Balkan War under Princess Andrea of Greece, Lady Perrott, Lady Commander in chief of the St. John's Voluntary Aid Detachments, Dr. E. C. Fenoulhet, J. P. , the commandant of the Herne Bay detachment; Mr Culver, the county secretary of the Voluntary Aid Detachments, Territorial Force; while Col. Pyre Oliver, assistant director of medical services, arrived later.

During the afternoon, General Whitehead was introduced to Mrs Blanchard of "Meadow Lea", Herne, who was visiting the camp, and who served as a matron of an ambulance column in the Franco-German War.

There was a certain amount of realism in the proceedings, everything being carried out as if on active service. The general idea was that an invading force, having landed at Herne Bay, was advancing on Canterbury. The defending forces were driven back with great loss. The County Field Ambulance and the Voluntary Aid Detachments rendered first-aid to the wounded, who were passed back through the clearing hospital to a rest house, and through a rest house to a stationary hospital. This hospital consisted of medical and surgical wards, pack store, linen store, an operating tent, dispensary and kitchen.

Cadets from New College under Capt. Napier took part in the engagement one section representing the defending force and three sections the attacking force. The "wounded" were to be seen lying on the turf beneath the hot sun, and soon injuries were being bandaged, bearer parties were busy, and ambulance waggons were carrying the bandaged heroes to hospital!

In many cases splints and stretchers were improvised. For instance, a hedge stake did good service as a splint, and a piece of sacking between two poles was an efficient stretcher. Ordinary farmer's carts were changed by skilful hands into ambulance waggons, and the horse was driven by a nurse. Many ordinary things were used to good intent in the hospital. Interest was shown in the lighting of the operating tent by electricity. This was generated by the engine of a motor car standing a few yards from the tent.

Members of the County Field Ambulance, under Lieut. Harris, took part in the proceedings with the Voluntary Aid Detachments. Lady signallers were at work, and a meal was being baked at a camp fire, a biscuit tin having been improvised into an oven. It was all very practical, all very interesting, and there was evidence of great efficiency. General Whitehead apparently was pleased with all he saw, and certainly the condition of the camp and the whole of the proceedings reflected great credit on the whole of the officers and members.

Last Days

Today (Friday), there has been a route march, and the camp will be struck this Saturday.

HERNE BAY PRESS, 27 JUNE 1914

Many thanks to Mr Gough of the Herne Bay Historical Records Society for this information and copies of the photographs.