French Flag Nursing Corps Ambulance 16/21

[MotherMave]

Dear Forum, I am posting a message to you that I have already posted on the UK Great War Forum as I belatedly thought that you are the best place to ask!!! Please forgive me for not thinking straight!



French Flag Nursing Corps Ambulance 16/21


Dear Forum, I am researching British Nurses ( Louisa Constance Colt-Williams and her sister, Edith Laura Colt-Williams) who were Part of the British Committee of the French Red Cross , some or all of whom were awarded the Groix de Guerre by the French Government in 1918 and some with Ambulance 16/21. I would very much like to know more about the where the Ambulance 16/21 was and also about the ceremony and I have found out that one such ceremony ( it could have been the only ceremony!) was at the Invalides, Paris and I do believe that the French Ambassador,la Vicomtesse de la Panouse either performed the ceremony or it was on his behalf. Please see the entry in the British Journal of Nursing (below) where it is described. Does anyone know about any of the names I have given, i.e places and people. Louisa was one of those Nurses, although I don't know why Edith wasn't awarded as well? Thank you in advance for any information. MotherMave

FRENCH FLAG NURSING CORPSMr.
n. H. Illingworth, the Director-General
of the British Committee of the French Red cross,
of which the F.F.N.C. is a Department, has sent
the following letter to the Sisters of Ambulance
16/21, who wore recently decorated in France
wkh the Croix Cle Guerre.
(‘ Dear Miss -,-On behalf of His Excellency
the French Ambassador, la Vicomtesse de
la Panouse, and every member of this Fxecutive,
I writ0 to congratulate you upon the distinction
conferred upon you by the French Government
by the bestowal of the Croix de Guerre, in recognition
of your excellent services with Ambulance
16/21.
In thanking you very sincerely for the part
you have borne in this great Cause, I would
convey my Committee’s best wishes for long life
to enjoy the honour which has been conferred
upon you.”
This very kind letter will be an additiopal
souvenir of service with the French Army, which
the Sisters have been privileged to perform,
a service the usefulness of which has been SO
deeply appreciated by their patients, the for
ever heroic Poilus.

[Eric Mansuy]

Dear Madam,

Here is a war diary in which you can trace the activities of Ambulance 16/21 for the whole year 1918:
http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense ... iewer.html

I doubt -but who knows?- the British nurses you're looking for could be mentioned in such a source, but you'll get an overall view of the places where this ambulance (number 16 of the 21st Army Corps) operated. The archives of Ambulance 16/21 can be found at Val de Grâce in Paris, but you would have to get there...

Best regards,
Eric Mansuy

[MotherMave]

Dear Eric, Thank you so much for this information, I am very grateful and will pursue your leads. Can I be so bold as to as you another question as well? Louisa was taken prisoner by the Germans and subjected to the bombings of the 27-28th May 1918 while she was at her post at HE52B, Postal Sector 79C1059 (This is a military evacuation Hospital close to the war zone, but have been unable to locate it), also the capture of No 37 Clearing station (British) and l'Hopital d'Origine d' Evacuation 32 (French) who were sharing premises at Mont Notre Dame, not far south of Beaurieux. Where I know that Louisa was when she was captured. Thank you once again for taking the trouble to reply me and your interest. Regards, Mavis Williams

[Eric Mansuy]

Dear Mavis,

Well, well, this is getting harder and harder for me, I must admit. If APO 79 is a French postal sector, it corresponds to a Cavalry Corps from September 1917 onward, strangely enough...
As for what regards HoE 32, you'd better get in touch with another forum reader, who's a real specialist of the matter. I'll contact him for you straight away, and he may well be able to satisfy you with a suitable reply.

Best regards,
Eric Mansuy

[MotherMave]

Dear Eric, Thank you so much for your quick reply and offer to assist by asking a friend. I do appreciate all you are doing. Kind regards, Mavis

[Eric Mansuy]

Dear Mavis,

Here is what my contact Michel told me:
1. the war diary of Ambulance 16/21 is nowhere to be found for 1917 and 1918;
2. as the war diary of this unit exists for the period 1914-1916, could you please tell us if these nurses served with this ambulance prior to 1917? In this case, their presence may well be found in the first part of this war diary.

Best regards,
Eric

[MotherMave]

Dear Eric, I am confused! You gave me the website for Ambulance 16/21 for the whole of 1918 in your 1st reply, but as I cannot read French I can not tell.

[MotherMave]

Dear Eric, Sorry, I pressed wrong button!!! I did not intend to send at that point! Edith served in the Red Cross - Kent from 14/10/14 - 31/1/19, but I don't know when she was in France, but her Medal Card stated that she was with the French Red Cross as an Orderly, also that she was awarded the Victory Medal FRX/101 B 6 Page 329 and also ditto for the British Medal, it also stated the Theatre of War was 2a and the date of entry was 10/16. Louisa's Medal Card stated that she was with the French Red Cross as a Nurse and she was awarded the Victory Medal FRX.101B2 Page 107 and the British Medal, ditto, Theatre of War 1a and dated 10/15.

[MotherMave]

Thank you so much for all your trouble also Michel information, thank him for me please, although it has confused me. Kind regards, Mavis

[Eric Mansuy]

Dear Mavis,

This link http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense ... iewer.html leads you to the war diary of the Sanitary Services of the 21st Army Corps, in which you may find elements regarding Ambulance 16/21 but, actually, it gives readers a bird's eye view of the activities of all of the 21st Corps sanitary units, not of Ambulance 16/21 only.
In any case, I'll forward your latest posts to Michel, who is able enough to help you with all this, or try and do so at least.

Best regards,
Eric