Tag: WW1

THE LIFE OF A MEDICAL OFFICER IN WW1 by Lorraine Evans

October 24, 2023 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

The Life of a Medical Officer in WW1 documents the experiences of Captain Harry Gordon Parker and provides a rare insight into the conflict that engulfed Europe from 1914-1918. Having joined the Naval Medical Service as a Royal Navy Temporary Surgeon, Parker’s first taste of war was aboard a hospital evacuation ship, which regularly crossed the English Channel, from Southampton to France, picking up casualties from the battle grounds. Somewhat disillusioned with the whole experience, he requested a transfer to the Royal Medical Army Corps and soon found himself transported to the trenches in France. It was here, first serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers and then later as permanent Regimental Medical Officer with the 2nd Manchester’s Regiment, that he spent the remainder of the war, witnessing first-hand the horrors of Passchendaele, Arras and the Somme.

Parker’s account not only reveals a record of the conflict, but also encompasses a totality of military life as it impacted on the medical fraternity. From bureaucratic red tape, lack of medical supplies, lice infestations, trench foot and absurd missions where the incompetence of his own side was as dangerous as the enemy, his thoughts are penned with sincerity, the utmost compassion as well as a certain degree of sardonic humor: ‘We went into the trenches for the first time at Givenchy. It snowed heavily, and our rations did not arrive. The Royal Welsh, however, generously shared their rations with our men, who repaid the kindness by (accidentally) shooting one of the Sergeants through the stomach!’. With endorsement from family members, author Lorraine Evans has revised Parker’s notes and scribblings for clarity and added complementary text to provide historical background. What transpires is a lasting and classic chronicle, an extraordinary human account of history as it ensued.

Thanks to Pen & Sword Publishing and the author for this review copy!

Lorraine Evans’ book THE LIFE OF A MEDICAL OFFICER IN WW1 provides a detailed account of the experiences of medical officers during the Great War. The book is well-researched and provides a comprehensive insight into the challenges faced by these medical professionals during one of the most devastating periods in human history.

One of the primary themes that emerges from the book is the sheer scale of the medical challenges faced by the British Army during World War 1. With millions of soldiers fighting on the Western Front, medical officers were constantly dealing with a vast array of injuries and illnesses. From trench foot and gas attacks to bullet wounds and shell shock, medical officers were forced to deal with a range of conditions that they had never encountered before. Evans provides a vivid and sometimes disturbing description of the types of injuries and illnesses that medical officers had to deal with, as well as the methods they used to treat them.

Another key theme that emerges from the book is the resourcefulness and resilience of these soldiers during the war. Despite the constant challenges they faced, medical officers worked tirelessly to ensure that soldiers received the best possible care. This involved not only treating injuries and illnesses but also implementing measures to prevent the spread of disease and infection. Medical officers had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and make do with limited resources. Evans highlights the innovative techniques and treatments that medical officers developed during the war, such as the use of X-rays and the introduction of blood transfusions.

The book also offers valuable insights into the social and cultural context of medical practice during World War I. Evans explores the gender and class dynamics that influenced medical practice during the war. Medical officers were overwhelmingly male, and many came from privileged backgrounds. This created tensions with the rank-and-file soldiers, who often resented the perceived class divide between themselves and the medical officers. Evans also discusses the role of women in medical practice during the war, highlighting the contributions of female nurses and doctors and detailing the barriers they faced in their efforts to contribute to the war effort.

Evans’ writing is engaging and immersive, drawing readers into the world of these professionals. She describes their daily routine, from the early morning rounds to the late-night surgeries. The book provides a detailed look at the medical equipment used during the war, such as stretchers, bandages, and surgical instruments. The reader will also learn about the medical techniques used during the war, including the use of gas and the development of new surgical procedures.

The author does not shy away from the horrors of war, including the gruesome injuries that medical officers were faced with daily. Evans describes the carnage of the battlefield in vivid detail, painting a picture of the overwhelming and gruesome reality of war. However, she also emphasizes the importance of the work done by these men, who often risked their own lives to save others.

Throughout the book, Evans pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers during the war. She describes the courage it took to venture into the trenches, often under heavy fire, to treat wounded soldiers. The book is a testament to the selflessness and dedication of both men and women, who worked tirelessly to ease the suffering of others in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Overall, THE LIFE OF A MEDICAL OFFICER IN WW1 is an insightful and informative book that offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by these soldiers during one of the most tumultuous periods in human history. Evans’ writing is clear and engaging, and she provides a wealth of detail that will be of interest to anyone interested in the history of medicine or the history of warfare. The book is also highly relevant to contemporary debates about healthcare provision and the role of medical professionals in times of crisis. As such, it is an essential read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by medical professionals during times of war. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of medicine, as well as those interested in the First World War and its impact on those who fought in it.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

MEN OF 18 IN 1918 by Frederick James Hodges

November 1, 2022 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

In the spring of 1918 German forces broke through Allied lines in a last-ditch attempt to overcome their enemies. To hold back this tide young, inexperienced men from France, Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada were sent into war against battle-hardened and desperate German soldiers. What was it like to be an eighteen-year-old and sent to the frontlines in the First World War? Frederick James Hodges was one of these young men and his book, Men of 18 in 1918, provides insight into the ordeals of an ordinary soldier who left Britain as a teenager but returned as a man having witnessed the full horrors of war. Hodges charts his progress through the conflict from his short period of training to being thrown into defending Allied lines against the onslaught before being ordered, as part of Britain’s prime assault troops, into a ninety-five-day non-stop attack which only ended with the armistice of November 1918.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for this review copy!

The author tells a terrifying and true story of his experience in one of the most brutal wars known to man.

His memories of names, places, and battles is amazing – a good part of the book is recollections of the men he knew and their fate. At times I did find it tedious to read name after name, but I understand that the author wanted to ensure that they weren’t forgotten over time. The descriptions of life in the trenches are full of detail and heartbreaking to read. Boys that turned eighteen were eligible to enlist for battle, and by the time they turned nineteen they were hardened men, inured to death and destruction.

The story follows Hodges as he enlists, trains, and eventually is called up to the Western Front. Even though he is only involved in the war for a brief time, he experiences an immense amount of physical and mental struggles. Despite these hardships, Hodges continually writes that his experience in the war is exhilarating and fascinating. He and his fellow soldiers try to make the best of their days as they bond and support each other.

One thing I enjoyed about this book is how the author described his surroundings as a juxtaposition to the horrors around him. He mentions singing birds, fields of poppies, and bright blue skies, and makes sure to note that he is able to appreciate the world around him as nature continues to thrive despite the horrors of war and the bloody casualties.

The author includes many anecdotes about how the soldiers pass the time by talking about life back home and making lighthearted jokes. Each soldier is doing his best to fight the Germans (known as “Jerry” among the men) and maintain their hold on the Western Front. There are also stories about the tedious tasks that must be done: polishing their weapons, digging out trenches, and repairing the miles of barbed wire that provided a barrier to No Mans Land.

This story is poignant and gripping at the same time. I enjoyed the author’s insights on his harrowing experience as well as the opinions he shared about the war. His writing style is easy to read, and you will learn about life in the trenches firsthand. The more I read about WW1, the more I respect the men that gave their lives for this pointless conflict. I highly recommend this book.

You can pick up your copy here.

THE FACEMAKER by Lindsey Fitzharris

September 27, 2022 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

The poignant story of the visionary surgeon who rebuilt the faces of the First World War’s injured heroes, and in the process ushered in the modern era of plastic surgery.
From the moment the first machine gun rang out over the Western Front, one thing was clear: mankind’s military technology had wildly surpassed its medical capabilities. The war’s new weaponry, from tanks to shrapnel, enabled slaughter on an industrial scale, and given the nature of trench warfare, thousands of soldiers sustained facial injuries. Medical advances meant that more survived their wounds than ever before, yet disfigured soldiers did not receive the hero’s welcome they deserved.

In The Facemaker, award-winning historian Lindsey Fitzharris tells the astonishing story of the pioneering plastic surgeon Harold Gillies, who dedicated himself to restoring the faces – and the identities – of a brutalized generation. Gillies, a Cambridge-educated New Zealander, became interested in the nascent field of plastic surgery after encountering the human wreckage on the front. Returning to Britain, he established one of the world’s first hospitals dedicated entirely to facial reconstruction in Sidcup, south-east England. There, Gillies assembled a unique group of doctors, nurses, and artists whose task was to recreate what had been torn apart. At a time when losing a limb made a soldier a hero, but losing a face made him a monster to a society largely intolerant of disfigurement, Gillies restored not just the faces of the wounded but also their spirits. Meticulously researched and grippingly told, The Facemaker places Gillies’s ingenious surgical innovations alongside the poignant stories of soldiers whose lives were wrecked and repaired. The result is a vivid account of how medicine and art can merge, and of what courage and imagination can accomplish in the presence of relentless horror.

Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this review copy!

THE FACEMAKER is an impressive, intense, and fact-packed book, not only about the development of plastic surgery, but also an insight into World War One and its devastating effects. I admit my understanding of the war was negligible prior to reading this, but now I have learned enough to have my interest piqued and I want to learn more. I have just requested a review copy of MEN OF 18 IN 1918 by Frederick James Hodges, a book that I would have certainly passed over if I had not read THE FACEMAKER.

Dr Harold Gillies is the titular surgeon who is constantly creating new ways to help disfigured soldiers (warning! Link leads to extremely graphic photos that may be disturbing) live normal lives. It is noted that those who had lost limbs were celebrated as heroes fighting for their country, while those who sustained facial injuries were shunned and considered freaks. The reasoning behind this is: faces and their ability to create expressions are what makes us “human”, and any deviation of what is considered “normal” creates discomfort. A face without a nose, or with a shattered jaw is difficult to look at, and so those poor soldiers were hidden away from the general public. The wards where those men were kept contained no mirrors, lest they catch a glimpse of themselves and lose the will to live.

Gillies is not the only doctor mentioned in this book; many other courageous surgeons contributed to the effort to repair these poor soldiers. The book is interspersed with descriptions of action on the Western Front, excerpts from diary entries from the soldiers that were lucky enough to have their journals survive (even if they didn’t), and accounts of how collaboration among the doctors furthered their knowledge and experience.

What fascinated me the most was hearing about the soldier’s activity on the battlefield, how he came to be injured, then his ordeal with Dr Gillies, enduring multiple operations while new techniques were tried time and time again. The book does contain a lot of graphic detail, so if you are squeamish, be aware.

I learned about artwork bringing attention to the soldier’s plight – one of the more poignant ones is the painting by John Singer Sargent entitled Gassed. The human cost of war is depicted in this 21-foot-long epic work. Other paintings and drawings are noted throughout the book, explaining how these methods helped the physicians rebuild faces. Sculpture was also used; multiple casts were made as the recreation and correction of each visage progressed.

The epilogue of THE FACEMAKER notes how plastic surgery evolved from a necessity to a luxury; rhinoplasty, facelifts, and the like were performed by Gillies long after the war was over. He continued to help others feel better about themselves until he died in 1960. He was a true visionary whose work ethic and kindness made the world a better place for many, many others.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.