"Mentioned" in Sir D. Haig's Desptaches 1918 Feeling frustrated

[duffyfarrell]

I have just discovered my Grandmother was mentioned in the above dispatch but can only find two dispatches from Sir D Haig in 1918 and cannot find her name I have also tried the London Gazette for her name to no avail.  I don't thinks she was given any award or medal as we have never heard of  this until now when I accessed a record on the British Red Cross site.  Is there an easy way to find where she is mentioned?

Her details are Mary Agnes Josephine McCarthy, Born 1883 (died Jan 1968) in Dublin Ireland.  Joined  in 1915.  She was the Matron in Charge in the the St Johns Ambulance Brigade Hospital Etaples, France in 1917 when Queen Mary visited it and when it was bombed in May 1918

Thanks in advance

[Westoe]

Hello DuffyFarrell,

Are you certain that it was that hospital? On this site ......

http://www3.nfb.ca/ww1/postwar-film.php?id=531255

..... it mentions No 1 Canadian General and No 7 Canadian General Hospitals in Etaples being bombed on that day. There is a 4 1/2 minute film of the mass burial of casualties from those bombings on that site. There were Canadian units under Haig's command.

"Notice that some casket bearers in the footage are medical orderlies, wearing Red Cross badges on their sleeves. Note also that a giant Red Cross has been formed in painted stones on the ground for recognition from the air. "

Would you recognize Mary Agnes McCarthy if you saw her on that day?

"The footage depicts the funeral procession, attended by large numbers of soldiers and army nurses, and some civilians."

Cheers,
Westoe

[Westoe]

P.S. DuffyFarrell,

Oops, my mistake, you do have the right hospital, but do have a look at that film anyway.

Your Mary Agnes wasn't also known as Maud McCarthy was she? Strange co-incidence of names on this site .....

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/91216-etaples-hospital-bombing-1st-june-1918/

..... It's worth reading the whole thread for information on your hospital.

Cheers,
Westoe

[duffyfarrell]

Sorry not my McCarthy.  It is confusing when names are similarly but I will enjoy reading about the hospital and will put up some photos i have of it.
 

[doch]

Hi Duffy Farrell,i had a similar "mentioned in despatch"query a while ago.after a lot of searching i went on to the great war forum were the members there answered my questions in no time.

[Jomot]

Looking at the Red Cross site, although her duties are described as Sister in Charge her rank was still given as Sister, so I wonder if this might be it (about halfway down right hand column):

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30704/supplement/6175

[MaxD]

Brilliant Jomot, just beat me to it, well done!  Must surely be her!

maxD

[duffyfarrell]

Your Brilliant, Thank you.  That is her and i think it is in connection with the bombing raid on the Hospital in Estaple.

[jbml]

Just one very minor point, which a lot of "Johnnies" get very worked up about. It is (and always has been) the St John Ambulance Brigade, NOT the St Johns (or John's, or Johns') Ambulance Brigade.