Henry John Sweetland, Somerset light infantry

[emjsw]

First side of the card

[emjsw]

2nd side

[MaxD]

The card is part of his discharge documentation in 1918 and does indeed refer to wounds.  As these are unlikely to have been caused while serving in England with the MFP since 1917, it is perfectly possible that these were "hangovers" from his 1916 service and could well have been the reason he was sent home.

His own mention of gas need not be entirely excluded.  It was totally normal for the enemy (and us) to put a proportion of gas shells among the high explosives which were coming all the time.  It was equally common for it not to be noted in war diaries as it was such a common occurrence.  Gas was not the lethal weapon everyone thinks it was.  While certainly a horrendous weapon, a high proportion recovered relatively quickly although it did leave long term effects.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31042472

MaxD
MaxD

[ShaunJ]

There is a memo in his file from an RAMC captain, saying that "This man has been sent to hospital for treatment but it appears that nothing more in the way of treatment can done for him. The foot deformity seems to me to be trivial. The contraction of right hand would interfere with his usefulness to a much greater extent. "  Dated 20 October 1917.

[emjsw]

The card is part of his discharge documentation in 1918 and does indeed refer to wounds.  As these are unlikely to have been caused while serving in England with the MFP since 1917, it is perfectly possible that these were "hangovers" from his 1916 service and could well have been the reason he was sent home.

His own mention of gas need not be entirely excluded.  It was totally normal for the enemy (and us) to put a proportion of gas shells among the high explosives which were coming all the time.  It was equally common for it not to be noted in war diaries as it was such a common occurrence.  Gas was not the lethal weapon everyone thinks it was.  While certainly a horrendous weapon, a high proportion recovered relatively quickly although it did leave long term effects.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31042472

MaxD
MaxD

Thank you very much for taking a look and for your explanation re gas, the link is really interesting. In later life he developed asthma which may or may not be related to the gas.
I really appreciate your insight with all of this as it has helped me to tie together his service history.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Emma

[emjsw]

There is a memo in his file from an RAMC captain, saying that "This man has been sent to hospital for treatment but it appears that nothing more in the way of treatment can done for him. The foot deformity seems to me to be trivial. The contraction of right hand would interfere with his usefulness to a much greater extent. "  Dated 20 October 1917.

Thank you spotting this, it seems like his trench foot didn't cause long term damage but what ever happened to his hand might have (whether rheumatism or via a wound).
Thank you for writing it out.
Best wishes,
Emma