Pages of a diary and notes from the Second World War service of Rupert Major Downes

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2017.6.217
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 13

Qaries Ediry Street toldme to gehinatonce if blacked 11/2/22 recgmpment. Obcructions then in being 18.K8 conference of inspectore of medier examinte Recigned Red & chairman. Letton skale3 6.2.6 imen cutcomtte reconstituted a C. H. 84. Mr Courot Ante Gahaning to Nov. Rceivngiven 19.839 CGS. agrees Dnm a & -minictes kepe. 3.81.29 card mititing Asepe annecxery. (4.X129 cauefield, full: arranged for necerse tente kandwich sooocr. 1580.39 3.1.40. mt Ad - wants full procecions for V.D. proppylanis ano to hs & doing a minencon. snot as peccitle Fetcinend infenced pend for me that, impracticible to dund wo - wards in cuy haske for sing therwasm ovet he thea eghd. uttcomin. farmation b 27.1.40 sydnly nasmnt prcition bat: 4. meaxle epidenie 24.1.40 "arranges immediat & emergency euthly bed s Vie says there will be us wreat dawn 30.440 Squire opertion 8.2.4 ganced mineter to puoticice what wed done now incortree 1o 1014, asxo muchcritican. M card to thr upmes exame of receiie 28.2.40 unferencec Red & reblood transneion adrced ag he aame tog camp. Plange refused to allaw bed + nunnurces tep internesten 212.40 cs. Onew say our auying caueing them chirtage 26.2.40 stotted puture us ag H. cite 8.3.40 N8. intende is go on crepanall Rao& indical aroce topp tinistet aaneen my vilwe on 6.4.40. ag. agredt to tike etentulane necrt. 1.5.90 speck vuntill going as, another Con durt intik, & another a if meace, Rand, in candon to werong 4AG.H. 10.5.60 Ep. 64p. vings, aguia we shouldcupply as much esplacements a rossible from au 14 540 CaS whitesight. To be no delayen troucion to hlame him. did nos agres to Due aIx Agreet Ruleton Wbelling agx might he march of t49 roon mititgs wocupply pram ana acpa an procitls. wl bns cace into) aindinget of Cinte was to symulate tocal praaucpoy. newmdinholgruts wn told that goo & coos tyre want fitan veluere
16.5.40 18.5.40 273 40 106.40 1476 40 1806.40 146.40 21.6 40 24 46 82.40 18.8 40 45.& 40 Minety Eght said A delay in punchacing this contruct procedure, we were wruy spua chin provede approved by Wax tefrnet M. card hed back me up at I boughtegpt. omrece contract pd even it contracts car dod paid a higher priecthaniuner their ingraad widawyd-director of Recrinting that it got a lot of new secrints would be sancy wikelinsed ofrisiluncy is provide seumtek ti hspitaous on a/c degare in matter pon wich aurting Retting begry in targe wine is pery gac hog xnay at hoop. ofpriase prackswhere a wf- frim repged to lydney before nege uing tecri. Weing women or 4 (thenuon no cherlage young one sone informmed gie cwritten that hros no conculted before building or camp - in ac ankso. repered amendments ot Krygical & tandged for time when cnst ignone insee only imporian from pension connection er conference medical directors . Res t naised hospited acconadation queetof. courues of nact moa & he moter ambs. surgected heev ulth 1-ssice of mae; & that Minger mich appoins red & core agenty for medical gifte - they wished thes. M could nosagres 94s, wad me io inerechaligi quechon in citing haspitate, in Lydney, melbourne & aaw hep waete of nine in anevering mertis fatite compluent. Told miniate mersiew o iomplaine of Hrbeoy & wibale to be mepeews oftecriing hadhung fr awath
Personal Diaries of Major General R.M-DOYNES, CMG. VD. Appointed first McTical Historian, Official War History 1939-1945, but who was killed while collecting material for the History.
Hospital dated 26.2.40. Spotted cite for Halbrgtt. 6827.40. Commenced Yaralta -meking preg 5.8.90. Heselberg 6.3.41. Firetadmission Yarally 15.3.41 Herdelberg opened 19.8.43. Pernt Gospital opened Yaresten 22.12.43. Heidelkeny opened
tnticipating approval far establishment of these committee, considerations given to matter; noted that there was cut of excentials prepared in 1935 considered-lct of excentiate for curhane s hould be prefared exfarte for local production to be continued by committee. had been farmed Ou 3.3.39 committee DeSl care Hyernee Maisn Annotly whitteeld andrewe chriche-secretary ameting had been heed on 24.1.39 1. Cenene of cervice requirements nearly complete curt < is Nertally 4 a stock of curgical exctruments on prefanation 3 Get of evertial druge to be imported wae complete invectigations of poccible production has been made $05000 cinual maknel at tired from overa emse adves to my yeare cupply ofexcenting on lieto nelbowene hochetal were doenen e ed
Eand dre 40 Hetelbing hatgsbing gosd pusgper 8 4 Phllipe appointed Andence adveser 3 4 Coysand opened 4 2 HalBerg 2 delent h Jnar W. mett arrangte marceby wsnt sper whentahe over wente th
guipment Limitation + encouragement of weal production. Surgical instrument inectigation Hopium & morphis - ctoi 77 ophy growth Y ad troueed same backing ao Newton as Es Lenes frok orstamped forgings JAnderson rutengared in U. oppoenion dreceing injectigation long before war Earoge W votton 000 M.A M Actober 1929 Aset trevener of Alar cabined objected to taking wo mye for 6 Dw. as is was not going away or some time aeae agreed to my proposalfor 77 at creceiv. averageman think of Ho ad to trentack; doen t know of prevention tuse andtire nonting ami left enaimennc iirgle. ungaerly greetioned taking moe, awayfrom cueit wort Want 2&sreport
r 1 N
5 dealh Aruey 52 Navy Se write re CSt Raaf uri 200 12A7 Gdeath outy canpepitenee Nartham, 8cauel in /12 Aben - ars $200 131 Hervey- 5zcaad all fet for epidencie Wratent, Lew forcam 2death write reads awbile is hospital ships & evacuation arrangenenty forhandfarged inetl - if mentioned geting hasmn Ruscell lectury on yan st Entomoleget ffel by Stantte Med. Exam Harlures (Tuenbeall). Weng information nueiy, accomodation, feet bad later Aner fram England. Eneny action ghd Perth-started med Dec Hoep commenced Jan 1C Adelaule yel Juch 141 open? Lydney ir meeth tt appraval Jaur 141 Bine. Dener Bagot open Dec tb. Repot wet $3000: 1202 by Jan /41 - £3, 62 Dor. american charge to medcal serce
Birter Conte - B, Cumpeton Frley, Caurence, Wenter Wealth Sept. to contral equilment 9.12.27 importation while sentare open certain Maintain applice in peace - concider thi Shmaleteflu cal produchion Cenene of mote. taken vor /20 LIdeman retome- beforewas huum pr Dropfargemete Althiges ardal rla
Letters to JW. Anleeaon 13 Jo 250 ow lok or ws, our from B. Dens 2o line (tath op winkentasl for ios, ov adm 3/12 foe Corpe of 2095 Dws. Red & Blood Enetay Serven 6 Peb. Kellaway] started 1929. Doneritypedobled at Hall netitull nof Blatt Bashepy dup. Butch gost wreached 16 an calrnet o/ 12 before 2/ 1/41 if they could supply a ship prit - out us answer (2 wdent week Beathe, Prof. Director kl. Wef 14 Aug 120 Menunda trial veyage 250,000 for 3/12- expentable PD.M. 5/12 Sen 3/12 Cork Adil
Eqnipment subcommittee oordh Cuute met on 13 July 1928 &aug cep Reportuened 19 Cept Medical Sental and Vetermany equipment ont committee of P..O. committee thenexeted. I concisted of DemS Dentel officer of Defence Sept Deacy Set. Offic DN.M.S. Planneato add to thee Rep. of Cwlth Health Dept] nomnated by Coara BMA. committee F D.So. Committee Equipment control subcommittee, on onthreck of wear Rep. of Depence Health Dept bing o st Cr

Diaries   DGMS diary

11/X/39. Street told me to see him at once if blocked
re equipment. Obstructions then in being
15.X.39 Conference of inspectors of medical examinations
16.X.39. Resigned Red +chairman. Left on 8/XII/43
17.X.39 Equipment subcommittee reconstituted as
E — Egpt. Control Cmte
19.X.39. C.G.S. agreed to Trethowan Dunhill's appt. 10.Nov. Decision given
3.XI.39.  Minister Repat. said military hosps. unnecessary.
14.XI.39. Caulfield full: arranged for reserve tents
15.XI.39.  Randwick 50 over.
3.1.40. Mily Bd - wants full provisions for V.D. prophylaxis
- agree to Red + doing as much Con. Depot as possible
Fitzsimons informed spend A.M. for me that impracticable to
build hospl wards in civil hosps. for Army
There were some obstrn re Med. Eqpt. [[Sutcourse?]] formation. by Cumpton
27.1.40 Sydney hospital position bat: G. measles epidemic
29.1.40      ''          ''                 ''   :  arranged immediat & emergency supply beds
xxxx Vic. says there will be no breakdown
30.1.40 Squire operation
8.2.40  Advised Minister to publicise what we'd done now, in contrast
to 1914 as so much criticism. M. said to stir up medl-exams of
recruits
20.2.40 Conference ĉ Red + re blood transfusions
Advised A.G. re same Tvg camp.
Blamey refused to allow Red + run nurses hospl - in Jerusalem
21.2.40 Egpt. - NSW say our buying causing them shortage
26.2.40 Spotted future 115 A.G.H. Site
8.3.40  CAS. intends to go on n- separate Red+ medical service (first 20/2/30)
Minister A - agreed c̄ my views on 6.4.40.
1.5.40.  AG. agreed to take edentulous recruits
agreed Dunhill going O.S, another Com. Surgn in  U.K. & another GS if needed.
10.5.40 Rank, in London to belong 4A.G.N.
Eqpt. QMC. & MGO. agreed we should supply as much replacements
as possible from A' lia
14.5.40 CGS (White) Eqpt to be no delay in provision - to blame him
Did not agree to DMS AIF   Agreed Buxton to be Brig 
AIF. might be breach of AHQ & AGMS might go.
Eqpt - we supply from A'lia far as possible. 
  ''     - told Kent (Cce. Cmte) xxxx main job of Cmte.  was to 
stimulate local production.
New Indian Motor Ambl - was told that 900 & 1050 tyres 
wont fit our vehicles 

 

16.5.40. Minister - (Egpt) - said if delay in purchasing thro’ contract
procedure, we were to buy
Hospital ship provided approved by War Cabinet.
18.5.40. M. said he’d back me up if I bought eqpt. outside Contract Bd
even if contracts said I’d paid a higher price than under
their method
27.5.40. Told Lloyd - director of Recruiting that if got a lot of new
recruits would be danger likelihood of inability to provide
hospital beds on a/c delay in matter. Preliminary X-ray in country. Rooms: x ray & [[?]] for [[?]]
1.6.40. Walsh starting recrting boards in large towns where have hospl
X Rays at hospy. of private practitioners @ 10/-: films referred
to Sydney before rejecting recruit. Using women Drs for
some jobs (Mention M.O. shortage - young ones).
14.6 40. Informed Q.M.C (written) that MOs not consulted  before
buildings or camps - in a/c A.M.B.O.O.
18.6.40. Prepared amendments of physical standards for time
when  cannot ignore those only important from pension
connection
19.6.40. 1st conference medical directors - RAAF raised hospital
accommodation question.
21.6.40. Conflict of R.A.C.V. & Red + re motor ambs. Suggested RA.C.V. supply
1-3 secs. of M.A.C: & that Minister might appoint Red + sole
agents for medical gifts - they wished this. M. could not agree
24.6.40. CGS. told me to ignore strategical question in citing
hospitals in Sydney, Melbourne & elsewhere
8.7.40. Waste of time in answering Thorby’s futile complaints. Told Minister
10.8.40. Interview č EM complaints of Harbison &c &c.
 25.x.40. Turnbull to be Inspector of Recruiting - had hung for months

 

Personal Diaries of Major-
General R.M.DOWNES, CMG. VD.
Appointed first Medical
Historian, Official War History
1939-1945, but who was killed
while collecting material
for the History.

 

AS YOU WERE

 

Hospital dates

26.2.40  Spotted site for Hdlbrgtt.

6 or 7.40  Commenced Yaralla
5.8.40  Heidelberg -"making progress'

6.3.41 First admissions Yaralla
15.3.41 Heidleberg opened
19.8.43^2 Permt Hospital opened Yaralla
2? .12.43 Heidleberg  (permt) opened

 

Anticipating approval for establishment of three committees,
considerations given to matter; Noted that there was:-
List of essentials prepared in 1935

Considered -  List of essentials for civilians should be prepared
- Efforts for local production to be continued by Committee
On 3.3.39 committee had been formed
DGMS
Carr
Holmes
Stanton
Connolly
Whitfield
Andrews
Christie - secretary
A meeting had been held on 24.1.39.
1. Census of service requirements nearly completed
2.  "           "    civil              "                    partially   "

3.   "          "    stock of surgical instruments in preparation
4. List of essential drugs to be imported was complete
5. Investigations of possible production had been made
6.  £65000 essential materials ordered from overseas
Hospitals advised to buy years supply of essentials on list prepared; some
Melbourne hospitals were doing it

 

Evans diary
5.8.40  Heidleberg huts making good progress 
10.1.41  Phillips appointedBusiness Advisor.     ||
3.3.41   Concord opened.                                        ||
15.2.41   Heilbrg    "                                                   ||                

Not described
Darwin arrangements  
P. of W.- m/dl arrangts
Moresby hospital
Repat -when take over mental & tbe

 

Equipment

Limitation & encouragement of 
local production.
Surgical instrument investigation
Opium & morphia - custom 
seized
Poppy growth
  ___________________________  

P.M. (Fadden) promised same 
backing to Newton as EssnTense
Drop or stamped forgings 
Investigated in U.K.  J. Anderson? 
 -opposition
_________________________________

Dressing investigation long
before war
Gauze  Nov 1938
Cotton wool
__________________________________________________
M.Os
In October 1939 Asst Treasurer of War cabinet 
objected to taking W5 Mds for GDW. as it 
was not going away for some time. Cabinet 
agreed to my proposal for 77 at present
average man thinks of PMU. or Dr to
treat sick; doesnt know of prevention
learning military routine, training staff; 
maintaining morale.
Thus early questioned taking
MOS, away from civil work
Want 2 & 3 reports 

 

origs 
origs

 

Army   52 - 5 deaths
Navy     9
RAAF   11
Civil   206
Write re CSM 
Cases 23 31- say 40  (2RMJ) č 4 deaths
only camp epidemic Northam. 8 cases in 2/12
Airban - worn 130 148 131 
All set for epidemic    Darwin -54 cases 2 deaths??? Virulent. Few for camp
Write A.D.S mobile
   "          "      hospital ships & evacuation arrangements
Drop or hand forged insts -  if mentioned getting hammer
Russell lecture on jaws to dentists Trg
Entomologist refused ^stet by Staulhe
Med Exam failures (Turnbull). Wrong information, 
hurry, accomodation, feet bad later
Egpt Much from England. Enemy action
Hosps. Perth - started mid Dec
Adelaide - commenced Jan/41
Sydney -Open ? March   /41  c/es
Melb        "      Feby March   " 
Btne        Approval Jan /41
Darwin    Bagot open Dec
Tb.  Repat costs \ £3000: 1202 by Jan/41 = £3,600,000
American charge to medical services

 

Barber Centre - B, Cumpston, Derby, Laurence, Wynter
9.12.27    Health Dept. to control equipment
Importation “while seas are open”
Maintain certain supplies in peace - consider this.
Stimulate local production.
Census of insts. taken Nov /38
Egpt deman
Opium fr. Customs - before war
Drop forge insts.

Sebthorpe or A.A.S.C. re bread

 

Letters to J H. Anderson
20 BDMs 3/12 for 250,000 Lofe as 100,000 front 
line (later 6/12 expendable for 100,000)
ADMS 3/12 for Corps of 2 or 3 Divs.
6 Feb Kellaway Red + Blood transfu Service
started 1929. Donors typed & bled
at Hall Institute
Prof Platt
16  2nd hospital ship. British Govt was asked
by Cabinet 6/12 before 2/1/41 if they 
73d   could supply a ship for it - but no
answer (?was it weeks)
14. Beattie, Prof. Director Bl. Transfu
9.   Manuuda trial voyage 1/Aug/40


BDMS    250,000 for 3/12 - expendable
                                      6/12 - semi  
ADMS     Corps      “     3/12

 

Equipment Subcommittee
Coordn Cmte met on 13 July 1938
4 Aug
5  "
7 Sept
8  "
Report issued 19 Sept.
Medical Dental and Veterinary equipment Subcommittee of P.S.O. 
committee then existed. It consisted of
DGMS.
Dental Officer of Defence Dept
Army Vet. Officer
? D.N.M.S.
Planned to add to this
Rep. of C'wlth Health Dept.} nominated by Coord
  "      "    B.M.A                          }  committee
  "      "   PSO. Committee       
Equipment Control Subcommittee, on outbreak of war
Rep. of Defence
   "        "  Health Dept
   "        " BMA.
   "        " PSO Cmte
   "        "  Customs

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