Wounded Arrive in Nottingham, 5th July 1916

“ANOTHER CONVOY OF WOUNDED.

“301 ARRIVE IN NOTTINGHAM TO-DAY.

“A special train from Dover bore 301 wounded Tommies to Nottingham this afternoon [5th July 1916]. Fresh from the scene of recent fighting — some were laid aside less than 36 hours ago — they were the stricken proof of the strenuousness of the Allied offensive, and of the fierceness of the fighting in which they have been engaged. Numerically it was the largest convoy of wounded that has yet reached the city, but, happily, there was not a cot case among them, and though many dozens, wounded in the leg, or head, or arm, only made progress with difficulty, with assistance, all were able to walk from the platform at Victoria station, where they detrained, to the motors awaiting them at the main exit.

“To accommodate so many, demands had to be made upon all the military hospitals in the city and district, and Col. Battersby, who met the train and supervised the arrangements, was helped by three Red Cross detachments, by the special constables, and by a large fleet of private motor cars. Bearing all the traces of their recent experiences — mud-bespattered boots, torn tunics and trousers, some of them with borrowed coats and caps, many with bandaged heads and legs and splintered arms, the men were nevertheless in splendid spirits.

“Here we are again" shouted one youthful optimist as the train steamed in, and in conversation they had much that was encouraging to tell, but which it would not be wise to repeat. Large crowds assembled on, and outside, the station, and they gave the boys a cheery welcome which was warmly returned.

“All kinds of regiments in the British army were represented, even as every conceivable wound had been sustained, but as far as can be gathered, there were only two Sherwood Foresters and some half-dozen the Lincolns.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 5th July 1916.