Medico's Luck in the War

This memoir is subtitled ‘Reminiscences of RAMC Work With The Highland Division.’ The author was OC 1/2nd Highland Field Ambulance and later ADMS (Assistant Director of Medical Services) 51st Highland Division. The holder of that appointment was the senior medical officer in a division and adviser to the GOC. This book provides a valuable insight into the workings of the medical units in a division and it begins with an explanation of what a Field Ambulance is (there were three in a division and it is not a vehicle) and how casualties were evacuated from the front line back along a chain to the UK (if necessary). It explains what the various stages in the chain were and what their role was in the scheme of things. The photos are particularly interesting since some of the dressing stations are today military cemeteries. The collecting post at Auchonvillers is still recognisable. Rorie does not dwell on the blood and gore of which he would have seen plenty but he does paint a most interesting, informative and often amusing picture of life at the front for a medical officer. Well worth reading.