A few days ago I brought you the first of 2 blogs on Bellenden Hutcheson, a US born medical doctor who sought war time experience in dressing of wounds.
As the US had not entered the war yet, he came to Canada, enlisted and was sent off to England and, in short order, to France where he served in the Canadian Medical Corps. They in turn had him attached to the 75th Battalion, now known as the Toronto Scottish Regiment. The very regiment I proudly served with for over a decade in the late 1960's and 70's before moving on to 2 other regiments before leaving the military.
Doctor Hutcheson, who had already received promotions to Lieutenant and Captain, would be awarded for bravery, and as important, humanitarian service, about 80 miles north of Paris during very heavy enemy bombings.
As the US had not entered the war yet, he came to Canada, enlisted and was sent off to England and, in short order, to France where he served in the Canadian Medical Corps. They in turn had him attached to the 75th Battalion, now known as the Toronto Scottish Regiment. The very regiment I proudly served with for over a decade in the late 1960's and 70's before moving on to 2 other regiments before leaving the military.
Doctor Hutcheson, who had already received promotions to Lieutenant and Captain, would be awarded for bravery, and as important, humanitarian service, about 80 miles north of Paris during very heavy enemy bombings.
During mopping up operations after the 8 August 1918 attack in and around Quesnel, shown at top of blue line above, the doctor and his crew of medical assistants had to repeatedly go out into open territory to dress the wounded and then evacuate to safety and further medical aid so desperately needed.
As this was going on, they were under the watchful eye of the enemy in balloons above. From there, the enemy would direct artillery fire. So when the first shell was dropped, the balloon would redirect German artillery by giving better target information.
Within minutes.. while Hutcheson and others were dressing the wounded, a handful of more shells would drop and any soldier within about 15-30 yards of that landing point was probably yet another casualty needing immediate attention by the medics.
Captain Hutcheson's actions on that day and many others saw him repeatedly in the field under direct fire and still providing care to those in need.
Within days of the Quesnel bombings Hutcheson and others in the immediate area also came across an abandoned enemy medical tent. Inside were about 100 wounded German soldiers, abandoned by their comrades. Hutcheson's crew would never-the-less also provide medical attention to these soldiers and take steps to also evacuate them to further recovery stations and aid as required.
His battalion learned on 7 October that these actions had resulted in Captain Bellenden Hutcheson being awarded the Military Cross. Here is the formal announcement of 29 November in the London Gazette.
As this was going on, they were under the watchful eye of the enemy in balloons above. From there, the enemy would direct artillery fire. So when the first shell was dropped, the balloon would redirect German artillery by giving better target information.
Within minutes.. while Hutcheson and others were dressing the wounded, a handful of more shells would drop and any soldier within about 15-30 yards of that landing point was probably yet another casualty needing immediate attention by the medics.
Captain Hutcheson's actions on that day and many others saw him repeatedly in the field under direct fire and still providing care to those in need.
Within days of the Quesnel bombings Hutcheson and others in the immediate area also came across an abandoned enemy medical tent. Inside were about 100 wounded German soldiers, abandoned by their comrades. Hutcheson's crew would never-the-less also provide medical attention to these soldiers and take steps to also evacuate them to further recovery stations and aid as required.
His battalion learned on 7 October that these actions had resulted in Captain Bellenden Hutcheson being awarded the Military Cross. Here is the formal announcement of 29 November in the London Gazette.
In a later letter with regards to the award, Bellenden would comment on the treatment he gave to the enemy soldiers noting that..."they were very grateful."
While not his MC, this is an image of a British WWl Military Cross, that he'd later receive.
About 3 weeks later Captain Hutcheson would again be crawling out under heavy enemy fire to rescue the wounded. This time, it would be about 80 miles north east of Le Quesnel, as shown in map below.
About 3 weeks later Captain Hutcheson would again be crawling out under heavy enemy fire to rescue the wounded. This time, it would be about 80 miles north east of Le Quesnel, as shown in map below.
The 75th had fought their way through the Droucourt Quent line, running up and down the left side of the map above. Having passed through, they were advancing near Cagnicourt at top centre, when the doctor again showed his heroism.
That 2 December action is highlighted in the London Gazette's 14 December 1918 announcement of the Hutcheson award of the Victoria Cross. This issue of the Gazette noted that some 30 Victoria Crosses had been awarded. Five coming to Canadians. Here is the portion dealing with the Hutcheson award ...
That 2 December action is highlighted in the London Gazette's 14 December 1918 announcement of the Hutcheson award of the Victoria Cross. This issue of the Gazette noted that some 30 Victoria Crosses had been awarded. Five coming to Canadians. Here is the portion dealing with the Hutcheson award ...
And here of course is the readily recognized Victoria Cross of WWl and ll, slightly different to Canada's of today.
HRH King George V pinned the VC and MC to Captain Bellenden Hutcheson's chest at Buckingham Palace on 22 May 1919. It was apparently the first Victoria Cross awarded to anyone in the 11th Brigade during the Great War.
About 6 months later this hero would sail from Liverpool, back to Halifax and to a new posting of about 5 months at Quebec City. He was then off to Toronto and demobilized with the end of the war, the one that was said to end all wars.
Hmmm!
About 6 months later this hero would sail from Liverpool, back to Halifax and to a new posting of about 5 months at Quebec City. He was then off to Toronto and demobilized with the end of the war, the one that was said to end all wars.
Hmmm!
Here we see a portrait of Captain (Doctor) Hutcheson, VC and MC proudly wearing the collar dog insignia of the Canadian Medical Corps and the ribbons for the Victoria Cross and the Military Cross.
Next Sunday I will conclude with updates on further acknowledgements of his military and civilian dedication to those he took an oath to serve.
Bart
Next Sunday I will conclude with updates on further acknowledgements of his military and civilian dedication to those he took an oath to serve.
Bart
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