This year on the 22nd October is the 100th Anniversary of the action by 24 Field Ambulance RAMC (TF) which resulted in the award of the Croix de Guerre to the unit by the French Government. To commemorate this, 243 (The Wessex) Field Hospital, 24th's descendant unit, will be parading at St Amand-les-Eaux at the invitation of the Mayor and citizens of the town. They will be accompanied by a group of veterans and ex-members of 243. On the 21st October, a memorial will be unveiled at the School which housed an Advanced Dressing Station. The Headmaster has generously agreed to part-fund this but we have been asked to contribute.

The Memorial will be a marble plaque inscribed with the following words in French and English:

In memory of 24 (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, 8 Division, VIII Corps, 1st Army, British Expeditionary Force which set up an Advanced Dressing Station in these buildings from 22nd October until 5th November 1918 taking care of 2000 refugees under heavy enemy bombardment. As a token of gratitude, the unit was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Army Corps North / Northeast on 19th November 1918.

21 October 2018

Above this text the RAMC badge (1914-1918 pattern) as well as the Croix de Guerre will be engraved.

I am now asking all veterans, ex-members of 243, serving soldiers, historians, well wishers, families, local dignitaries and anyone who wishes to contribute to a lasting and unique memorial to those who risked their lives in order to save the lives of vulnerable citizens of France. Please, spread the word to everyone. If we raise in excess of the desired amount, then I will see that the money is split between UK and French ex-service charities.

Many Thanks