Captain Elizabeth B. Eckman, Base Hospital No. 10, B.E.F. WW1

[kanemono]

Here is a group to Elizabeth Boone Eckman who was born in Danville, Pennsylvania on June 21, 1879. Her father was Colonel Charles Wesley Eckman, who commanded the 93^rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Eckman was also a direct descendant of Daniel Boon on her mothers’ side of the family. She was a graduate of the Pennsylvania Hospital Nursing School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps at Philadelphia. During World War I, the federal government’s Department of Military Relief formed a number of Red Cross Base Hospitals in Europe. Each participating hospital was asked to raise funds to equip a 500 bed facility and provide trained staff. In 1917, Pennsylvania Hospital established U.S. Hospital Base No. 10. Eckman was assigned to Base Hospital No. 10. They sailed on the S.S. St. Paul, arriving in England on May 28, 1917. After a few days' delay in England the unit was assigned to a station at Le Treport (Seine Inferieure), France, arriving at that station on June 12, 1917. It was one of the original six hospitals assigned to duty with the British and operated No. 16 General Hospital, British Expeditionary Force. The Nursing Staff consisted of 64, including the Matron Miss M. A. Dunlop and 4 civilians, 1 dietician and 3 secretaries. The Hospital remained at Le Treport, attached to the British, during its entire overseas existence. Eckman sailed home from Brest, France, on the S.S. Kaiserine Augusta Victoria on April 8, arrived in the United States on April 17, 1919. She was honorably discharged from the Army Nurse Corps on May 21, 1919. Eckman later served as superintendent of the Bryn Mawr Hospital located on the Main Line, just outside of Philadelphia, at the Good Samaritan Hospital at Lexington, Kentucky, and Head of Nursing at Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Boone Eckman died at the Bloomsburg Hospital on January 25, 1941. Captain Elizabeth Boone Eckman received the Victory Medal with a Defensive Sector bar. The Defensive Sector bar was given for participation in any 'minor' battle that is not honored with any of the 'named' Combat Clasps.

Dick

 

[kanemono]

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[warguy]

Dick, gorgeous grouping. Can you tell me, does your booklet have names of nurses who served at Base Hospital 10? I have a grouping to a nurse who was there for a time, her name is Olive Myrtle Meister. Any info on her in your book ? She might be in the photo, I will study it as I have a picture of her. Kevin

[bertmedals]

That is a superb grouping! The Victory Medal and group photo are great to see.

 

Do you have any information or thoughts on the origin of the shield-shaped "U.S.R.C." patch?

 

Thanks for posting it.

 

Dennis

[cutiger83]

WOW! I am speechless. The engraved medal is stunning! I get really excited when I see you have started another post. All of these are simply amazing!

 

...Kat

[jagjetta]

Wow...that group struck me speechless.

 

Cheers for posting!

 

John

[world war I nerd]

Dennis & all,

 

I've read that a number of AEF hospitals incorporated the city crest / coat of arms of the city in which their hospital was situated into the design of the shoulder insignia that was adopted. If you know the city in which Base Hospital No. 10 was located it probably wouldn't be too difficult to come up with that city's crest to see if there is any connection to the shoulder patch.

 

The other round insignia is a British Medical Corps sleeve badge worn by the enlisted men in that branch of the British Army. The outer, gold ring had something to do with the rank of the wearer. If I remember correctly, there were two or three different outer, ring colors.

[manayunkman]

I love this group.

 

I have seen Eckman's things before but can't remember where.

[bertmedals]

Dick, gorgeous grouping. Can you tell me, does your booklet have names of nurses who served at Base Hospital 10? I have a grouping to a nurse who was there for a time, her name is Olive Myrtle Meister. Any info on her in your book ? She might be in the photo, I will study it as I have a picture of her. Kevin

Olive M. Meister arrived as a reinforcement nurse on Oct 6, 1918. She was transferred to Base Hospital 103 in Dijon on Jan 11, 1919.

[bertmedals]

Dennis & all,

 

I've read that a number of AEF hospitals incorporated the city crest / coat of arms of the city in which their hospital was situated into the design of the shoulder insignia that was adopted. If you know the city in which Base Hospital No. 10 was located it probably wouldn't be too difficult to come up with that city's crest to see if there is any connection to the shoulder patch.

 

The other round insignia is a British Medical Corps sleeve badge worn by the enlisted men in that branch of the British Army. The outer, gold ring had something to do with the rank of the wearer. If I remember correctly, there were two or three different outer, ring colors.

Thanks for the extra information. US Base Hospital 10 was in Le Treport, France. It took over British No. 16 General Hospital that was located there. Unfortunately, the Le Treport coat of arms doesn't give a clue about the patch. I suspect it was designed by Hospital personnel and the red "X" is a play on the Roman numeral. The only mention of insignia in the Bast Hospital 10 history is that they were instructed to wear the First Army SSI.

Dennis

[warguy]

Olive M. Meister arrived as a reinforcement nurse on Oct 6, 1918. She was transferred to Base Hospital 103 in Dijon on Jan 11, 1919.

[warguy]

Thank you! Kevin

[kanemono]

Here are two more portraits of Eckman and her USAMC ring. There is also a photograph or a Red Cross ambulence.

[kanemono]

This is part of a family group. Her father was Colonel Charles W. Eckman, 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded several times and had two horses shot from under him. He served in 29 major actions including Gettysburg. Here is his presentation sword and presentation traveling desk.

[cutiger83]

Very interesting that her ring says USAMC. I assume this stands for United States American Medical Corps. I have never heard it called USAMC. Was that to distinguish it from the USMC (Marine Corps)?

 

...Kat

[manayunkman]

Incredible group.

[kanemono]

I think it stands for United States Army Medical Corps.

[cutiger83]

I think it stands for United States Army Medical Corps.

 

Ahh...Thanks for clarifying!

 

...Kat

[rolfi]

If anyone's interested the group photo was taken outside the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.

[warguy]

I forgot how great this grouping is. In researching my own group, I have read that Base Hospital 10 in Le Tréport was the place to be. From what I have read a seaside resort town of sorts and sounds beautiful. I am sure wartime conditions were somewhat different, but it still sounds like a nice place.