Medical Services at Jarama 

Dr. William Pike of the Lincoln Battalion, Dr. Bradsworth of the Brit- 
ish Battalion and their tireless staffs of First Aid men lessened the hor- 
rors of war and eliminated many of the discomforts of trench-life at 
Jarama. 

The casualties suffered by the British First Aid Staff included 
Dr. Bradsworth who was wounded in the first days of the fighting. When 
Dr. Pike came up with the Lincolns, he had in effect to undertake duties 
for practically the whole Brigade. In addition to front-line medical 
work he gave personal attention to the water-supply, kitchens, trenches, 
latrines, and dug-outs. 

Soldiers soon discovered that this Doctor — small in stature though 
he was — had to be obeyed; he could enforce discipline, and he knew 
how to deal with men who tried to evade carrying out his orders. One 
of his greatest achievements was the construction of a road that enabled 
not only the ambulances but the kitchen-trucks to come up to the second 
lines. Previously, wounded men had to be carried in stretchers who 
introduced shower and disinfection trucks, organised classes on hygiene 
and First Aid, and arranged for regular dental and optical services. 
When he was promoted to an even more important position, his place 
was ably filled by Dr. Robbins who was later killed at Brunete. 

Dr. Pike’s First Aid men were imbued with his spirit; like him they 
were appreciated and respected by the men, for whom they risked their 
lives more than once in every battle. Among those heroes were “Tops” 
(Toplianos) who figures in an incident told in this book, Muso, who was 
later killed at Brunete, Joe “Doc” Ruffman and Dave Smith. 

The foundations of the efficient Battalion Medical Services of today 
were laid by Dr. Pike and his staff at Jarama. Only those Volunteers 
who went through that campaign can adequately realise the difficulties 
that were encountered, the obstacles that were surmounted and the great 
results that were achieved. 
K. M. 

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