Burma Star Association - B.C. Chapter
BRANCH MEMBER PAGE
Mary joined the 73rd. B.G.H. shortly after D Day. She still remembers the first two lines of a three verse song written by one of the R.A.M.C. boys describing their arrival in Normandy.
"The 73rd went sailing to Normandy, Landed on the beaches from an LCT."
They were one of several hospitals in the area about 40 miles from Beyaux. Shortly after arrival the casualties began arriving. Their unit was part of the "Evacuation Plan"-Casualty Clearing Stn., Field Dressing Stn., and then to their Base Hospital. The wounded arrived and were there normally for 2 or 3 days before being evacuated to UK either by air or sea ‑ depending on their injuries. By December of 1944 the European battle had moved Eastward and the 73rd. returned to England. In January 1945 the hospital unit was on their way to the far East destined for service in Burma. Again the songwriter set to work
" Now we're off to Burma across the raging sea Look out Terra Firma - here comes 73."
On arrival in Bombay, the officers and men went off to set up the Hospital, and the Nursing Sisters were sent to various Military Hospitals to await their recall to their unit. Before that came the war in Burma ended and the 73rd. was disbanded.
Mary spent the rest of the time in India serving in military hospitals at Madras, Bangalore, Poona , and finally at Sialkot where she met Rev. David Blackaller whom she eventually married on March 25 1972.
Mary was repatriated in June 1947 and discharged in March 1948. She passed away on May 29, 2008.