Merchant Vessels BPC Gauze Absorbent package : Leading Sickberth Attendant M G Williams, Royal Navy

Accession Number	REL41051.001
Collection type	Heraldry
Object type	Heraldry
Physical description	Gauze, Paper
Maker	Robinson & Sons, Ltd
Place made	United Kingdom: England
Date made	May 1962
Conflict	Period 1960-1969

Description

Buff paper envelope, sealed with white cotton gauze contents intact, labelled 'MOT Dressings / Merchant Vessels - Medical Scales / BPC / Gauze Absorbent / Sterilised / 36" x 36" / Robinson & Sons Ltd / Wheat Bridge Hills, Chesterfield'. Dated May 1962 at top of front.

History / Summary

Collection of burn dressings related to the service of Michael Williams, a resident of Plymouth, UK, who served as a sick berth attendant with the Royal Navy from New Year 1947. He saw service with HM ships Swiftsure, Newcastle, Keppel and Bicester.

Williams received his initial medical training at the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham. While serving aboard HMS Swiftsure, he jumped rank early to Leading Sick Berth Attendant when his superior hit the ship's captain and was subsequently jailed in Singapore.

Williams saw service in the Korean War in 1952 - 53 when he transferred to the cruiser HMS Newcastle as a replacement attendant. He recalls that when not on duty he was asked to act as spotter, reporting on the fall of fire of the Newcastle's 6 inch guns. Williams retired soon after the war, taking up vocational training as a motor mechanic and emigrating to Australia with his family.

These dressings and bandages were typical of the type used aboard during the time of Williams' service, and include many examples manufactured during the Second World War.