Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-11

Nurses OF Base liOSplinl No. ~, or
ganized at the PENNSYLVANIA Hospital,
are home from overseas.
The 100 nurses comprising the unit
arrived in New York today on the liol-
land America liner Rotterdam. The
vessel. which reached tho Quarantine
station last night, anchored in Graves
end bay over night and dockcd early
this morning.
Ten medical officers and twenty
nurses of University of Pennsylvania
Base Hospital No. 20 are expected 20
arrive in n few days. Word has been
received by the wife of Lieutenant
Colonel J. r. Carnctt, the units COM
manding officer. that the unit is on the
Patricia, which sailed from Brcst April
6. The balance Of the unit, including
about $50 mon and fifteen nurses, is in
command of Major rhiIip X. Williams,
but when it will sail is not known.
Many thrilling experiences were re
lated today by the returning nurses of
Base Hospital NO 10. Last night they
were rendered a dance by the officers
of the Fifty second Pioneer Infantry,
which includes many Philndclphians
who returned on the Rotterdam.
Anxious About Homes
'"Tcll us all about Philadelphia,
were the first questions asked by the
womcn when they arrived at the dock.
Fer nearly two years the nurses have
worked at lie Treport, not far from
Amicns. and had the distinction of being
among the first six organizations of this
kind sent to France. All of the women
wore three or more service stripes aud
one displayed u wound chcvrOn.
Individual stories of hcroiSm and en- :
durancc were numerous and their eX
pericnccs will possibly rival any of those
related by home coming units.
Major Arthur Ncwlu, who went
abroad with the original unit and com
mauded a number of mobile units that
operated on the various fronts. includ
ing the Argonnc forest, was in com
mand.
He paid a high tribute to the young
women for the services they rendered
and declared that too much commen
dation cannot be given to them. for
they endured hardShips and privations
beyond description without even the
slightest unfavorable comment. He said
that they worked under unusual COndi
tions and under a terrific mental strain.
but they were fortunate in having very
little illness among their members an(
only one death was reported. that of
Miss Helen Fairchild, who was buried
in. the early part of January in the
American corner Of the British Gene
terry at lie Treport.
fs Miss Elizabeth Dunlop, who was il
charrs of the nurses on the Rotterdam
and who was the head nurse while witt
the unit in France, said the organiza
tion left the United States May 10
1917. They arrived in Liverpool about
a week later and proceeded to London
where they remained for only short
period, as the demand for nurses in til,
war zone was constantly increasing
Only sixty eight nurses were in thai
| unit. in command of Colonel Richard
Harte, who was subsequently succeeded
by Colonel Charles +. Mitchell.
Sixty five Miles from Amiens
After establishing themselves in Il
Trcport. which YVES about sixty fiv'
miles from Amiens, the wounded British
Australian and Canadian troops pourc'
in RAPIDLY. and when the Twenty sew
cnth and Thirtieth American divisions
entered the line brigaded with the Brit
ish forces it. was necessary 10 augmcn
the staff of nurses. Others We're ob
| tainod as far as possible from othc
/ units sent abroad by Philadelphia hos
! pitfalls. so that in the returning lo
nurses there are young women VIII
were graduated from the | niverslty o
PENNSYLVANIA. the Jefferson. EpiScopa
! p, hnsnitnlu