note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

MG 1 volume 2124 number 139

Kentville, N. S.
March. 9th, 1918

Director,
Halifax Disaster Record Office,
Chronicle Building,
Halifax, N. S.

Dear Sir:-

Regarding matter in the enclosed letter on my personal experience in connection with matters concerning the explosion on December 6th. My submary [summary] of events were as follows;-

I happened to be on the early D.A.R. train going into Halifax on the morning of December 6th when the explosion occured, but our train was too far distant to note any special sound or jolt from it. We continued as far as Rockingham where General Manager Graham was waiting. He sent the train back to Windsor Junction, but had me sent into Richmond on an engine. I arrived there about 11 a.m. Number 10 train was on the track with windows broken, but no further damage. The condition of the track and surrounding district was almost to horrible to describe. Men, women and children were lying round on the ground on boards, broken beds doors or anything they could get and suffering untold agonies. Naturally the work was difficult as I was the only Medical doctor in that district at the time. Fortunately I had my Hypodermic case and Morphine was a great blessing to many that morning. With the help of several travellers, soldiers and train crew we put about 112 cases on board the train and as soon as authority could be obtained pulled the train out for Truro. There we filled the Court House Academy, and fire Hall. I worked in the Truro Court House for 8 days: the majority of our cases were extensive glass cuts, fractures, and a great deal of eye work and all very severe cases as any persons left living in that part of Richmond were frightfully injured. Splendid assistance was given on the train by 2 travellers: Mr. James Whiteley, of St. Stephen, N.B. and Mr. Clark of St. John, N.B., the former remained on duty at the Court House and rendered excellent assistance for 12 days.

Trusting the above will give you the information required, I am,

Yours very truly,

C.E.L. de Witt
Major [illegible]

P.S. During the first few days no trains. I worked night and day as unfortunately nearly all the train doctors had come to Halifax on a special train not knowing a trainload of injured were proceeding to these trains. [written crossways on left side of page]