[ British Expeditionary Force, Flanders. ] Galley proofs of article for the First World War National Guard titled 'A Visit to Flanders | Notes from the Diary of Captain Leigh Wood, C.M.G.', relating to the Belgian Field Hospital in Hoogstade.

Three strips of paper, each with a single column of text in small print: 47 + 55 + 30 cm. Complete article, paginated to 3. The second strip has the running title 'National Guard - A Visit to Flanders - 2'. Aged and creased, and with a corner torn away from the third strip, resulting in loss of text to six lines and the running title, Two minor manuscript corrections. There is no record of the publication details, but the opening of the piece provides a clue: 'It was suggested to me by the Honorary Editor that my fellow members of the National Guard would be interested to hear impressions received by me during a short visit paid to Flanders.' The article consists of 'notes' from Leigh-Wood's diary, beginning: 'MAY 10TH. - Left London, accompanied by Sir Richard Harington, upon a special mission to Belgian in connection with the transfer of the Belgian Field Hospital to the Belgian military authorities. [...] The transfer of the Hospital had been arranged for May 15, and it was thought desirable that as Honorary Treasurer I should proceed to Belgian to complete the necessary formalities.' Leigh-Wood inspects the hospital, visits Fumes, describes 'a very pathetic incident' concerning a man who 'had met his death by shell fire in a remarkable manner', goes to La Panne, visits the 'Orphan School organised and administered by Miss Fyfe, a Scottish lady', visits 'a little church lying amongs the Dunes', lunches with an unnamed general and major ('For obvious reasons the name of the place is not mentioned, although I suspect the Germans are well acquainted with the position.'), effects the transfer before leaving 'by motor for Boulogne'. See Leigh-Wood's Times obituary, 25 March 1947, and his entry in Who Was Who. He served during the Boer War (despatches twice, Queen’s medal, CMG). At the outbreak of the Great War he was instrumental in the forming of the National Guard and was appointed Chief Staff Officer, a post he held until joining the General Staff, War Office (1916-1919, despatches, KBE, CB, Commander of Order of Leopold II). In later life he was Governor of Christ’s Hospital; Vice-President Royal Empire Society; Chairman British Empire Games Federation; Vice-Pres. Boy Scouts Association; Governor, St Bartholomew’s Hospital; one of HM Lieutenants for the City of London. From the Harington family papers.