Base Hospital 32
J. K. Lilly, the president of Eli Lilly & Co., a pharmaceutical company based in Indianapolis, Indiana approached Mr. William Fortune the president of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Red Cross with the idea of organizing a volunteer staff of physicians, surgeons and nurses to serve under the Red Cross in the event of the United States becoming involved in the World War. He offered $25,000 to the Red Cross for necessary equipment and supplies. This generous offer was made in February of 1917 and was contingent upon a declaration of war. By April, the funds were provided and the hospital organization was underway for a 500 bed hospital.
Additional funding was provided through contributions to the local Red Cross, including $15,000 from Mr. & Mrs. Josiah K. Lilly. Staffing was primarily garnered from Indiana medical personnel. By August of 1917 the huge effort was organized with a staff of 180 and the work of packing for overseas shipment began. They began with an encampment at Ft. Harrison, Indianapolis under the command of Major Edmund D. Clark. On December 4th, 1917 they set sail for France.
Contrexeville, France is located in the foothills of the Vosges mountains and had served as a summer resort featuring mineral waters during more peaceful times. The local casino and four other large buildings provided an ideal facility to be adapted for a military hospital. It was approximately fifty miles behind the front lines with an important rail line running through the town. The location necessitated the hospital size to be increased to 1,250 beds. The newly constructed Royal Hotel was converted to an isolation ward for contagious diseases providing room for 200 patients.
All of the buildings had to be cleaned and sterilized, lighting adapted, with much plumbing and carpentry required. The original equipment for 500 beds, all shipped from Indiana provided one of the best equipped hospital units in the A. E. F. They also had the unfortunate distinction of the first casualty of an American Nurse on foreign soil. May Berry died of pneumonia contracted on the voyage to France. The hospital, inspired by J. K. Lilly, and with the efforts of the Red Cross, provided service to over 20,000 American soldiers during the war.
Martha R. Berger, Nurse, Elkhart County, Indiana
A period of high nervous tension, amounting almost to hysteria. Homesick boys trying to hide the fact of homesickness, trying to finish a disagreeable job as soon as possible.
We were located in a village which is a noted Spa, and our chemists tested the water periodically of course. It was always amusing to see and hear the “city fathers” sputter when a “non- potable” sign was put up at one of the (water) sources.
Elizabeth Melville, Army Nurse Corps, Henry County, Indiana
"War horrible and unnecessary....
Quotation from Private's letter to Sweetheart: 'Dear Nellie: Should like to tell you that we are in London, but they won't let me.'"