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Having just escaped from France Bob Borthwick, in spite of the disaster in France, was happy to be home. As soon as he had his rail warrant and with a 7 day leave pass in his hands he headed for home. As the journey started he began to feel ill. It started with a sore mouth and throat but it did nothing to diminish the joy of meeting his wife, Wynn again.

The next morning he felt worse and reported to the Cambridge Hospital where he was made to feel most welcome. Hospitals throughout the south of England had been prepared for the anticipated mass of casualties returning from France. They had been mercifully underused but were pleased to play some part in the evacuation effort.

Although not a war wound, Bob had developed Vincennes disease, a common complaint in the First World War known to the soldiers as ‘Trench Mouth’. It was believed to be a disease of malnutrition and brought on by a deficiency of vitamin B. Two patients had already been diagnosed with the disease. The staff seemed pleased to have a third case which helped confirm the diagnosis of this rare disease.

Two weeks of liver for breakfast, dinner and tea was the remedy. Once the symptoms vanished there was 4 weeks home convalescence with a ration card for extra liver.

This story was submitted to the people’s War site by a volunteer from CSV Oxford on behalf of the late Bob Borthwick. It is a transcript of his own diary and he gave written permission for the material to be edited and published.

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