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PVT. HERMAN GERKEN U. S. VETERINARY HOSPITAL NO. 18 A.E.F. WW1

In Honor and Memory of my father Private Herman Gerken and the men of US Veterinary Hospital No 18.

Signed: Your daughter Marilyn, Dad, I am carrying your memory on.

On the left is my dad, Pvt. Herman Gerken of Veterinary Hospital No 18. I am guessing the other men are of his company too. Picture may have been taken in Paris during the War.

Hello Greg

My 80-year-old sister passed away this summer and I have some of the family items from our parents that I would like to share with you. My father Pvt. Herman Gerken was with Veterinary Hospital No 18 in France and I have the things that he collected from his WW1 service. In his trunk there was a letter addressed to him at the 18th Vet Hospital, Sougy, France. This letter was dated May 13, 1918. There was another one addressed to Pvt. Herman Gerken, 18 Veterinary Hospital Unit, Camp Mills, New York. The letter to New York was dated Nov. 25, 1918. My dad died in January of 1937. I was three years old and barely remember him. He spent the next nine months over there.

My dad was born in Platte County, Nebraska, August 30, 1891. He had three older brothers and a younger sister. They were orphaned when he was eight. He was in the service from 1918 - 1919. He married my mother February 1925 and they had 5 children. He died February 18, 1937 at the age of 45.

Everyone that knew him seemed to think he was a great guy. Mom also talked very highly of him, and the few things I can remember was that my twin brother and a younger sister went with mom, I was daddy's little girl.

I hope this gives you a little more of the information we were hoping to share with you.

Marilyn

UPDATE: May 27, 2014

Greg,
I'm the son of Marilyn (Gerken) Gloor and the grandson of Herman Gerken. I've been reviewing the Veterinary Corps web site and would like to add following:

1. He died February 18, 1937 at the age of 45. - Herman was born on August 30, 1891 but died on January 19, 1937.

Link to burial information:
Pvt. Herman Gerken, VC No 18

2. They were orphaned when he was eight. Herman's parents were Diedrich Heinrich Gerken ( b. 11/28/1851 d. 2/21/1911 ) and Anna Sophie Henke ( b. 10/4/1853 d. 3/3/1901 ). Herman was 9 when his mother died and 19 when his father died.

Link to burial information:
Herman's parents: Diedrich Heinrich Gerken

I would also like to add another postcard from Herman's collection.

Thanks

Gary Gloor

Another great picture of Veterinary Hospital No 18 than is part of Marilyn's dads collection from the War. This picture is a little different than the other three similar pictures than is posted on the website. In this picture a group of men on horses are mounted a little right of center. I cannot thank Marilyn enough for sharing these pictures with us. We will be proudly posting a few other shots of the Hospital that are in her dad's collection. Note: Notice what looks like a pole in the middle of this picture, this is the boiler stack at the dipping vat where they dipped the animals. These stacks are always a good reference when getting your bearings when looking at any pictures of Veterinary Hospitals.

Note from the Offical VC No 18 Camp Report: All animals were groomed at least once daily. The grooming kit was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected each day. The animals were clipped by a permanent clipping detail. Practically all patients were exercised daily, depending to a great extent upon their condition. They were exercised on leads or, when sufficient personnel were not available in corrals and pastures. Sufficient grounds were available adjacent to the hospital for our exclusive use for exercising purposes. There were two pastures also into which the animals could be turned. Harness, saddles, bridles, etc., were cleaned and oiled frequently and a saddlery was manned by two trained men. Cleaned and disinfected blankets were always available for use of animals on the picket lines. Our animals did not suffer from lack of clothing. Some injuries resulted to animals on the picket lines from kicking and biting.

My Dad is on the top row on the right. Note: I believe this is a Corporal's Squad in front of their barracks at Veterinary Hospital No 18 Sougy, France, WW1, and I am guessing that the Corporal is in the bottom row, second over from the left, with a whistle chain in this Brest pocket.

Note from the Offical VC No 18 Camp Report: The personnel was quartered in wooden barracks heated by woodstoves. Electric lights were available after the first two months. Ventilation was obtained by means of hinged windows arranged in such a manner that draughts were precluded. Fire protection consisted of two chemical carts, the camp being divided into six fire zones. Bucket brigades were organized for each zone. At least two barrels and four buckets filled with water were kept adjacent to each building. Fire drills were carried out at regular intervals and fire regulations promulgated.

View of the Stables at Veterinary Hospital No 18, Sougy, France, the location of the the hospital was 18 miles from Nevers, France. There was also a Remount Depot here at Sougy.

The above is a great picture of the men of Veterinary Hospital No 18 in the chow line at mealtime. Notice the stables and the corrals with the horses in the background. The pictures that we have had are usually taken from the corrals looking into the camp. This one gives us a view from the buildings on the main road through the camp looking down to the stables and corrals. To the right you will see what appears to be a pole, which again is the boiler stack for the dipping vat. There also appears to be a large truck at the very right hand of this picture. Also notice the fire buckets hanging from brackets on the buildings. All the men have their mess kits in hand; I wonder what was for dinner today? In the background are bales of hay, stacked and covered.

Note from Offical VC No 18 Camp Report: One barracks was used for the officers mess, the kitchen being located at one end. The general arrangement was satisfactory and the ventilation adequate. Two mess halls were provided for the enlisted personnel. A kitchen and pantry was located at one end of each mess hall. Tables were provided with seats attached. The tables had removable tops to make cleaning easy. The cooks received their training at the army schools and supplied a good quality of wholesome food. Subsistence was obtained from the quartermaster at Nevers, France around 20 miles away.

This is truly a special picture! A mule going into the dipping vat at Veterinary Hospital No 18, being lead into the vat by a corporal and men on both side holding the ropes as they attempt to get the mule in. At the other end in the building you can see men through the door. This would be the building where the boiler stack would be in. The boiler was used to heat the water or solution. Make you check out the Veterinary Corps Hospital No 18 Camp Art link that is under Veterinary Corps Hospital No 18 on the Home webpage. It will really give you an idea of the work that went into getting the animals to go through the dippig vat.

Note from the Offical VC No 18 Camp Report: Forty buildings were used for the hospital purposes, classified as follows: Executive building, electric plant, two warehouses, drying room, dryer, storehouse (used in connection with the dipping vat), four dressing rooms, medical supply depot or laboratory, operating room, blacksmith shop, twenty-five sheds or barns: ten of the sheds each had a capacity of fifty animals, five of these barns were used as a receiving ward, the other five were used as surgical wards. There were fifteen sheds having a capacity of one hundred animals each, of which thirteen were used as medical wards and the other two as isolation wards. The floors were dirt. Abundant air space and ventilation were allowed. The floors in the sheds were graded to permit rapid drainage. Picket lines were graded in the same manner. Electric lights were placed at convenient points in the wards. Twenty-eight watering troughs were located in pastures and between sheds. All buildings, sheds, etc., were constructed of new material (corrugated iron over wood frame work).

All animals admitted to the hospital were affected with mange to a greater or less extent. During the time animals were held in the receiving ward they were clipped, washed and scrubbed with hot water containing sodium carbonate. All patients were dipped every five days and affected part hand treated each day between dippings. All were exercised daily. Blankets, grooming kits, halters, etc., were cleaned and disinfected at frequent intervals. As the dipping and hand treatment had a tendency to dry out the skin, thereby forming scabs, which prevent the lime and sulphur from reaching the parasite, it was found that in order to overcome this condition a semi-monthly bath of sodium carbonate followed by an application of liquid petrolatum was essential to a complete and rapid recovery.

The dipping vat was located on an elevation permitting rapid drainage of the vat when necessary. It was constructed of concrete. An average of 350 animals were dipped each day. A fresh dipping solution was made up each week. When it was considered that the parasites were destroyed, dippings was made at twelve-day intervals. No gas chambers were used.

A Camp picture; it appears that the stack of hay is the same one as in the mess line picture. In this picture, we see the backsides of the buildings. Notice the stables in the background, which we see at a different angle.

Veterinary Hospital 18's post Y.M.C.A. HUT.

Note from the Offical VC No 18 Camp Report: A theater was provided at the Y.M.C.A. local and other talent gave one to two entertainments weekly. Moving pictures were shown each night when the hall was not in use for other entertainments like basketball, games, etc. Magazines and newspapers were available at all times. With the cooperation of the two post chaplains, the Y.M.C.A. director, the athletic director and officers, athletics were given considerable attention. Several athletic contests were conducted, such as basketball, football and track. Veterinary Hospital No 18 had an excellent basketball team and two men on the Post team.

Veterinary Hospital No 18, horses, mules, corrals and stables on the left.

USS Pretoria, from Brest: came into port today at Hoboken, New York on July 12, 1919 on board are the; 122d engineers, hq. 1st bn., A, B, and C; 219th M.P.; 515th engineers, hq. Med., A; 140th and 145 transport corps; 18th Veterinary Hospital; 1st motor truck co.; 337th ambulance co; 1st censor and press co. (Staff of the STAR AND STRIPES the official newspaper for the American Expeditionary force) ; 34th depot service co.; 321st mobile laundry co.

Note: according to the men on board the food was so bad last Tuesday they tossed it over the side. The men declared that there was a continual protest all the way over and, finally, Sergeant D.L. Muller and Sergeant Jack Weinstein were detailed to watch the food kitchen, and after that there was an improvement, they say. Commander Roe. A. Adams, skipper of the transport, said the complaints were exaggerations and added that unfit food always in thrown overboard. Note: This 8x10 picture was in my dad's chest with his other things.

Above is my dad's Troop Billet Pass on board the USS Pretoria when it sailed from Brest to back home after the War. Note: My guess is that we now have the location of where Veterinary Hospital No 18 was located on the Pretoria. Also it looks like it says Starboard Left on the pass - Greg Krenzelok

Signed: Major Daniel C Martin (Commander of Veterinary Hospital No. 18 Sougy France)

Veterinary Hospital No. 18 was divided in to 15 units for shipping overseas in the US. Each unit was shipped to France on its own horse and mule transport ship and the different units proceeded to Sougy France to operate the hospital.

Marilyn's father has quite a collection of postcards that he collected during the War. As time permits I will be posting them.

Click on the below link:

WW1 Postcard Collection of Pvt. Herman Gerken, VC No 18

Note: This is one of the finest and most complete soldiers collection that I have ran across - Greg Krenzelok

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Motto: "Illic est Vires in Numerus" There is Strength in Numbers

"Working Hard to Preserve Our Country's History wherever it is being lost".

U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Historical Preservation Group is a group of individuals that are concerned about the preservation of the History of the Veterinary Corps, Remount Service and Cavalry or wherever our country's history is being lost in conjunction with our beloved "Horse and Mule". There is no cost to join and membership is for life. We believe by uniting together in numbers we will be a more powerful force to be heard. Our membership list is private and only used to contact our members. Email us and become a member.

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