Australian Army Medical Corps development
Pre-Federation
During the late 1800s each Australian State's Defence Forces followed the same structure and uniform patterns of the Victorian British Army. The development of the medical service within these Colonial Defence Forces also followed closely to that of the British Army Medical Service of the period.
The origin of the medical organisation within the British Army can be traced back to the Standing Regular Army in 1660 continuing up until 1873 when each regiment of infantry and cavalry had a Regimental Surgeon and an assistant. The British Army also established the Army Medical Department in 1804 which was a quasi-civilian body. After 1815, the British Army Medical Department under went significant changes; a short lived Hospital Conveyance Corps (a Corps of stretcher bearers - a job done in the past by drummers and bandsmen) from invalid pensioners was raised and disbanded in 1854, followed by the raising of the Medical Staff Corps in 1855 from volunteers in Line regiments. However, no military ranks were granted to its members and the Corps was disbanded in 1857. The Army Hospital Corps was then raised in 1857 to provide rank and file for medical officers but was then re-designated as the Medical Staff Corps in 1884. By 1898 there were two distinct organisations within the British Army Medical Services - the Medical Staff Corps and the Medical & Hospital Staff officers - both amalgamating to become the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1898.
In 1788 the First Fleet arrived in Australia, comprising of 212 Royal Marine Light Infantry personnel and 5 medical Officers, headed by Principal Surgeon John White. In 1790 the Second Fleet arrived to replace the Marines with the New South Wales Corps accompanied by Regimental Surgeon John Harris (the first Army Medical Officer in the colony). From the early 1800's until 1870 when all Imperial Troops were withdrawn from Australia, various British Regiments were stationed in the Colonies and Garrison troops were served by regimental surgeons, supplemented by colonial service surgeons, while hospital staff were also provided by regimental hospital N.C.O.'s and orderlies.
From 1870 until Federation in 1901, the defence of the colonies, indeed that of Australia, fell to the colonial forces of each state whose personnel were divided into three catagories: small enlisted Regular Forces (on full pay); Militias (on part pay); and/ or part-time Volunteers (citizen soldiers). The Volunteers (e.g. Adelaide Volunteer Rifle Corps) commenced as small bodies of men, developing later into much larger militarily disciplined units, whose function was to defend their country locally against foreign invasion and to preserve law and order. Not only did they required Government acceptance but also had to provide their own equipment for there was no Government financial obligation to do so. There was always some consternation from the Government concerning Volunteers as it was mainly the middle class in the early stages who could only afford the cost of equipment and uniform who was being armed. The most common way a Volunteer Corps was raised was by a local public meeting where it was decided to raise one and appoint a committee. A public fund might be established that allowed working class men to join, or the wealthy members organised their dependents or employees into the corps. Joining the Volunteer Corps out of patriotism, the working class man could also enhance his social standing and provided out of hours activities. A Volunteer officer could dismiss a disobedient man, authority stemming from the officer's personality, social status, or civilian position, and a Volunteer enlisted man could resign by giving 14 days notice. A Volunteer Force was only under martial law when on active service, or when training with the Militia or Regular Forces. Officers and Non-Commisioned officers were usually approved by the Company at general meetings, but by late 1800s Commanding Officers appointed his own junior officers. It was a great spectacle and public fun fare when the Volunteers paraded and they would lend dignity to civic activities and public functions as they were very much part of the community. There was also an element of romanticism concerning the young athletic men as protectors and champions of the ladie's rights and liberties. Of course the support of employers was required to allow time off work for the volunteer to drill and parade, but some were less than pleased to provide this even though there had been a steady case of increasing leisure time during the Victorian period.
After the Imperial Troops were withdrawn in 1870, a regular force of 1 Battery and 2 Companies of Artillery was established in New South Wales (NSW) and in 1871 Dr W. J. Bedford was appointed Staff Surgeon to this unit, thus becoming the first regular Australian Army Medical Officer in the defence of the colony. He was aided by 5 surgeons and 11 assistant surgeons attached to the NSW volunteer units (other States continued with Medical Officer Volunteers). Medical support also came from some civilian doctors on a volunteer basis.
In 1883 Dr W. Williams became Staff Surgeon (Captain) of the NSW Artillery and then in 1885 was in command (with the rank of Major) of an Ambulance Corps raised in NSW numbering 34 personnel who accompanied the Australian contingent for the Sudan Campaign (this included two other surgeons, Captains Glanville and Proudfoot). All acquitted themselves well in this campaign.
A report made by Major-General Schaw in 1887 recommended a small proportion of permanently trained medical troops "to take charge of stores, act as instructors, and form a thoroughly efficient nucleus". This recommendation was followed in two stages:
In 1891, from the ranks of the NSW Medical Staff Corps a Permanent Medical Staff Corps was recruited to act as a small cadre of 15 Members (of all ranks) to perform administrative and instructional duties (medical services of sanitation, staffing the hospital, care of patients, medical and surgical field equipment and ambulances), and to act as a nucleus to the partially-paid branch of the service.
By 1898 the Medical Staff Corps became the New South Wales Army Medical Corps (NSWAMC) comprising of 3 sections: a permanent, a partly-paid, and a volunteer division. By 1899 it had on strength, 1 Colonel, 1 Major, 15 Captains, and 23 Lieutenants.
The development of Medical Corps in each State was unequal, with New South Wales far outstripping the other colonies and taking the lead. Some reasons for this being that the various Defence Acts under which the States operated were of patchy quality; poor recognition and need for a Medical Corps from Governing bodies; and funding. NSW operated under two Acts 1867, Victoria 1870s, Queensland 1884, Western Australia 1894, South Australia 1895, and Tasmania 1865, 1889, and 1895.
In 1899 a half-unit (detachment) of NSWAMC, under the command of Williams, left for the Boer War with the first NSW contingent (a full description of the NSWAMC is given in this link). The NSWAMC consisted of half a bearer company, a Field Hospital of 50 beds, 6 Officers (Majors Roth, Perkins and Fiaschi and 3 others), and 8 ORs. Each Australian Colony raised and equipped a total of four contingents that embarked for the Boer War, and in all, the medical support consisted of 30 Medical Officers (MO), 338 OR, 265 horses, 16 Ambulance wagons, and 46 transport carts. On 24 July 1900 at Vredeport, MO Lieutenant Neville Howse was awarded the Victoria Cross (Australia's first VC).
In 1901 (during the Boer War) Australia was inaugurated from separate States into a single Commonwealth or Federation Government. Colonel Williams, who was then Commander (PMO) of the (Australian) Medical Detachments in South Africa, was recalled to organise the Medical Corps. In 1902 he organised and dispatched the final Medical Contingent to South Africa which comprised representatives from each state of the Commonwealth. On 21 July 1902 Williams was appointed Director General of Medical Services (DGMS) effective 1 April 1902.
On 1 July 1903 the existing Army Medical Services of each State became one Corps - the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC).
During the late 1800s each Australian State's Defence Forces followed the same structure and uniform patterns of the Victorian British Army. The development of the medical service within these Colonial Defence Forces also followed closely to that of the British Army Medical Service of the period.
The origin of the medical organisation within the British Army can be traced back to the Standing Regular Army in 1660 continuing up until 1873 when each regiment of infantry and cavalry had a Regimental Surgeon and an assistant. The British Army also established the Army Medical Department in 1804 which was a quasi-civilian body. After 1815, the British Army Medical Department under went significant changes; a short lived Hospital Conveyance Corps (a Corps of stretcher bearers - a job done in the past by drummers and bandsmen) from invalid pensioners was raised and disbanded in 1854, followed by the raising of the Medical Staff Corps in 1855 from volunteers in Line regiments. However, no military ranks were granted to its members and the Corps was disbanded in 1857. The Army Hospital Corps was then raised in 1857 to provide rank and file for medical officers but was then re-designated as the Medical Staff Corps in 1884. By 1898 there were two distinct organisations within the British Army Medical Services - the Medical Staff Corps and the Medical & Hospital Staff officers - both amalgamating to become the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1898.
In 1788 the First Fleet arrived in Australia, comprising of 212 Royal Marine Light Infantry personnel and 5 medical Officers, headed by Principal Surgeon John White. In 1790 the Second Fleet arrived to replace the Marines with the New South Wales Corps accompanied by Regimental Surgeon John Harris (the first Army Medical Officer in the colony). From the early 1800's until 1870 when all Imperial Troops were withdrawn from Australia, various British Regiments were stationed in the Colonies and Garrison troops were served by regimental surgeons, supplemented by colonial service surgeons, while hospital staff were also provided by regimental hospital N.C.O.'s and orderlies.
From 1870 until Federation in 1901, the defence of the colonies, indeed that of Australia, fell to the colonial forces of each state whose personnel were divided into three catagories: small enlisted Regular Forces (on full pay); Militias (on part pay); and/ or part-time Volunteers (citizen soldiers). The Volunteers (e.g. Adelaide Volunteer Rifle Corps) commenced as small bodies of men, developing later into much larger militarily disciplined units, whose function was to defend their country locally against foreign invasion and to preserve law and order. Not only did they required Government acceptance but also had to provide their own equipment for there was no Government financial obligation to do so. There was always some consternation from the Government concerning Volunteers as it was mainly the middle class in the early stages who could only afford the cost of equipment and uniform who was being armed. The most common way a Volunteer Corps was raised was by a local public meeting where it was decided to raise one and appoint a committee. A public fund might be established that allowed working class men to join, or the wealthy members organised their dependents or employees into the corps. Joining the Volunteer Corps out of patriotism, the working class man could also enhance his social standing and provided out of hours activities. A Volunteer officer could dismiss a disobedient man, authority stemming from the officer's personality, social status, or civilian position, and a Volunteer enlisted man could resign by giving 14 days notice. A Volunteer Force was only under martial law when on active service, or when training with the Militia or Regular Forces. Officers and Non-Commisioned officers were usually approved by the Company at general meetings, but by late 1800s Commanding Officers appointed his own junior officers. It was a great spectacle and public fun fare when the Volunteers paraded and they would lend dignity to civic activities and public functions as they were very much part of the community. There was also an element of romanticism concerning the young athletic men as protectors and champions of the ladie's rights and liberties. Of course the support of employers was required to allow time off work for the volunteer to drill and parade, but some were less than pleased to provide this even though there had been a steady case of increasing leisure time during the Victorian period.
After the Imperial Troops were withdrawn in 1870, a regular force of 1 Battery and 2 Companies of Artillery was established in New South Wales (NSW) and in 1871 Dr W. J. Bedford was appointed Staff Surgeon to this unit, thus becoming the first regular Australian Army Medical Officer in the defence of the colony. He was aided by 5 surgeons and 11 assistant surgeons attached to the NSW volunteer units (other States continued with Medical Officer Volunteers). Medical support also came from some civilian doctors on a volunteer basis.
In 1883 Dr W. Williams became Staff Surgeon (Captain) of the NSW Artillery and then in 1885 was in command (with the rank of Major) of an Ambulance Corps raised in NSW numbering 34 personnel who accompanied the Australian contingent for the Sudan Campaign (this included two other surgeons, Captains Glanville and Proudfoot). All acquitted themselves well in this campaign.
A report made by Major-General Schaw in 1887 recommended a small proportion of permanently trained medical troops "to take charge of stores, act as instructors, and form a thoroughly efficient nucleus". This recommendation was followed in two stages:
- In 1888 the NSW Medical Staff Corps was organised on a voluntary (militia) basis, consisting of 4 surgeons, and 63 Other Ranks (OR).
- In 1889 a permanent cadre was established with Staff Surgeon Williams being appointed the Principal Medical Officer (PMO) and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1891, from the ranks of the NSW Medical Staff Corps a Permanent Medical Staff Corps was recruited to act as a small cadre of 15 Members (of all ranks) to perform administrative and instructional duties (medical services of sanitation, staffing the hospital, care of patients, medical and surgical field equipment and ambulances), and to act as a nucleus to the partially-paid branch of the service.
By 1898 the Medical Staff Corps became the New South Wales Army Medical Corps (NSWAMC) comprising of 3 sections: a permanent, a partly-paid, and a volunteer division. By 1899 it had on strength, 1 Colonel, 1 Major, 15 Captains, and 23 Lieutenants.
The development of Medical Corps in each State was unequal, with New South Wales far outstripping the other colonies and taking the lead. Some reasons for this being that the various Defence Acts under which the States operated were of patchy quality; poor recognition and need for a Medical Corps from Governing bodies; and funding. NSW operated under two Acts 1867, Victoria 1870s, Queensland 1884, Western Australia 1894, South Australia 1895, and Tasmania 1865, 1889, and 1895.
In 1899 a half-unit (detachment) of NSWAMC, under the command of Williams, left for the Boer War with the first NSW contingent (a full description of the NSWAMC is given in this link). The NSWAMC consisted of half a bearer company, a Field Hospital of 50 beds, 6 Officers (Majors Roth, Perkins and Fiaschi and 3 others), and 8 ORs. Each Australian Colony raised and equipped a total of four contingents that embarked for the Boer War, and in all, the medical support consisted of 30 Medical Officers (MO), 338 OR, 265 horses, 16 Ambulance wagons, and 46 transport carts. On 24 July 1900 at Vredeport, MO Lieutenant Neville Howse was awarded the Victoria Cross (Australia's first VC).
In 1901 (during the Boer War) Australia was inaugurated from separate States into a single Commonwealth or Federation Government. Colonel Williams, who was then Commander (PMO) of the (Australian) Medical Detachments in South Africa, was recalled to organise the Medical Corps. In 1902 he organised and dispatched the final Medical Contingent to South Africa which comprised representatives from each state of the Commonwealth. On 21 July 1902 Williams was appointed Director General of Medical Services (DGMS) effective 1 April 1902.
On 1 July 1903 the existing Army Medical Services of each State became one Corps - the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC).
Federation
The amalgamation of the various Medical Units of each individual State and, in some circumstances, the raising of such units (such as in Western Australia which was non existed) in order to amalgamate, was a slow process. However, this was aided by the energy of Surgeon-General Williams, who, at a Corps dinner one night, came up with the Corp's motto that reflected the slow growth from Pre-Federation to Federation - "Paulatim" or 'little by little'.
Medical arrangements had become a national concern, so the freedom of action that the various Sates had previously diminished and they became subordinate to Governmental departmental authority.
The AAMC composed of:
In 1903 the Australian Army Medical Corps was formed into;-
Queensland:
South Australia:
With the advent of universal training in 1911 came an increase in personnel and units that required an expansion of permanent medical officers. However, in the AAMC, DGMS Williams was the only permanent medical officer, as the other so-called Permanent Medical Officers in the six (State) military districts were actually civilian practitioners earning a supplementary income. This stop-gap situation posed a precarious situation since, as it turned out, the bulk of the MOs involved in WW1 had no knowledge of military duty, organisation, discipline, nor the extraordinary and critical part that an efficient medical service could play.
The amalgamation of the various Medical Units of each individual State and, in some circumstances, the raising of such units (such as in Western Australia which was non existed) in order to amalgamate, was a slow process. However, this was aided by the energy of Surgeon-General Williams, who, at a Corps dinner one night, came up with the Corp's motto that reflected the slow growth from Pre-Federation to Federation - "Paulatim" or 'little by little'.
Medical arrangements had become a national concern, so the freedom of action that the various Sates had previously diminished and they became subordinate to Governmental departmental authority.
The AAMC composed of:
- Permanent Army Medical Corps. This consisted of a small cadre in each of the States, to carry out medical duties in connection with the Permanent Troops and to act as Instructional Corps in Medical Duties generally for all arms.
- Militia Army Medical Corps (partially paid). This was organised into Bearer Companies and Field Hospitals for service in the Field Force and for medical services to Garrison Forces. Those allotted to Garrison Forces (these were for the defence of cities and towns) were not required for service in the Field or at distances from their own localities.
- Certain AAMC Officers (Militia and Volunteers) were attached for duty with certain Regiments and Corps. These Officers, together with the Regimental Stretcher bearers, constituted the Regimental Medical Service.
- A Reserve of Officers was created.
- A PMO was appointed in each State. This officer was detailed to perform the duties of a Staff Officer for Medical Services in addition to his administration duties.
In 1903 the Australian Army Medical Corps was formed into;-
Queensland:
- 1 Mounted Bearer Company
- 1/2 Infantry Bearer Company
- 1 Field Hospital
- Details for Garrison troops
South Australia:
- Officers attached to Regiments and Forts
- 1 Field Hospital
- Details for Garrison Troops
- Officers attached to Regiments and Forts
- 1 Section Infantry Bearer Company
- 1/2 Field Hospital
- Details for Garrison Troops
With the advent of universal training in 1911 came an increase in personnel and units that required an expansion of permanent medical officers. However, in the AAMC, DGMS Williams was the only permanent medical officer, as the other so-called Permanent Medical Officers in the six (State) military districts were actually civilian practitioners earning a supplementary income. This stop-gap situation posed a precarious situation since, as it turned out, the bulk of the MOs involved in WW1 had no knowledge of military duty, organisation, discipline, nor the extraordinary and critical part that an efficient medical service could play.
World War 1
On the advent of war in 1914 the Cook and Fisher Governments sent a division of eighteen thousand volunteers. Amongst these were COL Williams, who was appointed Director of Medical Services (DMO) to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and Neville Howse. However, once the fleet passed 3 miles from Australian waters it came under the control of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, which meant Williams was now on the staff of Surgeon-General Ford, the British DMO in Egypt (Williams retired from the Australian Army in 1916, which Howse then became the DMS).
Upon their arrival in Egypt the AAMC quickly established Australian General Hospitals and Casualty Clearance stations for the movement and care of the injured.
In 1916 the AIF arrived in France to fight on the Western Front. Australian Medics transported the wounded from the forward trenches to Casualty Clearing Stations and then to General Hospitals in a variety of ways.
This video gives a very good synopsis of the AAMC during the First World War:
On the advent of war in 1914 the Cook and Fisher Governments sent a division of eighteen thousand volunteers. Amongst these were COL Williams, who was appointed Director of Medical Services (DMO) to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and Neville Howse. However, once the fleet passed 3 miles from Australian waters it came under the control of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, which meant Williams was now on the staff of Surgeon-General Ford, the British DMO in Egypt (Williams retired from the Australian Army in 1916, which Howse then became the DMS).
Upon their arrival in Egypt the AAMC quickly established Australian General Hospitals and Casualty Clearance stations for the movement and care of the injured.
In 1916 the AIF arrived in France to fight on the Western Front. Australian Medics transported the wounded from the forward trenches to Casualty Clearing Stations and then to General Hospitals in a variety of ways.
This video gives a very good synopsis of the AAMC during the First World War:
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Transportation of the wounded.
This video shows King George V inspecting the trenches in WW1. It also shows the desolation of the landscape that was "no man's land" that Medics had to negotiate, and the horrors of a gas attack. The video demonstrates a number of ways the wounded were transported from the front line to Casualty Clearing Stations: carried by one or two people; by small rail cart; by stretcher; by a 2 wheeled litter carrier; and by ambulance. In this video you can see Medics and Stretcher Bearers using a web sling around their neck which had loops at either end that slid over the stretcher handles which enabled most of the weight of the wounded soldier to be borne by the Medic's shoulders rather than their arms. Even so, many a Medic attested to the arduous heavy work of carrying out the wounded over a muddy shell holed landscape, often under fire. Some other modes of transporting wounded are also shown in the picture gallery to the right and in the photo gallery. The Stretcher Bearer There were two types of Stretcher Bearer (SB): Battalion infantry stretcher bearers and Field Ambulance stretcher bearers (which includes Light Horse Field Ambulance). Infantry stretcher bearers were usually members of the Battalion band, trained by the Medical Officer (MO) in first aid as SBs during peacetime (a 1903 General Order stated that SBs who qualified in SB drill were entitled to wear a special SB sleeve badge). Extra SBs were used in case of need but a certain amount of basic medical training would be required in order to stop them causing further injury to the casualty by handling him wrongly. Besides Band Members, there were noncombatant soldiers, who did not carry weapons or be involved in actual killing due to their religious/ethical beliefs but were prepared to enlist as SBs; and there were also lightly wounded or individuals recovering from an injury serving in line battalions who were medically re-designated as 'B1 men' and assigned to lighter duties as ambulance men or SBs. Battalion SBs wore a distinguishing arm band (Brassard) to indicate their function but this did not afford them protection under the terms of International Humanitarian Law as it was not a red Geneva Cross. The SBs job was to collect the wounded from the battlefield and bring them into the Battalion Regimental Aid Post for treatment by the MO. Field Ambulance stretcher bearers then carried the wounded from the RAP to the rear (to a collecting post, CCS etc). All men enlisted in the AIF in 1914 for general service. The Medical Officers (doctors) conducting examinations usually included the doctor/officer tasked with raising and training a field ambulance section; he personally chose men for his Field Ambulance stretcher bearer squads. Invariably these men had some previous first aid training -- St John's, Red Cross, or Govt Railway certificates were common (the 3rd Field Ambulance's C Section, raised in Western Australia, contained a number of men who, as well as having first aid training, had seen active service in South Africa in combatant units, and others who were crack rifle shots or expert horseman). It could be argued that the unarmed Field Ambulance stretcher bearers were more prone to experiencing Neursthenia or Shell Shock due to the passivity of their role in battle, ie their inability to release tension through aggression/action. Although Field Ambulance stretcher bearers were trained in all aspects of first aid they very rarely did any bandaging or treatment of the wounded. Each soldier carried a First Aid Dressing in an inside pocket of his tunic which he or a SB would apply to the wound. At Gallipoli the Australian stretcher bearers were two to a stretcher -- later in France it was six men to a stretcher due to the distances, mud and shell holes that they had to negotiate. In nearly all heavy actions Field Ambulance stretcher squads were vastly outnumbered by the wounded and would often be clearing long after the fight had ended and their Brigade withdrawn. Field Ambulances of reserve Brigades were often called in to assist, and, where possible, German prisoners were also used to help carry the wounded. Casualty rates amongst infantry stretcher bearers were very high. Field Ambulance stretcher bearing was not as dangerous a job, although far from safe: of the original 36 stretcher bearers in C Section 3rd Field Ambulance, four were killed in action and 26 wounded. Battalion SBs and Field Ambulance SBs continued into WW2, Korean war and Vietnam war (see Photo Gallery). Now-a-days the Army Medic (Medical Technician or MT) continues to perform stretcher drills but is also trained and administers advanced first aid to the patient ready for transfer to a forward Treatment Team (Role 1) in order to receive medical resuscitation/stabilisation. The patient is then transported back to a Role 2 or Role 3 Medical Facility for further treatment/care. Care of the wounded.
Australian soldiers who were wounded and hospitalised in England were given a "Hospital Blues" uniform. This consisted of a dark blue wool serge jacket and trousers, but could also vary in colour to a light blue or even grey serge, and could be lined in white calico or be unlined. A red tie was usually worn with this and the Australian Slouch hat. The "hospital Blues' uniform was a fresh set of hospital clothes that replaced the soldier's torn, blood stained and muddied uniform. It also easily identified those who were recovering from injury. The example shown on the right is what is called a 'sealed pattern' which is what the British Royal Army Clothing Department sent to manufacturers so that garments were made in accordance to a prescribed pattern. In one photograph you might note that tied through the button hole and sealed by a red wax seal are descriptive labels to the manufacturer. Most military items have a 'sealed pattern' in order to standardise the item across different manufacturers. Another photograph shows some of the variations of the Hospital Blues being worn (refer also to the photo gallery). |
Front line Stretcher Bearer of the 43rd Battalion's Band. Note the Bandsman badge below the Battalion cloth patch on the right sleeve. He wears the SB brassard on the left sleeve.
Field Ambulance Medic Stretcher Bearer. He wears the Geneva Cross Medic qualifying arm patch on the right sleeve, and the Geneva Cross brassard on the left sleeve.
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World War 2
By 1939 the Australian Army Medical Corps consisted of Physiotherapists, Radiologists, Medical Officers, Medics, Dentists, and controlled the Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD) and RAAF Medical Service.
The Australian Army Medical Service controlled the R.A.A.F. Medical Service and R.A.A.F. Dental Branch from 1927 until 1940 when control was transferred to the R.A.A.F. Medical Service.
In 1943 authorisation was given for the Army Dental Service to split from the Medical Corps to form a separate corps known as the Australian Army Dental Corps.
By 1939 the Australian Army Medical Corps consisted of Physiotherapists, Radiologists, Medical Officers, Medics, Dentists, and controlled the Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD) and RAAF Medical Service.
The Australian Army Medical Service controlled the R.A.A.F. Medical Service and R.A.A.F. Dental Branch from 1927 until 1940 when control was transferred to the R.A.A.F. Medical Service.
In 1943 authorisation was given for the Army Dental Service to split from the Medical Corps to form a separate corps known as the Australian Army Dental Corps.
Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD)
The VAD were established during WW1 by the red cross and the Order of St John. Many Australian women left Australia for Britain to join the VAD there in 1915 and 120 VADs were working in the 1 Australian General Hospital. In 1916-18 the Australian Government recognised the VAD as auxiliaries to the Medical Service, and began working in hospitals in Australia, providing first aid, nursing assistance, comforts, domestic assistance and other supports for returned and wounded soldiers. In 1928-48 the VAD became a technical reserve of the Army Medical Corps. In 1939-40 VADs once again began working in the military hospital system. In 1941 their role expanded to include positions such as Clerks, ambulance drivers, seamstresses, storekeepers, radiographers, dental orderlies, and laundry staff. Approval was also granted to serve overseas, so members served in Cairo, Gaza, Ceylon, and hospital ships. In 1942 the VAD began to be administered as a service within the Army Medical Service as The Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) to distinguish between full-time military Voluntary Aids and those attached on a voluntary basis to the aid organisations. In 1948 direct control of the VADs was returned to the Australian red Cross and St John Society, in 1949 it was approved to become part of the regular Army, and in 1951 the AAMWS was disbanded and incorporated into the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.
The VAD were established during WW1 by the red cross and the Order of St John. Many Australian women left Australia for Britain to join the VAD there in 1915 and 120 VADs were working in the 1 Australian General Hospital. In 1916-18 the Australian Government recognised the VAD as auxiliaries to the Medical Service, and began working in hospitals in Australia, providing first aid, nursing assistance, comforts, domestic assistance and other supports for returned and wounded soldiers. In 1928-48 the VAD became a technical reserve of the Army Medical Corps. In 1939-40 VADs once again began working in the military hospital system. In 1941 their role expanded to include positions such as Clerks, ambulance drivers, seamstresses, storekeepers, radiographers, dental orderlies, and laundry staff. Approval was also granted to serve overseas, so members served in Cairo, Gaza, Ceylon, and hospital ships. In 1942 the VAD began to be administered as a service within the Army Medical Service as The Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) to distinguish between full-time military Voluntary Aids and those attached on a voluntary basis to the aid organisations. In 1948 direct control of the VADs was returned to the Australian red Cross and St John Society, in 1949 it was approved to become part of the regular Army, and in 1951 the AAMWS was disbanded and incorporated into the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.
Physiotherapy
In 1915, after much wrangling between the Australian Massage Association and the Defence Department, six (staff-sergeant) masseurs and twelve (staff nurse) masseuses embarked for service with the Australian Hospitals in Egypt and England, and formed the Massage Service. Work in Australian General Hospitals and Transport ships consisted of treatments given to wounded and convalescing soldiers that included massage, stretching, exercise and electrotherapy. The question of commission rank was quashed by General Howse in 1916, but was not entirely laid to rest as the recommendation for commissions was again brought up in 1917 "in recognition of their good work". In 1917 the establishment of the Australian Massage Reserve back in Australia comprised of 6 Lieutenants, 63 staff-sergeants, 23 male assistants with the rank of corporal, and 81 masseuses. In 1919 the Army Massage Service became part of the A.A.M.C. Reserve in each Military District and was under the control of the District Physio-therapeutist who was a nominated medical officer.
In 1939 Australian Physiotherapists were again called upon and were commissioned in the A.A.M.C with the rank of Lieutenant and could be promoted to Captain. A new uniform style was adopted - a dark blue wool short jacket & skirt, with shirt, tie & hat, for walking out, and a khaki cotton short sleeve dress with maroon piping.
Physiotherapy Officers have served in the Australian Army ever since, and have been actively involved in the Vietnam war and recent conflicts. Uniforms during these decades have been inline with then current Australian Army Service of Dress standards.
A very interesting account of an Army Physiotherapy Officer in 1947 - 54 is given by Captain Johns:
http://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/2176-gordon-johns
In 1915, after much wrangling between the Australian Massage Association and the Defence Department, six (staff-sergeant) masseurs and twelve (staff nurse) masseuses embarked for service with the Australian Hospitals in Egypt and England, and formed the Massage Service. Work in Australian General Hospitals and Transport ships consisted of treatments given to wounded and convalescing soldiers that included massage, stretching, exercise and electrotherapy. The question of commission rank was quashed by General Howse in 1916, but was not entirely laid to rest as the recommendation for commissions was again brought up in 1917 "in recognition of their good work". In 1917 the establishment of the Australian Massage Reserve back in Australia comprised of 6 Lieutenants, 63 staff-sergeants, 23 male assistants with the rank of corporal, and 81 masseuses. In 1919 the Army Massage Service became part of the A.A.M.C. Reserve in each Military District and was under the control of the District Physio-therapeutist who was a nominated medical officer.
In 1939 Australian Physiotherapists were again called upon and were commissioned in the A.A.M.C with the rank of Lieutenant and could be promoted to Captain. A new uniform style was adopted - a dark blue wool short jacket & skirt, with shirt, tie & hat, for walking out, and a khaki cotton short sleeve dress with maroon piping.
Physiotherapy Officers have served in the Australian Army ever since, and have been actively involved in the Vietnam war and recent conflicts. Uniforms during these decades have been inline with then current Australian Army Service of Dress standards.
A very interesting account of an Army Physiotherapy Officer in 1947 - 54 is given by Captain Johns:
http://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/2176-gordon-johns
Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC)
The VDC was an Australian part-time volunteer military force modelled on the British Home Guard. The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia, and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in WW1, recruited to defend the home front against enemy invasion. The Government took over control in May 1941, training them in guerrilla warfare, collecting local intelligence and providing static defence of the local area. Brought out of retirement, General harry Chauvel was appointed Inspector-General of the VDC until his death in 1945
VDC Medical Units were formed mostly made up of WW1 medical veterans.
They wore a dark green wool tunic and long trousers being the same pattern as their Army counter parts. A slouch hat for Enlisted personnel or peak cap for Officers was worn. Gaiters and brown leather boots and web belt completed the uniform.
Special VDC woven sleeve patches and often a unit colour patch was stitched to the upper sleeves.
Standard Army rank was displayed (refer to the WW2 tag on this website).
The VDC was an Australian part-time volunteer military force modelled on the British Home Guard. The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia, and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in WW1, recruited to defend the home front against enemy invasion. The Government took over control in May 1941, training them in guerrilla warfare, collecting local intelligence and providing static defence of the local area. Brought out of retirement, General harry Chauvel was appointed Inspector-General of the VDC until his death in 1945
VDC Medical Units were formed mostly made up of WW1 medical veterans.
They wore a dark green wool tunic and long trousers being the same pattern as their Army counter parts. A slouch hat for Enlisted personnel or peak cap for Officers was worn. Gaiters and brown leather boots and web belt completed the uniform.
Special VDC woven sleeve patches and often a unit colour patch was stitched to the upper sleeves.
Standard Army rank was displayed (refer to the WW2 tag on this website).
