Royal australian navy medical service development
ROYAL NAVY
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) traces its development from the British Royal Navy (RN).
From the 16th century, the RN had two types of officers: 'gentlemen' (nobility) officers who received 'commissions' from the monarch to exercise command on his or her behalf, and 'tarpaulin' officers who received 'warrants' from the Navy Board. Navy warrant officers themselves came in two forms: 'standing' warrant officers (boatswains, gunners, carpenters, pursers, and cooks) who stayed with their ships even when they were not in service, and 'non-standing' warrant officers (masters, chaplains, and surgeons) who were appointed to a ship when required.
Ship surgeons in the RN were initially warrant officers up until 1843, who were only appointed to a ship in service as required. After 1843 they were granted commission status and were in the 'civil' branch as opposed to the 'military' branch of the RN (until 1957). Technological advances and a recruiting shortfall at the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1853 led to the establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) in 1859 who were recruited from the merchant service. Further expansion of the RN prior to WW1 resulted in the establishment of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in 1903 who had no professional seagoing background.
The Assistant Surgeon rank became 'Surgeon' in 1873, and two years later, the rank of Fleet Surgeon was added to identify senior Staff Surgeons.
RNR and RNVR officers were distinguished from their RN counterparts by their sleeve stripes: RNR officers had an intertwined chain pattern, while RNVR officers had a 'wavy Navy' sleeve stripes. In 1951, RNR and RNVR officers received the executive curl with an 'R' within the curl. In 1918, all medical officer rank titles were replaced by those used for executive branch officers with the prefix 'Surgeon'.
Although RN medical officers still use this prefix today, it was abolished in the RAN in 1992. In addition, all non-exectutive officers received the 'executive curl', and non-executive Commanders and above received the executive branch 'brass hat' oak leaf motifs on their peak caps.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
Except for Tasmania and Western Australia, from 1853 each of the Australian colonies had their own volunteer naval forces up until Australian Federation in 1901. The exception was the New South Wales Naval Brigade that was established in 1863, and by 1884 most of the colonies had established volunteer citizen reserve Naval Brigades. These brigades waxed and waned with the financial and political interest of the colonial administrators. This continued until federation where the Commonwealth assumed overall responsibility at which time the strength was 1684 Officers and Men. The individual brigades in each State were disbanded and the Commonwealth Naval Reserve (Militia) was formed in 1907. Even so, the Federal Government still relied on the Royal Navy for naval defence needs.
The Naval Militia was similar to the Royal Navy Reserves and were volunteers. However, the reserve Australian naval forces differed from the RN in having three components (RANR, RANR(S), and RANVR) rather than the RN's two (RNR and RNVR). In 1911 the existing Commonwealth Naval Forces became the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Commonwealth Naval Reserve became the Royal Australian Naval Reserves (RANR). Officers and sailors of the RANR had shore training obligations, while the RAN Reserve (Seagoing) or RANR(S) was established in 1913 for professional seafaring officers. In 1921 a new Reserve branch was created, the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), that consisted of professional sea-going men who were available for call-up but did not undertake regular naval training. By 1939 the RANR comprised of 308 Officers, 3869 Ratings, and RANVR 223 Officers.
In 1900 both Victoria and NSW Naval Brigades dispatched approximately 500 men to China to suppress the Boxer rebellion. Some Queensland Naval Brigade members joined the NSW Brigade on account of no Queensland funding. The NSW Naval Brigade supplied mainly reservists - consisting of seamen and stretcher bearers. Of the 7 personnel of the NSW Naval Brigade who died during the Boxer rebellion, Staff Surgeon Steel was one of them.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY MEDICAL SERVICE HISTORY
The RAN Medical Service was closely based, but much smaller in scale, on the British Royal Navy (RN) Medical Service.
The first reference to Royal Navy medical assistants is dated 1597, where they were referred to as 'Loblolly boys' (derived from the thick pottage with meat and vegetables they fed to sick and injured crew members). Loblolly boys also restrained patients during surgery, cleaned surgical instruments, disposed of amputated limbs, and emptied & cleaned toilet utensils. On an ad hoc basis these duties were also performed at sea by sailors, marines, or women (sailor's wives and prostitutes).
In 1833 RN ships' Captains were instructed by the Admiralty to allocate dedicated sickbay staff - they were to be over 18 years old, be able to read and write, possess a knowledge of keeping accounts, and pass a medical examination. These seagoing health staff were divided into three classes; Assistant Sick Berth Attendant, Sick Berth Attendant, and Sick Berth Steward. Their career progression through the ranks was entirely dependent on local service requirements that resulted in inconsistent and unfair advancement. When not at sea, they undertook non-medical duties, or were released to work in local port hospitals.
It was not until 1884 that Sick Berth staff received formal training and a career structure based on that for officer stewards. On completing 18 months training, sailors were rated Sick Berth Attendants and sent to sea. After 3 years they were eligible for promotion to Second Class Sick Berth Steward (equivalent to Second Class Petty Officer) and returned to sea. After an additional 3 years, they were rated First Class Sick Berth Steward (equivalent to First Class petty Officer). Selected Sick Berth Stewards were eligible for promotion to Wardmaster (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer (CPO)) after 14 years service for hospital duties ashore.
Up to 1900, selected First Class Sick Berth Stewards (equivalent to First Class Petty Officer) were promoted to Wardmaster (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer) after 14 years service, for hospital duties ashore. In 1900, the Warrant Officer rank of 'Head Wardmaster' was established, with this rank eventually becoming the current Medical Administration Officer branch. During the first half of the 20th century, RN Wardmaster ranks expanded to include Commissioned Wardmaster, Senior Commissioned Wardmaster, and Wardmaster Lieutenants. The were renamed Wardmaster Sub-Lieutenant, Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander in 1956. RN Wardmasters wore the same red distinction cloth as medical officers from 1911 until 1918, when it was changed to the maroon colour now worn by RAN nursing officers. In 1951 the maroon was changed to salmon pink, until it was abolished in the RN in 1956. The RAN followed suit in 1979, at which point Wardmasters were also renamed Medical Administration Officers (MAO).
The first RAN Warrant Wardmaster was Frank Daisley, who was promoted from Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer in 1926. The first RAN Commissioned Wardmaster was Thomas Mullins DSM in 1929, who also became the first Wardmaster Lieutenant in 1934. The first RAN Commander Wardmaster was appointed to Kieth Grey in 1976, while the first female MAO was Sub-Lieutenant Zoe Read in 1987.
In Australia, the New South Wales Naval Brigade was established in 1863. By 1884 most of the colonies had established volunteer citizen reserve Naval Brigades until federation where the Commonwealth assumed overall responsibility. These brigades were the forerunners of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR), and Doctors ('surgeons') and Men enlisted in the medical branch of these Naval Brigades. The appointments and career progression followed that of the RN.
Each of the Australian colonial naval forces had their own part-time medical officers, of whom 19 transferred to the Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1901. The first medical officer to be appointed into the Permanent Navy (PN) was Staff Surgeon Alexander Ruan Caw in 1912.
WW1
From 1914-18, RAN medical officers never exceeded 28, 16 of whom were appointed only for the duration of the war. These were either permanent officers or on short-service for the period of the war only. Sick-berth staff consisted of ratings on loan from the RN, or transferred to the RAN from the RN, or from local recruits who received training in the United Kingdom. Nursing duties were carried out by male sick-berth staff.
RAN personnel requiring medical procedures was provided by Specialists, or dentistry provided by dentists, with whom the RAN had agreements with. X-Ray, pathological, and radiological investigations were carried out by non-naval personnel and no serious attempt was made to train sick-berth ratings in these fields. Only simple type X-Ray and pathology equipment was supplied to ships, with only straightforward investigations possible. Drug scales, equipment, journals and all medical forms were similar to that of the RN.
Post World War One
In 1927 Surgeon Captain Darby became the Australian Director of Naval Medical Services D.N.M.S.
Sick-berth staff were selected for training in X-Ray, pathology, and operating-theatre work.
In 1932 Surgeon Captain Carr succeeded Darby as D.N.M.S. and retired in 1946 with the rank of surgeon rear-admiral.
WW2
A total of 31 RAN, 84 RANR, and 12 RANVR medical officers served during WW2, with all reservist medical officers wearing 'wavy navy' stripes with red 'distinction' colours. However, there were very few specialists, and most of the doctors who enlisted were young graduates, who had to meet any medical or surgical emergency (including dentistry!) often isolated at sea in remote areas where they had to depend on their own resources. Seven of these naval medical officers were killed or missing in action.
On call-up the young Doctor received the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant and was appointed to Flinders Naval Depot or to one of the Sydney establishments for 3 to 6 months to gain experience in naval regulations, customs and traditions. He was then appointed to a seagoing ship for 2 years.
The male sick-berth staff were the backbone for nursing the sick and wounded on ship (only males were allowed on board). Recruits were given initial training in the new-entry school, then 45 weeks (during the war 12 weeks) medical training at the depots. Medical training consisted of lectures on first aid, anatomy, physiology, general nursing, disease diagnosis, dispensing, cooking, and rendering of accounts. Shipboard training continued from the medical officer and senior staff. In 1945 the highest rank held in the sick-berth branch was that of Wardmaster Lieutenant and warrant ward masters. Specialist courses on a quota basis in pathology, X-Ray, and operating-theatre technique were open to sick-berth staff. They could also become dental attendants who could do service at sea and in tropical shore stations to assist dental officers. In 1939 sick-berth staff numbered 59 but steadily increased as the war progressed.
Hygiene was a special branch of work carried out by sick-berth staff, and Warrant Wardmaster Crane (RAN) was in charge of the first hygiene section. In 1941, 27 sick-berth ratings were employed at HMAS Cerberus.
During WW2 Medical staff on RAN ships consisted of:
In 1943 Physiotherapy was provided in the RAN by 3 trained female physiotherapists - 2 appointed to Flinders Naval Hospital and 1 to Sydney. They entered service under the same conditions as nurses, held equivalent ranks and wore similar uniforms.
A female bacteriologist was also appointed to the staff of Flinders Naval Hospital.
In 1941 the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was formed and involved the training of WRAN sick-berth staff who carried out duties in the male wards that were normally done by male Sick-berth Attendants. They also carried out clerical work, some were employed at the central medical store, and a few were trained as dental attendants to assist the dental officer. Their total number at the end of the war was 44. WRAN sick-berth attendants were employed at Flinders Naval Hospital; in the sick-quarters at Balmoral, Townsville, Brisbane, Fremantle and Canberra; and the recruiting centres at Port Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart.
In WW1 there was no organisation within the RAN for dental treatment of officers and men. In 1918 a dental surgeon was appointed to H.M.A.S. Australia, and with the appointment of Darby as D.N.M.S in 1927 the Dental Service of the Navy began to expand. In 1939-45 war the RAN had only 9 permanent dental officers.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) traces its development from the British Royal Navy (RN).
From the 16th century, the RN had two types of officers: 'gentlemen' (nobility) officers who received 'commissions' from the monarch to exercise command on his or her behalf, and 'tarpaulin' officers who received 'warrants' from the Navy Board. Navy warrant officers themselves came in two forms: 'standing' warrant officers (boatswains, gunners, carpenters, pursers, and cooks) who stayed with their ships even when they were not in service, and 'non-standing' warrant officers (masters, chaplains, and surgeons) who were appointed to a ship when required.
Ship surgeons in the RN were initially warrant officers up until 1843, who were only appointed to a ship in service as required. After 1843 they were granted commission status and were in the 'civil' branch as opposed to the 'military' branch of the RN (until 1957). Technological advances and a recruiting shortfall at the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1853 led to the establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) in 1859 who were recruited from the merchant service. Further expansion of the RN prior to WW1 resulted in the establishment of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in 1903 who had no professional seagoing background.
The Assistant Surgeon rank became 'Surgeon' in 1873, and two years later, the rank of Fleet Surgeon was added to identify senior Staff Surgeons.
RNR and RNVR officers were distinguished from their RN counterparts by their sleeve stripes: RNR officers had an intertwined chain pattern, while RNVR officers had a 'wavy Navy' sleeve stripes. In 1951, RNR and RNVR officers received the executive curl with an 'R' within the curl. In 1918, all medical officer rank titles were replaced by those used for executive branch officers with the prefix 'Surgeon'.
Although RN medical officers still use this prefix today, it was abolished in the RAN in 1992. In addition, all non-exectutive officers received the 'executive curl', and non-executive Commanders and above received the executive branch 'brass hat' oak leaf motifs on their peak caps.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
Except for Tasmania and Western Australia, from 1853 each of the Australian colonies had their own volunteer naval forces up until Australian Federation in 1901. The exception was the New South Wales Naval Brigade that was established in 1863, and by 1884 most of the colonies had established volunteer citizen reserve Naval Brigades. These brigades waxed and waned with the financial and political interest of the colonial administrators. This continued until federation where the Commonwealth assumed overall responsibility at which time the strength was 1684 Officers and Men. The individual brigades in each State were disbanded and the Commonwealth Naval Reserve (Militia) was formed in 1907. Even so, the Federal Government still relied on the Royal Navy for naval defence needs.
The Naval Militia was similar to the Royal Navy Reserves and were volunteers. However, the reserve Australian naval forces differed from the RN in having three components (RANR, RANR(S), and RANVR) rather than the RN's two (RNR and RNVR). In 1911 the existing Commonwealth Naval Forces became the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Commonwealth Naval Reserve became the Royal Australian Naval Reserves (RANR). Officers and sailors of the RANR had shore training obligations, while the RAN Reserve (Seagoing) or RANR(S) was established in 1913 for professional seafaring officers. In 1921 a new Reserve branch was created, the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), that consisted of professional sea-going men who were available for call-up but did not undertake regular naval training. By 1939 the RANR comprised of 308 Officers, 3869 Ratings, and RANVR 223 Officers.
In 1900 both Victoria and NSW Naval Brigades dispatched approximately 500 men to China to suppress the Boxer rebellion. Some Queensland Naval Brigade members joined the NSW Brigade on account of no Queensland funding. The NSW Naval Brigade supplied mainly reservists - consisting of seamen and stretcher bearers. Of the 7 personnel of the NSW Naval Brigade who died during the Boxer rebellion, Staff Surgeon Steel was one of them.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY MEDICAL SERVICE HISTORY
The RAN Medical Service was closely based, but much smaller in scale, on the British Royal Navy (RN) Medical Service.
The first reference to Royal Navy medical assistants is dated 1597, where they were referred to as 'Loblolly boys' (derived from the thick pottage with meat and vegetables they fed to sick and injured crew members). Loblolly boys also restrained patients during surgery, cleaned surgical instruments, disposed of amputated limbs, and emptied & cleaned toilet utensils. On an ad hoc basis these duties were also performed at sea by sailors, marines, or women (sailor's wives and prostitutes).
In 1833 RN ships' Captains were instructed by the Admiralty to allocate dedicated sickbay staff - they were to be over 18 years old, be able to read and write, possess a knowledge of keeping accounts, and pass a medical examination. These seagoing health staff were divided into three classes; Assistant Sick Berth Attendant, Sick Berth Attendant, and Sick Berth Steward. Their career progression through the ranks was entirely dependent on local service requirements that resulted in inconsistent and unfair advancement. When not at sea, they undertook non-medical duties, or were released to work in local port hospitals.
It was not until 1884 that Sick Berth staff received formal training and a career structure based on that for officer stewards. On completing 18 months training, sailors were rated Sick Berth Attendants and sent to sea. After 3 years they were eligible for promotion to Second Class Sick Berth Steward (equivalent to Second Class Petty Officer) and returned to sea. After an additional 3 years, they were rated First Class Sick Berth Steward (equivalent to First Class petty Officer). Selected Sick Berth Stewards were eligible for promotion to Wardmaster (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer (CPO)) after 14 years service for hospital duties ashore.
Up to 1900, selected First Class Sick Berth Stewards (equivalent to First Class Petty Officer) were promoted to Wardmaster (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer) after 14 years service, for hospital duties ashore. In 1900, the Warrant Officer rank of 'Head Wardmaster' was established, with this rank eventually becoming the current Medical Administration Officer branch. During the first half of the 20th century, RN Wardmaster ranks expanded to include Commissioned Wardmaster, Senior Commissioned Wardmaster, and Wardmaster Lieutenants. The were renamed Wardmaster Sub-Lieutenant, Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander in 1956. RN Wardmasters wore the same red distinction cloth as medical officers from 1911 until 1918, when it was changed to the maroon colour now worn by RAN nursing officers. In 1951 the maroon was changed to salmon pink, until it was abolished in the RN in 1956. The RAN followed suit in 1979, at which point Wardmasters were also renamed Medical Administration Officers (MAO).
The first RAN Warrant Wardmaster was Frank Daisley, who was promoted from Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer in 1926. The first RAN Commissioned Wardmaster was Thomas Mullins DSM in 1929, who also became the first Wardmaster Lieutenant in 1934. The first RAN Commander Wardmaster was appointed to Kieth Grey in 1976, while the first female MAO was Sub-Lieutenant Zoe Read in 1987.
In Australia, the New South Wales Naval Brigade was established in 1863. By 1884 most of the colonies had established volunteer citizen reserve Naval Brigades until federation where the Commonwealth assumed overall responsibility. These brigades were the forerunners of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR), and Doctors ('surgeons') and Men enlisted in the medical branch of these Naval Brigades. The appointments and career progression followed that of the RN.
Each of the Australian colonial naval forces had their own part-time medical officers, of whom 19 transferred to the Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1901. The first medical officer to be appointed into the Permanent Navy (PN) was Staff Surgeon Alexander Ruan Caw in 1912.
WW1
From 1914-18, RAN medical officers never exceeded 28, 16 of whom were appointed only for the duration of the war. These were either permanent officers or on short-service for the period of the war only. Sick-berth staff consisted of ratings on loan from the RN, or transferred to the RAN from the RN, or from local recruits who received training in the United Kingdom. Nursing duties were carried out by male sick-berth staff.
RAN personnel requiring medical procedures was provided by Specialists, or dentistry provided by dentists, with whom the RAN had agreements with. X-Ray, pathological, and radiological investigations were carried out by non-naval personnel and no serious attempt was made to train sick-berth ratings in these fields. Only simple type X-Ray and pathology equipment was supplied to ships, with only straightforward investigations possible. Drug scales, equipment, journals and all medical forms were similar to that of the RN.
Post World War One
In 1927 Surgeon Captain Darby became the Australian Director of Naval Medical Services D.N.M.S.
Sick-berth staff were selected for training in X-Ray, pathology, and operating-theatre work.
In 1932 Surgeon Captain Carr succeeded Darby as D.N.M.S. and retired in 1946 with the rank of surgeon rear-admiral.
WW2
A total of 31 RAN, 84 RANR, and 12 RANVR medical officers served during WW2, with all reservist medical officers wearing 'wavy navy' stripes with red 'distinction' colours. However, there were very few specialists, and most of the doctors who enlisted were young graduates, who had to meet any medical or surgical emergency (including dentistry!) often isolated at sea in remote areas where they had to depend on their own resources. Seven of these naval medical officers were killed or missing in action.
On call-up the young Doctor received the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant and was appointed to Flinders Naval Depot or to one of the Sydney establishments for 3 to 6 months to gain experience in naval regulations, customs and traditions. He was then appointed to a seagoing ship for 2 years.
The male sick-berth staff were the backbone for nursing the sick and wounded on ship (only males were allowed on board). Recruits were given initial training in the new-entry school, then 45 weeks (during the war 12 weeks) medical training at the depots. Medical training consisted of lectures on first aid, anatomy, physiology, general nursing, disease diagnosis, dispensing, cooking, and rendering of accounts. Shipboard training continued from the medical officer and senior staff. In 1945 the highest rank held in the sick-berth branch was that of Wardmaster Lieutenant and warrant ward masters. Specialist courses on a quota basis in pathology, X-Ray, and operating-theatre technique were open to sick-berth staff. They could also become dental attendants who could do service at sea and in tropical shore stations to assist dental officers. In 1939 sick-berth staff numbered 59 but steadily increased as the war progressed.
Hygiene was a special branch of work carried out by sick-berth staff, and Warrant Wardmaster Crane (RAN) was in charge of the first hygiene section. In 1941, 27 sick-berth ratings were employed at HMAS Cerberus.
During WW2 Medical staff on RAN ships consisted of:
- Cruisers carried 6 ratings (including a chief petty officer or petty officer), an X-Ray technician, and 1 rating trained in theatre.
- Landing Ships Infantry carried the same complement.
- Destroyers carried 1 sick-berth rating and a leading sick-berth attendant.
- Corvettes carried 1 sick-berth rating.
In 1943 Physiotherapy was provided in the RAN by 3 trained female physiotherapists - 2 appointed to Flinders Naval Hospital and 1 to Sydney. They entered service under the same conditions as nurses, held equivalent ranks and wore similar uniforms.
A female bacteriologist was also appointed to the staff of Flinders Naval Hospital.
In 1941 the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was formed and involved the training of WRAN sick-berth staff who carried out duties in the male wards that were normally done by male Sick-berth Attendants. They also carried out clerical work, some were employed at the central medical store, and a few were trained as dental attendants to assist the dental officer. Their total number at the end of the war was 44. WRAN sick-berth attendants were employed at Flinders Naval Hospital; in the sick-quarters at Balmoral, Townsville, Brisbane, Fremantle and Canberra; and the recruiting centres at Port Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart.
In WW1 there was no organisation within the RAN for dental treatment of officers and men. In 1918 a dental surgeon was appointed to H.M.A.S. Australia, and with the appointment of Darby as D.N.M.S in 1927 the Dental Service of the Navy began to expand. In 1939-45 war the RAN had only 9 permanent dental officers.
Dental Officers
The first permanent uniformed dental officer of any Commonwealth Navy was Surgeon Dentist Milton Spencer Atwill (transferred from the Army) who was appointed into the RAN in April 1918. Dentists wore the same uniform as medical officers, apart from orange instead of red distinction cloth. They received the same ‘Surgeon’ rank prefix as medical officers from 1918, with the rank suffix (Dental) until both of these titles were abolished in the RAN in 1992.
RAN dental branch became formalised in 1922, several years after Milton Atwill's appointment, with an additional five Dental Officers and supporting staff of sailors.
A total of 33 dental officers served in WWII, two of whom were missing presumed killed in action. Interestingly, only seven served in the RANR rather than the RAN; these all joined from early 1944.
The Australian Navy’s first female dental officer (and first female non-nursing health officer) was Midshipman Erica Jean Yates (later Henderson), who was appointed into the RAN in 1977.
The first permanent uniformed dental officer of any Commonwealth Navy was Surgeon Dentist Milton Spencer Atwill (transferred from the Army) who was appointed into the RAN in April 1918. Dentists wore the same uniform as medical officers, apart from orange instead of red distinction cloth. They received the same ‘Surgeon’ rank prefix as medical officers from 1918, with the rank suffix (Dental) until both of these titles were abolished in the RAN in 1992.
RAN dental branch became formalised in 1922, several years after Milton Atwill's appointment, with an additional five Dental Officers and supporting staff of sailors.
A total of 33 dental officers served in WWII, two of whom were missing presumed killed in action. Interestingly, only seven served in the RANR rather than the RAN; these all joined from early 1944.
The Australian Navy’s first female dental officer (and first female non-nursing health officer) was Midshipman Erica Jean Yates (later Henderson), who was appointed into the RAN in 1977.
In 1921 a new Reserve branch was created, the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), that consisted of professional sea-going men that took up naval training. The RANVR consisted of officers and seamen who were not bound in time of peace to continuous naval service, and were not paid for their service. Ratings could serve up to the age of 55 years, while officers were 58 years. Uniforms were supplied at government expense and were the same pattern as the permanent naval force with the exception that ratings wore "R.A.N. VOLUNTEER RESERVE" or "R.A.N.V.R." on their cap ribbons.
in 1951 King George VI consented to the abolition of this wave form cuff lace worn by officers of the RNR and RNVR and was replaced with the straight stripes (with scarlet cloth for medical) of the permanent naval forces but with the addition of a letter 'R' for 'Reserves' in the centre of the executive curl. This was adopted by the RAN reserve forces for both the cuff rank and shoulder epaulettes.
Sick Berth Attendants (British and Australia)
In 1920 the RAN introduced dental mechanics, and the following year all medical and dental sick berth stewards were renamed Sick Berth Attendants (SBA). In 1948 dental sailors were split from medical SBAs into their own branch.
In 1974, RAN SBAs (and dental assistants) were renamed Medical (and Dental) sailors.
In 1920 the RAN introduced dental mechanics, and the following year all medical and dental sick berth stewards were renamed Sick Berth Attendants (SBA). In 1948 dental sailors were split from medical SBAs into their own branch.
In 1974, RAN SBAs (and dental assistants) were renamed Medical (and Dental) sailors.
FEMALE MEDICAL SAILORS
The RN first introduced the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) during WW1 and then re-instated in WW2, continued until its integration into the RN in 1993. The Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was instigated in 1942 and remained until 1948 when it was abolished. It was reconstituted in 1951 and eventually incorporated into the RAN on 07 June 1985.
Forty-four female health sailors served from 1941 - 1948 in the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS).
In 1951 Female SBAs were recruited into the WRANS, and apart from the felt hat, the postwar winter WRANS uniform was similar to the war time version.
In 1985 the WRANS were incorporated into the RAN, and in 1991 the 'WRAN' sailor rank titles were abolished in lieu of those used by males.
Like all other WRANS, female medical sailors who joined before 1983 did not have a seagoing obligation.
The RN first introduced the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) during WW1 and then re-instated in WW2, continued until its integration into the RN in 1993. The Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was instigated in 1942 and remained until 1948 when it was abolished. It was reconstituted in 1951 and eventually incorporated into the RAN on 07 June 1985.
Forty-four female health sailors served from 1941 - 1948 in the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS).
In 1951 Female SBAs were recruited into the WRANS, and apart from the felt hat, the postwar winter WRANS uniform was similar to the war time version.
In 1985 the WRANS were incorporated into the RAN, and in 1991 the 'WRAN' sailor rank titles were abolished in lieu of those used by males.
Like all other WRANS, female medical sailors who joined before 1983 did not have a seagoing obligation.
