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A light horse field ambulance was an Australian World War I military unit whose purpose was to provide medical transport and aid to the wounded and sick soldiers of an Australian Light Horse brigade. Light horse field ambulance units served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) as part of the Australian Army Medical Corps.[1]

Typically a Lieutenant Colonel commanded each ambulance. All officers of the ambulance were medical doctors or surgeons. Dental units were often attached to the ambulance as well.

An ambulance consisted of two sections, the Mobile and the Immobile. The Mobile Section travel with its brigade into combat, where it would establish a Dressing Station. It use stretchers or carts to retrieve the wounded and transport them to the Dressing Station. The Immobile Section established and operated a Receiving Station, which received the wounded the Dressing Station sent on. The ambulance's surgeons would operate on the wounded at the Receiving Station. From the Receiving Station, the sick and wounded would go first to the Casualty Clearing Station and ultimately to a Base Hospital.

Units during World War I

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Three Australian light horse field ambulance units remained in active service throughout WWI[2]. Additional units were established and disbanded at several points during the war[2]. By the end of WWI, the AIF had five light horse field ambulances in active service[2].

Australian Imperial Force (AIF) light horse field ambulance units serving in WWI
Unit Established Theatres of conflict Notes
1st Light Horse Field Ambulance 18 August 1914; New South Wales, Australia[2][3] Egypt; Gallipoli; Sinai Peninsula; Palestine[2] Unit served throughout WWI.
2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance September 1914; Queensland, Australia[2][4] Egypt; Gallipoli; Sinai Peninsula; Palestine[2] Unit served throughout WWI.
3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance 02 October 1914; Queensland, Australia[2][5] Egypt; Gallipoli; Sinai Peninsula; Palestine[2] Unit served throughout WWI.
4th Light Horse Field Ambulance (1) May-June 1915; Queensland, Australia[2] Egypt[2] Disbanded March 1916
4th Light Horse Field Ambulance (2) 18 February 1917; Moascar, Egypt[2][6] Egypt; Palestine[2] Unit served from 1917 until end of WWI.
Camel Field Ambulance February 1917[2][7] Sinai Peninsula; Palestine[2] Renamed 5th Light Horse Field Ambulance; June 1918
5th Light Horse Field Ambulance June 1918[2][8] Palestine[2] Unit served from 1918 until end of WWI.

Transport

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The light horse field ambulances operated during the Gallipoli campaign and in the Middle East theatre: Egypt, the Sinai peninsula, Palestine and Syria[2]. The methods used to transport the wounded had to operate effectively in the sandy, dusty environment.

Stretcher
As in infantry field ambulances, stretchers were used for transport over short distances, rough terrain or when enemy fire prevented the safe employment of bearer animals.
Cycle stretcher
These were unpopular and ineffective; after the Gaza battles the forces abandoned the use of cycle stretchers.
Sand cart
The mainstay of the transport section was the sand cart. It featured wide steel rims and was designed be able to carry three stretchers over soft sand. Six horses or mules provided the motive power. The sand cart was poorly suited to operating on the hard, rough ground of Palestine and Syria, and breakdowns were frequent.
Sand sledge
Used to transport one stretcher case over sand; two horses pulled the sledge.
Light ambulance wagon
Drawn by a four horse team, the light ambulance wagon was designed by Surgeon Colonel W.D.C. Williams. Wagons of this type were taken to Egypt by some of the field ambulance units during the early days of World War I.
Camel Cacolet
Camel cacolet
The camel cacolet was used to carry wounded over long distances on rough terrain impassable to wheeled transport. There were two types of cacolet: the sitting and the lying down type. One camel would carry two patients, one on either side of the camel's hump.

WWI Military awards and decorations

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Military decorations were awarded to a number of WWI personnel serving in the Australian light horse field ambulance units. Although the light horse field ambulance units were part of the AIF, decorations were awarded under the British system of honours as Australia's system of honours would not be established until 1975[9].

WWI Military decorations awarded to the Australian light horse field ambulance (LHFA) service personnel
Honour/Award Rank, Name (Service number) Unit Date announced
Australian Gazette London Gazette
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Major William Angus Fraser 3rd LHFA 4 October 1917[10][11] 4 June 1917[11]
Lieutenant-Colonel John Robert McNeil Beith 2nd LHFA 25 March 1920[12][13] 12 December 1919[13]
Lieutenant-Colonel Mylles Wysmarus Cave 1st LHFA 25 March 1920[12][14] 12 December 1919[14]
Major Clive Vallack Single 4th LHFA 06 October 1919[15][16] 3 June 1919[16]
Lieutenant-Colonel Gerald Eugene Macdonald Stuart 3rd LHFA 06 October 1919[15][17] 3 June 1919[17]
Military Cross (MC)

Captain Colin Anderson 4th LHFA 23 May 1919[18][19] 1 January 1919[19]
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Private George Laurie Peel (913) 3rd LHFA 24 February 1916[20][21] 29 November 1915[21]
Private Finlay O'Neill McRae (1775) 1st LHFA 24 February 1916[20][22] 29 November 1915[22]
Private Arthur John Vines (902) 3rd LHFA 24 February 1916[23][24] 29 November 1915[24]
Sergeant William Henry Storey (64) 1st LHFA 19 April 1917[25][26] 14 November 1916[26]
Sergeant John Ware Robinson (838) 3rd LHFA 21 August 1917[27][28] 26 April 1917[28]
Sergeant Robert Henry Lewis (825) 3rd LHFA 20 December 1917[29][30] 16 August 1917[30]
Staff Sergeant Charles Warden (3) 4th LHFA 23 May 1918[31][32] 22 October 1917[32]
Staff Sergeant James Edward Sleeman (567) 2nd LHFA 4 February 1919[33][34] 3 September 1918[34]
Military Medal (MM)

Private Francis George Ridge (2712) 4th LHFA 14 December 1916[35][36] 21 September 1916[36]
Driver Hector Thomson (482) 2nd LHFA 19 April 1917[37][38] 21 October 1916[38]
Driver Thomas Mahoney (527) 2nd LHFA 19 April 1917[37][39] 21 October 1916[39]
Driver Charles Alexander James Crawford (529) 2nd LHFA 19 April 1917[37][40] 21 October 1916[40]
Driver Cecil George Audley Done (4261) 2nd LHFA 19 April 1917[37][41] 21 October 1916[41]
Private William John Gordon Davis (9388) 2nd LHFA 19 April 1917[37][42] 21 October 1916[42]
Corporal Thomas Vincent Brennan (565) 2nd LHFA 19 April 1917[43][44] 01 December 1916[44]
Private William Robertson (26) 1st LHFA 19 April 1917[45][46] 14 December 1916[46]
Private Arthur John Bennett (955) 1st LHFA 07 August 1918[47][48] 19 March 1918[48]
Driver Septimus Flint (6051) 1st LHFA 07 August 1918[47][49] 19 March 1918[49]
Driver Eric Holloway (15506) 1st LHFA 07 August 1918[47][50] 19 March 1918[50]
Lance Sergeant Ernest Kitson Thorpe (3865) 4th LHFA 17 October 1919[51][52] 3 July 1919[52]
Private William Phillips Whittlesea (2830) 3rd LHFA 17 October 1919[53][54] 3 July 1919[54]
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)

Trooper Harold Shove Thirkell (16659) 1st LHFA 27 November 1918[55][56] 16 July 1918[56]
Sergeant Christopher Standring (519) 4th LHFA 06 October 1919[57][58] 03 June 1919[58]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Australian Army Medical Corps in World War I". Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) Anzac Portal. Brisbane, Australia: Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA). 30 June 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Order of Battle". aif.adfa.edu.au. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  3. ^ "1st Light Horse Field Ambulance". vwma.org.au. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  4. ^ "2nd Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance". vwma.org.au. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  5. ^ "3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance". vwma.org.au. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  6. ^ "4th Light Horse Field Ambulance". vwma.org.au. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  7. ^ "CAMEL FIELD AMBULANCE". The Herald. No. 12, 704. Victoria, Australia. 17 February 1917. p. 10. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "5th Light Horse Field Ambulance". vwma.org.au. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Honours timeline". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Australian Government. Retrieved 13 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 169. Australia, Australia. 4 October 1917. p. 2626. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ a b "William Angus Fraser". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 30. Australia, Australia. 25 March 1920. p. 391. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ a b "John Robert McNeil Beith". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Mylles Wysmarus Cave". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 113. Australia, Australia. 6 October 1919. p. 1462. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ a b "Clive Vallack Single". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Gerald Eugene Macdonald Stuart". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 61. Australia, Australia. 23 May 1919. p. 890. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ a b "Colin Anderson". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 28. Australia, Australia. 24 February 1916. p. 457. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ a b "George Laurie Peel". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Finlay O'Neill McRae". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 28. Australia, Australia. 24 February 1916. p. 458. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ a b "Arthur John Vines". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 62. Australia, Australia. 19 April 1917. p. 923. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ^ a b "William Henry Storey". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Government Gazette Notices". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 133. Australia, Australia. 21 August 1917. p. 1786. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ a b "John Ware Robinson". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 219. Australia, Australia. 20 December 1917. p. 3375. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ^ a b "Robert Henry Lewis". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 76. Australia, Australia. 23 May 1918. p. 1123. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  32. ^ a b "Charles Warden". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 15. Australia, Australia. 4 February 1919. p. 125. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ^ a b "James Edward Sleeman". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 184. Australia, Australia. 14 December 1916. p. 3381. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ a b "Francis George Ridge". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  37. ^ a b c d e "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 62. Australia, Australia. 19 April 1917. p. 918. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  38. ^ a b "Hector Thomson". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Thomas Mahoney". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Charles Alexander James Crawford". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Cecil George Audley Done". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  42. ^ a b "William John Gordon Davis". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 62. Australia, Australia. 19 April 1917. p. 924. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  44. ^ a b "Thomas Vincent Brennan". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 62. Australia, Australia. 19 April 1917. p. 925. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  46. ^ a b "William Robertson". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  47. ^ a b c "Government Gazette Notices". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 120. Australia, Australia. 7 August 1918. p. 1657. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  48. ^ a b "Arthur John Bennett". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  49. ^ a b "Septimus Flint". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  50. ^ a b "Eric Holloway". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  51. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 119. Australia, Australia. 17 October 1919. p. 1529. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  52. ^ a b "Ernest Kitson Thorpe". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  53. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 119. Australia, Australia. 17 October 1919. p. 1531. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  54. ^ a b "William Phillips Whittlesea". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  55. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 185. Australia, Australia. 27 November 1918. p. 2264. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  56. ^ a b "Harold Shove Thirkell". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  57. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 113. Australia, Australia. 6 October 1919. p. 1463. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  58. ^ a b "Christopher Standring". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
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