131 Field Ambulance

Discussion in '1940' started by Jolly_Limey, Dec 1, 2010.

  1. Jolly_Limey

    Jolly_Limey Junior Member

    My grandfather was in 131 Field Ambulance but as part of the BEF in France in 1940 before being captured at Hazebrouck on his way to Dunkirk. I find it very hard to find much information about the RAMC's role in the retreat to Dunkirk. These men provided incredible medical support during the chaos of retreat and many were involved in the rear guard action, attending the wounded and holding back the might of the German advance (as much as possible). If anyone has any information or photographs of the RAMC in action during this time period, it would be great!
     
  2. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    It might be worth contacting the Army Medical Services Museum at
    Keogh Barracks
    Ash Vale
    Aldershot
    GU12 5RQ
    armymedicalmuseum@btinternet.com

    131 Field Ambulance later became a Parachute Field Ambulance and were involved in the Battle of Arnhem

    John
     
  3. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Theirs a lot of RAMC stories on BBC Peoples War website, bang ' RAMC 1940 'into the serch box.

    BBC - WW2 People's War
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The unit has a diary at Kew for this period:

    WO 177/711 131 Fd. Amb. 1939 Sept.- 1940 Sept., 1942 July - Dec.

    I'm struggling at the moment to find out what Division they were under in France-I just need to look through a few more books and I should find the answer.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    131 Field Ambulance were under 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division which were under III Corps. I think although I can't confirm that they may have been with 131st Brigade within 44 Div.

    When the unit was in France as of 10th May it consisted of 11 Officers and 227 Other Ranks.

    The interesting bit is what he was doing at Hazebrouck as the final unit defending it was 1st Bucks Regiment who were part of 145 Bde which were within a different Div and Corps.

    Do you know what day he was captured?

    Regards
    Andy
     
  7. Jolly_Limey

    Jolly_Limey Junior Member

    cheers for all the info fellas! and yes you were bang on about the old palace maidstone. i have attached his original call up card and the notification of his capture for your info. thanks again![​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I've got some good info including some maps on what 1 Bucks were doing at Hazebrouck. I'll see if I can locate where the RAP was located (Normally near a Bn. HQ) and let you know.

    If I've not posted in 7 days its because I've forgotten (I'm having difficulty getting to all my info at the moment) drop me a nudge to pull my thumb out.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  9. Jolly_Limey

    Jolly_Limey Junior Member

    fantastic andy - thanks again for all the help. you're a true gent!
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Not much to say really I'm affraid. The 131 War Diary is definately your best bet for info (fingers crossed).

    What I can say in short is:

    1 Bucks moved into Hazebrouck to defend the town between 0330hrs and 0830hrs on 24th May 1940.

    At 1245hrs on 28th May the Germans, after preparing to attack Hazebrouck, started to advance on the town.

    Around 2200hrs Hazebrouck was in the hands of the Germans.
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The 1940 picture of Hazebrouck town square was taken after the 28th May when the town was in German hands. The modern shot I took a few years ago.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Jolly_Limey

    Jolly_Limey Junior Member

    yes, i remember checking out the photo set from your 'before and after' trip in an earlier 'dunkirk' thread. i'm going over to blighty next week, although with all the snow you brits are having i'll have trouble just getting out of heathrow, let alone to france!
    oh yeah, off to get a tattoo of the 'keep calm and carry on' 1939 propaganda poster this afternoon. when i get back i'll post a picture for you :eek:)
    cheers for the hazebrouck info!
     
  13. Pudders

    Pudders Junior Member

    There is a bit more to 131's story than originally meets the eye. They and the other 44th Div. field ambulances (132 & 133) had arrived in the vicinity of Godewaersvelde just below the Mont des Cats around dawn on the 28th May. Unfortunately they had parked themselves directly in the line of 6th Panzer (I think) and all three units were over run that morning. 131 and 133 were particularly badly hit and although only a few men were killed the majority were captured - about 50 odd from each making their way home via Dunkirk. 132 faired a little better, about 90 got back.

    131's war diary for May 1940 was lost/destroyed, 133's appears to have been compiled with the help of an 'unofficial' Sergeants Mess diary. 132's - from about the middle of the month, made it home and is a great help - plus there are ADMS and DDMS diaries with notes attached.

    I guess it's possible our man managed to find his way to Hazebrouck - though technically speaking going the wrong way, not that he would know! Would explain his date of capture as the 29th?

    My father was a Sergeant in 133 and got home eventually. All in all a fascinating story, so good that I've written an absolutely brilliant book about it all which is just waiting to be published - the world doesn't know what it's missing!
     
  14. Jolly_Limey

    Jolly_Limey Junior Member

    Pudders - that's amazing and I'm so excited that you've written a book on the subject! Let us know when it's published as I know myself and a few others on this board would love to buy a copy from you! I'm certainly interested to hear your father's story as my grandfather, clammed up about his war experiences and even gave his medals away upon receiving them. I guess 3 years as a POW in Poland might do that to you, but if your father spoke of his experiences, i can imagine that they would be very similar. Thanks again for writing and welcome to the board - some top-notch folks on here!
    Cheers.
     
  15. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    Pudders,

    Did your father stay in 133 and go to NA and then remain when they became a parachute unit?
     
  16. Pudders

    Pudders Junior Member

    Pudders,

    Did your father stay in 133 and go to NA and then remain when they became a parachute unit?

    Not quite! Dad stayed with the unit until early 1943 - and failed the medical for the airborne unit (much to his relief!). He wore glasses which I think was the problem? Think all that happened in the Lebanon, or Palestine, after they were pulled out of the line just prior to Alamein?

    He'd been promoted to RSM when he returned from Dunkirk (age 19) and swapped with the RSM of a General Hospital in Egypt when he didn't get in the Parachute Fd. Amb. In his own words he had a fairly 'cushy' war after that - met and married a Sister in QA's at the hospital (my Mum!).

    I've always been told that only one of the guys from the original unit, Louis Breuer, went all the way through with 133 but I haven't found any evidence that he dropped with them at Arnhem not that I've dug too deep.
     
  17. Pudders

    Pudders Junior Member

    Pudders - that's amazing and I'm so excited that you've written a book on the subject! Let us know when it's published as I know myself and a few others on this board would love to buy a copy from you! I'm certainly interested to hear your father's story as my grandfather, clammed up about his war experiences and even gave his medals away upon receiving them. I guess 3 years as a POW in Poland might do that to you, but if your father spoke of his experiences, i can imagine that they would be very similar. Thanks again for writing and welcome to the board - some top-notch folks on here!
    Cheers.

    Thanks for the welcome :)

    I had great fun researching the book - I was lucky enough to interview and correspond with about 20 guys from 132 and 133 - all of them remarkable characters. Most of them are gone now, including my father, but I still see 3 or 4 of them every year for lunch. All the ones that are left were POW's at Lamsdorf (VIIIB ) - I'll ask them if they knew your Grandfather, you never know!

    I never managed to meet up with any one from 131, but I do have an unpublished manuscript that includes some quotes from a couple of the men - I'll try and transcribe them here at some point.

    Whether I'll ever get it published remains to be seen - it's taken what seems like for ever to put it all together and I'm really at a loss what to do with it now! All I ever wanted to do was preserve the memories of the men involved - there is a great little story there - so, I need to do something with it! Couple ofm people have looked at it and turned it down as being too 'specialised' and 'local' - can't argue with that! And I'm no professional either, it's probably not the best piece of prose ever written, of that I'm certain!

    So any suggestions gratefully received!

    Anyway, I'll sort that transcript out and see if i have any photos of 131 - maybe your grandfather will appear in them!

    Oh, I almost forgot, there is a small piece here that got put up ages ago.

    BBC - WW2 People's War - Dunkirk Departure
     
  18. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    Pudders,

    Would it have been Brunney......rather than Breuer??? Can't find anyone of that name going to Arnhem with 133......
     
  19. Pudders

    Pudders Junior Member

    Pudders,

    Would it have been Brunney......rather than Breuer??? Can't find anyone of that name going to Arnhem with 133......

    No definitely Breuer (or Brewer). I have lists of the sticks and also the sea borne tail and he doesn't appear on either of those so something is not right.

    There is a link that suggests he was detached at the time of Arnhem : Veterans Ads

    Is that a possible?

    I know he passed away a few years ago - I only had very brief contact with him, a phone call and a short letter I think. He was one of those that didn't really want to talk too much, at least to me, and I never pushed the guys, not for me to do!
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello and welcome-Keep us posted on the book. If it mentions Dunkirk I'll have a copy :D
     

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