Hi all I wonder do any members know anything at all on the 150 Field Ambulance. R.A.M.C. One of my local boys lost his life with the unit in North Africa on the 1 June, 1942. I believe (I may be wrong) that the 150 Field Ambulance was with the 50th Division. As ever any help gratefully received. Thanks John. CWGC :: Casualty Details
John, In the absence of any concrete replies perhaps you need to go to Kew to look at the unit war diary.....I agree using the old numbering system that 150 FA should be in the 50th TT Division......
About only Google hit I could find, so far is... Account of W. Laverack I joined the TA (Territorial Army) 150 Field Ambulance, 50 Division, in May, 1939 and was called up on September 1, 1939. BBC - WW2 People's War - 'Stretcher-bearers': (2) The Beginnings with some accounts of Joining up
I know this is from 7th Armd Div website but it's a start. BATTLE OF GAZALA AND THE CAULDRON (May-June 1942) The 150th Brigade Box fell at noon on 1st June, Battles 1942 Bit more on destruction of 150 Bde. 150th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John - Here is a reference to 150 Field Ambulance - but I don't think they were with 50th when the lost 150 Infantry Bde at Gazala- as they seemed to make it to Algiers - and Italy.... "" Life here was fairly easy and Albert went through the 'knee browning' process. But this did not last, and soon they were sent to the 23rd Armoured Brigade and into action in the desert, then on to Tripoli in Syria during July 1942 to look after a General Hospital. Patients here were generally scabies and jaundice and some minor injuries and illnesses. August 1942 and back to Cairo and a camp close to the Pyramids. After seven days leave in Cairo, back into the desert in preparation for the El Alamein build up. Albert was now at Field Ambulance H.Q. digging holes in the sand to put canopies over to shelter the wounded. This work was completed on time, but not without suffering painful blisters on his hands. Once the action started the advanced sections began sending back the wounded. Albert was kept very busy dressing injuries ready for evacuation out of the battle area to a Casualty Clearing Station or on to a hospital. They followed the advance to Mersa Matruh. Eventually the unit was sent back to Heliopolis for replacements of their own casualties. Here they joined with, and became, 150 Light Field Ambulance. Back into the desert, and Albert was now allocated to a forward section whose duties included treating and evacuating the wounded from where they fell. They carried on to link up with the 1st Army and then onto Algiers.""
Where did you find that , Tom? As was it here? Manchester Eighth Army Veterans Association I see that chap was with 3rd Light Field Ambulance who "they joined with, and became, 150 Light Field Ambulance". Is a light Field Ambulance the same as a Field Ambulance?
Owen - yes - just browsing and came upon that reference to the 150th - I wouldn't know one ambulance from another - whether light - or dark !
A 'Light Field Ambulance' was not the same as a 'Field Ambulance' IIRC...it was to do with the scale of equipment issued and the number of men.....
150th LFA would appear to have been working alongside the Kiwis in NA. See the final paragraph of this page. Steve W.
Steve, you sure you got the right page? You linked to Churchill & the SOE. Is 150 LFA same unit as 150 FA ?
Owen Thanks for noticing the 'mispaste'. Here's the correct page. As to your question, I'm not sure, but the coincidence is there. Albert Whelan, referenced above, was with the 150th LFA in NA. BTW, I've just noticed that the orginal post was in January! John has posted onece, since then. In case he's still checking the forum, I suggest he contacts the Army Medical Services Museum - if he hasn't already done so. Steve W.
