My father was in HQ Company of the 159th (Welsh) Field Ambulance from 1940 to 1944 including Dunkirk, North Africa (Operation Torch), Sicily (Operation Husky) and Southern Italy. In the book Battleaxe Division History of the 78th Division 1942-5, by Ken Ford it lists the RAMC in the Order of Battle as including the 11th, 152nd and 217th Field Ambulances. I wonder if this is a typographical error and they meant the 159th rather than 152nd? I haven't confirmed where the 152nd were in 1943 but they were attached for much of the war to the 51st Highland Division which makes me think this may be an error? Any help gratefully accepted about this period or especially the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940.
Hi Chris, Appreciate this is 7years late, but my father was in B Company of the 159th (Welsh) Field Ambulance and I've found a few things that may help you with research. I can confirm that it is a typo. The following is a very brief summary: The 159th was a TA unit raised in and around Cardiff that switched to regular army status at the outbreak of war, Formed part of the BEF and got out of Dunkirk on the 29th/30th May. The whole unit made it out with no losses and they regrouped in Penmaenmawr, North Wales and stayed there for a couple of months. They then moved to Hankelow Court, near Chester to retrain etc, but for some unexplained reason they remained there until October 1942 when they took part in the Torch landings (1st Army). They landed in Algiers shortly after the main force. They worked there way across Algeria and Tunisia until the Axis surrender. July 1943 landed in Sicily with 51st Highland Division as part of 8th Army, on Bark South Beach at the tip of the Pochino peninsula just south of Syracuse. Fairly static for most of the campaign helping to run the air ambulance evacuation of casualties back to North Africa. Moved to mainland Italy shortly after the Operation Baytown landings to set up a hospital near Taranto. Later attached to the British 4th Infantry Division - first time that they are attached to a specific command. Just as they get to Florence the division is sent to Greece to provide assistance in the Greek Civil War. The unit remains there until 1946. If you are still looking into this, I'd be happy to share what I've found so far. Regards Jon
Jon, Chris was last logged in two years ago. I will send him a Private Message (PM) next asking them to return. You get PM access after creating x5 posts, but can read and reply to them. Standby.
