Would anybody have any information regarding the American Ambulance Corps in England in WW2? I am particularly interested in the period prior to the U.S. entry into the war in December 1941 and more interested in the establishment of an American Ambulance Corps Headquarters in London during that period. I have details of a lady who died in 1941, due to an air raid, quoted as ‘British American Ambulance Organiser employed at Headquarters Staff, American Ambulance’. So there must certainly have been an American, possibly volunteer organisation, who received these ambulances before handing them over to the BRCS or FANY to provide the drivers. In response to a letter to the American Embassy with a specific request for the location or details of this headquarters I have received no letter addressed to me personally but a half sheet explaining the details of The U.S. based British War Relief Society and four double sided sheets with details of the British Red Cross Society and numerous addresses of other UK based organisations, no reference at all to the American Ambulance Corps. So, before I write to the American Red Cross Society to see if they can help, would be grateful if any member, particularly those across the pond, have any details that they can offer. Tony
Can't answer your question, but this site may help, it's a nightmare to navigate and clicking on various pics takes you to random pages, but it has some good info on the site, good luck with your research. P.S. its about the American field service ambulance, a volunteer organisation who were active in both world wars, even before America entered the war, the AFS ambulance were in France with the B.E.F.
Try this: The Military Heraldry Society - Cloth Insignia Research And Collector's Society The badge top right is the badge of the American Ambulance Corps. If you email them, they will probably have some more info about the organisation.
RDR Had a look at your site but like most other sites I have found mainly historical, it is interesting but not specific enough for what I want, but thanks for the thought. ARP I will keep MHS in mind if nothing else comes up. It appears that I have to join to ask a question again thanks for the thought. Tony
Hello Tony, The 'American Field Service' was still working with the 8th Army after the US entered the War and were at the Second Battle of Alamein. I know of three books about the AFS, which may assist with your search: 1) Mercy in Hell by Andrew Greer (Mcgraw-Hill 1943); 2) History of the American Field Service 1920-1955 by George Rock (Platen Press 1956); and 3) An AFS Driver Remembers by Charles Edwards - a memoir which is available on the internet. Good luck with your search. Best, Steve.
Steve Thanks for the interest but the period that I am interested in is 1939-1941 before the U.S. entered the war. The ambulances, including other non-military items, were provided by the British War Relief Society, a U.S. humanitarian umbrella organisation whose finances came from the general public and major civilian organisations. The American Ambulance Corps in the UK at that time would almost certainly have been organised by volunteers and when the ambulances were handed over they operated as the British-American Ambulance Corps. Whether they later became part of the American Field Service when the U.S. entered the war I have no knowledge. Tony
1941 Telephone directory American Ambulance (Great Britain) 9 Grosvenor Gdns SW1 VICtoria 6551 342 Clapham Rd SW9 MACauley 5318 62 ST Germans Rd SE23 FORest Hl 6664 Station 5/1 310 Latymer Ct W6 RIVrside 2727
1941 Telephone directory American Ambulance (Great Britain) 9 Grosvenor Gdns SW1 VICtoria 6551 342 Clapham Rd SW9 MACauley 5318 62 ST Germans Rd SE23 FORest Hl 6664 Station 5/1 310 Latymer Ct W6 RIVrside 2727 Many thanks Peter That's one step nearer and looks like Grosvenor Gardens will be what I want. Now have to find out what her function was there. Tony
