British Army Medical and Nursing (RAMC & QAIMNS)

Note: For QAIMNS, please scrol down and click on the Capbadge to jump to the QAMINS page, or use the menu on the left

Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) Forward Aid Post

A brief history of the RAMC 1898 to 1945

In 1898 all previous hospital ranks fused together into a single Corps. Queen Victoria, on the 23 June 1898 added her signature to a Royal Warrant which signified her will and pleasure that a "Corps be  formed styled the Royal Army Medical Corps" : on 1st July 1898 the Corps was created.

The RAMC has a most distinguished record both in the practice of medicine and in the gallantry displayed by its members. In the 3 major wars (Boer, WW1 & WW2), the RAMC dealt with 14 million casualties, was awarded 14 Victoria Crosses (two with Bars), one George Cross, 630 Distinguished Service Orders, 1,806 Military Crosses, 464 Distinguished Conduct Medals, 2,375 Military Medals and 16 George Medals.

The price paid by the RAMCs recruits was not small with 1,180 officers and 8,165 soldiers who died in the service of their countrymen.

"In Arduis Fidelis" = "Faithful in Adversity"

Some RAMC facts....

The RAMC has no regimental colour, although it does have a regimental flag. there are no battle honours, as the RAMC has been present in almost every single war the army has ever fought.

Under the Geneva Concention, RAMC members can only use their weapons in self-defence, and for this reason when on parade RAMC officers do NOT draw their swords- they hold their scabbard with their L hand whilst saluting with the right. Similarly other ranks do not fix bayonets.

Doctors in the RAMC are not called "Dr" but are called by their rank.

WW2 RAMC units: 9th Field Ambulance, 132nd Field Ambulance, 214th Field Ambulance.

The organisation of casualties

Generally, facilities allowing, casualties would first be "patched up" and quickly triaged by the Regimental Aid Post (RAP) close to the front. they would then be transported to a nearby Field Ambulance Main Dressing Station, for proper dressing, and then either back to the front or on to a Casualty Clearing Station a few miles from the front where a decision would be made to either transport to the front (Return to Unit, or "RTU'd") or out to the General Hospital which might be many miles behind the front.

The exterior and interior of a WW2 Ambulance- not designed for comfort!!

And WARGroup's very own QAIMNS nurses!

And just to show we are true to the Geneva Convention- Allied field medics treat BOTH sides on the field- a pic of a WARGroup medic treating an injured stormtrooper...not sure if he'll make it, Doc!!

Note:

QAIMNS- the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service.

Click on the QAIMNS capbadge above to jump to the QAMINS page!