Medical vehicles

[Les Freathy]

Whilst browsing a site on axis vehicles i noted they had a thread dedicated to medical vehicles, i am aware that we have a fair number of this type of vehicle scattered throughout the site i thought it would be helpful to have them from now in one thread. So to start here are a couple of Austin K2 (Katys) the first being unloaded in the middle east the second shows four ambulances presented by the Soroptimist clubs of Graet Britian, Australia, New Zealand and Canada

[Mike Kelly]

Going through the AWM SEARCH base

I found evidence of Austin K2/Y 's on issue with

1st Aust.Ambulance Car Company Brisbane
2nd " Sydney
3rd " Melbourne

The drivers were AWAS. Some interesting pics there .The 3rd AACC was based in South Melbourne , Kavanagh st , which is now Southbank I think .The depot was a McKewans hardware store , Melbournians will remember them lasting into the 1980's .

At least one K2/Y has survived here , in NSW .


The AACC 's had a variety of vehicles on issue... CMP's , Indian pattern Fords Chevs and Dodges .

[cletrac (RIP)]

Description: A Universal carrier being used as an ambulance to bring in wounded to a regimental aid post during the offensive south of Caumont, 31 July 1944.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Description: Sherman tanks carrying infantry, a Sherman Crab flail tank, and an ambulance halftrack assemble at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

[cletrac (RIP)]

A Chevrolet 30cwt truck in use as an ambulance with red crosses painted on its canvas tilt, 22 March 1942.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's a few pix of a 60 cwt winterized ambulance off the factory photos CD.

[Keith Webb]

Our Australian ambulances on both Chevrolet and Ford chassis.

Here's a pic of a late war Ford.



More here.

[Mike Kelly]

This is a rare one :

Looks like a 1940 Dodge with the Indian pattern Ambo body .

The unit is the 2nd AACC on training exercise....

They also had Inter D series with that body .

Note the C 7062 plate and the AACC on the guard.

Other pic is a Chev in the 3rd AACC workshop, Sth Melbourne .

051041 is again the Sth Melbourne workshop , is that a K2/Y nose I see in the background ? Agree ?

Mike

[Mike Kelly]

Originally Posted by Les Freathy

Soroptimist clubs of Graet Britian, Australia, New Zealand and Canada

http://www.sisouthperth.org.au/html/who.htm

[Radek]

I like K2/Y

[Mike Kelly]

The AWM caption says it all . Look at that bent front axle ! Isn't fencing wire useful stuff .

028808

Summary: WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 1942-11-17. AN AMBULANCE IN THE 120 INDEPENDENT BRIGADE GROUP WORKSHOPS AFTER NOSE DIVING INTO A SAND-BANK. THE BACK WHEELS AND AXLE WERE ALSO TORN OFF BUT WERE TIED ON WITH FENCING WIRE FOR RECOVERY PURPOSES.

[Mike Kelly]

We are going from SOPOPTIMITS TO "Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes"

How bizzare can these organisatons names get ?

P04183.001
Maker: Unknown
Place made: Australia: Victoria
Date made: c April 1941
Physical description: Black & white

Summary: Rear interior view of a 4x2 30cwt Chevrolet, 'Indian Pattern', four litter ambulance, which was donated by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) to the Department of Defence.
Credit line: Donor: Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes

Yes folks , it's a real organisation, not a MONTY PYTHON SKETCH .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_A...r_of_Buffaloes

Mike

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

We are going from SOPOPTIMITS TO "Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes"

How bizzare can these organisatons names get ?
P04183.001

Mike

unusual construction on the ambulance body with the cut out for the top step at the rear and what appears to be pressed steel round rear mudguards. Note also the single rear wheel on a dual wheel rear axle.

[cliff]

AWM
ID Number: P04183.003
Maker: Unknown
Place made: Australia: New South Wales, Carlton
Date made: 1944
Physical description: Black & white
Summary: The presentation of a Chevrolet 4x4 C60L, Cab 13, 3 ton truck, completed as a Mobile Dental Unit, with attached annex, which was donated to the Defence department by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) at their Neil Street Hall (adorned with flags), Carlton, Vic. Brother William Fitzjohn presented the vehicle key to Brigadier Down, Chief Dental Officer, Department of Army.
Credit line: Donor: Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes
Copyright: clear

[Les Freathy]

Well done all, another thread off to a good start, here are some Katys at Beltring oh and a K2 canteen
cheers
Les

[Lynn Eades]

Here is a pic of my Dodge ambulance, that I used to own.

[cliff]

Here is a photo from the Northern Territory Library service neg #34699

It is very unusual to see this type of cab/chassis being used for this purpose.

[cliff]

Not sure where these came from but it was either the AWM or Pictures Australia.

EDIT- Humber Photos owned by the National Archives of Australia

[cliff]

AWM photos

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by cliff

Not sure where these came from but it was either the AWM or Pictures Australia.

Probably not AWM - they're not watermarked. Is this another example of refugee cargo in Aust?

[Lynn Eades]

Is the 1939 Ford, a Marmon Herrington?

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by cliff

AWM photos

The Advanced Dressing Station was also later on the CMP C60L chassis. It made quite a huge tented affair when fully set up.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Probably not AWM - they're not watermarked. Is this another example of refugee cargo in Aust?

Keith they could be English as this collection has a lot of Commer photos in it some marked as RAF vehicles

Humber four-wheel drive Ambulance
Image number A5954:634/1 PHOTO16
Managed by Item held by the National Archives of Australia
Collection or series A5954:'The Shedden Collection' [Records collected by Sir Frederick Shedden during his career with the Department of Defence and in researching the history of Australian Defence Policy], two number series
Date or place 1940
Rights Reproduction rights owned by the National Archives of Australia

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Is the 1939 Ford, a Marmon Herrington?

Not sure but probably not as the Roadster type cabs were also fitted to 2 wheel drives as well.

[cliff]

photo from the AWM

[Radek]

K2

[Radek]

Bedford ML

[Radek]

K2 as wooden toy
the similer forum http://www.hmvf.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7173.0
Radek

[Dusonn]

Another couple of K2s ambulances, one lent to the Germans

[Radek]

Hi Duson,
I know this picture so.
And here is another one from Africa.