The work of the RAMC and FANY Flashcards
What was it like being a stretcher bearer?
Their job was to travel on to No Man’s Land at night or during a break in the fighting.
Sixteen Stretcher Bearers were in a Batallion (team) and it took four men to carry one stretcher.
What was it like for horse and motor ambulances?
Horse-drawn ambulances could not cope.
November 1915 → 250 motor ambulances.
Ambulance trains were introduced to carry up to 800 casualties and even a barge was used during the Somme.
Volunteer nurses helped as Ambulance Drivers after the government changed its policy in 1916 which had said previously only professional trained nurses could work on the Western Front.
What were the stages of evacuation?
Stretcher bearers.
Regimental Aid Post → close to the Frontline.
Field Ambulance and Dressing Station → Mile away from the frontline.
Casualty Clearing Station → Tents and huts about 10 miles from the fighting.
Base Hospitals. Close to the coast, so near Calais or Dunkirk
What was the purpose of the aid post and field ambulances?
The Regimental Medical Officer Identified the lightly injured to the more serious.
What was the purpose of the Dressing Station?
Emergency treatment given to the wounded. Triage would separate the serious and the less seriously wounded.
What was the purpose of the Casualty Clearing Station?
First well equipped stage. CCS contained X-Ray machines and ward beds.
What was the purpose of the Base Hospital?
A civilian hospital or converted building. Operating theatres, X-Ray departments and specialist areas for gas poisoning. From here, patients would be evacuated back to Britain.
What was the underground hospital at Arras?
A hospital with 700 beds and operating theatres.
Very effective in the context of 160,000 soldiers killed in total and 7000 wounded in the first three days of fighting.
