Royal Australian Army Medical Corps: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Administrative corps of the Australian Army}} |
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{{EngvarB|date=May 2018}} |
{{EngvarB|date=May 2018}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} |
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|motto=''Paulatim'' ([[Latin]], "little by little"){{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=471}} |
|motto=''Paulatim'' ([[Latin]], "little by little"){{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=471}} |
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|anniversaries=10 November (corps day){{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=472}} |
|anniversaries=10 November (corps day){{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=472}} |
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|march=''Here's a Health Unto |
|march=''Here's a Health Unto His Majesty''{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=480}} |
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|nickname=''Linseed Lancers''{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=74 & 96}} |
|nickname=''Linseed Lancers''{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=74 & 96}} |
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|ceremonial_chief= |
|ceremonial_chief= [[Sam Mostyn]] |
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|ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief |
|ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief |
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|notable_commanders= Major General [[Neville Howse|Sir Neville Reginald Howse]]<br>Major General [[Roy Burston|Sir Samuel Roy Burston]] |
|notable_commanders= Major General [[Neville Howse|Sir Neville Reginald Howse]]<br>Major General [[Roy Burston|Sir Samuel Roy Burston]] |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The Australian Army Medical Corps was formed on 1 July 1902 by combining the medical services of the [[Colonial forces of Australia|armed forces of the various Australian colonies]] that had been in existence |
The Australian Army Medical Corps was formed on 1 July 1902 by combining the medical services of the [[Colonial forces of Australia|armed forces of the various Australian colonies]] that had been in existence before [[Federation of Australia|Federation]], which had their origins in the medical structures of the [[List of British Army regiments that served in Australia between 1810 and 1870|British forces that had deployed to Australia]] during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.{{sfn|Dennis et al |1995|p=513}} The corps' first deployment was to the [[Second Boer War]], where it provided a [[field hospital]] and a stretcher bearer company attached in support of the [[Australian Commonwealth Horse]], the first contingent of Australian troops deployed operationally following Federation. The force's role was limited as by the time it was deployed the large scale fighting was basically over.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=71}} Prior to this, though, the various colonial forces had also contributed medical detachments to the war in support of their own and other British and colonial forces,{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=578–584}} and these units – consisting of various types of medical personnel including surgeons, dentists, cooks, drivers, and bearers – had been heavily involved.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=32–71 }} One officer, Lieutenant [[Neville Howse]], of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps, received the [[Victoria Cross]] for his actions during the war;{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=63–65}} Howse eventually rose to become Director of Medical Services within the [[First Australian Imperial Force|Australian Imperial Force]].{{sfn|Tyquin|2012|p=9}} An earlier deployment had also occurred in 1885, when a [[New South Wales Contingent]] of infantry and artillery was deployed to assist British forces in the [[Mahdist War|Sudan conflict]], a small medical detachment had also been deployed.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=8}} |
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[[File:H84 356 26 Laidlaw Gallipoli SLV.jpg|thumb|left | Australian Field Ambulance treating wounded |
[[File:H84 356 26 Laidlaw Gallipoli SLV.jpg|thumb|left | Australian Field Ambulance treating wounded soldier at Gallipoli. World War 1 1915 H84.356/26 State Library Victoria]] |
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The development of medical units within the Australian colonial forces had begun in the mid-1850s when the colonial military forces had been in their infancy. Initially, it had been limited largely to single doctors who were attached to infantry units in an honorary role, but as the colonial military forces had become more sophisticated, various medical units or corps were formed, consisting of a variety of personnel including doctors, non-commissioned officers, orderlies, bearers, and dispensers as well as cooks and drivers.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=1–8}} Within each colony, these units were tasked with various duties including conducting medical examinations of recruits, and providing emergency medical aid during field manoeuvres; initially, they were unpaid volunteers, but eventually a system of paid part-time soldiering developed.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=8}} The reliance upon part-time professionals is a common theme in the corps' development, due largely the nature of the specialised skill sets required by some personnel, particularly doctors and surgeons; however, as the corps' role has expanded, it has become a broader organisation, with personnel serving in many capacities including professional and non-professional roles including stretcher bearers, orderlies, medical assistants, pathologists, radiographers, pharmacists, drivers, physiotherapists, as well as the traditional domains of the medical officer, and in many of these areas, particularly after the Second World War there has been an expansion of the size of the corps' regular personnel, although Reservists continue to provide much of its higher clinically trained personnel.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=ix–xii}} |
The development of medical units within the Australian colonial forces had begun in the mid-1850s when the colonial military forces had been in their infancy. Initially, it had been limited largely to single doctors who were attached to infantry units in an honorary role, but as the colonial military forces had become more sophisticated, various medical units or corps were formed, consisting of a variety of personnel including doctors, non-commissioned officers, orderlies, bearers, and dispensers as well as cooks and drivers.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=1–8}} Within each colony, these units were tasked with various duties including conducting medical examinations of recruits, and providing emergency medical aid during field manoeuvres; initially, they were unpaid volunteers, but eventually a system of paid part-time soldiering developed.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=8}} The reliance upon part-time professionals is a common theme in the corps' development, due largely the nature of the specialised skill sets required by some personnel, particularly doctors and surgeons; however, as the corps' role has expanded, it has become a broader organisation, with personnel serving in many capacities including professional and non-professional roles including stretcher bearers, orderlies, medical assistants, pathologists, radiographers, pharmacists, drivers, physiotherapists, as well as the traditional domains of the medical officer, and in many of these areas, particularly after the Second World War there has been an expansion of the size of the corps' regular personnel, although Reservists continue to provide much of its higher clinically trained personnel.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=ix–xii}} |
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[[File:2-12 Field Ambulance (AWM 060820).jpg|thumb| |
[[File:2-12 Field Ambulance (AWM 060820).jpg|thumb|left|Members of the [[2/12th Field Ambulance (Australia)|2/12th Field Ambulance]] during a parade in November 1943.]] |
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Since its involvement in South Africa, the corps' role as a supporting branch of the Australian Army has expanded considerably as the importance of medicine as an enabler to successful military operations has become apparent. As a result, the corps has seen service during all major Australian Army deployments and wars since its establishment,{{sfn|Dennis et al |1995|p=513}} including the [[Military history of Australia during World War I|First]] and [[Military history of Australia during World War II|Second World War]]s, the [[Australia in the Korean War|Korean War]], [[Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War|Vietnam]], and [[Australian military involvement in peacekeeping|various peacekeeping operations]].{{sfn|Tyquin|2003}} During these conflicts, corps personnel have either been embedded directly into combat formations to provide medical support at the lowest level possible, or have been formed into dedicated medical units. The various types of units raised for these deployments also reflects the development of the corps. Early units raised were quite rudimentary and provided only narrowly focused capabilities, but over time increasingly sophisticated units have been raised. For instance during the First World War, the corps raised various units including: casualty clearing stations, field ambulances, stationary hospitals, general hospitals, hospital ships, sanitary sections, infections diseases hospitals, convalescent depots, and even sanatoriums.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=608–609}} The Second World War saw similar units, but also the raising of various transport services, including trains, bacteriological and pathology laboratories, hospital laundries, administrative units and stores depots.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=614–616}} A field ambulance unit – the [[8th Field Ambulance (Australia)|8th]] – was also deployed to Vietnam, as was a field hospital.<ref name=Vampire>{{cite web | url= http://callsignvampire.org/content/view/33/37/ | |
Since its involvement in South Africa, the corps' role as a supporting branch of the Australian Army has expanded considerably as the importance of medicine as an enabler to successful military operations has become apparent. As a result, the corps has seen service during all major Australian Army deployments and wars since its establishment,{{sfn|Dennis et al |1995|p=513}} including the [[Military history of Australia during World War I|First]] and [[Military history of Australia during World War II|Second World War]]s, the [[Australia in the Korean War|Korean War]], [[Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War|Vietnam]], and [[Australian military involvement in peacekeeping|various peacekeeping operations]].{{sfn|Tyquin|2003}} During these conflicts, corps personnel have either been embedded directly into combat formations to provide medical support at the lowest level possible, or have been formed into dedicated medical units. The various types of units raised for these deployments also reflects the development of the corps. Early units raised were quite rudimentary and provided only narrowly focused capabilities, but over time increasingly sophisticated units have been raised. For instance during the First World War, the corps raised various units including: casualty clearing stations, field ambulances, stationary hospitals, general hospitals, hospital ships, sanitary sections, infections diseases hospitals, convalescent depots, and even sanatoriums.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=608–609}} The Second World War saw similar units, but also the raising of various transport services, including trains, bacteriological and pathology laboratories, hospital laundries, administrative units and stores depots.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|pp=614–616}} A field ambulance unit – the [[8th Field Ambulance (Australia)|8th]] – was also deployed to Vietnam, as was a field hospital.<ref name=Vampire>{{cite web | url= http://callsignvampire.org/content/view/33/37/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080908075319/http://callsignvampire.org/content/view/33/37/ |title=Callsign Vampire |archive-date=8 September 2008 |access-date=15 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=1chb>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Divisions-and-Brigades/Forces-Command/17th-Combat-Service-Support-Brigade/1st-Close-Health-Battalion |title=1st Close Health Battalion |work=Who We Are |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=15 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227122544/http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Divisions-and-Brigades/Forces-Command/17th-Combat-Service-Support-Brigade/1st-Close-Health-Battalion |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> |
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The "Royal" prefix was granted on 10 November 1948, and the day is celebrated as a corps' day.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=472}}{{sfn|Dennis et al |1995|p=513}} The Army School of Health was established the same year at [[Puckapunyal, Victoria]], but it was moved to [[Portsea, Victoria|Portsea]] in 1950,{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=492}} and then later to the [[ |
The "Royal" prefix was granted on 10 November 1948, and the day is celebrated as a corps' day.{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=472}}{{sfn|Dennis et al |1995|p=513}} The Army School of Health was established the same year at [[Puckapunyal, Victoria]], but it was moved to [[Portsea, Victoria|Portsea]] in 1950,{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=492}} and then later to the [[Army Logistic Training Centre]] at [[Latchford Barracks]] at [[Bonegilla]], in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raamc.org.au/web/index.php?History:Schools |title=Schools |author=Morgan, Barry |publisher=RAAMC Association |access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref>{{sfn|Tyquin|2003|p=550}} |
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In the post-Vietnam era, RAAMC personnel have supported operational deployments to the [[Gulf War]], [[War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)|Afghanistan]], [[Operation Slipper|Iraq]] and peacekeeping missions in [[Australian contribution to UNTAG|Namibia]], [[Australian contribution to UNTAC in Cambodia 1992–93|Cambodia]], [[Operation Restore Hope|Somalia]], [[United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda|Rwanda]], [[Peace Monitoring Group|Bouganville]] and [[INTERFET|East Timor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/17th-Combat-Service-Support-Brigade/1st-Close-Health-Battalion |title=1st Close Health Battalion |work=Our People |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=15 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614074358/http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/17th-Combat-Service-Support-Brigade/1st-Close-Health-Battalion |archive-date=14 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/journals/ADFHJ_sep01/ADFHealthSep01_2_2_80-84.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608181154/http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/journals/ADFHJ_sep01/ADFHealthSep01_2_2_80-84.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2011 |title=Deployment of orthopaedic surgeons on ADF missions |work= ADF Health September 2001 |author=Bruce, Greg |access-date=13 June 2015 }}</ref> A role 2 health facility was also deployed to Iraq in support of [[Operation Okra|Task Group Taji]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Linwood |first1=R |last2=Duff |first2=N |last3=Flint |first3=C |last4=Reade |first4=M |last5=Krohn |first5=P |last6=Williams |first6=A |last7=McCall |first7=B |year=2017 |title=Application of Clinical Governance in a Role 2E Hospital: The 2nd General Health Battalion Experience |journal=Journal of Military and Veterans' Health |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=23–29}}</ref> |
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==Current role== |
==Current role== |
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[[Image:1 Health Support Bn 070620-N-4965F-011.jpg|thumb|Two soldiers from the 1st Health Support Battalion during an exercise in 2007]] |
[[Image:1 Health Support Bn 070620-N-4965F-011.jpg|thumb|Two soldiers from the 1st Health Support Battalion during an exercise in 2007]] |
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Together with the [[Royal Australian Army Dental Corps]] and the [[Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps]], the RAAMC is responsible for providing the Australian Army's health capability. The corps is tasked with providing the Army with a range of medical services, ranging from pre hospital care including emergency battlefield care, initial wound surgery, post operative care, rehabilitation, and preventive and aviation medical support.{{sfn|Dennis et al|1995|pp=512–513}} Regular and reserve soldiers and officers of the RAAMC perform a variety of functions, with graduates of the 18-month Regular first appointment course at the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]] and its modularised Reserve equivalent, filling command, leadership and management roles as general service officers tasked with facilitating the efficient co-ordination, administration and management of specialist troops including medical officers, pathologists, radiographers, |
Together with the [[Royal Australian Army Dental Corps]] and the [[Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps]], the RAAMC is responsible for providing the Australian Army's health capability. The corps is tasked with providing the Army with a range of medical services, ranging from pre hospital care including emergency battlefield care, initial wound surgery, post operative care, rehabilitation, and preventive and aviation medical support.{{sfn|Dennis et al|1995|pp=512–513}} Regular and reserve soldiers and officers of the RAAMC perform a variety of functions, with graduates of the 18-month Regular first appointment course at the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]] and its modularised Reserve equivalent, filling command, leadership and management roles as general service officers tasked with facilitating the efficient co-ordination, administration and management of specialist troops including medical officers, pathologists, radiographers, paramedics, combat medical attendants, preventive medicine technicians, and medical technicians. Personnel within these trades are posted to a variety of units including four multi-purpose health battalions, under the command of the [[2nd Brigade (Australia)|2nd Health Brigade]]. These units are located around the country and provide support to the three regular Army manoeuvre brigades – the [[1st Brigade (Australia)|1st]], [[3rd Brigade (Australia)|3rd]] and [[7th Brigade (Australia)|7th Brigades]] – and the Reserve [[2nd Division (Australia)|2nd Division]]. Deployed combat formations based around infantry battalions, or armoured, artillery and engineer regiments include RAAMC personnel, who are provided by detaching individuals or small teams as required.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Australian Army Medical Corps |url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/organisation-structure/army-corps/royal-australian-army-medical-corps |website=Australian Army |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref> |
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==Current units== |
==Current units== |
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RAAMC personnel are currently employed in the following units: |
RAAMC personnel are currently employed in the following units: |
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*[[2nd Brigade (Australia)|2nd Health Brigade]]<ref>{{cite news|title=New brigade combines capability |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper |publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|edition=1530 |url=https://downloads.realviewdigital.com/pdf/army-news/march-16-2023.pdf |date=16 March 2023 |issn=0729-5685 |page=9 |access-date=3 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Chief of Army Lt Gen Richard Burr |title=Chief of Army Order of the Day - the raising of the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th Health Battalions |url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-news/speeches-and-transcripts/chief-army-order-day-raising-1st-2nd-3rd-and-4th-health-battalions |website=Australian Army |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref> |
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* [[1st Health Support Battalion (Australia)|1st Close Health Battalion]]: ([[Holsworthy, New South Wales]]; [[Darwin, Northern Territory]]; [[Enoggera, Queensland]]; and [[Townsville, Queensland]]); |
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* [[ |
** [[1st Health Battalion (Australia)|1st Health Battalion]]: ([[Robertson Barracks]] in [[Darwin, Northern Territory]]) |
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* [[ |
** [[2nd Health Battalion (Australia)|2nd Health Battalion]]: ([[Enoggera Barracks|Gallipoli Barracks]] in [[Enoggera, Queensland]]) |
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* [[ |
** [[3rd Health Battalion (Australia)|3rd Health Battalion]]: ([[Keswick Barracks]] in [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]) |
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* [[ |
** [[4th Health Battalion (Australia)|4th Health Battalion]]: ([[Lavarack Barracks]] in [[Townsville]], [[Queensland]]) |
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* [[Army Logistic Training Centre]]: ([[Albury-Wodonga]]); |
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* [[9th Combat Service Support Battalion (Australia)|9th Combat Service Support Battalion]]: ([[Warradale, South Australia]]); |
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* Medical Centres located at [[Kapooka, New South Wales]]; [[Bandiana, Victoria |
* Medical Centres located at [[Kapooka]], [[New South Wales]]; [[Bandiana]], Victoria and [[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory; |
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* Army Malaria Institute: (Enoggera, Queensland); |
* Army Malaria Institute: (Enoggera, Queensland); |
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* [[Australia's Federation Guard]]: [[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory. |
* [[Australia's Federation Guard]]: [[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory. |
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==Colonels-in-Chief== |
==Colonels-in-Chief== |
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The following people have served as Colonel-in-Chief of the RAAMC:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/ServicePaperArticles/docs/Historic%20day%20for%20medics.html |title=Historic day for medics |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper |author= Schinkel, Melanie |edition=1272 |date= 24 November 2011 | |
The following people have served as Colonel-in-Chief of the RAAMC:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/ServicePaperArticles/docs/Historic%20day%20for%20medics.html |title=Historic day for medics |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper |author= Schinkel, Melanie |edition=1272 |date= 24 November 2011 |access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/speech/raamc-raanc-110th-anniversary-luncheon |title=Speech: RAAMC & RAANC 110th Anniversary Luncheon |author=Bryce, Quentin |publisher=Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia |date=29 June 2013 |access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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| Her Majesty || [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|LG|LT|GCVOf|GBEf|RRC}} || 1953–2002 || Widow of [[King George VI]] |
| Her Majesty || [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|LG|LT|GCVOf|GBEf|RRC}} || 1953–2002 || Widow of [[King George VI]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Major General (Australia)|Major General]] The Hon. || [[Michael Jeffery]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AC|CVO|MC}} || 2007–2008 || Governor General of Australia |
| [[Major General (Australia)|Major General]] The Hon. || [[Michael Jeffery (Australian Army officer)|Michael Jeffery]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AC|CVO|MC}} || 2007–2008 || Governor General of Australia |
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|- |
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| The Hon. || [[Quentin Bryce|Dame Quentin Bryce]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AD|CVO}} || 2008–2014 || Governor General of Australia |
| The Hon. || [[Quentin Bryce|Dame Quentin Bryce]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AD|CVO}} || 2008–2014 || Governor General of Australia |
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| [[General (Australia)|General]] The Hon. || [[Peter Cosgrove|Sir Peter Cosgrove]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AK|CVO|MC}} || 2014–2019 || Governor General of Australia |
| [[General (Australia)|General]] The Hon. || [[Peter Cosgrove|Sir Peter Cosgrove]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AK|CVO|MC}} || 2014–2019 || Governor General of Australia |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[General (Australia)|General]] The Hon. || [[David Hurley]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AC|DSC}} || |
| [[General (Australia)|General]] The Hon. || [[David Hurley]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AC|DSC}} || 2019–2024 || Governor General of Australia |
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|- |
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| The Hon. || [[Sam Mostyn]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AC}} || 2024–Present || Governor General of Australia |
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;Bibliography |
;Bibliography |
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* {{cite book|last=Dennis|first=Peter|title=The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History|publisher=Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand|location=Melbourne, Victoria |year=1995|edition=1st|isbn=0-19-553227-9 |ref=CITEREFDennis et al1995|display-authors=etal}} |
* {{cite book|last=Dennis|first=Peter|title=The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History|publisher=Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand|location=Melbourne, Victoria |year=1995|edition=1st|isbn=0-19-553227-9 |ref=CITEREFDennis et al1995|display-authors=etal}} |
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* {{cite book |last=Tyquin |first=Michael |title=Little by Little: A Centenary History of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps |publisher=Australian Military History Publications |location=Sydney, New South Wales |year=2003 |oclc=819680082 |
* {{cite book |last=Tyquin |first=Michael |title=Little by Little: A Centenary History of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps |publisher=Australian Military History Publications |location=Sydney, New South Wales |year=2003 |oclc=819680082 }} |
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* {{cite book |last=Tyquin |first=Michael |title=Gallipoli: An Australian Medical Perspective |series=Australian Army Combat Support Series – 1 |year=2012 |publisher=Big Sky |location=Newport, New South Wales |isbn=9781921941863 |
* {{cite book |last=Tyquin |first=Michael |title=Gallipoli: An Australian Medical Perspective |series=Australian Army Combat Support Series – 1 |year=2012 |publisher=Big Sky |location=Newport, New South Wales |isbn=9781921941863 }} |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
Latest revision as of 00:50, 1 July 2024
Royal Australian Army Medical Corps | |
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Cap badge of the RAAMC | |
Active | 1902 – present day |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Nickname(s) | Linseed Lancers[1] |
Motto(s) | Paulatim (Latin, "little by little")[2] |
March | Here's a Health Unto His Majesty[3] |
Anniversaries | 10 November (corps day)[4] |
Commanders | |
Colonel-in-Chief | Sam Mostyn |
Notable commanders | Major General Sir Neville Reginald Howse Major General Sir Samuel Roy Burston |
Insignia | |
Corps Flag |
The Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC) is the branch of the Australian Army responsible for providing medical care to Army personnel. The AAMC was formed in 1902 through the amalgamation of medical units of the various Australian colonies and was first deployed to South Africa as a small detachment of personnel supporting the Australian Commonwealth Horse during the Second Boer War. The corps has participated in every Australian Army operation since then, including wars and peacekeeping operations. The "Royal" prefix was granted in 1948.
History
[edit]The Australian Army Medical Corps was formed on 1 July 1902 by combining the medical services of the armed forces of the various Australian colonies that had been in existence before Federation, which had their origins in the medical structures of the British forces that had deployed to Australia during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.[5] The corps' first deployment was to the Second Boer War, where it provided a field hospital and a stretcher bearer company attached in support of the Australian Commonwealth Horse, the first contingent of Australian troops deployed operationally following Federation. The force's role was limited as by the time it was deployed the large scale fighting was basically over.[6] Prior to this, though, the various colonial forces had also contributed medical detachments to the war in support of their own and other British and colonial forces,[7] and these units – consisting of various types of medical personnel including surgeons, dentists, cooks, drivers, and bearers – had been heavily involved.[8] One officer, Lieutenant Neville Howse, of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps, received the Victoria Cross for his actions during the war;[9] Howse eventually rose to become Director of Medical Services within the Australian Imperial Force.[10] An earlier deployment had also occurred in 1885, when a New South Wales Contingent of infantry and artillery was deployed to assist British forces in the Sudan conflict, a small medical detachment had also been deployed.[11]
The development of medical units within the Australian colonial forces had begun in the mid-1850s when the colonial military forces had been in their infancy. Initially, it had been limited largely to single doctors who were attached to infantry units in an honorary role, but as the colonial military forces had become more sophisticated, various medical units or corps were formed, consisting of a variety of personnel including doctors, non-commissioned officers, orderlies, bearers, and dispensers as well as cooks and drivers.[12] Within each colony, these units were tasked with various duties including conducting medical examinations of recruits, and providing emergency medical aid during field manoeuvres; initially, they were unpaid volunteers, but eventually a system of paid part-time soldiering developed.[11] The reliance upon part-time professionals is a common theme in the corps' development, due largely the nature of the specialised skill sets required by some personnel, particularly doctors and surgeons; however, as the corps' role has expanded, it has become a broader organisation, with personnel serving in many capacities including professional and non-professional roles including stretcher bearers, orderlies, medical assistants, pathologists, radiographers, pharmacists, drivers, physiotherapists, as well as the traditional domains of the medical officer, and in many of these areas, particularly after the Second World War there has been an expansion of the size of the corps' regular personnel, although Reservists continue to provide much of its higher clinically trained personnel.[13]
Since its involvement in South Africa, the corps' role as a supporting branch of the Australian Army has expanded considerably as the importance of medicine as an enabler to successful military operations has become apparent. As a result, the corps has seen service during all major Australian Army deployments and wars since its establishment,[5] including the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, and various peacekeeping operations.[14] During these conflicts, corps personnel have either been embedded directly into combat formations to provide medical support at the lowest level possible, or have been formed into dedicated medical units. The various types of units raised for these deployments also reflects the development of the corps. Early units raised were quite rudimentary and provided only narrowly focused capabilities, but over time increasingly sophisticated units have been raised. For instance during the First World War, the corps raised various units including: casualty clearing stations, field ambulances, stationary hospitals, general hospitals, hospital ships, sanitary sections, infections diseases hospitals, convalescent depots, and even sanatoriums.[15] The Second World War saw similar units, but also the raising of various transport services, including trains, bacteriological and pathology laboratories, hospital laundries, administrative units and stores depots.[16] A field ambulance unit – the 8th – was also deployed to Vietnam, as was a field hospital.[17][18]
The "Royal" prefix was granted on 10 November 1948, and the day is celebrated as a corps' day.[4][5] The Army School of Health was established the same year at Puckapunyal, Victoria, but it was moved to Portsea in 1950,[19] and then later to the Army Logistic Training Centre at Latchford Barracks at Bonegilla, in 1998.[20][21]
In the post-Vietnam era, RAAMC personnel have supported operational deployments to the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq and peacekeeping missions in Namibia, Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Bouganville and East Timor.[22][23] A role 2 health facility was also deployed to Iraq in support of Task Group Taji.[24]
Current role
[edit]Together with the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps and the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps, the RAAMC is responsible for providing the Australian Army's health capability. The corps is tasked with providing the Army with a range of medical services, ranging from pre hospital care including emergency battlefield care, initial wound surgery, post operative care, rehabilitation, and preventive and aviation medical support.[25] Regular and reserve soldiers and officers of the RAAMC perform a variety of functions, with graduates of the 18-month Regular first appointment course at the Royal Military College, Duntroon and its modularised Reserve equivalent, filling command, leadership and management roles as general service officers tasked with facilitating the efficient co-ordination, administration and management of specialist troops including medical officers, pathologists, radiographers, paramedics, combat medical attendants, preventive medicine technicians, and medical technicians. Personnel within these trades are posted to a variety of units including four multi-purpose health battalions, under the command of the 2nd Health Brigade. These units are located around the country and provide support to the three regular Army manoeuvre brigades – the 1st, 3rd and 7th Brigades – and the Reserve 2nd Division. Deployed combat formations based around infantry battalions, or armoured, artillery and engineer regiments include RAAMC personnel, who are provided by detaching individuals or small teams as required.[26]
Current units
[edit]RAAMC personnel are currently employed in the following units:
- 2nd Health Brigade[27][28]
- Army Logistic Training Centre: (Albury-Wodonga);
- Medical Centres located at Kapooka, New South Wales; Bandiana, Victoria and Canberra, Australian Capital Territory;
- Army Malaria Institute: (Enoggera, Queensland);
- Australia's Federation Guard: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Colonels-in-Chief
[edit]The following people have served as Colonel-in-Chief of the RAAMC:[29][30]
Name | Post-nominals | Dates | Notes | |
Her Majesty | Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother | LG, LT, GCVO, GBE, RRC | 1953–2002 | Widow of King George VI |
Major General The Hon. | Michael Jeffery | AC, CVO, MC | 2007–2008 | Governor General of Australia |
The Hon. | Dame Quentin Bryce | AD, CVO | 2008–2014 | Governor General of Australia |
General The Hon. | Sir Peter Cosgrove | AK, CVO, MC | 2014–2019 | Governor General of Australia |
General The Hon. | David Hurley | AC, DSC | 2019–2024 | Governor General of Australia |
The Hon. | Sam Mostyn | AC | 2024–Present | Governor General of Australia |
Order of precedence
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- Citations
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 74 & 96.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, p. 471.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, p. 480.
- ^ a b Tyquin 2003, p. 472.
- ^ a b c Dennis et al 1995, p. 513.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, p. 71.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 578–584.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 32–71.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 63–65.
- ^ Tyquin 2012, p. 9.
- ^ a b Tyquin 2003, p. 8.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 1–8.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. ix–xii.
- ^ Tyquin 2003.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 608–609.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, pp. 614–616.
- ^ "Callsign Vampire". Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ "1st Close Health Battalion". Who We Are. Australian Army. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, p. 492.
- ^ Morgan, Barry. "Schools". RAAMC Association. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ Tyquin 2003, p. 550.
- ^ "1st Close Health Battalion". Our People. Australian Army. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ Bruce, Greg. "Deployment of orthopaedic surgeons on ADF missions" (PDF). ADF Health September 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ Linwood, R; Duff, N; Flint, C; Reade, M; Krohn, P; Williams, A; McCall, B (2017). "Application of Clinical Governance in a Role 2E Hospital: The 2nd General Health Battalion Experience". Journal of Military and Veterans' Health. 25 (1): 23–29.
- ^ Dennis et al 1995, pp. 512–513.
- ^ "Royal Australian Army Medical Corps". Australian Army. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ "New brigade combines capability" (PDF). Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1530 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. 16 March 2023. p. 9. ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Chief of Army Lt Gen Richard Burr (3 February 2022). "Chief of Army Order of the Day - the raising of the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th Health Battalions". Australian Army. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ Schinkel, Melanie (24 November 2011). "Historic day for medics". Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1272 ed.). Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ Bryce, Quentin (29 June 2013). "Speech: RAAMC & RAANC 110th Anniversary Luncheon". Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- Bibliography
- Dennis, Peter; et al. (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (1st ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand. ISBN 0-19-553227-9.
- Tyquin, Michael (2003). Little by Little: A Centenary History of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. Sydney, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. OCLC 819680082.
- Tyquin, Michael (2012). Gallipoli: An Australian Medical Perspective. Australian Army Combat Support Series – 1. Newport, New South Wales: Big Sky. ISBN 9781921941863.
Further reading
[edit]- Butler, A. G. (1938). The Australian Army Medical Services in the War of 1914–1918 (2nd ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3954904.
- Tyquin, Michael (1993). Gallipoli: The Medical War. Sydney, New South Wales: University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 9780868401898.
- Tyquin, Michael (1998). "Sir William 'Mo' Williams – Creator of Australia's Army Medical Service". Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society. 84. Sydney, New South Wales. OCLC 148279326.