Field Ambulance composition

[combat gynaecologist]

I know that the total strength of a normal Field Ambulance (RAMC) in the Great War was about 10 officers and 220 other ranks (230 all ranks) but can anyone tell me if all these men were RAMC or were some of the total strength drawn from other Corps such as ASC etc. If so, approximately how many men on the strength of a Field Ambulance were not cap badged RAMC and what other Corps where they from?

[Kath]

The Long, Long Trail:

http://www.1914-1918.net/whatfieldamb.htm

Kath.

[Ron Clifton]

From War Establishments 1914:

Field Ambulance
(Three Sections, each with 50 beds: each has a Tent subdivision and a Bearer subdivision)
Section A, Tent: Lt-Col cdg, Captain or Subaltern, Quartermaster. Serjeant-Major, 2 Serjeants, 2 Corporals, 15 Privates.
Section A, Bearer: Captain or Subaltern. 1 Serjeant, 1 Corporal, 1 Bugler, 3 Orderlies, 36 Stretcher Bearers.
ASC attached: 1 Serjeant, 11 Drivers, 4 Batmen.
Section B, Tent: Major, Captain or Subaltern. 4 Serjeants, 2 Corporals, 13 Privates.
Section B, Bearer: Captain or Subaltern. 1 Serjeant, 1 Corporal, 1 Bugler, 2 Orderlies, 36 Stretcher Bearers.
ASC attached: 1 Serjeant, 9 Drivers, 3 Batmen.
Section C, Tent: Major, Captain or Subaltern. 4 Serjeants, 2 Corporals, 13 Privates.
Section C, Bearer: Captain or Subaltern. 1 Serjeant, 1 Corporal, 1 Bugler, 2 Orderlies, 36 Stretcher Bearers.
ASC attached: 1 Serjeant, 9 Drivers, 3 Batmen.

All personnel are RAMC except those shown as "ASC attached".

Ron

[John_Hartley]

Interesting inclusion of the word "batmen", Ron. I thought that was pretty much a postwar word, replacing "servant". Seems unusual to see it in 1914, unless it's a different context.

[Ron Clifton]

John

It seems to be universal throughout War Establishments and is normally accompanied by the statement "Batmen are fully armed and trained soldiers, and are available for service in the ranks."

What is interesting is that RAMC officers' batmen were provided by the ASC, not the RAMC.

Ron

[combat gynaecologist]

Thank you all very much especially Ron and Kath for you prompt and useful replies. I suspected as much and just wanted to confirm that I had largely sorted out a nominal roll for the 130th (St John) Field Ambulance. I hope to be able to publish the full roll in the next few weeks.

Thanks again to all.

David

[Bernard_Lewis]

Swansea unit?

Bernard