19th Australian Field Ambulance

12 Jun 1945. Jeep & trailer of 19th AFA loaded with stretcher cases for transfer to Hospital Ship Stradbroke. AWM 093062

Brief History

Formed at Rockhampton, Queensland in October 1941, it moved to Selheim to service the 11th Infantry Brigade Group with A Company taking over the camp dressing stations in Townsville and Cairns. In March 1942 they moved to Reid River with A Company now running a Main Dressing Station at Roseneath. In April they moved to Calcium, and in September A Company moved to Kuranda, with the rest of the unit joining there in November. Their Light Section moved to Jacky Jacky on Cape York while detachments moved to Iron Range, Cooktown, Little Mulgrave and Stanley.

In May 1943 the field ambulance moved to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea with the 11th Infantry Brigade Group. The Light Section of A Company maned an outpost at Tanahmerah. In August 1944 the field ambulance was relieved, and they returned to Strathpine in Queensland. When Australian units replaced US units on Bougainville, the 19th Australian Field Ambulance 'A' Company provided an Advanced Dressing Station at Piaterapaia, with 'B' Company providing one at Sipaai. The later becoming a Main Dressing Station in March with an Advanced Dressing Sation at Ratsua. In June 1945 the unit returned to Torokina before moving to Rabaul when the enemy had surrendered. Four members of the unit were killed in action on Bougainville, while one died from an accident in Queensland.

Patients

• Harold Jack Spencer 18 - 22 Oct 1943; & 8 - 19 Nov 1943.

Individual Awards

• 10 x Mentioned in Despatches.