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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Karoola

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Overview

Built in 1909, Karoola was 7,391 grt. Her owners McIlwraith and McEacharn Ltd used her mainly on the Fremantle run until she was requisitioned by the British Government in May 1915.She was converted to a troopship in Sydney and was given the number A63. After carrying troops to Egypt, she continued on to Britain where she was converted to a hospital ship with funds provided by the Australian public. In her new role she made four voyages from Britain to Australia carrying severely wounded Australians and another four voyages from Egypt before the war ended. She was handed back to her owners on 27 June 1919.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-003

Inscriptions and markings

During World War I, the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) suffered 58,339 deaths and 151,948 wounded. To help deal with so many injured and sick soldiers, the Australian Army Medical Corps was expanded. Australian soldiers served. They also worked in Australian hospitals for returned soldiers. Separate entries cover the Regimental Aid Post, the Field Ambulance, Casualty Clearing Stations, Base Hospitals (General, Stationary and Auxiliary), Command Depots and Convalescent Depots, Ambulance Trains, Ambulance Barges, and Hospital Ships.
In 1914, Australia was well supplied with modern passenger ships available to convert to hospital ships. During World War One, after an initial experience, five liners were used at various times as troop ships and as hospital ships, with two being lost to submarine attack.

Contextual Information

The medical evacuation chain and medical services are presented in a separate section of the World War 1 Galleries. Artefacts relating to medical services, the treatment of wounds, casualty recovery are also found throughout the Galleries. Individual stories of doctors, nurses, stretcher bearers are also found throughout the Museum. The Prisoner of War Gallery highlights the degree of medical improvisation and professional skills that saved many lives on the Thai Burma Railroad.

Links to additional resources

WW1 Medical Units

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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