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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Karoola
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
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.
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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Cap, Uniform, Peaked, Coloured
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Watercolour of passenger ship leaving Fremantle docks, 1907
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India Medal (1895-1902)
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Regimental Blazer
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World War 1, Middle East, Syria, Jeneen, Logistic, Watering,10 Australian Light Horse, 1918
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World War 1, Middle East, Syria, Damascus, Logistics, Watering, 10 Australian Light Horse, 1918
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World War 1, Middle East, Palestine, Jordan Valley, Logistic, Watering 10 Australian Light Horse, 1918
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World War 1, Western Australia, 10th Reinforcement, 10 Light Horse, 1915
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World War 1, Middle East, Egypt, Logistics, Watering, 10 Light Horse, 1915
HMAHS Karoola departing Southampton 6 May 1919
on last voyage as transport to Australia
on last voyage as transport to Australia
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