Links to additional resources
World War 2, Australia, 2/1 Australian General Hospital,
Overview
Patient on stretcher being carried from ambulance into hospital
Historical information
The 2/1st Australian General Hospital (AGH) was established to provide medical and surgical support to the 16th Brigade, 6th Division, with an initial capacity of 600 beds. Departing from Sydney and Melbourne in January 1941, the unit reached Gaza Ridge, Palestine, in February, where they gradually established operations, expanding to 484 patients by June.
During the Syrian campaign, patient numbers surged to nearly 2,000, necessitating additional staffing, including VAD personnel in November 1941. In March 1942, the hospital embarked on a 12-week journey back to Australia, setting up a tented hospital in Merredin, Western Australia. Male staff constructed the facility while nursing staff managed a temporary 250-bed hospital at Guildford Grammar School. Located strategically near rail lines and a water source, the Merredin hospital operated until mid-1943 before relocating to New South Wales.
In September 1943, the hospital deployed to Port Moresby, establishing a 1,200-bed facility, which expanded to 1,800 beds during the Lae and Finschhafen campaigns. The unit returned to Brisbane in June 1944 and redeployed to Torokina, Bougainville, in October. By March 1945, the hospital managed 1,202 beds. It ceased operations in November 1945, transferring remaining patients to the 109th Casualty Clearing Station before officially closing.
Throughout its service, the 2/1st AGH adapted to diverse challenges, providing critical medical care across multiple theaters of war.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-32-P1900.2467
Item type
Geotag
-31.894899130001, 115.97987403752
Open in Google Maps
Nearest geotagged records:
View all geotagged records »
Open in Google Maps
Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 2, Australia, 2/1 Australian General Hospital, (0.01km away)
- World War 1, 38 CROWTHER, 10 Light Horse (0.3km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 64921 McGUINESS, 10 Light Horse (0.64km away)
- Moulton's Warehouse and Landing at Barker's Bridge, Dr Waylen's house in the background. (0.78km away)
- Inter-War, Australia, Western Australia, Guildford, McDOUGALL,10 Light Horse (0.89km away)
- Inter-War, Australia, Western Australia, Guildford, McDOUGALL, 10 Light Horse (0.89km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 263 DUNN, 10 Light Horse (1.15km away)
- World War 1, Europe, 5706 GUGERI, 4 Battalion, 1918 (1.36km away)
- World War 2, Australia Western Australia Guildford, 1940 (1.4km away)
- Passenger Train, Guildford Station (1.41km away)
View all geotagged records »
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
-
World War 2, Australia,
-
World War 2, Australia, MCMAHON,
-
World War 1, Western Australia, CHIVERS, 16 Battalion, 1914
-
World War 2, Australia Western Australia, CLINTON,
-
World War 2, Australia Western Australia, Australian Women’s Army Service, 1943
-
World War 2, Australia, Australian Women’s Army Service, 1942
-
World War 2, Papua New Guinea, Artillery, 1942
-
World War 2, United States of America, United States of America, Fort Benning,1943
-
World War 2, United States of America, United States of America, Fort Benning, 1943
-
World War 2, United States of America, United States of America, Fort Benning,1943
-
World War 2, United States of America Washington, United States of America, 1943
-
World War 2, United States of America, United States of America, Fort Benning, 1943
