Links to additional resources
Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Barge Transports
Overview
Casualties were also transported by barge utilising the river and canal infrastructure in France. The hospital barges were much slower, but did make for a smoother and gentler journey. The longer journey allowed the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service nurses time to tend to the injuries of the wounded soldiers and perform daily dressings and for the troops to recuperate from their wounds and the effects of war. The barges were painted grey with a large red cross on each side to signify that they were non combatant and carrying wounded soldiers. The interior was painted white. Ventilation was provided by ventilators in the side of the roofs and as the war progressed sky lights were built into the barges. The sailing skipper of each hospital barge was usually a Royal Engineer sergeant and the barges would be towed by steam tugs.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-32-99-428
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.
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
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 267A FRANKLYN, 10 Light Horse
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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 269 GARDINER, 10 Light Horse
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Vietnam War Medal Group
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Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975
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Australian Active Service Medal
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Ambulance Train
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Field Dressing / Shell Dressing
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Stretcher Bearers
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Regimental Aid Post
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Field Ambulance
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Casualty Clearing Station
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - General Hospital
Wounded being loaded onto hospital transport barges.
Nurses on deck of a hospital barge
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