Army Hospital Corps

[alan_lockhart]

I am painting up the Perry Miniatures for use on the NW Frontier:

http://www.perry-miniatures.com/images/su/su3.jpg

Can anyone suggest what should appear on the badge shown on the upper right arm of the kneeling figure?

I have seen some painted with a red cross on a white background but perhaps that is just speculation:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rE3YAFW6LqM/S ... 0_1193.jpg

Thanks,

Alan

[trooper]

A red cross on a white background is correct. Trooper

[alan_lockhart]

Many thanks.

Do you happen to know if there was any Red Cross marking on hospital tents?

[trooper]

The list of Army Equipment Part 7 which deals with the Hospital Service shows a hospital marquee which has no markings. Two other illustrations in my possession also show no markings although one of them has a flagpole flying a white flag with a red cross. Trooper

[grumpy]

The badge on the painted figure is almost certainly incorrect.

Other Ranks of the British Medical Services [I am covering a very broad period] were to wear a much smaller Geneva Coss on white circle in a dark navy or black outer circle.

All ranks of these services were also to wear the Geneva Armband .......... I have seen it on either upper arm or indeed both .... the red cross on plain white.

[I am glad I painted figures better than those shown when I was into wargaming. Not good, not good at all]

[Maureene]

If this query is about the North West Frontier of India, I would be very surprised if there were any British Army “Army Hospital Corps” present, although I cannot quote an actual reference.

There may have been doctors who were part of the Royal Army Medical Corps ( from 1898, or the preceeding Corps) but I think all support personnel would be provided by the Indian Army. I don’t think British troops would have an official role as stretcher bearers- British troops fought, but all manual work in India was performed by native Indians. Europeans just didn’t do manual work.

The following article may be of interest :

"Summary of Operations on the North-West Frontier of India, from 19th June 1897 to 6th April 1898" by Surgeon General AA Gore MD page 446 Army Medical Department Report for the Year 1897 Volume 39 1898 Archive.org
http://www.archive.org/stream/reportarm ... 1/mode/2up

Page 456 implies the Geneva Convention did not apply in India http://www.archive.org/stream/reportarm ... 1/mode/2up

Cheers
Maureen

[Frogsmile]

If this query is about the North West Frontier of India, I would be very surprised if there were any British Army “Army Hospital Corps” present, although I cannot quote an actual reference.

There may have been doctors who were part of the Royal Army Medical Corps ( from 1898, or the preceeding Corps) but I think all support personnel would be provided by the Indian Army. I don’t think British troops would have an official role as stretcher bearers- British troops fought, but all manual work in India was performed by native Indians. Europeans just didn’t do manual work.

The following article may be of interest :

"Summary of Operations on the North-West Frontier of India, from 19th June 1897 to 6th April 1898" by Surgeon General AA Gore MD page 446 Army Medical Department Report for the Year 1897 Volume 39 1898 Archive.org
http://www.archive.org/stream/reportarm ... 1/mode/2up

Page 456 implies the Geneva Convention did not apply in India http://www.archive.org/stream/reportarm ... 1/mode/2up

Cheers
Maureen

Yes I think you have that spot on Maureene, the Indian Army Medical Service (IAMS) was a fantastic organisation that had some very dedicated and skilled practitioners. There was also a Bearer Corps (I am unsure of their exact title) who were organised to carry litters and various forms of stretcher (e.g. 'dhoolie') and ambulance. They included an element of water carriers (bheesties) too. My understanding is that in some respects they were better organised than their British Army equivalent.

[Albert J]

Sorry I missed this post. Came across a few things in my collection that might be of use. Attached is a scan of a Victorian red cross arm band worn on the right sleeve of the khaki frock/khurta in India, just above the elbow. The SB ( stretcher bearer) badge was worn on the left sleeve, centered, just above the elbow. Some photos do show it being worn between the cuff and elbow, most though above the elbow. Armband officialy stamped Army Medical Service India.

As a side note: Many natives of India served as stretcher bearers during the Second Anglo Boer War, the most famous of which was Mohandas Ghandi.

Hope this helps.
James