9th Field Ambulance

A portable stretcher and carriage, designed by 9th Australian Field Ambulance, towed behind a motor cyclist. AWM C04780

Shoulder patch

Brief History

The unit was formed on 3rd Mar 1916 at Liverpool, New South Wales. It was composed of men from the AMC Depot at Liverpool and was originally formed on a three section basis. After forming, the unit trained at Liverpool and sailed from Australia in several Ships - HMAT A24 Benalla on 1st May 1916, HMAT A20 Hororata on 2nd May 1916 and HMAT A74 Marathon on 4th May 1916. On 11th May 1916, the remainder of the unit, sailed on the HMAT A8 Argyllshire; a total of 248 Officers and men.

On 23rd November 1916, the unit left Larkhill for France the same night on two ships - the Paddle Steamer HMPS Mona's Queen and HMT Bellerophon - Disembarking at Le Havre on the following day.

9th Field Ambulance was the Field Ambulance Company that nominally aligned to the 9th Brigade of the Third Division, comprised of 33rd, 34th 35th and 36th Battalion. The 9th Brigade saw its first major action at Messines in June 1917, where it was based at Pont d'Achelles. It went on to serve in the major campaigns of the remainder of the war in which the 3rd Division was involved, culminating in the "Last Hundred Days" offensive from 8th August until the Armistice.

Thirty four men died while posted to this unit.

Individual Honours

• 2 x Military Cross
• 4 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 24 x Military Medal
• 1 x Distinguished Service Medal
• 1 x Meritorious Service Medal
• 3 x Mentioned in Despatches
• 1 x Belgium Croix de Guerre