2/7th Australian Field Ambulance

30 Oct 1942. The kitchen of "B" Company, 2/7th Australian Field Ambulance being used for the last time, a new kitchen having been erected. Photo AWM 027712

Brief History

This unit was formed at Northam in June 1940 and after basic training left for the Middle East in September. When they arrived at Beit Jirja in October they found that they had been transferred to the 19th Infantry brigade Group, which in turn was now a part of the 6th Australian Infantry Division. In November they moved to Burg el Arab, and when the Division moved into the Western Desert, A Company 2/7th Australian Field Ambulance were in support at the assault on Baria in January 1941. The whole unit participated in the assault on Tobruk before moving to Barce where they operated a hospital. In March 1941 they returned to Egypt to prepare for the move to Greece, where they arrived in early April.

In Greece they moved first to Brallos in support of the 19th Australian Infantry Brigade Group. With others they were forced back by the Germans to Megara by the end of April, with most being evacuated from the beaches and before being deposited on Crete. Here they established their Main Dressing Station at Vrysses, with Advanced Dressing Stations at Retimo and Georgioupolis. 'B' Company at Retimo was cut off and surrendered, but most of the rest of the unit were evacuated to Egypt from the beaches at Sfakia in late May.

In June 1941 the remnants of the unit reassembled at Khassa in Palestine and rebuilt the unit.

Individual Honours

• 1 x Officer of the Order of the British Empire
• 2 x British Empire Medal
• 2 x Military Medal
• 20 x Mentioned in Despatches