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2/14th Australian General Hospital

From Our Contribution

2-14th Hospital Singapore.jpg
Singapore campus post WW2 AWM photo 11471
History
Name 2/14th Australian General Hospital
Where formed South Australia
Capacity 400 beds
Locations Townsville, Cairns, and Singapore (post war)

General Information

This unit was formed as the 2/14th Australian Special Hospital in September 1941 from the 2/8th Special Hospital to service the Australian garrison troops in Syria. It moved to Beit Jirja and then to Bhamdoun, Syria in October. With the start of the Pacific war, they moved to Kilo 89 in Palestine in January 1942, and then left for Australia in February. On arrival in Adelaide they established a VD Clinic at Thorndon Park in April before moving to Linden Park in October.


The hospital moved to Townsville on 11 Dec 1942. Initially established near the Quarantine Station at Pallarenda, it was primarily comprised of tents with a 200 bed capacity. At thsi time it was renamed 2/14th Australian General Hospital


This was soon after increased to 400 beds as during 1943 casualties began to come in regularly from hospital ships and aircraft. The hospital was severely damaged by a cyclone that hit Townsville. As the cyclone hit in March 1944, the tent poles snapped, the tents and equipment were scattered and valuable medicines were lost. Some patients were rushed to the railway station and put on Ambulance Trains, while others were rushed to the American Naval Hospital.


The hospital was rebuilt at Mundingburra on the banks of the Ross River. For members of 2/14th Australian General Hospital it was a long hard year or two ahead until 1945, when they were selected to go to Singapore to assist with the repatriation of Australian Prisoners of War.

Staff

Patients

1941 Bhamdoun, Syria

1942 Cape Pallarenda

1943 Cape Pallarenda

1944 Mundingburra

1945

Singapore