Military Organisation and Structure
Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS)
The Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS) grew out of the
volunteer Red Cross and St John Ambulance Voluntary Aid Detachments (known
as the VADs). From December 1942 nearly 8,500 AAMWS served as nurses, nursing
aides, and technicians tending sick and wounded soldiers in the Middle East,
New Guinea, and Australia. The AAMWS served alongside army nursing sisters
in hospitals.
Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) members of the 2/1st General
Hospital waiting to disembark from the HMT Ormiston at Townsville
in June 1944 on their arrival from New Guinea
AWM 067084
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