| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART28473 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | unframed: 77 x 91.6 cm |
| Object type | Painting |
| Physical description | oil on canvas |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 1 - Mediterranean: Navy |
| Maker |
Hele, Ivor |
| Place made | Egypt |
| Date made | May 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Casualty clearing station, Mersa Matruh
Description
Scene in an underground casualty clearing station at Mersa Matruh. The clearing station was filled with wounded from forward areas mostly from two Australian battalions, with a few from British units. Soon after the drawing was made, the cases were evacuated by ambulance train, Egypt. Hele wrote, 'Accommodation in underground hospital at Mersa Matruh for wounded evacuated from forward areas. Painted in May 1941. At the time this sketch was done the C.C.S. was filled with wounded from two Australian Battalions and a few tommies. The light was bad and time was short as the wounded were to be moved to Alexandria by train that night. The men showed strong character and endurance - some even joking about their amputated limbs'.