Corps History

RAAMC HISTORY

The history of the RAAMC can be traced as far back to the First Fleet in 1788. When a medical team of five medical officers landed on our shores.

Since then the RAAMC has grown from the New South Wales Corps in 1791, later to be known as NSW Medical Staff Corps, Victorian Volunteer Artillery Regiment in 1854 where surgeons and assistants tendered the sick and wounded. The regular force in NSW was enrolled in 1870 saw a dramatic increase in the medical staff. In 1885 the first contingent of medical personnel was dispatched to South Africa and the Sudan Campaign, included was the first Ambulance Corps.

The years between 1899 and 1902 brought some significant changes within the RAAMC. The South African War broke out in 1899 and the Australian Colony equipped several contingents for that campaign. On the 24 Jul 1900 CAPT N. Howse was awarded the first VC.

With federation in 1901COL Williams was recalled from South Africa to form the Medical Corps and he was appointed the first DGMS on 1Apr 1902.

It was gazetted on 23 Nov 1903 that all the medical services in each state will be dealt with as one Corps as at the 1 Jul 1903 and the AAMC was formed. In 1914 with the outbreak of WW1 the AAMC comprised of 187 Officers and 1680 other Ranks these numbers were mainly due to the introduction of universal military training in 1911.

Since WW1 the Medical Corps has provided support for every action and peacekeeping mission in which Australia has been committed, and along the way has seen many individual acts of heroism from people such as Private John "Simpson" Kirkpatrick and Weary Dunlop to mention a few.

The RAAMC still serves with the same honour, loyalty and dedication it has over the past 100 years today in many campaigns across the world.

History of the RAAMC

A detailed history of the RAAMC can be found in the book "Little by Little" the RAAMC Centenary. This book can be purchased from the SO2 Corps for $49.95 (cheque only).

RAAMC HISTORY BOOKLET

RAAMC History Booklet (PDF)
Queen Mothers Banner (PDF)