Unit History

Aerial view of 2nd Field Ambulance amongst the sand dunes of Vung Tau, South Vietnam 1967

1HSB - A HISTORY OF SERVICE

The 1st Health Support Battalion's history began in the early stages of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam conflict. The RAAMC, with approximately 100 personnel, established a restricted Field Ambulance at Vung Tau. This constituted half a stretcher-bearer company plus a fifty-bed ward. The unit, made up of regular and conscripted soldiers, was known as the 2nd Field Ambulance (2 Fd Amb). The name subsequently changed to the 8th Field Ambulance (8 Fd Amb) located in two discreet areas; the hospital element at Vung Tau and a forward evacuation company at Nui Dat, a further 20 miles inland.

As Australian involvement in Vietnam grew so did the medical services provided. On the 1st April 1968 the 1st Australian Field Hospital (1 AFH) was raised. 1 AFH took over from 8 Fd Amb at Vung Tau. 1 AFH consisted of 106 beds plus a surgical and medical ward of 50 beds each and a 6 bed ICU with Triage and Operating Theatres, Pathology, X-ray, Dental, Pharmacy, RAP, Physiotherapy and Psychiatry. 1 AFH was supported by a Q Store, Orderly Room, Messes and accommodation; all these elements essential to running a hospital. CMF Specialists from Army, Navy and Airforce Reserves and Civilian Specialists maintained surgical capacity. Most did three-month tours. RMOs came mainly from the ARA, supplemented by CMF medical officers on full time service. Also attached were the 33rd Dental Unit, 1st Field Medical and Dental Stores, 1st Field Hygiene Coy, Chaplains and the Australian Red Cross.

Medical services provided by 1 AFH were of such a high standard they achieved a survival rate of approximately 99% for patients who reached the facility. This success rate still stands as a truly remarkable achievement. Wounded soldiers received emergency treatment at 1 AFH within thirty minutes of wounding or injury. MEDEVAC helicopters, with their complete air superiority in combat zones, made it possible to reach the wounded and evacuate them directly to the surgical facility. Australia deployed nearly 60,000 military personnel to Vietnam, and suffered 500 deaths and approximately 3,000 casualties. On the 7th November 1971 the Australian combat role in the Vietnam War ended when the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment completed its withdrawal from Nui Dat. On return to Australia in December 1971, 1 AFH relocated to Manunda Lines, Ingleburn NSW and was redesignated as 1st Field Hospital (1 Fd Hosp).

Call sign "VAMPIRE" was allocated to the unit at Vung Tau. All Australian medical units - 2 Fd Amb, 8 Fd Amb and 1 AFH, used this call sign. The design of the bat logo in use by the 1st Heath Support Battalion (1HSB) was as a result of a In December 1995, 1 Fd Hosp closed its doors at Ingleburn for the last time since returning from Vietnam in 1971. In January 1996 the new field hospital opened a purpose built facility at Holsworthy Barracks. On the 16th August 2000, 1 Fd Hosp underwent another name change and was renamed the 1st HEALTH SUPPORT BATTALION.

Unit Colour Patch

1HSB Unit Colour Patch

Originally awarded to the 1st Field Hospital, the Colour Patch was awarded to the 1st Health Support Battalion on 1st September 2001.

Its design is a Series Two Colour Patch and is not directly linked to any 1st or 2nd AIF Unit.

The base colour of the patch is a dull cherry taken from the RAAMC Shoulder titles worn by RAAMC personnel whilst in clinical uniform.

The origin of the dull cherry colour is in representation of the colour of blood.

The outer dark brown colour is from the original series one Colour scheme which was the original colour of the 1st AIF medical colour patches.

The overlay light brown colour is a sequential colour issued in accordance with the Standard Colour Patch Allocation System.

The 1 HSB colour patch was officially presented to the unit by MR Bob Brown, President of the 1st (AUST) Field Hospital Association
on 28th March 2002.