V.R Ambulance Train

Victorian Railways WWII Ambulance Train

Pre War

In the late 1930s, the Commonwealth Government and Army realised that they could not effectively mobilise the nation's military forces in an emergency without the assistance of the country's railway networks. To co-ordinate the arrangements, W H Newman, then Secretary of NSWGR, was appointed Director of Rail Transport with the rank of Colonel. The various states' Railway Commissioners were also given the rank of Honorary Colonel but most seem to have been unimpressed with this title. Amongst the tasks undertaken by Colonel Newman was a plan for the provision of ambulance trains.

A general specification was drawn up in 1940 and forwarded to all states for comments and proposals based on the information contained in the document. The Army required that all vehicles were to have their exterior painted off white with Red Cross symbols on the roof and sides. Interiors were to be finished in white enamel. The composition and capacity of the trains varied from state to state and this had to be accepted due to differences in gauges and size of rollingstock. Fourteen trains were proposed but only nine went into service.

Victorian Railways was to build two Ambulance Trains during World War Two

- Army No.6 & No.8

but only one was ever built Army N° 6

* Date last vehicle in train returned to the Railway Department when no longer required for ambulance train work.

( for more Info on other states Ambulance Trains

Referenced from Kens Section Car Shed http://www.kenssectioncarshed.org/id132.htm ) ( website Dead now )

Newspaper Reports

FIRST AMBULANCE TRAIN READY (1942, March 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 3. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8235701

FIRST AMBULANCE TRAIN READY

Railways Commissioners yesterday expressed gratification with members of the staff responsible for conversion within 2 weeks of 14 railway vehicles Into a modern ambulance train. The 14 vehicles were withdrawn from service on January 24, and were ready for service on February 6.

on tile roof and sides of each vehicle, Is the first of 2 to be prepared by Victorian Railways. The remaining 8 trains required are being constructed by the Commonwealth and other State railway systems. Each of the 9 ward cars contains 39 standard bunks arranged generally In tiers of 3. There arc 36 bunks in the personnel car, and the staff car provides sleeping accommodation for 15.

AMBULANCE TRAIN IN FORTNIGHT. (1942, March 13). The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72700602

Ambulance Train in a Fortnight. (1942, March 28). Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian (Vic. : 1900 - 1942), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60677136

PRO VR Photos

RS 0597 BPL CLASS CARRIAGE No.82 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR CIRCA 1939 negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0598 BPL CLASS CARRIAGE No.82 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0596 BPL CLASS CARRIAGE No.82 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0599 BPL CLASS CARRIAGE No.82 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE WASH BASINS negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0600 BPL CLASS CARRIAGE No.82 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE BEDS MADE UP negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

H 1972 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE SHOWING BEDS negative: glass

H 1973 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE SHOWING THEATRE negative: glass

RS 0733 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR VIEW negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0734 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR VIEW negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0735 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR VIEW 1941 negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

RS 0736 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE INTERIOR VIEW negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

1942 Hospital carriages, 1951 Jubilee Train

Info from http://wikivisually.com/wiki/PL_type_carriage

In 1939, when Japan entered World War II, carriage 82BPL (sliding door, previously 26APL #1) was withdrawn from service for conversion to a hospital carriage. The carriage had its seats removed and replaced with thirteen triple-bunk beds for a capacity of 39 patients. Externally it was painted all-over moonstone grey, as used around the windows of electric suburban trains at the time; all windows except those in the middle door were painted white. Red crosses on white circles were painted on both sides of the roof, and large red crosses were applied on the sides of the carriage between compartments 3/4 and 5/6. Internally, everything except the floor, light fittings and beds appears to have been painted white.

The car proved to be useful in service, and so in 1941-42 a further ten BPL cars were converted. Cars 36, 38, 51, 58, 60, 72, 74, 75 and 98BPL became Hospital Cars in a very similar fashion to 82BPL, except that they were fitted with only twelve triple-bunk beds (36 berths), as well as 24 lockers for personal belongings in each car, and they were fitted with end diaphragms. It is not known whether 82BPL had lockers, or if so how many. Additionally, 57BPL was converted to a staff car with end diaphragms, though not much is known about its internal configuration.

After world war two concluded, it is possible that in 1947 the Hospital Train may have returned to passenger service for a few years. However, given the later conversion to the Jubilee Train which would have required near-empty shells, this is unlikely. If any of the cars did revert, 57BPL and 82BPL are the most likely candidates as they were different from the rest.

In 1950-51 the carriages had berths removed, making them empty shells. The carriages were therefore the best-suited for rebuilding into the Jubilee Train, celebrating 50 years since Federation. The carriages were repainted externally into green with gold and paired with locomotive N 430, painted in a similar livery.

The Following Table on the Hospital Train's BPL Carriages has been complied from information the following two websites

BPL Carriage info from The Great Victorian Train Website Project

http://www.trainsofvictoria.info/Locos/Carriages/1910_P_Carriages/1919_BPL_2nd.htm

BPL Carriage Service history from Peter J. Vincent webpage on BPL - Bogie Excursion Car

http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c133m.htm

Code SV Date Sys Description Type APL VA 1918 - VR Bogie 1st Class Excursion Car Passenger BCPL VA 1940 - VR Bogie 1st/2nd/Van Excursion Passenger BPL VA 1919 - VR Bogie 2nd Class Excursion Car Passenger

NWS Newport Workshops BAW Ballarat North Workshops

A2 CLASS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE No.915 ON TRAIN PERSPECTIVE VIEW SPENCER STREET

A2 CLASS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE No.915 DRIVER AND FIREMAN FRONT VIEW, SPENCER STREET

For further details on A2 Class Locos and Loco History Cards

please see Mark Bau's VR Homepage - A2 Locos

Hospital Car which was built in 1909

The following two photos seems to be a much earlier Hospital Car which was built in 1909

1965 HOSPITAL CARRIAGE PERSPECTIVE VIEW negative: glass

RS 0046 EXTERIOR OF HOSPITAL CARRIAGE CIRCA 1908 negative : glass ; 120 x 165mm (half plate)

Info from Peter Vincent page on Hospital Car page http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c253m.htm

Following on from the disastrous collision at Sunshine/Braybrook Junction in 1908, the Victorian Railways placed into service two 'Hospital cars' with medical equipment: water, strechers, rest benches and cabinets with medical dressings and supplies.

The two cars apparently entered service on 24/12/1909. There is some confusion with the dates as correspondence shows 1909 dates with the official source showing 1908 for one car and 1909 for the other.

Hospital Car 1 was converted from _B__ 328. B 328 was built as _A__ 138 in 1883 and converted to B some time in 1889.

Hospital Car 2 was converted from B 343. B 343 was built as A 153 in 1883 and converted to B in April 1892.

Car 1 was scrapped in 1940. It was sold and placed onto a property at Somerton. About 1949 it was sold and moved to Bulla when the land at Somerton was developed for industrial use.

Car 2 was scrapped in 1939.

State Library of Victoria Photos

Hospital trains used by the Armed Forces in Australia]

[ca. 1941-ca. 1942]

2

Malaria patients of Allied troops arriving by ambulance train which reached a country hospital

[ca. 1943]

3

Sick & wounded Americans on way to cars to take them from ambulance train to a country military hospital

[ca. 1943]

4

Changing over stretcher cases from train to ambulance, for admission to a base hospital somewhere in Victoria

[ca. 1943]

5

With bayonet wounds in both arms, Cpl D.G. Harris of W.A., a veteran of the Gona fighting is removed from the train to ambulance

[ca. 1943]

6

Wounded A.I.F. from New Guinea, transferring stretcher cases from hospital train to ambulance for transport to Heidelberg Military Hospital.

[ca. 1944]

16

[Man being carried on stretcher holding onto his boots, train nearby]

[ca. 1942]

20

Wounded from north.

[ca. 1945]

21

THEIR JOB COMPLETED: R.A.A.F. Medical Receiving Stations ...

Australia. Department of Air. Directorate of Public Relations.

[ca. 1943]

24

[Movement of troops in Melbourne during World War II]

[ca. 1940-ca. 1943]

(2) Image H99.201/986

(3) Image H99.201/987

(4) Image H99.201/988

(1) Image H99.201/1485

6

Changing over stretcher cases from train to ambulance, for admission to a base hospital somewhere in Victoria

[ca. 1943]

7

A.I.F. wounded from New Guinea being moved from a hospital train somewhere in Victoria [picture]

[ca. 1943]

17

O.C. [i.e. Officer Commanding] of Hospital train Major I. BUZZARD assisting in transhipping A.I.F. wounded from train to Hospital somewhere in Victoria

[ca. 1943]

18

Hospital train arrives in Victoria.

[ca. 1943]

(1) Image H2000.200/3995

AWM Photos

ALBURY

114749

114749

VIC. 1945-09-07. WALKING PATIENTS, EN ROUTE FROM ALBURY TO MELBOURNE BEING SERVED WITH LUNCH ABOARD 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114749

114751

114751

VIC. 1945-09-07. WALKING PATIENTS, EN ROUTE FROM ALBURY TO MELBOURNE ABOARD 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN, HAVING A SMOKE AFTER A MEAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114751

114753

114753

VIC. 1945-09-07. WALKING PATIENTS, EN ROUTE FROM ALBURY TO MELBOURNE ABOARD 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN, HAVING A MEAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114753

114754

114754

VIC. 1945-09-07. WALKING PATIENTS, EN ROUTE FROM ALBURY TO MELBOURNE ABOARD 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN, HAVING A MEAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114754

114755

114755

VIC. 1945-09-07. ORDERLY ROOM PERSONNEL ABOARD 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN FROM ALBURY TO MELBOURNE, CHECKING NOMINAL ROLLS OF PATIENTS BEING RETURNED TO MELBOURNE.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114755

114756

114756

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-07. PRIVATE W. FINN, 2/12TH INFANTRY BATTALION, CHANGING INTO 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN AT ALBURY, CARRYING HIS SOUVENIR CLOCK WHICH HE FOUND ON A JAPANESE SHIP AT BALIKPAPAN.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114756

114757

114757

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-07. A WOUNDED AUSTRALIAN OFFICER BEING LIFTED ABOARD 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN AT ALBURY.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114757

114758

114758

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-07. A WOUNDED SOLDIER RETURNING TO MELBOURNE WITH ARM AND SIDE ENCASED IN PLASTER, CHANGING TO 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN AT ALBURY.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114758

114759

114759

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-07. STRETCHER CASES RETURNING TO MELBOURNE WAITING ON THE RAILWAY STATION AT ALBURY TO BE LIFTED ABOARD 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114759

114761

114761

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-07. WOMEN VOLUNTARY WORKERS DISTRIBUTING FRUIT AND ICE CREAM TO SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS, EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, BEING TRANSFERRED AT ALBURY TO 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114761

114762

114762

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-07. WALKING PATIENTS RETURNING TO MELBOURNE ON 6TH AMBULANCE TRAIN PASSING A DISH OF ORANGE PEELS TO THE END OF THE CARRIAGE FOR DISPOSAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/114762

115836

115836

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, PRIVATE J. C. BRACKEN OPENING A PARCEL OF BOOKS...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115836

115837

115837

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, PRIVATE B. R. FRANCIS, 8TH DIVISION, BOARDING THE AMBULANCE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115837

115838

115838

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, GENERAL SCENE ON ALBURY RAILWAY STATION AS THE EX-PRISONERS OF...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115838

115839

115839

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, MRS M. COLEMAN, AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115839

115841

115841

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, DRIVER (DVR) J. STEPHENSON AND DVR R. M. BURN, MEMBERS OF ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115841

115842

115842

ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, MAJOR-GENERAL J. S. WHITELAW, COMMANDER, VIC LINES OF ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115842

115844

115844

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, SERGEANT J. H. KOSTAR, AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115844

115846

115846

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE T. H. WIGNALL, AUSTRALIAN...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115846

115847

115847

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, LANCE-CORPORAL G. RODAKIS, 115TH GENERAL ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115847

115848

115848

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, SISTER G. J. FARQUHAR, 115TH GENERAL HOSPITAL, ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115848

115849

115849

BENALLA, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE WAITING AT BENALLA RAILWAY STATION TO GREET...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115849

115855

115855

THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE WAITING ON SEYMOUR RAILWAY STATION TO GREET THE EX-PRISONERS OF WAR.www.awm.gov.au/collection/115855

115857

115857

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, STAFF-SERGEANT J. BOWDEN, READING A NEWSPAPER ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115857

115858

115858

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, DECORATING THE ENGINE FOR THE FINAL RUN INTO ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115858

115859

115859

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, DECORATING THE ENGINE FOR THE FINAL RUN INTO ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115859

115860

115860

THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, ONE OF THE EX-PRISONERS OF WAR CHATTING AT THE TRAIN WINDOW DURING A BRIEF STOP AT ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115860

115861

115861

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, CAPTAIN WOODWARD (1) OF THE INDIAN ARMY ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115861

115863

115863

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, PRIVATE (PTE) J. C. BRACKEN (1) TALKING TO HIS ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115863

115864

115864

MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, PRIVATE B. R. FRANCIS, 8TH DIVISION, STEPPING FROM THE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115864

115867

MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, STAFF-SERGEANT MILLER, PRIVATE (PTE) VENABLES, PTE WHITE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115867

115868

115868

MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, PRIVATE (PTE) WILKINS, PTE BORTHWICK, PTE REED AND PTE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115868

WODONGA

115835

115835

WODONGA, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, ATTACHING BUNTING TO THE AMBULANCE TRAIN AT WODONGA BEFORE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115835

SEYMOUR

115855

115855

THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE WAITING ON SEYMOUR RAILWAY STATION TO GREET THE EX-PRISONERS OF WAR.www.awm.gov.au/collection/115855

BENALLA

115850

115850

BENALLA, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE HANDING UP FRUIT AND SWEETS TO THE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115850

115853

115853

BENALLA, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, GIRLS AT BENALLA SCRAMBLING ABOARD THE TRAIN TO TALK TO THE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115853

115854

115854

BENALLA, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, THE PACKED INTERIOR OF THE TRAIN AS BENALLA TOWNSPEOPLE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115854

MELBOURNE

115868

115868

MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED BY NSW HOSPITAL TRAIN TO ALBURY WHERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN FOR THE JOURNEY TO MELBOURNE. SHOWN, PRIVATE (PTE) WILKINS, PTE BORTHWICK, PTE REED AND PTE ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115868

115871

115871

MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED TO MELBOURNE BY 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN. SHOWN, A SECTION OF THE LARGE CROWD THAT GATHERED AT SPENCER STREET RAILWAY STATION TO GREET THEIR ARRIVAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/115871

115872

115872

MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS TRAVELLED TO MELBOURNE BY 6TH AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCE TRAIN. THERE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO CARS PROVIDED BY THE VICTORIAN ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB AND DRIVEN TO 115TH MILITARY HOSPITAL, HEIDELBERG. SHOWN, ...www.awm.gov.au/collection/115872

HEIDELBERG

137932

137932

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-02-20. A WOUNDED SOLDIER BEING LIFTED ON HIS STRETCHER OUT OF A HOSPITAL TRAIN AND PLACED IN AN AMBULANCE FOR TRANSPORT TO THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/137932

137933

137933

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-02-20. A WOUNDED SOLDIER BEING LIFTED ON HIS STRETCHER OUT OF A HOSPITAL TRAIN AND PLACED IN AN AMBULANCE FOR TRANSPORT TO THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/137933

137935

137935

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-02-20. A WOUNDED SOLDIER BEING ASSISTED FROM A HOSPITAL TRAIN AT THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL.www.awm.gov.au/collection/137935

139292

139292

Heidelberg, Vic. 1943-07-10. Sick and wounded Australian soldiers being assisted from the hospital train on arrival at the 115th Australian General Hospital.www.awm.gov.au/collection/139292

139293

Heidelberg, Vic. 1943-07-10. A badly wounded Australian soldier being carried on a stretcher from the hospital train into an ambulance while en route to the 115th Australian General Hospital.www.awm.gov.au/collection/139293

139417

139417

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-08-06. MEDICAL ORDERLIES AND SERVICEMEN LIFTING STRETCHER CASES FROM A HOSPITAL TRAIN AT THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL RAILWAY SIDING.www.awm.gov.au/collection/139417

139418

139418

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-08-06. SICK AND WOUNDED SERVICEMEN LEAN OUT OF THE WINDOWS OF THE HOSPITAL TRAIN AS IT PULLS INTO THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL RAILWAY SIDING.www.awm.gov.au/collection/139418

139828

139828

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-10-08. A MEDICAL ORDERLY HELPING A WOUNDED AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER DOWN FROM THE HOSPITAL TRAIN AT THE RAILWAY SIDING AT THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL. www.awm.gov.au/collection/139828

References used

State Library of Victoria - Photos

PRO Victoria - Railway Photos

Australian War Memorial - Photos https://www.awm.gov.au/

Trove Newspapers

Kens Section Car Shed - Ambulance Trains http://www.kenssectioncarshed.org/id132.htm

The Great Victorian Train Website Project

http://www.trainsofvictoria.info/Locos/Carriages/1910_P_Carriages/1919_BPL_2nd.htm

BPL Carriage Service history from Peter J. Vincent webpage on BPL - Bogie Excursion Car

http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c133m.htm

1942 Hospital carriages, 1951 Jubilee Train

from http://wikivisually.com/wiki/PL_type_carriage

A2 Class Locos and Loco History Cards from Mark Bau's VR Homepage - A2 Locos

http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/a2steam/a2steam1.html

1st Published : 24th Jan 2017 Page Updated: 13 Sept 2020 © Looking for the Evidence : Jennifer Baker ( Jenny Baker )