- From
- December 1942
- To
- 1951
- Occupations
- Armed services organisation
Summary
The Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) was established in December 1942. At that stage it was decided to distinguish between Voluntary Aid Detachments, whose governing body was the Joint State Council in each State and the Joint Central Council (the Commonwealth authority), and Voluntary Aids who were serving at Military Hospitals on a full-time basis under Army control. [1]
Author Patsy Adam-Smith, herself a member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) who joined the AAMWS, states in Australian Women at War:
From that date [December 1942], the Service's officers and soldiers were subject to military law and to the provisions of the Defence Act, the Army Act and the Rules of Procedure…'The majority of the original recruits for the AAMWS were drawn from the ranks of the Voluntary Aid Detachments, and the experience they already had was of great benefit in their work in military hospitals, both home and overseas.'
In July 1949 the Australian Army Medical Women's Service became part of the Regular Army. Two years later The Service was disbanded and its duties were incorporated into the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.
[1] Australian Women at War p. 194 and From Blue to Khaki p. 50
My Aunty, Maureen Fairhall nee Daly served in the AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL WOMENS SERVICES from 20 Jun 1944 to 16 Jan 1946. I have a photo of her & group of women that I will scan. Where do I send the photo? Thanks.
Debby McKenna - 4 October 2010, 10:10 AM EST
Dear Debby, the best thing to do is to contact the Australian War Memorial. They are the repository that collects most of the this memorabilia.
AWAP Administrator - 11 October 2010, 10:26 AM EST
Betty Olive Browell married name Davies, I was told she was a nursing sister in the army and went to USA.
This is all the information I have from my late Aunt.
Betty Olive paretns, George Thomas Browell and Margaret Jane Browell nee Goddard.
Regards Glenys
Glenys Beveridge - 18 March 2011, 12:01 AM EST
My Mother Lorraine Gordon Mackinnon served in the AAMWS for 591 days and I am wondering if whether she is allowed to have the war emblem on her grave plaque......could you please advise me.Thank you
Chris McGregor - 11 April 2011, 6:29 PM EST
Ivy Deverall (Joan Ivy Marguerite Deverall, later Ivy Caple) who served with AAMWS in Bouganville died 10/09/2011 aged 88 years.
Trevor Julian - 16 September 2011, 11:49 AM EST
My dad was in the 2nd div 5th field company 5th brigade during 2nd world war. He got an ulcer on his leg which laid him up in a hospital in Northern WA for 6 months. It is only thanks to a very dedicated sister that my dad Ron Green kept his leg. He still an active 88 year old who talks about the special care this sister gave him. He is always grateful.
Janine peuter - 6 October 2011, 2:07 PM EST