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Medical organisation within the British Army can be traced back to 1660 and the formation of the Standing Regular Army, when each regiment of infantry and cavalry was accompanied by a Regimental Surgeon and his assistant.

Until the end of the 18th century there was no veterinary service at all in the British Army. Farriers, contracted by the British government, were responsible for shoeing Army horses and providing medicine and general care.

At the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War there was no provision made for dental treatment for the armed forces. Over 2,000 men were evacuated back to the UK on dental grounds whilst almost 5,000 were unfit for duty in the field because of the lack of denture.

Although a formal military nursing service did not exist in the army prior to the late 19th century, nursing care was provided to the army during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) and the Civil Wars of the 1640s when Parliament employed nurses at the three military hospitals in London.

A Tribute to Dame Margot Turner.

The Museum of Military Medicine has recently acquired a photograph album that had a touch of mystery about it. Some research later, however, and it is revealed to be a unique record of humanitarian co-operation between nationalities in a time of conflict

This year the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) celebrates its 75th anniversary. While the Corps is celebrating this milestone with events around the country, we thought it would be instructive to look back at the formation of the Corps in 1949, from its origins as a civilian service.