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

With the news on 15 October 2024 that the British Army’s three healthcare corps are being amalgamated into a new modern corps called The Royal Army Medical Service, the announcement recalls that regiments and corps have come and gone over the years, and that the new Royal Army Medical Service has its antecedents

Earlier last year, the museum was generously gifted a beautiful embroidery piece in the shape of a belt, decorated with a 3/5th London Field Ambulance motif. This embroidered piece was carefully crafted by George Williams

2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) Apprentice School, set up in 1955 at Church Crookham to offer technical training to young men joining the Corps.

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.

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.

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.

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.