12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance
12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance | |
---|---|
Active | 1980–present |
Country | Latin: militi succurrimus, lit. 'we hasten to aid the soldier' |
March | "The Farmer's Boy" |
Commanders | |
Colonel in Chief | The Princess Royal |
12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance is a
History
This unit has a long and distinguished history that lives up to the medical corps tradition of being faithful in adversity. It is the latest in a line of Vancouver army medical units dating back to 18 Field Ambulance of World War I.
World War I
This unit started out initially as a local militia unit. In World War I, the field ambulance was sent to the 5th Canadian Division and stationed with the 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF, for a period of time. After the war, it was set up as a reserve unit and renamed 12 Field Ambulance. The unit was called to active service in World War II in 1939.
World War II
In 1942 the unit, now known as 12 Canadian Light Field Ambulance (the term "light" indicated that it was equipped to be particularly fast moving and so able to keep up with a swiftly advancing armoured division), sailed to England with the
12 Field Ambulance made Canadian medical corps history becoming the only field ambulance to engage the enemy in combat. This occurred one morning in April 1945 in the German town of
Post-World War II to 1999
After the war, 12 Field Ambulance was reverted to the Army Reserve (Militia) and moved to Jericho Garrison in 1947. The unit was then renamed 24 Medical Company following another move to
2000 to 2007
12 Field Ambulance was involved with local operations ranging from G8 Security in 2002 to fighting BC Forest Fires in the year 2003. Recently, the unit was awarded Freedom of the City from the city of Vancouver in 2007. In addition to domestic operations, the unit participated in operations overseas, most recently in Operation Athena in Afghanistan.
2020 - COVID-19
12 Field Ambulance collaborated with Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health, St John Ambulance and Canadian Red Cross, setting up the COVID-19 field hospital in Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC). The VCC was set up with 271 beds along with the PHSA Mobile Medical Unit as its resuscitation room. The field hospital never received any patients and was stood down in 13th July 2021.
Notable members
World War II
- Captain Palmer: After meeting with Willem Johan Kolff, directed the construction of a Kolff type mechanical kidney in Vancouver.
- Corporal FF. Thompson: Noted for being in the picture capturing a German soldier at the Battle of Sogel, where he was given the Military Medal for his actions during the sortie.
Post World War II–1999
- Lieutenant-Colonel Grasset: Proposed militi succurrimus (we hasten to aid the soldiers) as the motto of the CFMS in 1976. Taken into informal use shortly thereafter, it was formally approved on 10 August 1988.[3]
Awards
Freedom of the City of Vancouver was given to the 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance on April 14, 2007.[4]
Operations
12 Field Ambulance had members deployed in many domestic and foreign operations, including:
World War II
Post World War II to 1999
- Operation Calumet
- Operation Dana Ca
- Operation Echo
- Operation Harmony
- Operation Palladium
2000 to Current
- Operation Athena
- Operation Grizzly
- Operation Peregrine
- Operation Paladium
- Operation Podium
References
- ^ "Canada in the Second World War". Juno Beach Centre. February 21, 2014.
- ^ "British Columbia". Canadian Forces Liaison Council. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Heritage and Traditions". Canadian Forces Medical Service: Introduction to its History and Heritage. Canadian Forces Health Services. Archived from the original on 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ "12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance receives Freedom of the City". City of Vancouver (Press release). 26 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
External links
- 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance Official Website
- 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance Medical Museum Website Archived 2017-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
- CFMS History/Heritage Page.
- Canadian Forces Medical Service : Introduction to its History and Heritage.
- Troop and Family Support Awareness Fundraiser
- Canadian War Museum.