Photograph of the Friends Ambulance Unit standing beside Ambulance Train No 11
Production date
1914-1918
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Description
Black and white photograph of an ambulance train from World War One. The image, taken sometime between 1914-1918, depicts a Voluntary Aid Detachment (or VAD) Unit staffing a train of The Friends Ambulance Unit. In the photograph are Quakers and most probably a number of conscientious objectors. The Red Cross emblem forms the centre of the picture and the number 11 is clearly visible to the left, indicating that it was the number 11 train of The Friends Ambulance Unit.
During World War One, ambulance trains were used as mobile hospitals further to their purpose of acting as ambulances for transporting the casualties of war away from the front lines. The Friends Ambulance Unit from World War One was originally founded as the 'Anglo-Belgian Ambulance Unit' by a group of Quakers at the start of the war in 1914. The unit went on to be comprised both of Quakers and conscientious objectors as a way to make a contribution to alleviating the suffering of the wounded. The trains were used to evacuate large numbers of injured soldiers, and over 1,000 men belonging to The Friends Ambulance Unit were sent to France and Belgium during the course of the war for this purpose. Operating under the banner of the British Red Cross, the trains were staffed by VADs, Quakers and conscientious objectors. The photograph illustrates the important role the British Red Cross plays in organising voluntary aid in times of crisis. The Friends Ambulance Unit in particular ceased to exist from 1919 but hospital trains continued to be used in World War Two up until 1991 at the end of the Cold War.
I think this photograph is such an interesting illustration of the various non-military personnel making up the number 11 ambulance train of The Friends Ambulance Unit. Smartly dressed in uniform here, dotted with three men in white, their poses range from relaxed to rigid, some faces smiling, some stern. Front and centre the tall chap inside the train towers over the group outside with his commanding presence, both in stature and in posture. Some stiff body language of other individuals is juxtaposed by expressions that border on amusement, whilst other men in more casual positions look very intent. Who took the photo I wonder? Did the photographer, who has positioned the unit carefully around the Red Cross banner in a neat square formation, pull funny faces at them in order to capture a 'natural' and relaxed moment? The visual variety in the image captures and depicts the diversity of a unit operating in a semi-formal capacity fulfilling a very important humanitarian function under the protection of the British Red Cross.
Audio recording by Taryn Murray/Alison Ramsey (Volunteer), London.
During World War One, ambulance trains were used as mobile hospitals further to their purpose of acting as ambulances for transporting the casualties of war away from the front lines. The Friends Ambulance Unit from World War One was originally founded as the 'Anglo-Belgian Ambulance Unit' by a group of Quakers at the start of the war in 1914. The unit went on to be comprised both of Quakers and conscientious objectors as a way to make a contribution to alleviating the suffering of the wounded. The trains were used to evacuate large numbers of injured soldiers, and over 1,000 men belonging to The Friends Ambulance Unit were sent to France and Belgium during the course of the war for this purpose. Operating under the banner of the British Red Cross, the trains were staffed by VADs, Quakers and conscientious objectors. The photograph illustrates the important role the British Red Cross plays in organising voluntary aid in times of crisis. The Friends Ambulance Unit in particular ceased to exist from 1919 but hospital trains continued to be used in World War Two up until 1991 at the end of the Cold War.
I think this photograph is such an interesting illustration of the various non-military personnel making up the number 11 ambulance train of The Friends Ambulance Unit. Smartly dressed in uniform here, dotted with three men in white, their poses range from relaxed to rigid, some faces smiling, some stern. Front and centre the tall chap inside the train towers over the group outside with his commanding presence, both in stature and in posture. Some stiff body language of other individuals is juxtaposed by expressions that border on amusement, whilst other men in more casual positions look very intent. Who took the photo I wonder? Did the photographer, who has positioned the unit carefully around the Red Cross banner in a neat square formation, pull funny faces at them in order to capture a 'natural' and relaxed moment? The visual variety in the image captures and depicts the diversity of a unit operating in a semi-formal capacity fulfilling a very important humanitarian function under the protection of the British Red Cross.
Audio recording by Taryn Murray/Alison Ramsey (Volunteer), London.
Collection Type
Archives
Level of Current Record
item
Catalogue Number
IN4420
Subject auto tags
Part of 1 highlight set
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