We don’t seem to have a thread recognising the work of first aiders during the War. Here’s the staff of the one working out of Handsworth Baths. An important job, presumably taking pressure off the hospitals. Viv.
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First aid posts in WW2
- Thread starter Vivienne14
- Start date
The staff of the First Aid Post at Small Heath Baths. Rescuing horses can’t have been part of the first aid role, but well done to Albert Judd.
Viv.
Viv.
Thank you for the images, Viv.
It reminds me that my late sister-in-law once told me that she was a member of the ICI Kynoch Works first-aid team at Witton throughout the war which involved frequent overnight stays on-site.
I assume that most big factories had their own similar units, presumably much larger and providing considerably greater cover than any peace-time equivalent. The Austin works at Longbridge recognised this and similar voluntary effort during the war years by the award of a certificate when it was all over. This one was issued to a member of the factory Home Guard but the insignia around the border tells us about all the other voluntary work done by employees during those years and no doubt similarly recognised. The first-aid effort would have been under "Medical Unit" at ten o'clock (part of the Home Guard activity) and "Casualty Service" (part of the broader Civil Defence activities) at 4 o'clock.
Chris
It reminds me that my late sister-in-law once told me that she was a member of the ICI Kynoch Works first-aid team at Witton throughout the war which involved frequent overnight stays on-site.
I assume that most big factories had their own similar units, presumably much larger and providing considerably greater cover than any peace-time equivalent. The Austin works at Longbridge recognised this and similar voluntary effort during the war years by the award of a certificate when it was all over. This one was issued to a member of the factory Home Guard but the insignia around the border tells us about all the other voluntary work done by employees during those years and no doubt similarly recognised. The first-aid effort would have been under "Medical Unit" at ten o'clock (part of the Home Guard activity) and "Casualty Service" (part of the broader Civil Defence activities) at 4 o'clock.
Chris
mw0njm.
A Brummie Dude
WW2 British Factory Department Home Office Complete First Aid Kit
Hall Green First Aid Post at the school on Stratford Road1940
This equipment would have been provided for all first aid posts, including Kings Heath.
January 1940 equipment delivered:
64 respirators
6 pairs each men and women’s gum boots
7 steel helmets
12 pairs each protective trousers, coats and gloves
3 stretchers
6 slings
6 blankets and 6 pillows
4 galvanised buckets
4 mops
3 soft brooms
2 hard brooms
3 scrubbing brushes
6 floor cloths
2 bleach trays
14 galvanised pails
6 decontamination clothing bins
12 pairs each men and women’s pyjamas (for decontamination cases)
12 pairs different sized plimsolls
100 yellow decontamination labels
1,000 ordinary labels
200 towels
6 enamel eye douches
2 drums bleach powder
12 tins bleach ointment
51 storm lanterns
4 green waterproof sheets
1 stirrup pump
20 Elsan pans for use in the school shelters
Requested equipment:
Tables, chairs, beds, bedding, crockery and cutlery
6 dozen enamel drinking mugs
4 primus stoves
vomit bowls
Suture needles, safety pins and mouth gags
The Kings Heath First Aid Post was based at the swimming baths in Institute Road and the
equipment provided was essential during the raids of 1940/41. The laconic style of the log book
hides the heroic work put in by all the Civil Defence workers. Most were volunteers and would
have had daytime jobs. The book recorded the times of all raids including those in daylight and
warnings were received before the sirens sounded. A yellow warning came first, followed by a
mw0njm.
A Brummie Dude
A Quick Guide To Medical Services In The Second World War
The experience of a battle casualty in the Second World War was not radically different to that of the First World War. The most common injuries were caused by shells and bullets, and a casualty was evacuated through a similarly-organised chain of medical posts, dressing stations and hospitals.