Men of the Ninth: A History of the Ninth Australian Field Ambulance 1916-1994

Military Medicine,  Apr 2004  by Leggat, Peter A

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Men of the Ninth: A History of the Ninth Australian Field Ambulance 1916-1994

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Likeman, CSM, RAAMC

Slouch Hat, Publisher

The first edition of Men of the Ninth: A History of the Ninth Australian Field Ambulance 1916-1994 has a foreword by Major General J. H. Pearn AM RFD - Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force 1998-2000, a preface that includes acknowledgments, a table of contents, 13 chapters with notes, seven appendices, a bibliography and an index. The book unfortunately has no list of figures (photographic plates) and maps for the 114 well-selected photographic plates and excellent operational area maps presented, which are also not numbered. The author states that he writes this historical work from the perspective of having been the last Commanding Officer (CO) of 9 Field Ambulance, which must afford him a unique insight into this military medical unit.

The target audience appears to be primarily physicians and other health professionals with an interest in the history and development of the 9 Field Ambulance and the place of such medical units in military operations. It would also be interesting to those who are studying the history of military medicine, especially the early development and service seen by an Australian field ambulance. The reader's historical horizons will be broadened by the experience of reading this book. For physicians and health professionals who have served with a field ambulance, Men of the Ninth: A History of the Ninth Australian Field Ambulance 1916-1994 is of course essential reading. The concise style is easy to read, and the book is consistent, and systematic in its presentation. Visual impact has been heightened by the incorporation of appropriate photographic plates and figures.

The structure of the book's chapters is based on discrete phases and major transitions in the history and life of the Australian Ninth Field Ambulance. Considerable detail has been provided regarding the key players and circumstances, often heroic, surrounding the various operational deployments of 9 Field Ambulance. Included are descriptions of 9 Field Ambulance in the "muddy fields of France and Flanders during the 1914-1918 War, the capture of the 2/9th Field Ambulance AIF at Singapore and subsequent life as Japanese POWs, and the 9th Field Ambulance AIF in New Guinea". Also, the book covers the period between the two World Wars and the post 2nd World War period as a Civilian Military Force/General reserve unit in North Queensland.

This literary endeavor takes the reader on a voyage of discovery, which is very much focused on the unique life work of those who worked with 9 Field Ambulance. In addition to serving as the last CO of 9 Field Ambulance, the author indicates that he "studied Classics and Oriental Languages at Oxford University and served with the British Army before taking up a career in medicine." Lieutenant Colonel Likeman specialized in "women's health" and served as "Medical Superintendent of the Kirwan Hospital for Women in Townsville" from 1986-1996, and has also written a standard textbook on Obstetric and Gynaecological Surgery in the Third World,

The work is a creditable effort, which is written by someone who knew and worked with 9 Field Ambulance. Reading the book conveys the sense of dedication, service and bravery that was needed to make the field ambulance effective in operational conditions. It is an important and defining work published to coincide with the centenary of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC).

[The reviewer served with the Second Field Ambulance, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, from 1990 until this unit was similarly disbanded in June 1991.]

Reviewed by:

Lt Col Peter A. Leggat, RAAMC

Townsville, Australia

Copyright Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Apr 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved