Back in June, I wrote to various different politicians and leaders of both Great Britain and the United States to tell them about the history of the American Ambulance and that this year marked the stand down of the organisation. Although I haven't been able to do anything face to face due to COVID IContinue reading "Letter from The Queen"

Today’s the day, 75 years ago today the American Ambulance held a series of celebrations to say goodbye , remember the work they had undertaken and commemorate their stand down. On the morning of the 24th October 1945, at American Ambulance headquarters Mr. Gilbert Carr received a letter from the Minister of Health giving thanksContinue reading "Morning of 24th October 1945 – 75 Years on"

Rarely do I know the exact times of the activities of the American Ambulance but today I do know at least one. 75 years ago, at 10:30 am Mr. Gilbert Carr, Director General of the American Ambulance meets with the Minister of Health, Aneurin Bevan to discuss he program and finalise plans for the AmericanContinue reading "10:30 am 22nd October 1945 – 75 years on"

Following on from yesterday’s post, today we look at this letter from the 19th October 1945. In this letter, Director General Gilbert Carr invites the Minister of Health to a cocktail party at a top London hotel after the stand down parade on the 24th October.

Those who saw my previous post will understand how life has got in the way a bit recently and I haven’t posted as much as I would have liked to. However for the next two weeks I’ll be delving into the archives and posting letters, documents and photos exactly 75 years after they were created.Continue reading "75th Anniversary commemoration"

Today I thought I’d share a picture, one that now will always hold a special place in my heart. I recently purchased this and a few other photos online. When I received them I scanned them in and started looking through them. On the 2nd of September I sent this photo to my dad, heContinue reading "A Special Photo"

This fortnight I thought I’d share another great photo. This photo shows the American Ambulance’s second birthday parade in Hyde Park, London in June 1942. It shows a lineup of first aid posts with their drivers in front of them. Amongst the those in attendance were the directors of the American Ambulance as well asContinue reading "Second Birthday Celebrations"

Throughout the war, the number of stations that the American Ambulance used fluctuated quite a bit and different sources give different numbers. I think this is partly because of the fact that the American Ambulance operated from "Sub Stations" as well as their main ones. When I first started this project and indeed wrote myContinue reading "American Ambulance Stations"

Recently I’ve had quite a few emails from people who had relatives serving in the American Ambulance, this has been fascinating and helps tell the story of what they did. A few weeks ago I had an email from a lady called Jill who’s mother Hilary had served in the American Ambulance in Bristol. I’mContinue reading "Hilary Burges"

We’re saddened to hear that the forces sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn has passed away this morning aged 103. Dame Vera was one of our country’s most loved entertainers of the era and indeed since and I’m sure will be missed by many. I’ll always treasure the copy of my book that Dame Vera signed forContinue reading "Dame Vera Lynn"