The 205th (Scottish) Field Hospital is a regiment of the Royal Army Medical Corps within the Army Reserve of the British Army. The 205th Field Hospital is Scotland's current only territorial army field hospital.
History[]
Although the modern 205th Hospital was formed in 1967 the regiment actually can trace their history back to the Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow Volunteer Medical Staff Corps companies formed from 1886 - 1894 respectively. Each of the companies served in the South African War. After the formation of the Royal Army Medical Corps the companies were assigned to their respective regiments; Royal Scots for Edinburgh Company, Gordon Highlanders for Aberdeen Company, and Highland Light Infantry for Glasgow Company.[1] In 1908 after the establishment of the Territorial Force the brigade bearer companies became field ambulances assigned to the 52nd Lowland Division being 1st and 2nd Lowland (Glasgow) and 3rd (Edinburgh) Field Ambulances. During the reformation of the army services in 1916 and 17 the regiments were re-titled to 156, 157, and 155 (Lowland) Field Ambulances. Fast Forward to 1967 the regiment was re-formed from separate general hospitals and field ambulances.[1]
The 205th Hospital was originally formed in April of 1967 as the 205th (Scottish) General Hospital in TAVR II and assigned to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Brigade in Inverness, if mobilized, the regiment would be assigned to Commander Medical, 1st British Crops. The regiment was formed from the amalgamation of the 5th (City of Glasgow) General Hospital, 50 (Scottish) Casualty Clearing Station, 155th (Lowland) Field Ambulance, and 157th (Lowland) Field Ambulance. [2]
Although the regiment was originally formed with only two squadrons later expanding to three in 1983 where they changed names to 205th (Scottish) Field Hospital. In 1999 following the Strategic Defense Review the regiment was re-organized into three squadrons. The squadrons were re-designated as detachments in 2005 following the 2003 reforms. Finally under Army 2020 the regiment was expanded to 4 Squadrons and 1 Headquarters Squadron. The regiment remains part of 2nd Medical Brigade.[2]
Organization[]
Structure of the regiment upon formation;[2]
- Regimental Headquarters at Glasgow
- Glasgow Squadron
- Edinburgh Squadron
Structure of the regiment after re-organization in 1999;[2]
- Regimental Headquarters at Glasgow
- No.1 Surgical Squadron at Aberdeen
- No.2 Surgical Squadron at Edinburgh
- No.3 Surgical Squadron at Dundee (Formed in 2000)
Structure of the regiment before Army 2020;[2]
- Regimental Headquarters at Glasgow
- A (Aberdeen) Detachment (Later Squadron) at Aberdeen
- D (Dundee) Detachment (Later Squadron) at Dundee
- E (Edinburgh) Detachment (Later Squadron) at Edinburgh
- G (Glasgow) Squadron - Later Added at Glasgow
Structure of the regiment after Army 2020;[3][4]
- Regimental Headquarters at Glasgow
- A (Aberdeen) Clinical Squadron at Aberdeen
- D (Dundee) Clinical Squadron at Dundee
- E (Edinburgh) Nursing Squadron at Edinburgh
- G (Glasgow) Nursing Squadron at Glasgow
- I (Inverness) Support Squadron at Inverness
Squadrons[]
The regiment has a number of squadrons that all have a long and interesting history. Except for the Headquarters and Regimental Headquarters all the squadrons are named after the cities they are located in.
A (Aberdeen) Squadron[]
Aberdeen Squadron trace their history back to the Bearer Company formed in 1889. In 1906 just before the creation of the Territorial Force the unit was re-named to 1st (Highland) Field Ambulance and assigned to support the Highland Division. In 1922 following the 1920's reforms the regiment was disbanded. In 1937 the regiment was reformed as the 153rd Field Ambulance and served in World War II. In 1947 after the end of the war and reforms of the army the regiment was re-titled as the 152nd Field Ambulance. In 1967 following the 1966 Defence White Paper the regiment was reorganized as the 252nd (Highland) Field Ambulance (Volunteers). In 1995 the regiment was disbanded becoming the new Aberdeen Squadron of the new 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital in 1995. The squadron has a tradition of recruiting from Aberdeen University, Robert Gordon University, and the Aberdeen Area including; Stonehaven, Fraserburgh, Forres, and Grampian. In 2008 before re-configuration the squadron was commanded by Major S. J. Lambirth.[5]
Deployments[]
During 2008 as part of OP TELIC XII members of the hospital squadron deployed with 3 (Close Support) Medical Regiment. They were based in Shaibah in south-east Iraq.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20080910130754/http://www2.army.mod.uk/205fdhosp/history/index.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://web.archive.org/web/20071107110331/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/vols-tavr/corps/ramc205.htm
- ↑ https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/205-field-hospital/
- ↑ https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-11-22/194616
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20081108101357/http://www2.army.mod.uk/205fdhosp/a_squadron.htm
Sources[]
Major sources included;
- https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/225-scottish-medical-regiment/
- https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/205-field-hospital/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20071107110331/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/vols-tavr/corps/ramc205.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20071031093732/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/vols-tavr/corps/ramc225.htm