Caring on the Home Front - Volunteer memories from World War Two

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JWO transport

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• The JWO worked with the Army to ensure that the ambulances they provided were equipped with petrol and mechanical maintenance. Personnel were provided with accommodation, rations and uniform. They worked alongside other voluntary societies, such as the Women’s Transport Service of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, to transport servicemen returning home either by air or sea.

• The Director-General of the R.A.F. Medical Services wrote: ‘All who pass through the Centres express the greatest pleasure and gratitude for all that has been done for them. These first hours of their return home will remain a lasting memorial for the rest of their lives. This should prove a great satisfaction to all who have supported the British Red Cross [the JWO] so nobly’.

• About 300 ambulances were loaned to Joint County Committees. They carried the wounded to convalescent homes and auxiliary hospitals, and many were used as part of the Civil Defence Service.
• Emergency flying columns were for the immediate provision of relief owing to enemy action. They comprised of: 2 ambulances, 1 medical supply and first aid van, 1 mobile canteen van, 1 staff car, 1 motor cycle, and 13 staff, including 2 trained first aiders.

• The JWO also supplied four Ambulance Trains of the same design as those provided by the Army. JWO personnel also met Hospital Ships, which brought casualties back to the UK, and sent telegrams to their relatives announcing their safe arrival.
• JWO ships brought relief to people on the Channel Islands and were also used to take the millions of food parcels to POWs within Europe and Asia.