peter.murphy999
Redcar VAD ambulance 1916
One not originally taken by either Chris or myself but I think at 98 years old the 50 year copyright rule has been exceeded! A 1916 postcard showing the very first motor ambulance in Redcar, North Riding of Yorkshire owned by the British Red Cross. Designated as Yorks. 5 VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) the Redcar name is prominantly written on the side. The motor ambulance looks to be a Ford Model T based example with a simple Canvas and wood body applied. The cab offered little protection to the driver from the elements. The top of the postcard lists the officers of the Redcar VAD as:
Mr. W. Morris, Motor Section Leader, Mr. J.W. Harker, Acting Commandant, Dr. A. W. Robinson Commandant and Medical Officer, Mr. A. Donaldson, Acting Quatermaster and Mr. J.N.O. G. Gibbs Section Equipment Commandant.
Looking at the ambulance it looks like Mr JNO G. Gibbs is driving while Mr W. Morris is sat in the attendants seat. A notice on the back of the body reads "Load not to exceed one attendant and 4 patients". Given this was taken mid way through world war 1 it may have been provided as war effort for the area: Although far from the western front the North Riding of Yorkshire and now Teesside area did see enemy raids during the war with the Borough of Hartlepool being shelled by a German Navy ship on the 14th December 1914 along with the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough. A Zeplin raid also took place on the Benzol plant of the Skinningrove Iron company just 9 miles away on the night of the 8/9th September 1915.
Redcar VAD ambulance 1916
One not originally taken by either Chris or myself but I think at 98 years old the 50 year copyright rule has been exceeded! A 1916 postcard showing the very first motor ambulance in Redcar, North Riding of Yorkshire owned by the British Red Cross. Designated as Yorks. 5 VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) the Redcar name is prominantly written on the side. The motor ambulance looks to be a Ford Model T based example with a simple Canvas and wood body applied. The cab offered little protection to the driver from the elements. The top of the postcard lists the officers of the Redcar VAD as:
Mr. W. Morris, Motor Section Leader, Mr. J.W. Harker, Acting Commandant, Dr. A. W. Robinson Commandant and Medical Officer, Mr. A. Donaldson, Acting Quatermaster and Mr. J.N.O. G. Gibbs Section Equipment Commandant.
Looking at the ambulance it looks like Mr JNO G. Gibbs is driving while Mr W. Morris is sat in the attendants seat. A notice on the back of the body reads "Load not to exceed one attendant and 4 patients". Given this was taken mid way through world war 1 it may have been provided as war effort for the area: Although far from the western front the North Riding of Yorkshire and now Teesside area did see enemy raids during the war with the Borough of Hartlepool being shelled by a German Navy ship on the 14th December 1914 along with the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough. A Zeplin raid also took place on the Benzol plant of the Skinningrove Iron company just 9 miles away on the night of the 8/9th September 1915.