The Origins and early history of Airborne Medical Services supporting the Regular Army are well documented in "On Wings of Healing", but there is no good published account of the evolution of volunteer services. The following is an attempt to summarise what is known, although it is incomplete and probably contains inaccuracies.

Corrections would be welcomed - if you have corrections or additions please contact current 23PFAOCA treasurer Roy Hatch (via the contact page) or on royhatchbem48@gmail.com

 

Introduction: 

Demobilisation after the Second World War saw the reformation​ of the Territorial Army in April 1947 and of the 16 Airborne division within it. Three medical units were formed, designated 4, 5 and 6 (Parachute) Field Ambulance RAMC (v). Naturally these incorporated many distinguished ex-regular soldiers and officers, not least of whom was Lt Col Guy Rigby-Jones MC, who became the first Commanding Officer of 4 Para Fd Amb, having commanded 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance in the last few months prior to its disbandment in 1945.

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The 4th (Parachute) Field ​Ambulance was raised at the Duke of York's HQ at Chelsea and was formed from the pre-war 141 (County of London) Field Ambulance. 6 (Para) Fd Amb was raised in Liverpool and was descended from the pre-war 164 (West Lancs) Fd Amb, whereas 5 PFA in Sheffield was an entirely new unit.

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Another reorganisation of the TA in 1950 saw the three Parachute Field Ambulances of 16 AB Div retitled 44, 45 and 46 (Parachute) Field Ambulances and Colonel Rigby-Jones became ADMS of the division on promotion. The latter two were disbanded with the Division itself in 1956 leaving 44 Parachute Brigade supported by a single a single Parachute Field Ambulance of the same number. Lt Col Urquhart, Commanding Officer at the time became the Senior Medical Officer of the Brigade.

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44 PFA had its headquarters at Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, with Detachments in Birmingham and Liverpool. Another detachment was raised in Derby and subsequently moved to Nottingham in 1961. Birmingham Detachment was closed, and although it was hoped that the 40 or so enthusiastic and well trained soldiers would join other units, almost all of them left the Territorial Army. In 1960, Lt Colonel Howat, then Commanding Officer, devised an arduous field competition tun by the Unit for other medical units. The fittingly named Pegasus Trophy has evolved into one of the most coveted awards of the Army Medical Services TA and continues to be run annually by 144.