content of RCAMC medical bag

Hi There,

New on the forum!

My name is Bjørn and i live in Holland, Groesbeek (operation market garden). My house sits so to say in the battlefield...
I am collecting for over 23 years now. Started when i was 13 years old.
Started with only german collectables and since 10 years collecting US and Canadian militaria aswell.
Collecting mostly uniforms, headgear, medalls, and equipment. Try to make a setting with items used here in the Groesbeek area.
And trying to make the display as complete as possible.

Since my RCAMC uniform is being nearly complete i have a question concerning the medical bag.
What did the medical bag carry???
Was that just dressings or also syrettes morphine, syringe, safety pins, etc etc.
Does enyone can help me out with this one???
I really want to make it as complete as possible....
Pictures of items are more than welcome.
Also websites or book references are apriciated

Sorry for my poor english..:)
Greetings and thanx so far

Bjørn
The Netherlands (Holland)

Hello Bjørn
Welcome to the forum, as for your question I don't have a official listing of contents but you are correct in that dressings, triangle bandages, tourniquet, bandages, etc are in the medic bag. Perhaps others have more information. I do not think syringes are part of a medic bag, as the morphine was in a syrette. I have seen medic bags that just had dressings only.
My uncle fought in Bergen op Zoom with the South Alberta Regt.

Cheers...Mike

Thanks for your reply mike,

Hope that anyone can give me more info of the contetents..so i can create a nice looking medic bag
Thanx so far!

I am also wondering......
Did the canadian army strictly use canadian items in these bags or also UK made or even US made items?
Suchs as badages syrettes etc etc????

Hi Bjorn,

I did a little research a few years back when I did up a WWII shell dressing bag my self that a Canadian medic might have had during the war.

Off the top of my head some of the items that would be in the bag are scissors, an assortment of different size bandages, compresses, slings, safety pins, tourniquets and so on.

Canadian medics would have a mix of British and Canadian made items. This would vary by location and supply chain. Canadians fighting in Italy in 1943 would have almost entirely British rations and supplies from what I have read and according to veteran accounts.
I am sure some US items could have made it into the medics bag if that what was all that was available depending on circumstances. You take what you can get when times get tough.

I would suggest picking up David Gordon's series of books. Weapons, equipment and uniforms. I feel the books are very well done and covers British, Canadian, Aussie, NZ and Indian variations.

Hope this helps and you post a picture when it is done.

thanx for your helpful info...
trying to get that book now!

Cheers!
Bjorn