The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Mersa Matruh, Egypt. c. 1941-01. VFX62909 Sister M.F. Lindsay and Privates Gambrel (left) and McAuliffe of the 2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS) take a break outside the front entrance to the sisters' quarters of the "Dug Out". Based about a half mile from the hospital this "Dug Out" comprised three tunnels built by the British as a regimental aid post but never used. All had concrete walls and converged in an area 25 feet below ground level. The area contained a 500 gallon water tank, a kitchen with store, an operating theatre and three wards which took stretchers slung on the walls. Air was supplied by vents.
Mersa Matruh, Egypt. c. 1941-01. Field baths and the water tank in the bathing area of the 2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS) in the "Dug Out". Based about a half mile from the hospital this
Mersa Matruh, Egypt. c. 1941-01. The right hand side of the 2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS) Mess in the "Dug Out". Note the old wardrobe and the comfortable look of the mess. Based about a
Mersa Matruh, Egypt. c. 1941-01. The dining table and other mess items belonging to the 2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS) in the Mess of their quarters, known familiarly as the "Dug Out". Ba
Mersa Matruh, Egypt. c. 1941-01. The kitchen of the 2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS) in the "Dug Out". Note the shelves full of kettles and cooking utensils, and the improvised ventilation
Mersa Matruh, Egypt. c. 1941-01. VFX263 Sister Dorothy Vines' sleeping arrangements in the 2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS) in the "Dug Out". Note the feminine touches of the floral covers
2/1st Casualty Clearing Station (2/1st CCS), showing the interior of the Mess and at the back the sleeping quarters in the "Dug Out". Based about a half mile from the hospital this "Dug Out" comprised
