The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Sangara, Papua, 1942-11-18. NX473 Major Ian Firth Vickery, a Medical Officer (MO) serving with 2/4th Field Ambulance, has a refreshing drink of coconut milk straight from a coconut. Major Vickery and his Field Ambulance colleagues have just arrived at Sangi Sangara Mission after completing three days of the five-day trek from Kokoda to Soputa. Despite being promised fresh rations at every stop, the Field Ambulance staff have received nothing since the start of the journey. All they have had to eat so far is one days' supply of rations plus some emergency rations that they had brought with them. Less than two weeks later, on 1942-11-27, Major Vickery was killed in action (KIA) when Japanese aircraft strafed and bombed the Field Ambulance's Main Dressing Station (MDS) at Soputa.
Sangara, Papua, 1942-11-18. An officer of 2/4th Field Ambulance, possibly NX473 Major Ian Firth Vickery, cuts open a potato-like vegetable that he and his colleagues have dug up from the garden of the
Soputa, Papua. 22 December 1942. Grave of NX473 Major (Maj) Ian Firth Vickery, a Medical Officer (MO) serving with 2/4th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC). Major Vickery was killed
Myola 1, Papua, 1942-10. The three majors of the 2/4th Field Ambulance sitting in or near their tents at the unit's Main Dressing Station (MDS). The majors, all Medical Officers (MOs), are (left to ri
Myola 1, Papua, 1942-10. VX14704 Major Hew Fancourt Graham McDonald, a Medical Officer (MO) serving with the 2/4th Field Ambulance, sits outside his gunyah or temporary shelter at the unit's Main Dres
Kokoda Trail, Papua, c. 1942-11-18. Carrying a full pack on his back and using a walking stick for support, NX473 Major Ian Firth Vickery (left), a Medical Officer (MO) serving with the 2/4th Field Am
Soputa, Papua, 1942-11-27. A large Red Cross sign lies spread out on the ground at the Main Dressing Station (MDS) of the 2/4th Field Ambulance as an indication to enemy aircraft that it is a medical
