London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) Drivers and Vehicle

6/17/2018

A very good portrait of an ambulance driver standing next to her vehicle. She's wearing the drivers' coat and ski cap.

The London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) was run by the London County Council. It was initially called the London Volunteer Ambulance Service (until renamed the LAAS on the outbreak of war) and had 5,000 volunteer drivers and attendants. Each ambulance station in London was 'manned' by a staff of approximately 80 people and was run 24 hours a day. Many of their vehicles had been donated and converted into ambulances.

Early in the war the drivers were issued with the 'lancer' fronted blue coat but from 1941 they were issued with serge uniforms. CD issue badges replaced the previous LAAS issued hat, breast and shoulder badges.

London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) Driver and Vehicle

A WW2 London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) driver displaying the cap and shoulder titles.

3 Comments

Marjorie fernley

9/14/2020 22:08:32

I was an ambulance driver in Sidcup and Chislehurst 1941 to 1944.
During some of the heaviest air-raids at that time.

We were described as No;8 group - but cannot see any reference to this. We, of course, were part of the Civil Defence organization.

Our vehicles were all converted from others, and very basic -
Canvas curtains and wire mesh stretchers.

All Ambulance drivers and attendants were female; the Light and Heavy Rescue crews were all males

Website owner

9/14/2020 22:15:06

Thank you for comments and also for your service. I'd love to hear more about your time as an ambulance driver.

Marjorie fernley

9/16/2020 19:47:08

This is not how we were no; 8 group based in Chislehurst and Sidcup.

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London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) Drivers and Vehicle

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