Historical information

A margin around the four edges of the front of the card has been sectioned into groups of dates that correlate with weekends in November 1915, December 1915 and January 1916. Holes have been punched for the weekends of 20-21 and 27-28 November. The back of the card explains that, where a section has been punched, the holder of the card was on duty on the relevant dates at No. 5 Australian General Hospital. The hospital was established when it became necessary to establish a Military Hospital in Victoria during World War I. A new 40-bed Police Hospital on St Kilda Road that had not yet been occupied was taken over, expanded to take more than 600 patients, and opened as No. 5 Australian General Hospital in March 1915. It was soon found to not be large enough and tents were used until more permanent buildings could be constructed.

Physical description

Card, coloured brown on the front and cream on the back, printed both sides in black. A Red Cross is also printed on the front.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten notations identify the card holder as Pt A D Mickle of 30 Marine Parade St Kilda

References