It's a longshot, but I'm hoping you can help

All the bases were apparently loaded as well!

Thanks to the info Earthican found, I found this:

Whitehead Railway Station, which was the property of the Northern Counties Committee Railway, became Headquarters of Royal Engineers 8th Railway Construction Company who had an Armoured Rail Trolley which was marked to appear to be a Cement Wagon.


This trolley, which had a number of fighting slots, was prepelled by a Leyland engine which powered both axles and the driver could see forward by using a periscope.

From October 1940 an Ambulance Train was kept at Whitehead Platform however I believe the only use was in 1941 following the Bismarck Action when wounded sailors were landed at Londonderry and this train was used to ferry them to Hospitals in Belfast.

The Hospital Train consisted of approximately 10 ward carrages which held a total of 40 patients. It also had a Treatment Coach which incorporated an Operating Theatre, Pharmacy and Utility Room which, if circumstances dictated, could be used as an Isolation Ward or indeed Padded Cell.

Personel who worked on the train were from Number 15 Ambulance Train whose compliment was approximately 45 men with 3 Training Sisters.

From 22nd November 1943 until 17th May 1944 they were joined by United States Personel from 44th Hospital Train. The personel were housed in local billits.

 

Digging further into a link Earthican posted earlier turned up the next two links:

Here's a brief location lineage for the 44th HT: WW2 US Medical Research Centre :: WW2 MIilitary Hospitals :: European Theater of Operations Scroll about 2/3rds of the way down the page to "Hospital Trains"-more confirmation of the unit being in Ireland.

This one gives good background on the trains: WW2 US Medical Research Centre :: WW2 Hospital Trains

And this video gives a good view/explanation of hospital trains: WW2 - Hospital trains transporting wounded soldiers - World War Two Railroads - YouTube

This is an interesting thread about another subject I've never heard of, there was so much going on behind the front lines.

 

Hi Steve-
Thanks for digging, but I did have all that information. I've been corresponding with Ben from WW2 US Medical Research Centre for some time now. Its been awhile since I posted this info, so I'll go ahead and re-share it. Sadly, we haven't been able to locate the train past this 'itinerary' (included note is from WW2MRC):

HOSP TRAIN No. 44 –
13 Nov 43 Northern Ireland (re MRC website)
The only information we have indicates that the 44th Hosp Train was located in Antrim County, Belfast, Northern Ireland in March 1944.

Additional data are:

April 1944 > Fremington, Devon
17 May 1944 - 29 July 1944 > Westbury, Wiltshire
29 July 1944 > Northleach, Gloucestershire
5 August 1944 - 25 October 1944 > Weston, Somerset
8 August 1944 - 21 September 1944 > Bath, Somerset
October 1944 > Northern France
Rhineland ...

I also have the following information on my grandparents:

HIM

Date of Enlistment: 31 Mar 42
Place of Entry: Ft. Meade, MD
Grade: Tech 4
Arm or Service: MD
Component: AUS
ORG: 44th Hospital Train
Honerable Discharge: 2 Dec 45
Date of Separation: 2 Dec 45
Place of Separation: SEP CTR INDIANTOWN GAP MIL RES PA
MOS: Surgical Technician 861
Qualifications: Rifle M1 SS
Battles and Campaigns: GO 33 & 40 WD 45 Northern France Rhineland
Decorations and Citations: European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Starts; Good conduct medal; American Campaign Medal; WW II Victory medal


HER

A member of the Army Nursing Core, she entered active duty on 3 June 1942. According to the few records I currently have, she was attached to the 44th Hospital Train Unit, APO 513 when she separated from the military. I also know that, at some point during her service, she attended the American School Center, Shrivenham, England.

At her separation from the military, she had an EAME Theater ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, one for the Northern France Campaign and one for the Rhineland Campaign.

I also know that she served in field hospitals and spent time in Paris. To say its been a frustratingly slow search would be an understatement...lol

You can check out the pictures I've collected so far here: http://www.ww2f.com/members/lunafate-albums-john-mary-sockol.html

 

I confirm the bridge is not Paris. I know Parisian bridges and this one is not part of it, nor the landscape.

 

She had the bridge -- from a source she did not trust, apparently -- must of had a bet riding on that source being wrong.

The location is Bonn.

 

I suspected that it was the Bonn span, but I just wasn't sure because the angle on all the photos I saw made it difficult to verify landmarks. It was my husband who found the bridge at Bonn
You guys rock. Now I just have to figure out what uniform he's wearing :headbash:

 

Looks like the same uniform as he is wearing here -- with the addition of the left shoulder patch, Army Service Forces.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4641630633_68b0452ac7_o.jpg

IIRC, wool OD uniform with coat.