243 (Wessex) Multi-Role Medical Regiment

The unit was formed in 1999, through the amalgamation of 211th (Wessex) Field Hospital, and 219th (Wessex) Field Hospital, as 243 (The Wessex) Field Hospital.{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/vols-tavr/corps/ramc243.htm|title=243rd (The Wessex) Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107110648/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/vols-tavr/corps/ramc243.htm|archive-date=7 November 2007|accessdate=13 December 2020}} As a result of Army 2020, the hospital was under 2nd Medical Brigade, and was paired with the now disbanded 33 Field Hospital.{{cite web|url=http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2014-0042/20140110-PQ01968B-SOames-A2020-Update-Glossy-U.pdf|title=TRANSFORMING THE BRITISH ARMY An Update|page=15|accessdate=13 December 2020}}

Under the Future Soldier programme, the regiment was redesignated as the 243rd (Wessex) Multi-Role Medical Regiment and remains under 2nd Medical Group.{{Cite web|title=Unit Details|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/future-army/unit-details/|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}

The regiment's current structure is as follows:

• Headquarters, at Keynsham
• 128 Support Squadron, at Keynsham and Gloucester
• 219 Hospital Squadron, at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter{{Cite web|title=Google Earth|url=https://earth.google.com/web/search/Wyvern+Barracks,+Exeter/@50.71045918,-3.51230341,22.17050603a,0d,15y,69.5826462h,91.94063454t,0r/data=CigiJgokCSFNyLfWH0pAEfpj6tmzH0pAGVBwbraxNOY_IfTonKfeJeY_IhoKFkxiSW5SanA0bUY0V096MG9GUS16WkEQAg|access-date=2021-11-11|website=earth.google.com}}
• 211 Hospital Squadron, at Plymouth and Truro
• 129 Medical Squadron, at Portsmouth

The Wessex Wyvern Division Sign was used by the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division during the two world wars: a mythical creature said to lurk in the West Country. The sign was re-introduced to the Army in mid-1993 with the 211th Field Hospital becoming the first unit to re-use the symbol on their combat jackets. The sign was publicly worn for the first time on 24 October 1993 at the 75th Anniversary commemorations of the awards of the Croix de Guerre to the 24th Field Ambulance.{{Cite web|last=Vassallo|first=Colonel (retired) David|date=17 February 2021|title=A History of 243rd (The Wessex) Field Hospital and its predecessors|url=https://www.friendsofmillbank.org/downloads/243_Fd_Hosp.pdf|access-date=3 January 2022|website=Friends of Millbank}}{{Cite web|year=2018|title=Royal Army Medical Corps Reunited Newsletter|url=http://ramcreunited.co.uk/files/RAMC-REUNITED-NEWSLETTER-46---September-2018_j5oa3xk8.pdf|access-date=3 January 2022|website=Royal Army Medical Corps Reunited|series=September 2018 Edition}}

The use of the Croix-de-Guerre is granted for the 243rd (Wessex) Multi-Role Medical Regiment, though it is no longer worn on battle dress or in the field following the adoption of the new Multi-Terrain Pattern in 2010.{{Cite web|year=2018|title=Royal Army Medical Corps Reunited Newsletter|url=http://ramcreunited.co.uk/files/RAMC-REUNITED-NEWSLETTER-46---September-2018_j5oa3xk8.pdf|access-date=3 January 2022|website=Royal Army Medical Corps Reunited|series=September 2018 Edition}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqId6mrz0zLk1lzI0EUJKnOPxGx0dVMaa Official History of 243rd (Wessex) Field Hospital and its predecessors in the First World War] on YouTube
• [https://www.facebook.com/groups/442372725801405/ 211th/219th/243rd Wessex Field Hospital Members Facebook Group]

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Category:Military units and formations established in 1999

Category:Units of the Royal Army Medical Corps

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