SAMHS is the fourth Arm of Service of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Prior and during the Second Boer War (1889 – 1902), there was no organised military medical units within South Africa.

After the hostilities, it was decided to form a new Transvaal Medical Volunteer Staff Corps, under the leadership of Lt Col D.W. Johnston of Johannesburg.

In June 1913, 1 Field Ambulance (Tvl) was mobilised to assist with the Civil Disturbances and rendered first aid from the Drill Hall in Johannesburg.

The 1 Field Ambulance SAMC (Tvl) (not to be confused with 1 SA Field Ambulance) was under command of Major J. Pratt-Jones, served in the First Great War and took part in the German South-West Africa Campaign, with the forces that operated from Luderitz under Gen Sir Duncan MacKenzie.

In 1926, the Government awarded Campaign Honours "The Great War - SW Africa 1914-1915 to 1 Field Ambulance SAMC (Tvl).

8 Mobile Hospital was disbanded on 5 November 1981, when the majority of the serving and active members were incorporated into 6 Medical Battalion Group at the time.

[6] Deployed three Medical Task Teams during Operation JAMBU over the (first democratic election) period 15 April to 15 May 1994.

geskryf deur Miemie Groenewald, Dapartement van Verpleegkunde (UNISA); in "Koers" Joernaal, Vol.

van Jaarsveldt; in Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol.

van Jaarsveldt; in Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol.

Dorning; in Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol.

2, 1987 written by Ian van der Waag, in Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol.

Pretorius, in Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol.