THE BRADFORD DYERS' AMBULANCE.
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• In the textile trade of the West Riding of Yorkshire the Bradford Dyers' Association occupies an important position, being one of the most importantconcerns in the county. Under one head; it comprises a large number of businesses all working in strict coordination in. the carrying out of the last processes in the manufacture of cloth, that of dyeing and finishing:
Through the numerous works of the Association pass a great bulk of the products of. West Riding mills, the custom being for the manufacturers to conduct the manufacture of cloth up to a certain point, and then allow the rest of the work to be done •by specialists. It is the custom of the Bradford Dyers' Association to transport the goods from the. manufactory to their own works and then return them when the work is completed. Consequently, a large fleet of vehicles is concerned.
It is not surprising, therefore, that thel Association have, amongst their war efforts, devoted some to equipping a number of their transport vehicles for the conveyance of wounded to the various war hospitals scattered about within the area of the Association. In this work no pains have been spared to make the journey of the wounded men as comfort'able as possible, and to ensure that the transfer from hospital train to base hospital shall be carried out as expeditiously
as possible. .
Typical of the manner in which these vehicles have been fitted is a 2-3-ton Austin covered van connected with the works of the Association at Stockbridge, Keighley, pictures of which are shown on this page. The accommodation of this vehicle is 20 "sitting-up " cases, or, when stretchers are necessary, four stretchers and six Sitting-up cases. The proportion of sitting-up cases and stretcher cases is ascertained some time before the arrival of the train, and in the event of the sitting-up cases being the more numerous, seats, which have been specially made, are placed down each side and across the , end.
For the carrying of stretcher eases a most ingenious systein has, been .aclopted. Entering the garage at ordinary times two extremely businesslike work tables will be noticed. Their real use would never be guessed; but here are the supports for four stretchers! Lifting off the
table top," the idea of the whole affair is at once apparent. Made substantially of wrought iron and steel the two tables lift lilto the van and fit at each side, as seen in the illustrations. The uprights at the outside of the van fit dowels in the floor, and the top is fastened to the van sides by check nuts. When the supports are in position the stretchers travel on their runners, the lower one about 6 ins, from the floor of the van, and the other 3 ft. higher, the stretcher runners travelling in grooves in the framework made from channel irons. When in position, the stretchers are secured by leather straps and buckles fastened to the cross stays of the supports, and to the crogs pieces of the stretchers.
There is room to pass between the stretchers when in position, and in addition seats are provided at the front end for six sitting-up cases.