I agree that we are in the car park at Claylands. Most of those pictured are instructors, could this be the reason they are there?
I would say circa 1972-3. Supporting evidence comes from the presence of Mick Lockey as a Station Officer. He was appointed S/O of Basingstoke Ambulance Station in 1971. Eddie Phillips from Lymington (3rd from left at rear) and Brian Darley from Fareham (seated 1st on right) were both L/A's (or 'Senior Drivers' as Hampshire initially called them in those days). They were promoted in 1969 when Hampshire introduced the rank, initially at every 24hr station.
Also, Tony Kendal (Bournemouth Ambulance Service) is seated 2nd in on the right. Tony was the Instructor / Training Officer (Bournemouth) a bit like Bob (Paddy) Crory was for Portsmouth.
Centre seated is Don Cooke, Chief Ambulance Officer, Bournemouth Ambulance Service. Don was previously chief of Southampton Ambulance Service and moved to Bournemouth in 1966. He then became Chief of the newly formed Hampshire Ambulance Service following amalgamation on 1st April 1974.
Standing (1st left) could be Rowley Jones, who at that time would have been Wiltshire Ambulance Service. It's certainly the Wiltshire style uniform and same shaped shoulder flash. I don't immediately recognise any others in the line up.
Thanks to Ron Lilly for the information.
The photo was not taken at Claylands but at Bournemouth Ambulance HQ. I feature 4th from the right in the back row. The occasion was a pre-paramedic course in the early 1970's. The course concentrated on advanced anatomy and physiology and medical terms with a view to students progressing to train with Anaesthetists in hospitals. I was serving with Wiltshire Ambulance Service in Salisbury. Unfortunately, Wiltshire decided not to continue with the training at that time.
Incidentally, I did my basic training at Bishops Waltham.
Hope this information is of interest and help.
All the best,
Bob O'Toole
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