the ability to deliver blood transfusions was limited by the lack of a blood bank, which would allow donated blood to be stored for future needs. in 1938, with world war ii approaching, the decision was made to establish a blood bank at the royal melbourne hospital, and williams and wood turned their attention to developing new techniques for storing blood and plasma, as well as to the logistical aspects of obtaining and administering the blood. the new emergency blood transfusion service was founded in may 1939 by williams and wood, with williams managing the technical and administrative aspects of the service and wood ensuring the supply of blood and serum in the field.