ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1940, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

GREY DIVISION The Greymouth Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade is going , ahead well, members being well equipped, and also efficient in their work. They have had to attend to over SO accidents while on duty, and 30 while off duty. On a recent Saturday, ten of these men were on duty. The members help in the first aid classes which are held every Wednesday night. The St. John Ambulance movement traces its origin back to the time of the Crusaders. During the reign of William the First of England, knights set out from England to regain for Christendom the Holy Land. This was accomplished at a great cost, At Jerusalem the hospital for Christian pilgrims was used as a hospital for wounded until the knights, who were inspired by' thoughts of charity, had one built and staffed with their own men. At this moment the first Order of Chivalry was formed, and took the name of the Knights of Jerusalem. From that time, with Hospitallers of the Order of St. John only short breaks, the Order has been known throughout the world for acts of chivalry, and for attending to sick and wounded. For 187 years Palestine was their home, then Cyprus, and also Rhodes for 200 years, and, | last of all, Malta, where it carried on work until Malta fell to Napoleon in 1798. Then 33 years later the English branch of the Order was form- , ed, out of which the St. John Ambulance Association was formed for the teaching of ambulance work. In 1887 the St. John Ambulance Brigade was formed with the object of Association certificate holders meeting together to have practice and keep efficient in first aid work, and io be ready to render assistance whenever an accident, occurred. To be a member of the brigade, a man must not only hold a certificate, but each year must pass a re-examina-tion, and also put in at ieast twelve attendances where first aid work is carried out, for at least an hour each, and also be present at the inspection unless sick. Members join the local Division of the brigade of their own free will, and they not only put in the attendances at. lectures, etc., but on all the spoits grounds you find one or two of these men ready in case of accidents. They are quite easy to pick out in the crowd, as the black and white distinctive uniform is well known. On the West Coast perhaps it is not so well known, but as the weeks go by and men in uniform are attending each week, it will soon be just as popular as in other parts of New Zealand. The men give their time and experience without any recompense, for no member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade receives payment for services rendered on duty. The members attend lectures that are given by the doctors. Officers of the Greymouth Division are:— Divisional Superintendent, J. H. Griffiths; ambulance officer, A. A. Meiklejohn; sergeant,, J. Devonport; corporal, A. Buchanan; secretary, W. P. Moore; treasurer, G. Boucher’