SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 36, 4 January 1946, Page 6

SERVICE

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION ORGANISATION IN NEW ZEALAND

Although most people are aware of the great work which the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade arc. performing in the relief of human suffering, very few realise that these organisations have their origin in tiie Order of St. John—the most Ancient Order of Chivalry—which was in existence at the time of the Crusaders.

Early in the eleventh century a hospital existed in Jerusalem to minrister to the needs of the Christian pilgrims who came from all parts of Europe to visit the Holy City. When in 1087 the Crusaders besieged Jerusalem, the Hospital was in charge of a body of men calling themselves "the poor brethren of the Hospital of St. John" and these men devoted their lives to the relief of suffering and the administration of hospitality to the pilgrims.

It was around this hospital that the Order of St. John develop ed # and although in later years the Knights became one. of the greatest military organisations in Christendom they still maintained and developed the humanitarian side of their work.

In 1187, Saladih drove the Christians -from and after sojourning in Acre and Cyprus, the order of St. John became established in Rhodes. For over 200 years ? the. Knights in their island fortress withstood, the forces of Islam and by their stubborn defence, helped to stem the tide of Mohammedan invasion which threatened to overwhelm Europe. In 1522, the Knights were compelled to leave Rhodes after a siege lasting six months' and after some years of wandering they settled down in Malta. Here they remained for more than two hundred years, in • which time they became a powerful naval* force. But during the whole, of their existence, the Knights gave. special attention to the maintenance of a larg'e Hoipital at the Convent of the Order. Towards the end of their stay in Malta they gradually lost their influence in the and they were dispersed by Napoleon in 1798.

The Order in England

Early in the nineteenth century } the English branch of the Order, which .came into existence in 1130, but had been dormant since the Rewas revived and in 1888 the status of the Order was confirmed by Queen Victoria } who granted a new charter which' controlled • the work of the English Grand Priory and its and extended the work of the Order to the British Dominions overseas.

It was in 1887 that the St. John Ambulance Association officially came into existence as a department of the Order of St. John. In 1892 the first Ambulance Division of the Brigade overseas was formed in Dunedin. Today, there are some members in the Dominion, whilst branches of the organisation extend throughout the length and breadth of the British Empire.

New Zealand Leads the World With 14,542 members, New Zealand on a population basis f leads the world in the St. John Organisa-* lion. Divisions number 5815. Throughout 1945 nearly one hundred and thirty-five thousand services were performed. With regard to first aid, 28,353 Public Duty cases were attended whilst those falling into the category of general first aid (not -Public Duty) numbered 53,548. Transport cases were in the region of sixteen thousand involving a total mileage of miles covered by ambulances. Members of the organisation on active service numybered 1765. Tn addition the 50 V.A. groups throughout the country command a membership of 3225. Further to this, some idea of the enthusiasm and proficiency of the six thousand cadet members can be gained from the following fact: Cadets who complete the twelve examinations required between the ages of 15 and 18 years are eligible for the Grand Prior's Badge, hast year 158 were awarded throughout the British Empire. 128 of these came to New Zealand.

DlH'ing the War. St. John Ambulances were employed throughout the length and breadth of England. In London during the blitz, every

civilian injured was attended to by St. John personnel and if necessary removed to hospital by a St. John Ambulance .*•

In New Zealand, there are upwards of sixty St. John Ambulances operating, and all are staffed wholly by. St. John personnel. In Auckland

A Voluntary Organisation

alone fourteen are ' maintained

A busy street an unwary pedestrian; the squeal of brakes; a crash; an injured man-—and almost before, the crowd has had time to collect a St. John Ambulance is on the way with personnel capable and ready to give expert attention. Such is the. organisation of St. John—an organisation entirely voluntary, incurring long hours hard work and the sacrifice of much leasure time on the part of its members.— men who are ready and waiting to give of their service at any time of the (lay or night ? whenever the call comes through. It is an organisation to which humanity owes a lasting debt.