St John Review (1977)

SJ's Gala Night

Grand

Prior's Trophy

Stroke

From another point of view . ..

The 1976 annual Order St. Paul's Cathedral Serv i ce at

Reprinted with permission and gr a teful acknowledgme n t o f the British Association Sovereign Mil i tary O r de r of Malta ' s q u art

SATU R DA Y afternoon, June 26, and while the rest of the country baked and sweltered in the heat , the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral was deliciously cool and refreshing for what must. be, after the State Opening of Parliament, one of the grandest and best- ordered major annual ceremonies of the capital - the Annual Service of Commemoration and Rededication of our Confreres , the Grand Priory of the Most Venerable Order of the Hos pi tal of St. John of Jerusalem.

Representatives of our own Association robe with Chapter -General , and long before the first procession moves off from the chapel of St. Dunstan , the huge Cathedral is already crammed tight with an enormous congregation of black uniforms , presenting a vast sea of expectant faces. The nave never seems so lengthy , nor the space beneath the great dome so immense , as when one treads in that slow and solemn progress , reaching at last the shallow steps up into the relative sanctuary of the choir , and the seats reserved for us in the Canons ' Stalls , next to the High Altar.

After our own proce s sion came Chapter-General itself, and the Representatives of the Priories and Commanderies of the Most Venerable Order - a m ighty flood of black cloaks bearing the eight - pointed cross and enveloping a surge of confreres of both sexe s so numerous that even the ample spaces of the choir seemed hardly sufficient to contain them all. These were followed by the choir, the minor canons and prebendaries, and the preacher - a former Bishop of Coventry bringing a double splash of colour in his own richly embroide r ed cope and in the deep purple of his guest, Archbishop Heim , who wore the Grand Cross of our own Order. How short a time it had been , one thought, since an Apostolic Delegate had come to attend a Service at St. Paul's for the very first time , sitting next to the late Cardinal at the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill .

B y then , the trumpet s had sounded their fanfare at the great West Door , and the final procession reached it s tripl e culmination with the arrival of the Lord Prior of St. John with the Chancellor and the Sword , the Dean and Chapt e r of St. Paul 's, and the Lord Mayor of London w ith the Sheriffs and his retinue. The Sword and M ace were lodged with the Lord Ma y or in his official stall , the Cross , Sword and Great Banner of th e Order were received at the High Altar , and with a fullness of ceremonial detail more familiar to most of us beneath Michelan gelo s dome than beneath that of Wren, the Service commenced . Of this Ser vic e it se lf, le ss need be sa id Detail s remain in the mind - the le ss on read b y Lord Caccia , Lord Prior of St. John , the anthem from Mendel s sohn 's St. Paul ' s un g b y the choir , and t he s olemn removal of the banner of a decea sed Bailiff Gr a nd Cros s who had once held one of the Great Office s - Bailiff of Egle The prayers included one fo r all member s of the Orders of St.John:

' Let us pra y God , throu g h J es u s Chri st our Lord , that he would bless and preserve all our Confreres of the So v ereign Military Order of Malta , of the J ohanniterorden and of the Order s of St. John in Sweden and the Netherlands to which one could only answer a heartfelt ' Amen Bishop Bardsle y's eloquent sermon dwelt on the double lack - of faith and of purpo s e - so common toda y and emphasised how necessar y both faith and purpose were , in the activities of the Order of St. John and in the life of the nation.

Finally the Act of Rededication and the Blessing , and the Service was over, with the processions reforming for the withdrawal , and the sound of further trumpet fanfares. The black uniforms with the Cross of St. John , and the faces whose earlier expectancy had now matured into a joyful confidence , spilled out into the world outside with their message of service , particularly to the sick and to the poor.

REVIEW

A t Ra n d o m , by Watkin W. W illiams p.1

Gr and Pri o r's Trophy p.2

Comp e tit io n s - th e S ta nt o n S y s tem, by A J .

Colling o n p A

Surg eon-in-Chief's commen s o n Brigade Finals 1 976 p. 5

Ma ke your 9wn centenary c o st u mes, part 2, b y Pam el a W illis p.6

Aro und a nd A bout, by the Editor p. 8

Centen ary Gala Ni ght p.1 3

A Stro ke, by Kate W i ki n son p.1 4

Orde r nves t iture Nov. 25 p.1 7

Read er s' V ie w s p .1 8

News f rom Sc ot and , Wales a nd N. Ire land p.20

Na ti ona Fi rst Aid Com p et tion s p.2 1

New s f rom D v isio ns/ C entre s p.2 2

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Ed ted and produced for the Order of S 1. Jq h {l by D ri sco ll Productions Wood Cottage High Corner Butley Nr. W oodb ridge Suffo k IP12 3QF

Phone : Orford (Std 039 45) 548 E1:iitor : Frank Driscoll.

Ad v ertising display and classified, rates o n reques t from Driscoll Productions

Pr ice 26p m·onthly.

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Com missioner- in-Chief

'There s a long , long trail a -winding Into the land of my dreams , Where the nightingales are singing And a white moon beams : There's a long, long night of waiting Until my dreams all come true; Till the day when I'll be going down That long long trail with y ou'.

A HAPPY CENTENARY YEAR to you all, and may it be a year in which the Oxfordshire cadets, who dreamed that they would some day hold their county camp in Malta , are not the only members of the St. John family to reach the end of the long , long trail and find their dreams come true. One of the greatest marvels of life is that , if we plod faithfully and purposefully along its trail, many of our dreams really do come true , and often at the least expected moment. I could give you many examples from my own life , which has lasted longer than many of yours have yet. Let me quote two from among those Which are neither too intimate nor I hope too boring to recount. The first, which may seem trivial, was a dream of my youth that I might some day sail down the Danube as it flowed through the beautiful city of Budapest. Don t ask me to account for that dream , for I couldn't. But it came true quite fortuitously , on the evening of my 27th birthday - at night , to the sound of music , with all the glorious towers of the ancient city of Buda floodlit on the right bank of the river. ' And an even earlier childhood dream, with absolutely no expectation of fulfilment, was that some day I might visit the continent of Africa where I had many associations of family and friends. For the fulfilment of that dream I had to wait till I was 63 , and since than I have been to Africa five times and visited seven of its lovely countries and peoples , three of them three times over. And so I repeat with confidence , may our centenary year 1977 be one in which your happiest dreams - however unexpectedly - come true!

2.

2.

3.

4,

5.

WINNERS

Grand Prior's Trophy

Brigade (Bolsover) takes trophy; but Staffs' Police finish superbly

THE Grand Prior's Trophy competitionsthe first for men was held in 1950, for women in 1951 - which are the finals of competitions held throughout Britain during 1976 involving about 21,000 first -aiders, were held at Seymour Hall, London, on November 30.

Before presel'lting awards , the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Robert Mark 's speech included:

'Whatever the problems of this nation, of this Government and of the many organisations, including the police, whose purpose is to serve the well being of the State and the people, it would be a sad day for us all if there was to emerge a general belief that voluntary work has no part to play in their solution. Indeed I would put it higher. A free society such as ours depends essentially on government by consent. No government, no organisation no institution of any kind in this country is in a position to solve our problems or to regulate our affairs by force or by compulsion. Throughout the whole of this century there has grown a tradition of voluntary participation in almost all those activities on which the State depends for its wellbeing.- The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Police, the Fire Service, the Nursing Service, all these and many others have evolved in this century against the background of reliance upon voluntary service given without thought of reward and inspired only by the public good,

'From my own prejudiced point of view (and in this matter I freely confess to a most unpolicemanlike prejudice) I believe that the Special Constabulary, the Lifeboatmen and the St. John Association and its Brigade are perhaps the three most outstanding examples of voluntary service that really matter and without which we would be very much worse

off both as a country and as individuals.

'I do, of course , understand that the activities of the Association extend to firstaiders generally but my liveliest appreciation of their admirable work is naturally reserved for where it touches me most, in the help we receive from the Brigade. My own feelings and those of the Metropolitan Force for the St. John Ambulance Brigade in particular are difficult to put into words. We handle something like 450 demonstrations every year and innumerable other manifestations of public discontent. We send three men off duty every two days after being assaulted, some of them for long periods and we face incidents of violence every day. Whenever it is possible to predict the likelihood of violence on a large scale at organised incidents the St. John Ambulance Brigade is there without faiL'

Second

Third

The girls of Staffordshire Police team appropriately receive the winner's trophy from Lady Mark, wife of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner

(Left) The fellows from Staffordshire Police - finishing second - gave that bit of extra delight to award presenting Sir Robert Mark. While (above) North Thames Gas Board's team couldn t have been happier with their finish - also second

(Left)

With the Stanton System a good time is had by all

THERE must be many St. John members who have spent hours fingering their worry beads and lucky mascots in cold and desolate competition isolation rooms up and down the country. They sit awaiting their turn to perform - exchanging football and horse-racing news for a plain wall- often in a school or colliery cloakroom. Not the best \ way to spend your Saturday afternoon, is it?

Is the team which draws, at that magic moment, the coverted number two (remember the judge is a bit raw for number one) more lucky than the team which draws the last number? Perhaps not. First 'on' spends the rest of that long afternoon getting neurotic about what they missed, why one team treated for a fracture when they only treated for a bad bruise, and spending fortunes on cigarettes and endless cups of tea. Generally it is a waste of time for what amounts to eight minutes of concentrated first aid practice and, if lucky (I'm sure this element is important) and skilled, a set of sherry glasses or a bedside lamp.

It is our opinion at Stanton Cadets that this time factor, totally boring as it is, has contributed to a dearth in competitionsparticularly cadet competitions. My Cadet Division has recently tried - and what is more, feel we have succeeded - in ending boredom in competition work. We have added a few 'excitements' to the usual runof-the-mill competitions.

For a few years now, and in conjunction with neighbouring Ilkeston Ambulance Cadet Division , we have held a summer field exercise for cadets with invitations to other divisions. Choosing a local beauty spot, we have scattered about it various 'real situation' incidents. In a competitive way, the cadet teams have been given a set route around the area and have treated each incident as they arrived at it. They are , marked according to their performance.

Parents watch, chewing on their picnics of chicken legs and sipping wine! A good time 4

is had by all - except the poor organisers, who need a week's holiday to recuperate

For our annual cadet first aid competition

- The President's Trophy - at Stanton this year we decided to bring the field exercise format into our HQ and try it on a real competition situation.

Eight ambulance and nursing cadet teams were invited to compete. Six accepted and sent in forms and fees. With the 'Stanton system' we need as many separate incidents as teams competing - the reason for this will soon be evident. So in this case six incidents, and indeed six judges, were required. The devious brain of our Divisional Officer - Stuart Foster - was put to work to think up six accidents which could have happened in an HQ building - realism, as we are so often told, being important. I set about acquiring six casualties and six judges.

Following weeks of ulcer -g rowing expectancy Uudges opted out, patients became an almost extinct commodity) the happy day eventually dawned.

Isolation closed at 1.30 p . m. (yes, even with this system isolation is an evil necessity) and by 3.30 p.m. the team test was over. The individual test - written - followed, and everyone was home in time to watch The Basil Brush Show , important criteria when planning a competition

The 'Stanton system' involves a ' Round Robin' format. Teams draw a number in the usual way before the competition starts. Their number corresponds to the number of the test they attend first. For example , imagine the Stanton team captain draws number four, then he and his team start at test number four. After the time limit for the test has expired, they move to test five, then to test six and eventually via tests 1,2 and 3 to where they began at test four. They treat six different incidents on route and are scored separately on each.

While Stanton team starts at test four, the I1keston team may have drawn three as their

spots over a wider range of skills; and perhaps a team can also win a section or two while not being the overall winner. There are, of course, problems with this method The loss of a made-u p fracture by a rough team can hold up progress for repairs; a talkative judge can remain indifTerent to the frantic pleas of the organisers to move on the teams (don't invite him next time!); and if delays occur and tests are timed too long (they must all be of the same duration , of course), teams can be operating for over an hour.

by A. J. COLLINGTON Supt. Stanton Ale Division

first test. They progress immediately behind Stanton through to test 4, 5, 6, I, 2 and back to 3.

In this way all six teams are on the floor at the same time, although each team is treating a difTerent drama in turn (Stanton treats four while Ilkeston treats three, etc). The teams leave isolation together, start the series of tests together, and finish the series and the competition together.

During each test the following timings are observed. All tests are of eight-minutes duration (and carry equal points of 100). A pell or whistle sounds to signify the end, a three minute break follows to tidy-up, re-set the stage and to talk to the judge. Then another signal is given and the teams move on to their next test. The eight-minute start signal is then sounded. And so on.

As well as making the isolation waiting period as short as possible for all teams , we find this system has other advantages over the traditional competition methods. Teams need to exercise a wider range of first aid skills. In our competition we had electric shock, angina, scalds, common fractures, wounds and a spinal injury. I am sure readers will agree that such a variety is difficult to cope with in the usual situation. Each test is entirely divorced from its predecessor or the next test. The lottery of usual competition work is that you may not have practised a particular treatment - as in school exams when you swot-up the wrong thing and fail, although you knew the rest <;>f the subject well. In the 'Stanton system' this lottery is avoided as the variety of treatments, and thereby skill required is wider.

The winner is assessed by totalling the scores gained in each section. In efTect, we hold six competitions in one afternoon. Competitors can compare their scores at each test with those of other competitors. Officers, endeavouring, as always , to encourage the losers, can point out weak

But we at Stanton Ambulance Cadet Division, and I'm sure those teams who entered, feel that a few minor problems swiftly overcome do not outweigh the advantages ofTered by this system.

Why not try it? But if you do, invite our team, as we are so desperately short of competitions around here!

The winners of our competition, by the way, were Chaddesden and Spondon Ambulance Cadets.

With the 1977 competition season now underway, h'ere are the Surgeon-in-Chiet" s comments on ...

BRIGADE FINALS 1976

Ambulance members

Cadets: The overall performance of cadet teams was a credit to their keenness, enthusiasm and training It is always a pleasure to see them handle their casualties. Incidentally, there are faults that can be improved on and it is these that we must examine in the hope that this year's teams wilJ improve on last year's performance. Some teams found it difficult to establish priorities in treatment and the reaction to haemorrhage was not always as quick as it might be. More than one judge suggested that teams did not utilize the floor space to their best advantage and this is a point for serious reflection. Establishing priorities was, in most cases well done, but when it is not, it can lead to lamentable consequences.

To all the cadet teams we, the doctors, could say, 'WeIl done.'

Adults: One perh aps expects the acme of perfection in the succession of smart and enthusiastic teams who appear on the floor. When they fall below these high expectations it must be remembered that they have acquitted themselves creditably and are entitled to say, with Homer, that even the gods blink.

Priorities were well established but the necessity to ensure a free airway QUICKLY is still not fully appreciated. Casualty handling improves but there are still instances of needlessly rough handling. There is a general and potentially serious deterioration in the of application of bandages and dressings which must be arrested.

Inevitably one judge criticised patient handling heavily and felt that teams were 'point scoring' rather than carrying out real first aid. How does one arrest this situation? All in all the standard of first aid, while

Chewing footballers

FOR many years soccer players chewed gum while on the field. Through TV, this habit has been accepted by many children as a normal practice while playing soccer and they have adopted the habit. It has also spread to rugby players in ever increasing numbers.

As both these s ports involve bodily contact, the chewing of gum can constitute a real hazard in producing a blockage of the air passage. In fact, a few rugby players have already been partially asphyxiated from inhaling chewing gum and, but for prompt first aid, serious consequences would have resulted.

not perfect, did not appear to indicate any decline from the previous year.

Nursing members

Cadets: Most cadets quickly established an easy, friendly r apport with the patient. The instructions given were clear and adequate. The initial assessment of the situation was slow, competitors quickly forgot the instructions written on the card -and the judges felt that time would have been well spent looking over the setting at the commencement of the test. The helper could have been used more, particularly to assist with the fetching and carrying of equipment. The dressing technique proved to be a difficult test, particularly as many of the competitors were not sure what equipment to use or how to handle it; the feeling of all the judges was that cadets should try to practise more so as to improve their manual dexterity. Some competitors were so eager to complete the test that they forgot about the comfort of the patient.

Adults: The initial assessment of the situation was good. Competitors had an adequate knowledge of the equipment and its use. Conversation with the patient was limited in some instances, but clear instructions were given to the patient and helper. In some instances the helper could hc(ve been asked for more assistance. The judges commented favourably on the care and consideration shown to the patient whilst actuaIly carrying out a procedure. They felt that all competitors had made a great effort to improve on this aspect of their performance. In the stress of the situation some competitors forgot there was a heatwave and subjected the patient to an excess of bedclothes .

Another fairly new practice in rugby is players wearing gum-shields which have not been fitted by a dentist. As a result, one or two players have nearly died from gum -shields becoming displaced and blocking the air passage.

Dr. Leon Walkden, M.O. of the Rugby Football Union, has warned rugby clubs of these dangers in the RFU 's coaching scheme booklet issued to club coaches. The information has also been included in the WRU's coaching scheme booklet. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that in many instances this information has not been passed on to club trainers. It is also common knowledge that some club trainers, although often called upon to render first aid on the field, do not possess a great deal of F.A. knowledge or first aid qualifications.

As many St. John personnel do public duties at sporting events, and in some instances act as club trainers, it would tremendously assist clubs participating in bodily -contact sports for St. John personnel to bring to the attention of officials and players the dangers of chewing gum and wearing badly fitting gum-shields.

It should always be borne in mind that any or soccer player who is concussed, blue in the face and not responding to resuscitation, that chewing gum or a displaced gum -s hield may be obstructing the air passage. If players could be educated to give up chewing gum while and to wear gumshields which have been properly fitted by a dentist, then prevention would definitely be a better plan. Club trainers with no first -aid qualifications should also be encouraged to obtain them.

D. J Thomas, BSc , MB, BCh , Medical Officer, Association Branch, Priory for Wales.

Make your own • costumes

Nursing Member 1895

Indoor dressapron and cap

Scale: 1 square = 1 inch

No seam turnings allowed

by Pamela Willis

THE St. John Ambulance Brigade uniforms of 1895 are more difficult to make than the medieval Hospitaller costumes, but the dressmakers in the Divisions should have few problems in following Mrs. Lois Clark's patterns and instructions. The idea is to give a correct general impression, rather than to reproduce faithfully every detail (which would be awkward to do without the contemporary badges, belts and equipment). But don't forget that badges read St. John Ambulance Brigade. Ambulance members wore a white belt and had a black first aid pouch. The nursing member's pouch contained scissors, needles, thread, safety pins, lint, etc, and a watch was worn, pinned to the dress bodice, above the apron, on the left-hand side. Some Divisions may have old badges to use, but, if not, the design can be embroidered on, or made separately from felt or other material and sewn on.

The nursing members shown in the old photograph are carrying out welfare duties in the Crypt of the Grand Priory Church.

Nursing Member 1895

Cape and bonnet

Scale: 1 square

No turnings allowed

inch

GATHERING.

CAIRN DRAMA

From SJ A Yellowknife comes more detailed news of how the survival cairn, built by the Order in 1974 in a desolate and virtually uninhabited spot in the Arctic region of Canada's North West Territories, saved the life of a lone adventurer.

64-years-old Tony Dauksa, of Rapid City, Michigan, USA had been attempting during the summer months of the past ten years to discover a way by motorised canoe from Point Barrow, on the north coast of Alaska, across Arctic Canada to Pond Inlet on the east coast of Baffin Island, a distance of more than 1500 miles.

This year he ran into difficulties on the eastern seaboard of Somerset Island, where he found it impossible to cross to Baffin Island because of drifting ice. So he decided to move his equipment up the coast to Whaler Point. Before leaving, he arranged with a man to pick him up in an aircraft at Whaler Point and to fly him across the sea of ice.

But before the date of pick-up, the pilot quit his job and moved south without telling anybody about the appointment to meet Mr. Dauksa, who waited desperately for more than a week at Whaler Point. As he was running out of food, he decided to set off on foot towards the north-west corner of Somerset Island in the hope of attracting a passing aircraft.

After battling along for mOre than two weeks, with virtually no food, and in terrible weather and severe ice, he was about to give up hope and was preparing to face death, when he chanced upon the stone survival cairn at Prince Leopold, just 100 miles from the magnetic North Pole, containing St. John Ambulance rescue and survival equipment and rations. After resting and feeding, he set out again walking north, armed with some of the supplies from the cairn.

And then the miracle happened. A lone aircraft, which Mr. Dauksa first mistook for

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

a seagull, appeared. The lost traveller fired a red flare which he had taken from the cairn; the pilot spotted it and came down to rescue

Mr. Dauksa.

Later he said: 'Tr ips like that keep a guy in good, tough physical condition. You feel so darn good you'd like to sneek up on a polar bear, kick him in the tail and then outrun him!' But he hastened to add that for the rest of his days he would never forget that he owed his life to the Order of St. John.

BLETCHLEY SUCCESS

The Milton Keynes to Aylesbury SJ A hospital vIsiting service, started experimentally in conjunction with Buckinghamshire County Council a year last November, has proved so successful that the Council now want it to continue on a permanent basis.

Using Bletchley Ambulance Division 's 12seat mini -bus the service operates three evenings a week to take relatives and friends from Milton Keyne s to any of the Aylesbury group of hospitals , including Stoke Mandeville. Passengers , who donate towards running costs, must book a seat by phone with Bucks' County Office at Aylesbury.

Bletchley's Transport Officer P E. Kirkham , who guides the scheme, thanks members , auxiliary members and County

Office staff for the help they've given over the first year of operating what is obviously a boon to the local community when they have trouble.

Good work, Bletchle y.

THE ANSWER

Within a few days of SJ A Coventry's ambulance being destroyed by vandals in a fire last summer, the Chrysler UK motor company came to the rescue and handed over to the division one of their works' ambulances (on ly 9,000 miles) which was to be replaced. At the same time, Chryslerwho obviously don't believe in doing things by halves - also gave another ambulance to SJA Warwickshire.

Coventry Area Commissioner W. D. Heath, when he'd got over the surprise, said: 'It was the answer to our prayers when Chrysler said we could have it.'

The answer indeed. Thanks, Chrysler. Thanks - twice.

FACTS

A full report of the Knebworth Pop Festival (How's this for a duty? Nov. Review) arrived at Headquarters a few days after the November Re view had gone to press, so here are some facts of that gigantic coverage by SJA Hertfordshire's Northern Area:

BY THE EDITOR

MIND BENDERS

Find the first aid word or words in the clue. The number of letters in the answer is given. To get you used to the idea, I'U give you the first answer.

CLUE: Doctor unwell (5) ANSWER: DR -ILL.

I. Sapper in the bath! (6).

2 Found in England (5)

3 D and Agness with no sister (9).

4 White WIth anger (5 5)

Answers Upside down - are at the bottom of page I No cheating.

178 SJA members, from Stamford, Herts, and London (and 86 BRCS members) were involved in the total of 2249 hours over the weekend. There were 14 doctors and 15 SRNs. 18 ambulances and 5 mobile units were on site Recorded casualties were 1,426, referred to hospital 31, of whom 22 were detained; casualties included 8 fractures, 3 epileptic fits, I duodenal ulcer, 27 burns and scalds, 98 abdominal/stomach upsets (!), 14 effects of drugs, 9 effects of alchohol, 3 black eyes and 1 serious haemorrhage.

All costs were met without quibble by the organisers, by the way.

A duty indeed.

Mundesley (Norfolk) Division probably made history last summer when a small terrier dog was snatched unconscious from the sea, given mouth -to -mouth resuscitation at the first aid post on the promenade - and brought back to life.

Sacha - a five-year-old Jack Russell - had been playing in the sea with his young owner Niki when it became entangled in a raft and was forced under by a wave.

Mrs. Marjorie Schamp, who was on duty at the SJA hut with DIS Mrs. W. Jeffries, immediately applied resuscitation

NOT ONE -TWO!

IN THE WASH

Cheltenham Spa Division's A I M T. F. Lyall writes: 'The other day, while washing my white gloves in preparation for a duty, I a label inside which read 'Made in Malta'. How appropriate, I thought.'

A DOUBLE

When Maurice Fox, Chief County Staff Officer for A von SJ A, received the MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on November 3, his younger brother, Dr. Wallace Fox, of London, who is a consultant

Sacha back home - with Nicki s mother. (Photo Eastern Daily Press)

SACHA's RESCUE

by blowing through a portion of the little dog's mouth while covering the nostrils.

Gradually signs of life were seen and the soaked body was eventually transferred to warm blankets, cleaned and dried off. Laboured breathing and incontinence improved after an hour 's treatment and ultimately the St. John members were able to .hand over a now-joyful Niki and his patient to the care of a holidaymaker who took them back to Norwich and home.

A later enquiry revealed that , after a period of vomiting, Sacha was as good as ever again

to the World Health Organisation , was presented on the same day with a Men -ofthe-Year diploma from the British Council of Rehabilitation of the Disabled by Sir Robert Mark at the Savoy Hotel.

INSIDE STORY

Did you know that SJA first aid courses are run in Brita in's prisons? I certainly didn't, not until I heard of 72-year-old Arthur Leng, of Bromle y, an SJA instructor who has been regularly going 'inside' for the last 26 years. To teaGh first aid, that is.

Divisions replaced both their old black ambulances

November with two white ones bought from the local health authority and renovated by Transport Sargeant Clarke Balague The

1500 for one came from Henley Round Table.

Mr. Leng first approached the Governor of Penton ville to be allowed into the prison to hold a course for inmates to take the SJ A certificate. So successful was the idea that other British prisons soon followed suit, and

SJA 's Arthur Leng of Bromley (Photo: Kenitsh Times)

now it is a world-wide scheme with hundreds of prisoners 'going out' trained in first aid.

Mr. Leng - who swears by visual aids in tea<::hing - lectures on first aid to many other organisations, including major banks (hope he's never got the two confusep). A retired civi1 servant with the Post Office, he is a Freeman of the City of London.

His final ambition? - Realisation of 'A first-aider in every home.'

ACTION THIS DAY

The inspection of Derbyshire Peak Area by Col. Peter Hilton, County Commissioner, last autumn, started as inspections usually do

Hants Alverstoke Division in 1901. An illustration from the Gosport Historic Records and Museum Society s magazine which included an article on the 75 - year story of Alverstoke Combined Division. which was started in 1901 with the Duke of Connaught as first president

start - walking along serried ranks of members and then going out to look at the vehicles. But then the party went out and about. First they moved to a public duty , where one division regularly covers old-car racing. Then the inspecting party went up into the hills, to Aldery Cliff, near Buxton, where a mountain rescue team, recently enrolled as a new SJ A division showed how they would set about bringing a casualty down a near vertical cliff face.

An inspection involving everyone in SJ A in action, in other words. The County Commissioner seems to have thoroughly enjoyed it all. As I'm sure everyone else did.

LOURDES

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has again invited a party of Brigade members to join them on their pilgrimage to Lourdes from April 29 to May 6 1977. Ambulance and nursing members are wanted, both to work in the hospital and at the baths, and to assist in unloading trains and aircraft. Doctors and SRNs are especially welcome.

. OUT AND ABOUT

, by an unknown artist in Co Durham.,

Colonel Long, Commissioner Lancashire will again lead the party which will be larger than last year, up to 20 in all. Cost is likely to amount to £ I 00 plus, which includes return from London by air and full board and accommodation in Lourdes

If you are interested, please write to Alan McKay at Brigade Headquarters, 1 Grosvenor Crescent. SW 1X 7EF.

OPEN DAY

1n an attempt to involve local townspeople in the work of St. John, Caterham Divisions recently held an 'open day' at their HQ.

Derbyshire Commissioner Col. Peter Hilton enjoying an out-and-about inspection of the Peak Area. (See story ACTION THIS DAY) (Left) Calling on a division on duty at car racing. and (Right) up in the hills watching mountain rescue

The building has two cavernous garages. One was set up as an exhibition of the work of the Ambulance, Nursing & Combined Cadet Division s, using photographs, posters and equipment varying between resuscitation sets and bed - pans! The cadets manned the Kiss-of-life demonstration admirablyand most visitors had a go.

In the other garage, an hourly film show on the Brigade proved very popular, as did the ambulance, field ambulance and mobile unit which were parked on the forecourt for visitors to examine.

The public response was moderately enthusiastic - certainly the Cadet Division waiting list increased - but a greater number of people would have been appreciated. The two local papers sent reporters and photographers, and the resultant reports were excellent and given prominent positions.

Caterham will try again next year, with more advance publicity and a much larger photographic display, as this was found to generate the most interest.

Any division with a High Street position shou ld consider a similar scheme, particularly in centenary year.

STUDY

Two to ten-day residential courses and seminars (cost £ 14 to £40) at The Spastics Society's Castle Priory College, Thames St, Wallingford, Oxon, on widely differing aspects of education, care, treatment and training of handicapped adults and children, are scheduled throughout 1977.

MANX FIRST DAY COVER

SJ A Isle of Man is producing a Manx St. John Ambulance first day cover complete with the Manx St. John centenary stamp to be issued by the Isle of Man postal authority on May 25.

Further details about this special cover will be published as soon as possible

KEEP IT SHORT

T'm always looking for good stories about SJA for the Review - from the North, South, East and West. And - like a woman's skirt - they should be short enough to interest but still cover the subject. My first maxim - not mine.

DELAY

We apologise for the late appearance of this issue of the Review due to editorial material being unduly delayed in the Christmas post.

MIND BENDERS (answers)

Open Day at Caterham SJA or should it be empty day? (See story OPEN DAY) Obviously such days present a problem - let's have you ideas published in the Review to help solve it

PR-CHAT

John Ambulance

Welcome

It's with the very greatest pleasure that I must now welcome and introduce to you my recently appointed companion in harness, Major-General Peter Leuchars, CBE, who joined HQ staff as an additional Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief last November.

General Leuchars joined the Army as a subaltern in the Welsh Guards in 1941 and served in NW Europe and Italy during the war. His 35 years' distinguished service in the Army, during which he held important posts both in this country and in Palestine, Germany and Borneo, culminated in his appointment as GOC for Wales from which he retired last year. He is 'digging himself in' to St. John Ambulance with great enthusiasm and is a most welcome addition to our senior staff at HQ, to which his wide experience brings a most valuable contribution at a time when we need all the help that we can get to fulfil our centenary year commitments.

Many of you will undoubtedly meet him during the coming months and I'm sure that you will enjoy doing so and will give him a very warm welcome.

Knowing how frustrating it can be to the individual, and how embarrassing it can be to others, if one doesn't know how someone's surname should be pronounced, I hope he'll forgive me if I tell you that the nearest I can devise to a phonetic spelling of his name is 'Looshers'. I know that he will enjoy his membership of the St. John family, and I hope that we shall all share his enjoyment of it for many years to come.

And again

While welcoming newcomers to HQ, may I also extend a very warm welcome to Mr. Philip Newman, CBE, DSO, MC, FRCS, who has recently been appointed Chairman of the St. John Medical Board in succession to Sir Hedley Atkins. Mr. Newman, who had a distinguished record as a Lt.-Colonel in the RAMC during the war, is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon to the Middlesex Hospital and the King Edward VII Hospital for Officers, and among his many other claims to distinction he is the author of a number of important books on orthopaedic surgery.

I hope that his enjoyment in working with St. John Ambulance will be at least as great as our gratitude for having the benefit of his guidance and advice in the years ahead.

Outstanding

The Grand Prior's Trophy competitions, held at Seymour Hall on November 30, presented an occasion which was outstanding in at least three respects.

First, for the success of the team from the Bolsover Colliery Division, Derbyshire, in 12

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.1 )

achieving what I believe to be an all-time record in winning the St. John Ambulance Brigade finals, the National Coal Board finals and the Grand Prior's Trophy all in one calendar year.

Second, for the success of the Barnstaple Nursing Division, Devon, who showed what a local division in a relatively small country town can achieve by coming 3rd in the women's section of the competition, being defeated only by the Staffordshire Police (1st) and the North Thames Gas Board team (2nd). All honour to the winners and the runners-up, who amply deserved their success; but I'm sure they will not begrudge a special word of praise for those St. John ladies of Barnstaple who showed how splendidly successful the persevering efforts of 'ordinary citizens' can be.

Third, and by no means least, the occasion was outstanding for the truly wonderful tribute paid to St. John Ambulance in the address given by our principal guest, Sir Robert Mark, Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (quoted on p.2). Our heartfelt thanks are due to him for the trust that he reposes in us and for the generous terms in which he expressed it. God grant that we may never belie that trust.

Bon voyage

By the time that you read this, the Commissioner-in-Chief will be well on his way to the antipodes. General Gordon is due to arrive in Hong Kong on January 4 for a week's visit during which he will carry out a very full programme arranged by the Association and Brigade in Hong Kong, which will include meeting the Chairman and members of Council and of the Association and the Joint .Executive Committee, as well

as visits to Brigade training meetings of ambulance and nursing members and cadets.

From there he will fly to the Commandery in Western Australia and will spend two days visiting the cadet camp near Perth in which 14 young Brigade members from the United Kingdom will have the wonderful experience of participating - and maybe, for them. this will be another dream come true!

Then, after ten days of visits to St. John in many parts of the Priory in Australia he is due to spend the last six days of] anuary as guest of the Priory in New Zealand, where he hopes to include visits to St. John Ambulance in Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland.

I hope that some reports and pictures of his tour will be available for publication in future issues of the Review.

A voice from

While writing of St. John 'down under', I must refer to a challenge to recruitment which caught my eye in a recent issue of The Crusader, the official St. John journal of Auckland, NZ, whose Editor writes:

'Many and various have been the efforts to bring this (recruitment) about - leaflets delivered to the homes - encouragement to sportsmen and women to join St. ] ohn and after training to be in a position to provide first aid to their fellow enthusiasts whilst playing themselves. Another method used successfully' in many areas is by public demonstration, followed by an invitation to members of the public to join our happy band At Shore City Shopping Complex three different situations were shown, including a workshop accident where no first aid box was available... It was such a successful night that a further one was arranged at the Glenfield Shopping Mall. A number of enquiries were received from the watching public regarding recruitment on both occasions.

'After recruitment, what then? It is very important that new members are made welcome to the division; nothing is more disheartening to a new chum than to feel left out of things. After being introduced to the division by the senior officer or member, it is then the responsibility of the rank and file to assist the recruit to setti,e down and become a member of the team. Equally, it is the duty to make the training sufficiently varied and interesting to retain the enthusiasm .'

Thank you, Auckland, for this timely reminder which can help our dreams to come true at the end of our first long trail of a hundred years. And then - otT we go on the trail again, with our eyes on the distant horizon where the fulfilment of yet more glorious dreams awaits us.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE'S centenary year started with a swing at London's Talk of the Town restaurant on December 13 when the Queen and Prince Philip, and 18 other royal guests, arrived at a Royal Gala evening in aid of St John.

The cabaret, presented by show-biz brothers Lord Grade and Lord Delfont, and compered by Douglas Fairbanks, included Andy Williams and his musIcians (who flew over from California for the evening), Danny La Rue, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, Frankie Vaughan, and French ventriloquist Daniel Remy - all of whom gave their services to SJ. The show was taped for TV and appeared as an lTV Sunday Night Special on January 2.

The 8.30pm to 2am evening, which was attended by 650 people who paid up to £500 a seat, has produced £100,000 for St John with overseas TV rights to come.

A wonderful Thanks for EVERYONE. evening for everyone. your support

Royal Gala Cabaret starts centenary year

Soon after the Queen's arrival. With the Duke of Gloucester Grand Prior of the Order , there s a big smile for the King of Sweden , London District Nursing Member Linda Nott who presented the bouquet l. and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester

Lord Grade presents the cabaret stars to the r Ro yal H ghnesses (Photo Da ly Mirror!

A stroke

Nursing care is of vital importance to the patient's recovery and future health

ONE of the most common conditions to affect the elderly is known as a cerebro vascular accident - or stroke. The effect of a stroke can vary in intensity from a fleeting loss of consciousness to a deep coma and paralysis. Unless the stroke is very severe, it is possible that the St. John member may be asked to help a neighbour or friend nurse an elderly person at home following a stroke. If the doctor does decide on this course , he will ask the district nursing sister to help and support the relatives She would welcome the help of the St. John member since the nursing care of a patient following a stroke is of vital importance to the patient's recovery and future health.

Causes

There are many causes of this condition, but perhaps in the elderly the two most common are thrombosis (or blood clot) and a cerebral haemorrhage.

The centre of the nervous system is the brain, which controls and co -ordinates all our bodily activity. It is well protected on all sides by the bones of the skull. Below the skull, in the brain tissue itself there is a network of blood vessels which carry oxygen and food materials to each cell. (See fig. 1)

The brain cannot survive for long (about 4 minutes) without a constant supply of oxygen, and if the blood supply fails or is cut off, the brain tissue dies.

When the individual suffers a cerebral thrombosis, the clot of blood cuts off the

blood supply to an area of brain tissue. (See fig 2)

A cerebral haemorrhage occurs because a blood vesseL has ruptured The presence of blood escaping into the brain tissue causes pressure on the brain cells, and this pressure can damage them (See fig. 3)

The effects on the individual are similar, and may be discussed together.

Effects

The severity of the stroke will depend upon the area of .the brain damaged , and the position of the vessels involved. The blockage or rupture of a major vessel may well lead to a deep coma and death in a relatively short time. A smaller vessel's involvement may lead to coma and paralysis. It is usual for only one side of the brain to be affected by a cerebral vascular accident and the patient develops a varying degree of paralysis on one side of the body. This is called a hemiplegia. The patient may also lose the ability to speak, but rarely is the hearing affected and this is an important point to remember.

Nursing care

The onset of a stroke may be sudden or gradual , but there is usually a period of unconsciousness. In this stage the patient should be placed in bed in the unconscious position. Idealy the patient should be nursed in a single bed, and the bedroom furniture rearranged to allow plenty of working space

by KATE WILKINSON, SRN, RNT, ReNT, DipN(Lond.)

Derbyshire, Peak Area Nursing Officer

around the bed. The period of unconsciousness will vary with the individual and depend upon the severity of the stroke. The nursing care and management during this period is most important. The main nursing care will rest with the relatives and St. John member, since the district nurse cannot be present continuously. While the patient is in the recovery position and unconscious she should not be left unattended. The paralysed arm should be kept outside of the bedclothes. The arm should be sLightly bent in a natural position and supported on a pillow. This position will reduce the danger of accidental damage and pressure (See fig. 4).

The paralysed hand frequently forms a tight fist, and if left in this position the palm of the hand begins to sweat. The skin breaks down and infection may arise. More seriously the muscles of the hand may stay contracted, and may be of no use at all.

A rubber ball or roller bandage placed in the palm of the hand will keep the fingers in a natural position. (See fig. 5)

A bed cradle should be used to keep the weight of the bed clothes off the lower limbs. (See fig. 6). Foot drop is a condition that can arise when the feet are in a poor position, and the bed clothes are pulled tight. Normally the angulation of the feet is maintained by the tone of the muscles of the feet , and exercise in walking. In foot drop the 90 degrees angulation of the feet is lost. This is a most serious complication and may

4. Support of the arm

prevent the patient ever walking again. A block of wood (suitably covered) or sand bags placed in position near the soles of the feet will help to maintain the correct angulation. (See fig. 7). The patient will be in danger of developing pressure sores and alternating the position every two hours is essential. The district nurse will be able to provide sorbo rubber or sheep skin heel pads and a whole sheepskin should they be required.

Throughout this period all the patient's limbs and joints should be moved to prevent stiffness and contractions. These exercises are called passive exercises and consist of the nurse moving the patient's limbs and joints through their usual range of movements. Fig. 8 shows an example of these movements. Special attention should be paid to the paralysed limbs and the exercises should be undertaken every four hours. These could be combined with changing the position of the patient.

During the unconscious period the patient may be incontinent of urine and faeces. If this occurs, the patient, bed and clothing should be changed at once. The skin should be washed with soap and water, and a barrier cream applied. Incontinence pads, obtainable from the district nurse or chemist, are useful to place below the patient. These are disposable and help to save laundry. it may be here to mention that some local authorities run a laundry service to help households who have additional washing problems caused by illness.

Care of the mouth should be undertaken at least every four hours, more frequently if possible.

The fluid intake in the elderly is most important. The elderly stand fluid deprivation badly, and if the period of unconsciousness lasts for more than 6 hours the doctor should be consulted about the possible means of fluid replacement. As can be seen, the care required in the initial stages of a stroke is intensive. If the coma is prolonged then the patient would be admitted to hospital, but fortunately the length of coma in less severe is of short duration.

Return to consciousness

Once consciousness returns the patient should be able to get up within 48 hours.

The general nursing measures - mouth care, pressure areas care and bed bathingshould be continued, as too should the passive exercises on the paralysed limbs. The patient should be encouraged to move the non-paralysed limbs for herself. These are called active exercises - since the patient takes an active part in their performance.

Once consciousness returns a more accurate assessement of the brain damage can be made. The speech may have been lost altogether, or the patient may have some difficulty in forming words. Loss of speech does not imply loss of hearing - do not discuss the patient as if she were not there, nor treat her as a child! The patient will find it frustrating to be unable to communicate her needs and so a bell at the side of the bed (not on the paralysed side) is a useful means for her to attract attention, as too are word cards. These are simple to make and help communications. They are less laborious than asking the patient write out messages.

The cards. s hown in Fig. 9, should include most of the common words the patient will require.

Reassurance and encouragement is of great importance. The patient will be afraid when she discovers the loss of power in her limbs, and may well become weepy and depressed. Emphasis should be placed on what the patient can do, and any slight movement in the limbs should be commented upon, and the patient must be encouraged at all times.

The patient should be allowed to eat what she wishes, but there may be some difficulty in swallowing at first. Meat should be cut up into small pieces, and the patient should be encouraged to feed herself using her unaffected hand. The diet should include fresh fruit and vegetables, since constipation can become a problem. Mouth care is important and it is essential to see food remnants are removed from the paralysed cheek. The patient should be lifted out of bed in order to use a commode when ever possible. A mild apperient may be given after consulting the doctor. Incontinence of urine may continue after consciousness returns. This is distressing for the patient and she should never be made to feel embarrassed. training' should be commenced. A bedpan or preferably a commode, is given two hourly. Gradually, bladder control should be regained. The patient's fl uid intake should be maintained at, at least, 2 Iitres a day. Whilst in bed, the patient should be nursed in an upright position to prevent chest infections, and the paralysed limbs supported by pillows at all times.

Ambulation

After 48 hours, providing the patient 's condition allows, the doctor should be asked if the patient can be sat out of bed. At first the time out of bed should be of short duration - about 2 hours. The patient should be sat comfortably and squarely in an armchair. well supported by pillows. From choice she should wear ordinary day clothes and walking shoes. This lends a sense of returning normality and raises morale. Whilst the bed is being made the patient practises the exercises she began in bedthe sound limbs are used to move the paralysed one. Returning movement is thus aided by the unaffected limbs, and joints are kept mobile.

Fig. 2. Thrombosis blocking a major vessel, and area of damage

Fig. 3. Haemorrhage of major vessel. Arrows show possible areas of damage

Fig.

Roller bandage

Fig. 5. Care of the hand

Joints in neutral position

Fig 6. Use of a bed cage or cradle

Fig. 9 Word cards

Fig. 7. Use of sandbags or wooden blocks

Fig. 8. Passive movements keep joints mobile

A Stroke (contd.)

Standing exercises

This is the next step in the process of rehabilitation, and should be commenced as soon as possible. These exercises are very tiring for the patient and must be performed under supervision. The patient's chair is placed at the foot of the bed and a 3 inches high board placed on the floor at the foot of the bed. The patient places both hands on the foot of the bed and her toes against the foot board. She then raises herself into an upright position assisted by the nurse. (Figs. 10 11, 12)

When the patient has accomplished these exercises she is then ready to start walking. She will require a stout walking aid or a metal tripod with rubber tips. The patient holds the stick in her unaffected hand and the nurse stands on the paralysed side to give support and encouragement. Learning to walk again can be a slow affair and the patient tires easily. The doctor may well refer the patient to the local hospital for physiotherapy at this stage.

When the initial stage of the illness is past the patient should be encouraged to be as independent as possible. She should be encouraged to dress herself, feed herself and wash herself, although some help will be required from time to time.

There are now on the market many aids for the paralysed patient ranging from special knives and forks to especially designed clothing - a list of useful addresses are give below.

Ideas for instructional sessions in your divisions

1 Invite a physiotherapist to talk about rehabilitation in general, and to demonstrate the method of teaching the paralysed patient to walk again.

2. Develop the skills needed to turn and lift a paralysed patient. Arrange a practical session using members as patients.

3. Write to the Central Council for the Disabled for information about the film strips or tapes and slides which can be hired from them.

4. Use groups to discuss other implications of nursing a patient with a stroke at home - aspects which have not been covered in this article.

Useful addresses

Clothing: Advice regarding special clothing can be obtained from The Disabled Living Activities Group of the Central, Council for the Disabled, London.

Gadgets: Advice can be obtained from the: (a) Central Council for the Disabled ; (b) The National Association for the Paralysed.

Walking aids: Obtainable through the National Health Service Consult the general practitioner.

ORDER INVESTITURE

London, November 25

Hugh Hughes Green (London)

[an MacGregor Clark Kirkwood (Surrey)

Kieron Ph elan, MB, ChB BAO (Essex)

John Renshaw Holt (Lanes.)

Eric Ra ymond James (Sheffield)

Ernest John Wadge (Chesire)

Arthur James Cratchley (London)

OFFICER (Sister)

Amy Maud, Miss Middleton (Middx.)

Joan Mrs Beilby (N. Yorks.)

Et hel May, Mrs. Harris, SEN. (Essex)

Daphne Mary Miss Mold (Lancaster)

Patricia, Mrs. Leadbeater (W. Midlands)

ASSOCIATE OFFICER (Sister)

Gigi Guggenheim, Mrs. Edward Danziger (London)

SERVING BROTHER

Surgeon Rear Admiral H. R Mallows being invested as Commander by the Chancellor, Sir Gilbert Inglefield, in the absence of the Lord Pri or

COMMANDER (Sister)

Ursula M ary, Mrs. Fidler (Salop)

Betty Norah, Mrs. Lewis (W. Midlands)

OFFICER (Brother)

Lionel Richard Houlbrook (Cheshire)

Alan Ri chard Bone MB, D.Obst, RCOG (Essex)

Harry FrederIck Howse (Lo ndon)

Jason Robert Hassard, MD, FRCOG. (Beds.)

Arthur Richard Tozer, CEng, MIMechE (Notts.)

George Edward Cooper, [PFA ( Bucks)

The Rev Dr. Brian Andrew Campbell Kirk -Duncan, MA, DPhil. (London)

Charles Thomas Symons (Cornwall)

William Williams (Hereford/Wores.)

Charles John Oatey (Cornwall)

Ivor George Frederick Cole (Beds.)

Frederick Richards, QPM. (Macclesfield)

John Alan Schefele (London)

Isaac Walker (Cumbria)

John Wadsworth, SRN (Hull)

David Gregory Bouchard (Essex)

Francis Edward Eley (Cleveland)

Henzell Smith (Leics.)

Hugh Barriemore Ollerenshaw (Cornwall)

Maurice Fenton (Gt. Manchester)

Geoffrey John Ball (Beds.)

William George Ernest Young (London)

Hughie Green TV personality of Opportunity Knocks. becomes an Officer Brother

Charles Henr y Kinch (Berks.)

Derek Westhead (Gt. Manchester)

Edward George Route (Hants.)

John William Hatfield (N. Humberside)

Geoffrey Arthur Toms (Surrey)

Francis George Lacey SRN. (Beds.)

Alexander Penman McNeill (Kent)

John William Strain, DFM, MRCS, LRCP (Cumbria)

Brian Aird McCleery Thompson, MB, BCh, BAO. (London)

Robert Charles Symonds (Cornwall)

Edward Spruce (Manchester)

Leslie George Stanley (Evesham)

John Freeman Woollam (Cheshire)

Edward Tunnell (Kent)

Harry Stevens (London)

Edward Harold Jame s Turner (Beds.)

Ernest Storr (Gt. Manchester)

Cornelius Harold Hearl (Cornwall)

Richard Herbert King. MRCS, LRCP (Leics.)

Stanley Cornwell MIPM SEN. (London)

William Lumsdon Urwin. BSc (Cumbria)

Stanley Ratcliffe (Cheshire)

Frederick William Giles (Croydon)

Ronald Douglas Heath (Berks.)

Thomas William Skippins (London)

Stanley Henr y Hipsey (Essex)

James Stather Wardale (H ull)

Edwin Guthrie (Stockton on Tees)

John Thomas Gillam FCA. (Leics.)

William Joseph Deacon (Herts.)

Albert Thomas Godrey Rutt (Bucks )

Brian Ernest Dawson (Hants.)

Lt. Col. Adrian Fanshawe Royle TO. (Nr. Carnforth)

George Bentham (Hull)

George Cooke (Cheshire)

Christopher David May MB, BS, MRCGP, DObst, RCOG (London)

Stephen Willis received the insignia of his late father,

Arthur Edwin Joseph Willis (Shrewsbury)

Sean Dickson received the insignia of his late Grandfather. Jack Dyke (Middx.)

ASSOCIATE SERVING BROTHER

Abraham J acob Borkin MS, ChB. (Manchester)

SERVING SISTER

Maureen. Mis s McKiernan (Lancs.)

Pauline. Mi ss Hartley (Lancaster)

Phyllis Jane. Mrs Ingram (Cornwall)

Mary Richmond. Dr. E lli s (Middx .)

Ivy Caroline. Mrs Turner (Bedford)

Eileen Irene Miss Gooding (Kent)

Mrs Susan Metcalf

Superintendent of Preston's Fulwood and Broughton Nursing Cadet

Division becomes

Serving Sister

Susan Kathlyn, Mrs. Metcalf SEN. (Lancs.)

Joan. Mrs. Welch (Hants.)

Marjorie Laura, Miss Lawrence (Surrey)

Joan. Miss Carlton (Berks.)

Olwen Mary. Mrs. Pimblott (Manchester)

Margaret Kathleen Mrs. Taylor (Bromsgrove)

Joan Anne, Miss Bryant (London)

Beatrice Caroline Margaret, Mrs. Whitaker (Kent)

Phyllis Margaret. Mrs. Honer (Bucks.)

Joan. Mi Waring (Cheshire)

Bertha Caroline May Mrs. Rowe (Dorset)

June Mary. Mrs. Dykes (Essex)

Edith Annie Norah. Mrs. Turner (Hants.)

Joan Mary. Mrs. Shelley SRN (Kent)

Edna. Mrs Dempster (Lancs.)

Joan. Mrs Pattie (Essex)

Winifred Ivy. Mrs. Rhodes (Northants)

Evelyn May. Mr s. Warrington (Beds )

Hilda. Mr s. Fenton (O ldham )

Ro se Ada. Mrs Haycock (York.)

Maureen Ann. Mrs. Crow (Essex)

Ada Elizabeth. Miss Rowe SRN (Lancaster)

Jean Elizabeth, Mrs. Holden (Norfolk)

(Manchester)

COMMANDER (Brother)

Maj. -Gen Edward Michael Hall CB, MBE, DL. (Cornwall)

Sgn Rear -Admiral John Stuart Pepys Rawlin s, OBE QHP, MA MRCGP Hants.)

Bertie Jesse Hopkins (Lancs.)

Maj. Gen Corran Brooke Purdon CBE, MC . ( Surrey)

Geoffrey Thomas Willoughby Cashell, MB BS FRCS (Berks .) Sgn Rear -Admiral Harry Russell Mallows , QHP , MA,

Mrs Edward Danziger , who has helped so much in fundraising for the Order. particularly for December'S Royal Gala becomes

(Worcs.)

Bosley (Hants.)

THE TERM FIRST AID

from Dr. W. E. Phillips, Area Commissioner

I recently saw a van bearing on its front the proud slogan 'Elastoplast - First in First Aid', and this prompts me to write on a subject that has worried me for some time - the debasing of the term 'First Aid '

Since a recent article in a local newspaper linked my name with St. John, many people have asked me why there are doctors in the Brigade, and it has become apparent that most members of the public have no idea what First Aid is, or what St. John teaches.

It would seem that the image of a first -aider is a man (or woman) who treats wasp-stings at the local garden - party, helps to carry off the soccer star who has twisted his delicate ankle, or bandages up the cut finger in the works Ambulance Room. In other words, he treats minor injuries or trivial illnesses. He is never seen as the highly-trained, skilled individual, that the St. John member should be, capable of caring for the critically ill or seriously injured.

The term 'First Aid' has been in use for almost a hundred years, and since it was introduced its meaning has been debased and devalued to a more serious extent than the Pound. So perhaps it is time we adopted a new term that will have a greater impact on the public, give a truer sense of value to our members, and, perhaps more important, keep up the number of recruits to the Brigade.

What term should we use? It should reflect what we are doing, and since we are concerned with the critically ill or injured, we should include the word 'critical'; and since we are concerned with caring for the victims, we should include the word 'care'. Which gives us CRITICAL CARE.

Might not the best way to celebrate the centenary of St. John Ambulance be to adopt this term? This might inspire us for the next hundred years - as the present term inspired our ancestors - and give the public a true image of St. John. Perhaps those of us who teach will find fresh inspiration, and pass on the message with a new enthusiasm. And St. John will enter the next hundred years in the same spirit as kept the foundation alive during its first hundred years. Chorley, Lanes. W. E. Phillips

LIAISON AND FINANCE

from D. Haselgrove, Divisional Officer

A few comments on Mr. Watkin W. Williams' At Random (Sept. Review) under the heading Liaison, where Mr. Williams suggests contacting the local Police, Fire and Ambulance services. The first two are very easy to get along with and generally fall over themselves to help, but we do not have the same luck with the ambulance service In the past we have offered our ambulance to them under the hospital car service scheme, thinking this would help them as we can carry more people in an ambulance than in a car, but this was not accepted. We have also asked if we can ride as a third person on their ambulances to gain experience; this was also turned down. I hope other divisions have more luck. Having made these comments, I must add that the ambulance service gave us every help when we bought the ambulance from them earlier in the year.

On the same page under the heading Finance, Mr. Williams states that Counties/Area should have complete control of the distribution of ambulances and special equipment. We are a division of under twenty members, including nursing members, that raised money during the winter of 75/76 to purchase an ambulance in the spring of 76 which included piped and portable oxygen, Entonox, and a Laerdal automatic aspirator, plus other items of equipment.

The only way this has been achieved is by the hard work of the members, the local Round Table and various companies in the town. I am sure that these people and ourselves would take a very dim view if the ambulance was taken away from our control.

Generally, there appear to be two reasons for a division not to own an ambulance and equipment. 1. The division feels that an ambulance would be wasted because they do not have the duties that call for a vehicle, and when they do they ask a neighbouring division to help. 2. The divisions that rest on their laurels and hope that something will 18

READERS VIEWS

Readers views and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor , although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

turn up.

So we, who have worked hard for our equipment can see no reason for helping the second type of division in the way suggested in At Random.

Marlow D. Haselgrove

BRAZING FRACTURE

from R. A. Bain, Divisional Superintendent

As owners of a 13 - month -old ambulance on a Bedford C.F. automatic chassis, we recently suffered a broken pipe causing the loss of all the fluid drive oil. The repairer considered that this was due to poor design and is writing to Bedford about it.

I would like to bring this to the attention of other divisions owning such vehicles, so that they can inspect it and perhaps avoid future trouble.

The problem is at the base of the radiator, where the pipes from the automatic drive enter a heat -exchanger inside the radiator. The pipe is brazed into the radiator and vibration caused the brazing to fracture, allowing the pipe to drop out.

Repair is difficult and in our case the whole radiator had to be removed so that a new pipe could be brazed in.

Calerham

LONG HAIR

R. A. Bain

from Mrs. M. Smailes, Divisional Superintendent Fellow officers , members and I are very disappointed with the poster est. John Family'.

I spend hours encouraging cadets to tie back their long hair and often have to do it for them when they arrive in uniform. Now we have a recruiting poster with a Grand Prior s Cadet with flowing long hair. What an advertisement! And how can I now convince my cadets that long hair must be tied back when in uniform?

Folkestone Marion Smailes

DOES THE NAME COUNT?

from S. C. Bishop, Area PRO

'What's in a name?' A lot, I think, when you see the various Queen's awards for this, that and the other. The media always seems to take a lot of notice of them and they get a lot' of publicity just because they are called 'Queen's Awards'.

But look at our Grand Prior's Award. What does it mean to the media or the general public? Nothing, I'm afraid, for on every occasion one has to explain that it has entailed the member concerned in at least three years work over and above his routine St. John Ambulance duties. So there is a lot to be said for a name.

Could we not celebrate our centenary and our Sovereign Head's jubilee by changing the name of this , the highest award a Brigade cadet or member can obtain, by calling it The Grand Prior's 'Sovereign's Award'?

Coventry

IN SCHOOLS

from Tom Hope, Area Commissioner

Attached is a copy of a certificate presented to one of my theatre sisters whilst still at school in Canada. The course was part of the curriculum for all girls and, she tells me, first aid for the boys

H is a well - known fact that the 15 to 16 age group at school are difficult to cater for, but these two subjects are contributing to preparing young people for adulthood,

Why can't Britain, like America, Canada and Sweden, have these two subjects taught in schools? Besides being of value to the individual and the community, think of the potential in recruitment for St. John East Durham Tom Hope

OUR BAND

from Mrs. Jean Hodge, County Superintendent

In reply to C. R Davis ' letter Our Scruffy Bands (Nov. Review), we in Somerset have the St. Audries Nursing Cadet Band, girls who are very proficient musically and extremely smart. They played at the Festival of the Order in 1974 and 75 and presumably Mr. Davis was not present on either occasion.

Personally, I am exceedingly proud of this band and am pleased to say that they go from 'strength to strength'. During centenary year they will be performing many times, so perhaps Mr. Davis will have the opportunity of seeing and hearing them.

Somerset Jean Hodge

BAND UNIFORM

from G. E. Blackburn, Bandmaster

How we, the West Midland County Band, agree with C. R. Davis! (Nov. Review). We should have well -fitting band uniforms to represent St. John. Many suggestions have been put forward over the last four years with a view to establishing smart band dress suitable for male and female members, but we have always met with the insistence that each member must appear in the uniform of their own unit, which, for us, means six different modes of dress. We maintain that the band is a separate unit.

We accept the criticism if it relates to the 'inconsistency' of our dress - we deplore it - but refute that our members (who do practise and perform with 'gusto' and are full of enthusiasm) are scruffy.

We thank C. R. Davis for bringing to everyone's notice that we publicly represent S1. John. And we, too, are equally proud of all our avenues of service, and would appreciate all the support we can get from interested parties to have band uniforms which will be a source of

pride. However, it must be stressed that as a county band we have to be self supporting. It has taken over 4 years' of concentrated effort to raise sufficient funds for the purchase of instruments , etc , and it will, therefore, be easily appreciated how much more time and effort will be needed to cover the cost of special band dress for thirty three members

Birmingham G. E. Blackburn

OUR SCRUFFY BANDS

from Watkin W. Williams, Deputy C -in - C

Do they really exist? I doubt it. There are, of course, varying degrees of smartness, and a little kindly criticism can be wholesome in stimulating us to aim always at perfection; but the term 'scruffy' could not possibly be applied with any shred of justification to any band that I have ever seen performing on the march to St. Paul's Cathedral for the annual Festival of the Order

In each of the past five years I have walked down Ludgate Hill and watched the Brigade contingents march up to St. Paul's, and afterwards reported to the Commissioner - in -Chief on their turn -out and bearing. The standard of marching inevitably varies, but last year J told him that, despite the intense heat, I had never seen it better; and I added that J thought this was largely due to the splendid lead given to them by the West Midlands band at the head of the parade Afterwards. during their inspiring performance of music and countermarching on the terrace above S1. Paul's Churchyard, I asked two other members of HQ staff to help me comb the vast audience to find Dr. Cashmore (Commissioner for the West Midlands) so that he could accompany the Commissioner -in -Chief when he went forward to congratulate the band. That on-the -spot congratulation was followed by a special letter from the C -in -C to Dr. Cashmore to record in writing his warm appreciation of their performance.

One of the most important functions of the Review is to provide a forum for the frank and friendly exchange of views on every topic of interest to St. John. I would not for one mement wish to deny Mr. Davis his absolute right to express his personal views on the subject of bands (November Review) and I entirely support his plea for the highest standards of smartness as well as of musical expertise. But I must also claim an equal right to express my personal view that both the West Midlands band (which led the adult contingents) and the SJ A Southwark Corps of Drums (which led the cadet contingents) amply deserved the official congratulations that they both received.

Headquarters Watkin W. Williams

TRAPPED BY SEAT BELT from W. Eager, T/Sgt

Regarding the letter Trapped by Seat Belt (October Review), a few years ago a man in an overturned car in Chingford was asphyxiated while hanging from his seat belt with nobody to release him. Also I was on stockcar duty recently when a driver's seat broke and he fell backwards, trapped by his seat belt across his throat. Only quick action by a St. John member saved him.

I think the lesson to be learnt is that accidents don't follow set patterns or the book, and as a first-aider you have to be adaptable to the situation.

Chingford W. Eager

THANKS MALTA from J. Covington

My husband and I have just returned from a 7-day trip to Malta and as I am in the Nursing Division at Watford naturally we just had to visit the Brigade HQ in Valletta. I can't express enough thanks for the kindness that was showered on us by the officers and staff there. They were more than ready to show us around their HQ, which contains so many of their prized possessions.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Valletta Brigade! Wa((ord J. Covington

S. C. Bishop

NEWS from SCOTLAND

Aberdeen THE sudden death of Col. G. W. Bruce , chairman of the Aberdeen committee, was a great shock to all in the North where he was exceptionally popular Col. Bruce was a very sincere, friendly and approachable person, who was able to draw the very best out of those who worked for him. He joined the Aberdeen committee in 1959, serving under his old friend and comrade Lord Aberdeen , whom he succeeded as chairman in 1966.

During his chairmanship the Nursing Home was improved and the surgical wing to it opened. His funeral, which was arranged by the I st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders and took place at Balmedie parish church,

TEN ambulance and five nursing cadets from Gwent made a 4 -day return visit to cadets of Lancashire's Ribble Area during October - and so helped to more closely knit together the world of St. John

was attended by over 500 people , including 12 representatives from the Order. Two Serving Sisters in the Aberdeen region have also died recently. Mis s Elizabeth Taylor wa s a helper at the gift centre for over 20 years , and Mrs. Florence Watson Cruickshank was the widow of a knight of the Order and mother of Martin Cruickshank , CStJ , who is active in our 'work

Edinburgh

On November 10 the Annual Requiem Ma ss of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta was attended by four representatives of the Priory of Scotland. The celebrant was

Cardinal G r ay, Ar c hbi s ho p of St. Andrew s and Edinbur g h

All at Prior y headq uarte,r s were delighted to learn that Chie f C on stable D McNee , of th e Strathcl yde P o lice and an officer of the Order , had been no minated a s the new commis s ioner of t he Metropoli t an Poli ce.

Glasgow

Th e Glas g ow c o mmitt ee rece ntl y rai sed o ve r £1 ,300 in one evening at a fund -rai sing part y in the Cit y Chamber s.

Perth

The Perth committ ee have embarked on a scheme for provid ing hearing aids for elderl y patients in ho s pital s and homes in the region In October t he fir st pre sentation wa s made at Murra y Ro y al Ho s pital , Perth

KENYA

The part y, under two officer s, Keith Dunn of Gwent A.H.A. Hospitals Division and Mrs. B. M Hill of Shaftesbury D ivision , travelled b y road to Preston where the y were officially welcomed at Lancs Count y HQ by the County Commi ss ioner, the Commander the Chairman of the St. John Council the County Director and man y other Lanc s. St.

P resident of St John Cou n cil f or P embrokeshire Mr A nt h ony Bo w en presents the Challenge Cup to the captai n of SJ A M il ford Haven s team a t t h e h ghl y

National Road

Passenger Transport

Gas Industry

News from Divisions/Centres

OBITUARY

Miss Els ie F erguson 87, of Mick leover, Derbys. R etired from B r igade in 1973, to be member of St. John Council. Dame of the Order.

C apt. A ll e n E. Smith 67, of Wallasey. Formerly Area Commissioner, Wirral. 40 years in Brigade. OfAcer of the Order. John Sm it h , 43, member of Weybridge Division for last 25 years. Died November 23.

Dr Neil Lunn , Surgeon of Plymouth s Sherwell Nursing D ivision is congratulated on receiving his Service Medal by Devon's Deputy Commander Sqdn - Ldr J. E. G. Hancock. (Left) Supt. Mrs D Parry, and also

Matter of . Life & Death'

Published 1975 - Now in 4th Reprint PR ICE 25p (plus lOp p. & p.)

FROM: Buccleuch Printers Ltd, Dept. Rl, Carnar.von Street. Hawick, Scotland

UNDER £10 Bring - and - Buy

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.1 (77)

Compiled by W. A. Potter

Across:

1. Not one of the coloured population. (6), 5. Worker distilled spirit in cavity of maxilla. (6). 8. Nerve in harmful narcosis. (5). 9. Appliance minimising pain and movement at fracture site. (6), 10. Reputation for greatness. (6). 11. Slowly discharge fluid from inflammed tissues. (5). 14. Take fewer breaks, being unable to settle down. (8). 16. Taste the French get in a confused mass. (6). 18. Disorder characterised by vertigo, tinnitus, vomiting, and deafness. (8.7). 20. Cerebral condition playing an important part in the boat-race. (6). 22. Volcanic activity causing a rash? (8). 25. With more than a hundred, young Edward is named as correspondent. (5). 27. Necrotic tissue on wound in Berkshire. (6). 28. Inflatable mattress helping to prevent pressure sores. (3.3). 29. A part of the lower limb happening now. (5).30. Metal from livers. (6). 3 I. Ferment. (6).

D own:

1. The clue here is the solution. (6). 2. Secretion entering the duodenum. (4). 3. Comprises the pinna and external auditory meatus. (5,3). 4. Put TUC in session for intestinal obstruction occurring in babies. (15). 5. Stop a cardiac emergency. (6). 6. Part of tooth and lung. (4). 7. Man with broken leg in the wash-house. (6). 12. Blowing sound indicative of respiratory obstruction. (7). 13. Uses 23 down to administer drugs. (7). 15. Turn back the upper lid. (5). 17. Girl with nothing for catching cattle, (5). 19. Re -organise and unite to flood with water. (8). 20. Cessation of movement of intestinal contents. (6). 21. 27 Across resulting from burn or gangrene. (6). 23. An essential part of the suture pack. (6). 24. Staphlyocaccal infection of hair follicle. (4). 26. Exhortation to Turkish leader to carry out orders. (4).

Soluti on to C r ossword No. 12 (76)

Acro ss:

1. De.ceiv.ed; 6. Local; 9. A.x.e; 10. Bite one's lip; II. Cried; 12. Mask; 13. Iris; 15. Migraine; 18. Bureau; 19. A.le; 21. Os.m.i.um; 23. Iron lung; 26. Al.so; 27. Limp; 28. Lobar; 30. Inoculation; 31. A.ss; 32. Nudge; 33. Meninges.

Down : 2. Evening; 3. Em.bed; 4. Vitamin A; 5. Dr.ops.y; 6. Lien; 7. Calorie; 8. Lupus Vulgaris; 9. Accommodation; 14. Burn; 16. Anus; 17. Eli; 20. Eruption; 22. Mastoid; 24. Umbrage; 25. Disarm; 28. Linen; 29. Cure.

1977 CENTENARY CALENDAR

Right now he needs the support of a friend. In the days ahead, he'll need the support of Tubigrip

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A special measuring guide is provided to

ensure the correct size of Tubigrip is used. A free full colour wall chart is availabl e on request.

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REVIEW

At Random, by Watkin W W i

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner - in-Chief

ONCE AGAIN I have the very happy task of con g ratulating , on behalf of all our readers, those members of the St. John family whom Her Majesty The Queen was g raciously pleased to honour at the New Year in r e co g nition of their outstanding service as members of St. John Ambulance.

An OBE has been awarded to Dr. Marian B. Reekie, who recently retired from her appointment as Deputy County Superintendent for Greater Manchester. Dr. Reekie first joined the Brigade 42 years ago as Divisional Sur g eon of the Didsbury Division in what was then Lancashire, and for the next 16 years she served in a s ucc e ssion of appointments at Divisional , Corps and Area le vel s until she became District Surgeon in 1950 and for the next six years was responsible for the first aid and nursin g training of the more than 10,000 Brigade members in the vast ' Duke of Lancaster's District'. In 1956 she was a ppointed District Superintendent , but with the increasing pr ess ure s of her professional duties she felt obliged to seek r e lief from thi s responsibility in 1959. Fortunately for the Bri g ade in general and Lancashire in particular, she agreed t o continue to serve in the rather less exacting post of A ss istant ( since renamed Deput y ) District Superintendent , which she did until the reorganisation of counties took place in April 1974 , when she became Deputy County Superintendent for the new county of Greater Manchester. No mere s ummar y of Dr. Reekie ' s long and distinguished Bri g ade record c a n adequatel y -describe the magnificent con t ribution s h e ha s made to the work of St. John for mor e than 40 y ears - both as a lecturer , examiner and competition jud ge , in the uns tinting devotion of her time, kn o wled ge and vast experience which

The Brigade Dovvn Under

A professional approach to PLANNING A TRAINING PROGRAMME

by J. F. G. Piper, ASO(Trg) North Bucks

AMBIM,

AFICD, RAF rtd

A SUCCESSFUL training programme requires a great deal of preparation and analysis. This article suggests a sequence of events from the time of first inquiry about a training programme through to post-programme evaluation.

Although many organisations have training programmes for their members, they are not always successful. This is because the decision to hold a training course is taken before the needs are decided; consequently a decision about the length of the course precedes the question 'What shall be put into it?'

This article is concerned with determining the need for training planning the programme, using a pilot session to test the programme, evaluating the pilot session and following through on a continuing basis. It is written bearing in mind that members of the Brigade train fellow members, the difference being the depth of experience and the length of time served.

A necessary ingredient for any successful programme is that the organisation's personnel (both officers and those who are under instruction) agree that training is needed. It is- essential that this be established before undertaking any formal planning. This can be accomplished through the medium of a training needs questionnaire

Training Needs Questionnaire

Training is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. The participants in a good training programme should become more valuable to the organisation and better prepared for emergencies Participation in the training programme should help individuals achieve their objectives and increase their motivation. To help accomplish this a questionnaire should:

1. Systematically identify the common training needs of instructors and trainees.

2. Develop appropriate topics to meet those needs.

The questionnaire will determine these needs (and because it seeks facts, there is no need for the interviewee to add his name). The following questions will give the programme planner much information which he may not previously have thought relevant:

1. What are the most important problems you face as an instructor?

2. What are your aspirations as an instructor?

3 What type of training would you like to receive?

4. What do you view as the single most important attribute for your superiors to have?

5. What do you view as important skills, characteristics, etc. for instructors to have?

Sa. How do you evaluate your superior's level of proficiency in these?

6. What specific circumstances have led you to believe that instructor training and development has been effective? (Example '1 have noticed that one of my lay instructors has shown great improvement in his performance since completing a course at. ').

7. What particular situation(s) lead you to believe that more instructor development and training is needed?

This article assumes that the questionnaire indicates a need for a training programme and that it will be a continuing programme to be given many times to different participant groups. All members selected to participate should be convinced that the ) have been selected because the training will benefit them in thei r present position and in attaining advancement.

Planning the programme

Planning is the primary requirement for a successful programme and proper planning requires that the objective(s) of the trainin! programme be specifically defined. The objective may be to have each partIcIpant acquire and be able to demonstrate a thoroug f understanding and meaning of, say, 'the objects of the Brigade'. Th il planning may be a time consuming task, but it is essential for ! successful programme.

Once the specific objective(s) has been established, it is necessar ) that the length of the programme, the number of sessions, and the topics to be covered in each session, be determined. If this programmf is expected to be a continuing type of programme with a new grour participating from time to time, it is essential that a pilot programme be g iven. The pilot programme will serve as the basis for testing th f degree to which the stated objective of the programme is being met.

The participants of the pilot progam me and of the programme proper, must see its relevance to their position, or their potenti a position, if interest is to be maintained.

The programme outline is shown at fig. 1. This is given only as ar example of a typical pilot programme.

Fig. 1

Programme Outline

1. Introduction to the objects of the Brigade. Definitions, purposes and use s of the objects.

2. Introduction to the objects one by one, and the integration of these objects.

3. Analysis of object I eg, to train and maintain a body of men and women

4. Analysis of object II. ego to afford opportunities of holders of..

5. A nalysis of object III , eg, to provide FA and H N

6. Analysis of object [v eg, to provide ancillary services etc.

7. Methods of training - their use and usefulness

8. R eport writing various methods, their use and usefulness

9. Decision making, using available data

10 The integration of sessions 1-9 inclusive.

If the eventual programme is going to be given to instructors as we as non - instructing members, the participant make - up must be decide o upon. No matter how the subsequent groups are to be made up, th e pilot groups should include representatives from a cross-section 01 both as their feed -back will be beneficial in making revisions.

Pilot Programme

The objectives of the pilot programme are two - fold:

1. To have the participants in the pilot group achieve the overal objects of the training programme.

2. To help evaluate the training sessions as planned and given, and Ie use the evaluation to revise future sessions.

All sessions should include:

Reading assignments - discussions

Case problems - discussions

Quizzes - discussions

The reading assignments should be carefully selected to cover th l specific area to be discussed The participants value their time and wil read only that pertinent to the course and the participant's tasks. II these readings are pertinent to the course and the participant's tasks, r will be apparent during the sess ion. In the discussion phase the trainiO! officer must relate the material to the Brigade.

Case problems are usually enjoyed and tackled with enthusiasm the participants These cases should be drawn from real life. They mal be related to the past present or future situations. When possibl

participants should be divided into teams to work on assigned cases, a team representative being appointed to give the team's solution. Team involvement is one of the most reliable ways to assure a good programme. This is true at all levels of instruction. Participant s like to apply themselves to solve problems and prefer not to be lectured to. In most situations there will be no 'correct answer', but may have many possible solutions. The training officer should summarise the cases mention possible approaches and, if possible, suggest alternative approaches after the discussion is ended.

The quizzes are used to evaluate the success of the training. They should be short and not used to evaluate the participant's performance. For this reason names are not required and the quizzes should be discussed immediately after being given. The quizzes give participants more incentive to master the material covered and should indicate to the training officer those areas that need additional coverage or a different approach in the future. Quizzes of this kind would be especially useful during the pilot programme when several could be held. These could be used as the basis for programme modification.

Evaluation of the Pilot Programme

The object of the pilot programme is to test the value of the programme proper. The value of the pilot programme should be tested by a quiz (better still a series of short quizzes). Preferably one or two part way through the pilot programme, designed not to see how the participants liked the training officer, but how successful the session has been in achieving the object. An illustration of such a quiz is given at fig. 2.

Fig.2

Pilot Programme Quiz

Your candid reactions and opinions are requested concerning the pilot programme so far. The training officer has stated the aim of the programme thus:

I. To introduce the objects of the Brigade; definitions, purposes and uses of these objects.

2. To introduce the objects one by one and to show how they are integrated.

3. To analyse these objects.

4. To indicate severa methods of training.

5. To ndicate severa methods of report writing.

6. To discuss decision making.

7. To integrate all of the above.

Ring the appropriate mark

Question 1. What is your overall reaction to the programme?

2 4

Didn't meet my need s. Hardly worth my time. A verage Valuable information Very useful in my task

Question 2. How sound programme? and appropriate were the objectives of the

Weak and inappropriate Average

Question 3. How well were these objectives met ?

2 4 4 Very sound highly appropriate Poorly or not Average Met to a high met at all degree

Question 4. To what degree are you using the information and techniques, as presented at present?

Not

4 5 To a great extent

Question 5. To what degree do you expect to use the information and techniques, as presented. in future ?

Not at all 2 4 Average To a great extent

Question 6. What was the most important single factor you gained from the course?

Question 7. [f you had the opportunity to change anything in the programme. what would that be?

Question 8. Listed below are the sessions. give each an 'ove rall value' mark I 5 incl.

Fig.3

Summary Report of the Pilot Programme: The Objects of the Brigade and how to teach them.

Introduction Purpose of the report, pilot programme and instruction. Pilot Programme Findings Training officer critiques, participants evaluation, benefits and snags of the course as planned and presented

Recommendations Future program mes on the same subject. Future programmes on other subjects.

Appendices Programme as planned and presented (here fig I) Pilot programme quiz (here fig. 2)

Only the sessio ns completed should be assessed by the participants but the same quiz can be used several times during the programme (and at the conclusion), thus giving a continuous assessment of use in evaluating the effect on the participants at various stages of the programme. It is important that participant reaction be recorded immediately after each few sessions and that those reactions be spontaneous.

When the quiz answers have been analysed, the pilot programme should be discussed with all training officers taking part (plus the programme designer if he was not a training officer on the course). (In some instances it may be useful to have the programme designer sit through the pilot course as an observer).

At this stage, alterations should be made to the programme proper, and a report written. This report will at least set in order the findings of training officers and participants and at most prove the value of the pilot programme and eventual prospects for the programme proper. A typical table of contents of this report is shown at fig. 3

Post Programme Evaluation

A course of training will usually be instigated only when a specific benefit is required. It is useful if those benefits can be measured, therefore a plan such as that shown in the quiz should be prepared to show comparative benefits and snags. These should be monitored in the ensuing months so as to measure accomplishments. Also one could ask participants after a time has elapsed to report their opinion of the benefits of the session. This 'post programme follow-up' is an important part of the training officer's task and should be as important to the participant as to the trainer.

Summary

A successful training progamme requires a great deal of preparation and analysis. This involves much time and effort. Shown in fig. 4 is a flow chart of the events of the programme. Conscientious effort by the training officer and adherence to the planned programme will help ensure a successful training programme. However it should be remembered that the personality and expertise of the training officer can make or mar that success.

Make your own ./ costumes

FO R t he fina l part in this series on making cente n ary costumes, Lois

C la r k h as produced patterns for the Brigade Ambulance and Cadet u n iforms of 1922. We c h ose this particula r date because in that year h e Ca d et m ove m e n was instituted.

T h e eve n t was he r a lded in First Aid and the St. J ohn Ambulance Gazette (t h e equiva lent of The Review) with the words 'We have heard for mo n ths past of the expected arrival of a son and daug h ter born of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. We are now able to announce that not only has the son arrived, but we rejoice to learn that he is already b reeched.' The article goes on to explain why the uniform had been chosen. 'The Balmoral , because it is a good protective cover fo r the head is distinctive and effective. It is so good tempered you seeit can b e sc rewed up into a small space, it can be sat upon an d even turned into a football.' 'The shirt: Ah, that is the specia l feature of the uniform, t is r egarded as the acme of distinctiveness , protection, durability, comfort, co lour and effect. ' It was originally made of silver grey flannel , and had eight medium Brigade buttons The belt was of a soft pliab le webbing, and the shorts were to have narrow white piping, designed to prevent the boys wearing them at school.' The socks were of dark grey wool with fancy black and white tops The first fifteen of these uniforms we r e sent out from St. John's Gate to a Bradford division.

by Pamela Willis Curator, Library and Museum

Miss S t. Joh n

In the March 1923 issue of Firs! A id Miss St. John made her debut. The colour of her uniform was also grey , but the cloth had to be specially dyed, we are told. The white sleeves were detachable for easy washing.

The adult ambulance members uniforms show some differences from those of the 1890s In 1922 , the ladies' hem lines were a daring nine inches from the ground!

If you have queries or difficulties with the patterns, please get in touch with us at St. John's Gate and we will do our best to help. We hope that the finished costumes will make St. John members the acme of distinctiveness ' in displays and pageants during] 977.

NURSING CADET

THEY WERE READY

With the spate of gas explosions in homes and shops after the long Christmas holiday, three London District ambulance members R. J. Shaw, J. Bowles and J. Kennedy were on the scene, I hear, of the explosion at a shop in Brentford, Middlesex.

Casualties included fractures, blast injuries, burns and cuts. Our members, as well as giving first aid, formed a search team, helping the shop manager, and the statTs of Barc1ays Bank and other shops nearby. They also helped the injured to ambulances and directed ambulance crews to immobilised casualties.

Mr. Bowles and Mr. Kennedy had taken their initial first aid examination, with Heston and Isleworth Combined Division, only three weeks earlier, after attending a public first aid course.

Proof, indeed, of the value of SJA's courses for the general public.

EASY DOES IT

From Yorkshire comes this story:

A divisional superintendent giving details of the first-aid treatment rendered by a cadet-sergeant Dean K in an emergency, tells how twelve-month -old James had picked up a small button and tried to swallow it. The button lodged at the back of his throat and the child began to choke.

The distraught mother shouted to the cadet, who was playing football in the street outside her home. Dean simply placed the child over his knee and lightly tapped him on the back. And OUT POPPED THE BUTTON!

AROUND

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. BY THE EDITOR

When asked about the incident, Dean told his Officer that it was more difficult trying to calm Mrs ........ than removing the button! Dean, who is 15, joined a cadet division in the Wakefield & District Area in 1974.

OFFER

The following letter should interest London and Surrey Divisions: 'You may like to let readers know of my availability to show sound films to audiences with a particular interest in St. John Ambulance.

I have a 16mm projector and screen, and also a copy of the film 'The Order of St. John' to show on request. I also otTer my services to St. John units who may have other films which they want showing, provided they are 16mm optical sound.

The otTer is for Central and SouthWestern London, and anywhere in Surrey . As a Serving Brother of the Order, I shall be pleased to do this free of charge.

I can also show films about the work of the Royal National Institute for the Blind

ASSOCIATION AWARDS Meritorious Firat Aid Cert_i ficate

Mr. Faysal lowder, Civil Aviation Centre.

Police Constable B K. Jefferies, Gloucestershire Constabulary

Mr. Barrie Williams, London Borough of Barking.

Mr. Michael Redmond, H l. Heinz & Co Ltd Police Constable L. T. Coates, Lancashire Constabulary. Chief Inspector K. Proctor, Central Traffic Group

Superintendent F. A. Blackburn The Pilkington Group Ambulance and Nursing Di visio n County of Merseyside

Ambulance Member F. Hodgson The Pilkington Group Ambulance and Nursing Di vis ion , County of Mer seysi de.

and the life and work of Louis Braille, wh c invented the system of embossed lettering fo! reading by the blind.

William C. F Best, The Croft, ) Dickerage Rd, Kingston-upon -Thame s, Surrey. Phone 01 -9 42 7039.'

VERY SIMPLE

In a report Young People as Volunteer& published by The Volunteer Centre, tht author Mog Ball begins a chapter or Wastage : 'Why do people stay in voluntar) work? Why do they leave? Many of th t answers can be found in the precedin! chapters, but the first answer is very simple , young volunteers stay because they enjoy il - they leave because they don't.'

The report is available, price £1, from The Volunteer Centre , 29 Lower King 's Rd Berkhamsted, Herts

CHICKEN

I hear that members of Bristol 's Filton Cade:

Division are making a film project on th e horrors and dangers of Chicken, th e children's 'game' played on railways.

As well as playing parts in the story, the cadets are producing the 35mm slides an d cassette tape sound track under a trainin1 scheme set up by Dem - Lec Productions 01 Bristol.

Dem -Lec, which comprises SJA memben and others, was started in March 1976 wit n the object of making slide and cine films on

MIND BENDERS

Letter of Commendation

Ambulance Member John Dennant, Harwich and District Ambulance and Nursing Division, County of Essex.

Ambulance Member Kenneth F. Burden, Bembridge Ambulance Di visio n , s le of Wight.

Divisional Superintendent Mrs G. E Thorne, Warminster Ambulance and Nursing Division, Count y of Wiltshire

Ambulance Member A. P Renshall , Prescot Ambulan ce and Nursing Division County of Merseyside

Nursing Member Mis s L. M. Walsh , Radcliffe

Ambulance and Nursing Division , County of Greater Manche s ter

Find the first aid word o r words in the clue. The number of letters in the answer is give n To get yo u used to the idea, I'll give you the fir st answer.

CLUE Doctor unwell (5) ANSWER: DR ILL.

l. An intelligent carrie r (5.4).

2. Conversation below deck? (5 3).

3. R e li able leg pulls' (4.4).

4. Unintelligent type! (4)

Answers: Upside clown are a the bottom of pag e I No c heating.

first aid training and other appropriate subjects for public presentation.

Dem -Lec Director and Secretary is SJA member J. Collins, 17 Southfield Rd , Cotham, Bristol.

SWIMMERS

15 -y ear -o ld Annette Pring, a cadet with Bristol South N/C Division , was not only always eager to enter A von cadet swimming galas but she has also gained her proficiency in swimming towards her Grand Prior's award.

Annette's interest in saving life encouraged her to take the Bronze Cross, and she has just obtained the student teacher's certificate of the Royal Life Saving Society and the advanced resuscitation award, which demanded a thorough understanding of Silvester's and mouth-tomouth methods and the diagnosis of cardiac arrest and the technique of external cardiac compression.

During the summer Annette is a member of the Bath lifeguards who patrol the River Avon and attends swimming events as a lifeguard. She is now working for her

Early November Lady Moyra Browne, S u pe ri nte nde nt-i n - C hi ef, vis ited Northern Ireland , meeting members of Belfast and Fermanagh/Tyrone Areas as well as visiting hospitals This photograph was taken at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital

The C in-C, Major General Desmond Gordon, is g ven 16mm copies of the resuscitation film Save That Life by the film 's producer Mr Scott Peters

London District's new River Divi sion shows its three high -s peed portable boats ard radio communication network at the 1976 Lord Mayor'S Show in London The crews. trained for sea and river operations, are wearing their new nautical overall uniforms, which are of red waterproof nylon with built in buoyancy aids. For easy identification, they have a large St. John insignia on the back

distinction award and teacher's certificate, which will allow her to instruct swimmers up to Bronze medallion standard.

Annette's younger sisters Margaret, 14, and Susan , 13 are also working for their Grand Prior's and swimming awards.

TRAVELLER

Area Supt. Jack Hewitt

I hear that Jack Hewitt, Kent's No.3 Area Superintendent, who spent Christmas week in the Holy Land, let the Matron (Miss J. Clair) of the Ophthalmic Hospital know that

AIR ESCORT

Four SRN SI. John Air Escorts from Kent. (L to R) Leonard Bond, SRN. RMN , Mrs Jeanne Percival , OStJ, SRN Miss Catherine Hennin, SRN and David Hunter , SRN RMN Mrs Percival is CSO (Welfare) and Liaison Officer for Ex - Servi ces War Disabled Help , joint St John and BRCS The other three are ali ex-cadets who manage to fit in divisional and escort duties with full - time nursing.

During 1976 countries visited by these four Air Escorts were Denmark France N Ireland , Israel Italy Sierra Leone Spain and the USA. Patients suffered from brain tumours, heart disease including failing pace - maker major fractures and psychiatric illness

County Surgeons and Nursing Officers,

County Secretaries and visits paid to the Commandery of Ards and the Priory for Wales. Apparently the somewhat novel presentation is both. and amusing; those Counttes look 109 a speaker for spring or programmes might like to bear hIm 10 mmd.

CAMPING 1977

Buckinghamshire St. John would be pleased to hear from any County who might be interested in following them at camp on the Isle of Wight for one week from August 7 1977.

he was arnvmg in Jerusalem, Result: a phone call to his hotel from Matron on his arrival, to make sure that all was well, and then later an interesting tour of the hospital.

Jack attended Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem; also he spent much of his week locating sites and ruins dating back to the Crusader times, including the site of the first Order hospital in 1023, His advice to anyone visiting J ersusalem: let the Ophthalmic Hospital's Matron know when you'll be in town.

TACT

From the Coventry Area News, Nov 76:

A doctor recalls this incident: 'I was called to a case of epilepsy and on arrival found a first-aider carrying out the routine treatment and two elderly ladies rubbing salt into the patient's hands. After the patient had been removed, the first-aider told me that the two ladies came pushing in and interfering, so he let them do what they wanted, because it would do no harm to the patient - kept them quiet - and it controlled the hands, giving him less to do.' A delightful example ofLacL.

The tactful first-aider will use willing bystanders to assist in treating the patient

- the interfering ones should also befoun, something to ' do, preferably away from (h i patient, such as running messages, fetchin ! cold water, ice, or anything to take chen away

I recollect a practice for a team te s' competition in which an interfering well wisher walked onto the set to repeatedl ) hamper the team 's efTorts - until the leadel in desperation said: 'Go to the furthe s chemist you can find and get .'

BANDB

Teams attending the Brigade Finals a Fairfield Halls, Croydon, this year may fin difficulty in arranging overnig n accommodation, especially from the angle. A fine ofTer comes from ASO J. E Smith, 104 Middle St, Brockharr Betchworth who will, if contacted, arran g accommodation with Brigade member (adult and cadet) within fairly easy reach 0 Croydon.

Not only that , but on the evening after tn competitions there will be a cadet disco an barbecue at Dorking to which visitors rna like to go.

MANX FIRST DAY COVER

SJ A Isle of Man's first day cover wid centenary stamp to be issued May 25 w a limited number signed by thl island's Lieutenant Governor. The remainde will be at a reduced price Enquiries to MI G. V. Crosby, 'Lynton', The Crescenl Baldrine, Douglas , 10M.

THE OTHER ADAMS

I hear that audio visual aids presentation given by Philip Adams (not Pat!) a Headquarters over the last few months proved exceptionally popular. Visual Ai. Workshops have been held for District an,

Plenty of smiles as Westbury Leo s Club presider Tim Page hands Entonox equipment to SJi Westbury Division s Supt. F H Smith and Sec/P Sgt. D J Davey Other Leo Club officials and th e wives were all equally delighted to give equipment , the money for which was raised b sponsoned walks and wood chopping, to St. Johr (Photo: The Bridge Stud o Frome)

The site is excellent and has been used by Bucks for a number of years for camps of around 250. It is situated at Totland Bay and is within walking distance of the sea Bucks has tentage and equipment for hire and would negotiate hire of the large canvas for the full camp period.

Anyone interested please contact: CSO Miss M. E. White, Cleveland 37 Claremont Gardens, MARLOW, Bucks.

MR. PUZZLER

Geoffrey Hunterdetermination

SJ A's GeofTrey Hunter, ex-Superientendent of Macclesfield Ambulance Cadet Division and now a busy lay instructor with the town's Association centre, is also a great competition man, I hear. Public competitions, not those we're usually talking about in the Review.

Says Geoffrey: 'I just have this compulsion. I'm not motivated by any mercenary gain - if the prize is only £2, I'll spend perhaps 20 hours getting it. I get a sense of achievement and satisfaction from beating the rest. It can be a curse, but it can also pay ofT.'

He's not kidding! Prizes Geoff has chalked up include £3000 in cash, a Cortina, bicycles, radios, food mixers, colour TVyou name it and Geoff's won it.

Geoff's daughter Lorraine, an ex -cadet

MIND BENDERS (answers)

What do the girls of the St John and B RCS Service Hospitals Welfare Department get up to offduty] Well, here s one piece of t , evidence from The Rock Who is feeding whom]

now at university, told me: 'Some years ago a friend returned from a Continental holiday (won by my father) with a bottle of wine as a gift. Presenting the wine to my father the friend facetiously suggested that it be opened to celebrate my father's 25th first prize success at national level. Inevitably, I suppose, my father accepted it as a serious challenge!

Today he is just one win away from his goal and is hoping that during 1977 he will be drinking not only to his own success but to celebrate the centenary of the Order.' Keep at it, GeofT!

SAl NTS ALIVE by Robert Arthur Laing

IF YOU were asked 'Who is the Patron Saint of the Order of St. John?' would you be able to answer without hesitation? You might be inclined to reply 'St. John, of course!' But that would be only partially correct, for there are more than sixty saints on record called John. However, three of them are better known than the rest: St. John the Evangelist (sometimes called 'the Divine' - Apostle of Christ), St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Almsgiver. I have heard people say that St. John the Evangelist is our patron saint, but they are under a misapprehension as he never had any connection with the Order.

St. John the Baptist is now universally acknowledged to be the patron saint of our Order. His principal feast day is June 24, the anniversary of his birth, which is known as St. John's Day. The day of his beheading is observed on August 29.

Most people are unaware that the original patron saint was in fact, St. John the Almsgiver (also called St. John Eleemon, or St. John the Almoner). In Jerusalem is the ancient convent of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jersusalem (today the area is called Muristan). This was the original home of the Order in Jerusalem and lies south of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Among the many buildings which stood within the precincts of the convent was the Church of St. John Eleemosynarius (or Eleemon). This became the church and hospital of ' The Poor Brethren of the Hospital of St. John'. It would seem that after the Knights became organised in a regular Order under Papal

protection, this church was rededicated to St. John the Baptist.

St. John, called Eleemon or the Almsgiver, was of noble birth, being the son of the Governor of Cyprus. He was born 550AD and died November 11,619. He is known to have married and had several children, After the death of his wife, he entered religious life. At about the age of fifty he was chosen to be Patriarch of Alexandria. It was as patriarch that he became one of the great benefactors in the Middle East. He was particularly devoted to the poor and sick, and founded almshouses and hospitals for them. Hence he became known as St. John the Almsgiver. He is believed to be the first to refer to them as 'Our Lords and Masters'. The festival of St. John the Almsgiver is kept in the Roman Catholic Church on January 23, the day of the translation of his relics, and by the Orthodox Church on November 11, the day of his death.

We do not know why St. John the Almsgiver was superceded by St. John the Baptist as patron saint of the Order. And it seems strange that this occurred, as St. John the Almsgiver epitomises the ideals of the Order of St. John. But it is probably fair to surmise that this happened because St. John the Almsgiver was connected with the Eastern or Orthodox Church, while St. John the Baptist was an important saint in the Western or Catholic Church. And so when the Order came under Papal protection, the latter replaced the former as Patron Saint of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

has been invaluable to all who have worked with her, and, not least, in her personal interest in the individual welfare of the thousands of St. John members who have come within her sphere of responsibility. Her richly deserved honour will give very special pleasure to all St. John members in Greater Manchester and to a far wider circle of friends both in and beyond the confines of the former county of Lc:ncashire.

Mr. J. M. Ball, Area Commissioner for the Western Area of Surrey, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his particularly dedicated St. John service over a period of 36 years - service which included being Superintendent of the Addlestone Division for 11 years, Area Staff Officer for 4 years, and Area Commissioner from 1957 until he transferred to the Brigade Reserve at the end of 1972. He returned to the active list a year later at the urgent request of his Commjssioner and has now carried out his duties as Area Commissioner with exceptional skill and ability for a total of nearly 20 years. Besides all this, and although working for the firm of Watney's in London by day, he was in charge of an ARP Rescue Section in Surrey during the war, he built up the first aid services in the Watney Company and trained employees both in industrial first aid and for competitions, and actively helped the Association in Surrey with first aid courses for the public - and all this without ever relaxing his devoted care for his invalid wife at their home in Addlestone.

Two awards of the BEM have been made to Mr. J. G. Newcombe (Chief Instructor in first aid at St. John Ambulance HQ) and Mr. Gordon Jessop (County Staff Officer for Cadets in North Humberside). Mr. Newcombe became interested in first aid after witnessing a serious accident while at work in the London docks in 1955, and in the following year he joined the NDLB (London) Division of the Brigade. He shortly afterwards obtained an Instructor's Certificate and became First Aid Officer to his firm, with special responsibility for works safety. During his 16 years as a qualified first-aider in the dock industry he treated 2,950 casualties and received the NDLB's Gold A ward. During the past five years as our Chief Instructor in first aid he has been responsible for training candidates at the 4day release courses for Industry (now averaging 35 courses a year) at our National HQ. He is also first aid instructor to the ILEA and to the Scout Association for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. 'Jimmy' is widely renowned for the high quality of his instruction and training, and the vast number of his trainees, now running into many thousands, will rejoice with him at this well deserved award.

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.2S)

Mr. Jessop joined St. John as a Cadet at the age of 14, and for the past 25 years has devoted every spare moment of his time to furthering the cause of St. John Ambulance

Following his appointment as County S.O for Cadets in 1971 his enthusiasm soon led to so great an increase in membership that the premises then available in Hull for cadet training and activities proved totally inadequate. In June 1975 he received permission from the local authority to take over a derelict house as Area HQ for his cadets So great was his initiative and inspiration that within four months the house had been completely restored, rewired, redecorated and converted into an extremely serviceable HQ by a team of voluntary workers at a cost of £ 1, 100 which was raised as the work proceeded.

The whole of the labour and the fundraising was undertaken by parents, cadets and other helpers inspired by Mr. Jessop's enthusiastic leadership and working under his personal direction and guidance - an outstanding example of successful achievement, not only to St. John Ambulance in Humberside but to divisions throughout the whole country.

Other awards

The names of three other St. John members also appeared in the New Year Honours List for awards in recognition of their services in other fields, and to all of them we offer our most sincere congratulations.

Mr. Arthur Hambleton (Commander StJA, Dorset) has been awarded the CBE for his services as Chief Constable for Dorset; Miss Peggy Nuttall (Chief Nursing Adviser of the Association) has received the OBE in recognition of her services as Associate Director of the Medical Division (London)

of McMillan Journals; and the OBE has also been awarded to Mr. A. A. Hammond (a Representative Officer on Chapter -General of the Order and President of the Sutton and Merton Corps, London District) for hi s services as Chief Commandant of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary.

No dou bt there are other St. John members who have been honoured but whose St. John connection has escaped me , and T hope that their friends will send relevant details to the Editor so that they may be congratulated in a later issue.

WHAT DO THESE FOUR WELL-KNOWN SJ PERSONALITIES HAVE IN COMMON?

'The Dream and the Glory'

Only two days ago I was privileged to receive from Mrs Barbara Cartland an autographed pre -publication copy of her latest romatic novel , The Dream and the Glory, a Pan Original paperback , price SOp , due to be published by January 31, and of which she is generously giving her author 's royalties to the Order.

T must confess that J began reading it with some misgivings about whether I came within that bracket of the reading public to which Mrs. Cartland was addressing herself. But my fears were groundless, and I found it easy to finish it - J might almost sa y impossible not to finish it! - in time to mention it briefly here without keeping the Editor waiting for my script.

Mrs. Cartland has chosen for the background of her story what has always seemed to me the one and only shameful period in the whole history of the Orderthe last of the Knights in Malta and their capitulation to Napoleon in 1798 through total lack of preparedness and the cowardly inaction of the Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch. Yet against that sombre background the courage and dedication of a few devoted souls (and one in particular, but I say no more for fear of spoiling the story) shone forth with all the greater brilliance to prove the indestructibility of the ancient Christian spirit of the Knights.

The heroine is an altogether lovable character and a model for the selfless devotion of all Nursing Members! It would be hard to find two stories more diverse in style than Barbara Cartland s The Dream and the Glory and Geoffrey Trease's The Seas of Morning which I commended to you in December. Yet each in its very different way is a gem which will add to the lustre of our Centenary Year and help to inspire young enthusiasts to follow the glorious example of those members of o'ur Order who through many centuries gave their all Pro Fide and Pro Utilitate Hominum

Lady Moyra Browne, OBE, SEN, Superintendent- inChief, St. John Am bulance, first enrolled in the Craigs Court Nursing Division London District in 1938 as an Ambulance Sister (now Nursing Member) In 1940 she transferred to Sussex and soon afterwards took up fulltime nursing in the Civil Nursing Reserve at the Royal West Sussex

Hospital. During that time she remained with St. John as County Cadet Officer (N). In 1943 she returned to London and went to the Westminster Hospital as a student nurse. After the war she joined Brigade Headquarters as Staff Officer to the Chief Officer Nursing Cadets. Owing to family commitments she resigned in 1952 but rejoined Brigade Headquarters in 1964 as Staff Officer to the Superintendent-in -Chief and a few months later was appointed Deputy Superintendent -in - Chief. She became Superintendent -in -Chief in 1970.

For her work with the Victoria League she received the OBE in 1961 and, more recently, she was invested as Dame of Justice in the Order of St. John for her outstanding service to St. John Ambulance.

Professor Harold C. Stewart, CBE, DL, MA, MD, PhD, FRCP, FFARCS, FRSE, a distinguished member of the medical profession , was appointed Director General of St. John Ambulance in November. 1976. His as s ociat ion with the Brigade goes back 34 years to 1942 when he joined as a Divisional Surgeon. He served in progressively senior appointments until becoming District Surgeon, London, in 1951, a position he held until he joined Headquarters as Principal (subsequently renamed) Chief Medical Officer in 1964. As such his responsibilities included professional and technical advice for St. John Ambulance, and the maintainance of the highest possible standards among its members and in their training of the general public and industry. He is frequently consulted on first aid by countries throughout the Commonwealth and Europe and his views have helped to gain for Great Britain the reputation of being foremost in the first aid field. Through his involvement in voluntary and charitable work , he has made a major contribution to social services from which hundreds of thousands of people have benefited.

One .of his most important achievements for St. John Ambulance has been the authorship and revision of a wide range of publications on first aid, nursing and related subjects.

He is a Knight of Justice in the Order of St. John.

Miss Rosemary Bailey, SRN, SCM, MTD, RNT, DipN. (Lond), Chief Nursing Officer of the Brigade, joined St. John Ambulance in 1955 as Divisional Nursing Officer of the No 5 Crystal Palace Division and later joined the No. 9 Kensington Division. She began her nursing career as a pupil midwife during the Second World War, after which she qualified as a State Registered Nurse at Guy's Hospital where she became a Ward Sister in 1954. She subsequently trained as a Nurse Tutor at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London and from there went to St. Bartholemew's Hospital as General Nurse Tutor, later becoming Midwifery Superintendent and Tutor. From 1966 to 1971 she was lecturer in Physiology , Management and Education at the Royal College of Midwives an appointment which she left to take up the position of Principal Nursing Officer (Education) at the Royal Free Hospital , and is now D irector of Education, North Camden She became Chief Nursing Officer to the Brigade in June, 1972. She is an Officer (Sister) in the Order of St. John.

Mr. Watkin W. Williams, CBE, MA, Deputy Commissionerin -Chief of the Brigade, first became associated with St. J oh n Ambulance 50 years ago when he obtained hi s first aid certificate.

He joined the Brigade in 1939 as a member of the Royal Windsor Ambulance Division and four years later transferred to the Eton and District Division as its first Superintendent, an appointment which he held from 1943 to 1962. Since then he has been successively Area Superintendent, County Staff Officer (Training), and Commander, St. John Ambulance, Buckinghamshire until he took up his present appointment as Deputy Commissioner -in-Chief in 1971. He has visited , on behalf of St. John Ambulance, many countries in Africa and Asia. During the Second World War he spent many hundreds of hours with the Home Guard, Civil Defence and in rescue work, and in Buckinghamshire he served as a voluntary Ambulance Attendant and was directly involved in many kinds of emergencies, illnesses and accidents

He is a Knight of Grace in the Order of St. John and the holder of the Order's Service Medal with four Bars.

They all joined St. John Ambulance at divisional level ... So to every young Brigade recruit, look deep into your haversackmaybe there's a 'field marshal's baton' there too.

Understanding

the elderly

FOR thousands of years mankind has been obsessed with the idea of stopping, or at least slowing down, the process of human ageing. Folklore is full of legends of people who longed for eternal life. The Goddess Auroa prayed to Zeus that her husband should live forever, but she forgot to ask that he should also have eternal youth! The Romans and the Egyptians sought the 'Elexir of Life', as do people in our own day and age. Manufacturers still claim that their products will retain youth and vigour, but people still grow old. We are so familiar with the outward signs of ageing that we accept that age brings with it a greater possibility of death, loss of vigour, and reduced standards of living. All too frequently only the negative aspects of old age are emphasised.

Aspects of ageing

In western societies, advances in medicine have meant that more old people are surviving beyond the age when they are capable of performing useful work or maintaining themselves.

Ideally old age and retirement should be a period of life to be looked forward to. Responsibilities can be handed over to younger men, and there is the release from the stresses and strains of industrial and business life. It should be a time when one's life work can be viewed with satisfaction. Increasing age brings wisdom, judgement, patience and insight. There should be more time for leisure activities and enjoyment of family and home life. The elderly should have enough money for their needs, and adequate housing in which to live. Their health should be carefully monitored so that signs of disease can be diagnosed early and treated.

Unfortunately, only a relatively few old people achieve this ideal in their retirement. For many old people increasing age means poverty, illness and isolation from family and friends. Some old people live in appalling conditions, uncared for and without hope.

by KATE WILKINSON,

SRN, RNT, ReNT, DipN(Lond.)

Derbyshire, Peak Area Nursing Officer

The majority of the elderly population fall somewhere between these two extremes, but most old people need help in some way. When money is no problem, and good will is available, then the problems associated with growing old are less apparent. The wealthy can afford to provide themselves with good housing and can pay for any help that is necessary. Many old people, however, have to maintain themselves on the state pension and what little monies they have been able to save during their working lives. It is in the care of the elderly that the St. John member is frequently asked to assist. In order to adequately nurse the elderly patient who is ill, one must first understand the characteristics of old age, and what is accepted as 'normal' in old age and what is not.

Characteristics of old age

Old age is characterised by the thinning of the hair, and the loss of its colour. The skin becomes inelastic and is subject to wrinkling. It develops brown discolourations and the blood vessels in the skin become fragile, and bruising occurs. The bones become brittle, and there is an apparent loss of height since old people often adopt a stooping posture. The senses undergo a degree of deterioration. Vision becomes less acute, and hearing and smell deteriorate. The appetite reduces and there is a general slowing down in all the bodily activity. Old people tend to move slowly, and their physical strength reduces. They need less sleep than the younger adult, but they tire more quickly. The psychological (or mental) changes that occur in old age are less apparent. As age progresses there is a reduction in the short term memory. Old people can recall with great clarity the events of twenty years ago, but have difficulty in remembering yesterday's events. The elderly lose the ability to adapt to new situations and they dislike change. There is a narrowing of interests and a failure to accept new ideas. The elderly are seldom found to be

bouyantly optimistic, but are usually more pessimistic.

In age there is a reduction in emotional control. The elderly sometimes respond in what is considered an inappropriate way.

Deeds of kindness may be greeted with tears. while the death of a partner may be accepted with resignation. An exaggeration in early traits can be observed. Those people who have been eccentric, neurotic, self centred or aggressive become more so in old age. But sudden changes in behaviour which are out of character point to the presence of disease The elderly tend to be very independent and resent intrusion into their privacy.

Ageing then, in practical terms, is a gradual decline from the peak of physical and mental fitness attained in early life. It is a process that occurs at different rates in different individuals, and at different rates in the same individual. Physical ageing does not necessarily imply mental ageing to the same degree.

As age progresses illness occurs. A serious disease may mean the death of the patient, but it is often a minor disability or accident which upsets the precarious balance of health, and triggers off a more serious condition.

Importance of minor defects upon health

Minor defects in the eyes and ears are most important. Without these senses the old person can be cut ofT from the general activities of the rest of society. Defective hearing can mean that the conversation of others is denied to the old person and this may accelerate the natural process of withdrawal from society. The deaf do not hear the approaching motor cars on busy streets and this may be responsible for the vast number of elderly people involved in road traffic accidents. Defective vision can be directly related to falls and the possibility of fractured bones. Would the provision of hearing aids and effective spectacles reduce these dangers?

Arthritic hip joints make it almost impossible for elderly to bend down, which predisposes to neglected foot care and ingrowing toe nails. This painful condition rapidly makes the elderly person immobile. The lack of well fitting dentures may, at first sight, seem unimportant. The development of mouth ulcers and the inability to chew hard foods encourages the old person to live on a diet of jam, bread, and other soft foods. Without roughage constipation develops, and there is little iron in bread! Iron deficiency anaemia and the vitamin deficiency diseases soon follow. An attack of diarrhoea may be a minor inconvenience to the young, but to the elderly it means a loss of vital fluids. Old people stand fluid deprivation badly, and dehydration rapidly develops. They are reluctant to drink extra fluid since this may mean nocturnal visits to the lavatory.

As age progresses it is accepted that the individual will sufTer aches and pains and 'ofT-days'. This is a potentially dangerous situation since the elderly do not exhibit the severity of symptoms found in the young.

Pneumonia in a young adult will become manifest by a high rise in temperature, a rapid pulse and difficulty in respiration. The elderly may develop a severe form of pneumonia without a significant rise in temperature or pulse rate, and many old people are breathless anyway. The only symptom in the development of appendicitis may be vague abdominal pain. The ageing body may fail to respond to insults upon it with the more usual signs of disease, but it seldom fails to give warning in other ways, notably by changes in the mental state. The normally rational elderly person may

Surprise Surprise.

suddenly become confused or breathless and disorientated. The careful observer may notice the early signs of illness, or the effects of minor defects, before they develop into a serious condition. Such observations should be reported to the family doctor who will decide what action is to be taken.

Any old person who falls ill is doubly at risk, firstly from the disease which he suffers and secondly due to the changes that have taken place in his body and mind due to the process of ageing. It is important that we understand what is normal in old age so that with early detection illness may be treated in time, and perhaps reduce the dangers of illness. A trained voluntary worker may be the first to notice a seemingly minor change in an old person's health, and as a result may set in motion the national health services which will prevent the illness becoming worse.

Ideas for divisional meeting nights

1. Invite the geriatritian (the consultant who deals exclusively with old people) from the local hospital to give a talk on aspects of old age not covered in this article.

2. There is an excellent film on this subject called The Modern Geriatric available from Regional Health Authority, Piccadilly, Manchester, hiring price £3.00.

Suggested Reading

The Nursing of the Elderly Sick, by T. N Rudd, Consultant physician, Southampton. Published by Faber and Faber, London. Price £2.00.

On the slopes

EXCHANGING the daily routine for a career with the international ski set must be the dream of many. But if you want to be a ski instructor it is as well to be prepared. That is why Miss Carolyn Tanner took her first-aid examination during November at St. John Ambulance headquarters, Easton, Bristol. Carolyn, 25, of Bath, needed the firstaid qualification in order to start training as a ski instructor this winter near Innsbruck, Austria. She encountered the nursery slopes at the age of four, when her father was in the Army in Germany, and broadened her ski-ing experience when working for travel firms.

When Carolyn qualifies in Austria she hopes to instruct in the French Alps. Eventually she hopes to join a ski patrol, assist injured skiers, and help with avalanche control.

North Warwick (Polesworth) Nursing Cadet Division members Jane Clark and Linda Groves, both 15 years old, were naturally very happy when they were judged winners of the Senior Cadet Section of the recent County Nursing Competition. (Photo right).

But at the presentation of winners' trophies, they were even happierand surprised - when the County Superintendent Mrs. Dury Lowe recalled the winning pair to present them with their Grand Prior's Awards. Mrs. Lowe said she was even more impressed with the fact that, apart from their high competition standards and gaining their Grand Prior's Awards, both girls had achieved well over 1000 voluntary hours to each gain a fifth Special Service Shield A ward, and were well on their way to a sixth.

These standards are in keeping with the Division. Formed in June 66, 14 Grand Prior's Awards have been gained, and over 60 Special Service Shields. At some time or other, the Division has won all Area and County competitions, and it is hoped that many more will come their way in the future.

ADVENTURE WEE KEND

Here's the winning essay about Lancashire's recent cadet training weekend

Friday

I, together with other Ribble Area cadets , boarded the coach at Preston bus station and started to build up friendships with other Lancashire cadets who were going on the adventure training weekend at Halton Eventually we arrived at the camp, having got lost around Lancaster, where we were shown to our huts and told to make our beds; we were also told how we should behave during the weekend. After a bit of a struggle with the mattress covers , we looked round the camp for a while and then went to the mess hall to have supper. There we were separated into the three groups for the various activities to be undertaken during the weekend and the essential duties. Finally we went to bed, but not to sleep straight awa y, because some people felt like keeping everyone awake for as long as possible Eventually, however, we settled down to a good night's sleep.

Saturday

We were got out of bed at 7 am (after bein g assured the night before that we would be allowed to sleep until 7.30 am) by Mrs Lane. Most of us were ver y tired and so nothing really happened unt il people began waking up about half- way through breakfa s t. After breakfast each group wa s introduced to the member of the Army Youth Team in charge of the activity they would be undertaking that morning, and the group I was in set off to do canoeing. (Note: all the groups tried all the activities I am going to describe but in a different order).

The six who actually did the canoeing (the other five, being non -swimmers , were not allowed to take part for safety reasons) thoroughly enjoyed themselves , even though we got wet through - even the girl who had been lent Mrs. Lane's wet suit said she was wet and also claimed that the suit stopped her moving freely Once we had finished the canoeing we went off to get changed and then being ravenous tucked into lunch which was (as were all the other meals) excellent.

In the afternoon we were to undertake our second activity, which should have been orienteering, but the maps had not arrived, so instead we had a talk on survival techniques, followed by a set of games, including football and hockey, together with various chasing games

By the end of the afternoon we were all completely tired Ollt and really ready for our evening meal. In the evening we watched three films and then played various games in the free time that followed. After supper, at about IOpm we were sent ofT to bed, but it was about two hours before we went to sleep, firstly because we had to wait for some of our number to return from canoe building and secondly because of the various arguments we had, especially over what the time really was (for this was the weekend that the clocks were moved back). But eventua lly, after the principle scapegoat of the weekend had lost his blankets we settled down to sleep

Sunday

The whole camp was up fairly early because of the changing of the clocks and after breakfast all the groups set off on their third and final activity. Our group went abseiling and although we were very nervous about stepping ofT the aqueduct which we were to abseil down , eventually all found the morning very exciting and most enjoyable.

After lunch the groups were pitted against each other in an it's - a - knockout style competition, and although the satisfaction of winning went to our group I am sure that all involved throughly enjoyed the competition (despite having to drive a rather heavy army trailer up and down a hill). However, it must be admitted that our group's success was in no small way due to the fact that we were lucky in possessing 'Daredevil Debbie'. Having been the only person willing to have a go at climbing up the aqueduct in the morning (having found abseiling too easy) Debbie found herself throughout the afternoon perched on top of poles and tractor tyres as well as, in the final event of the competition, telling the poor boy who was trying to push her round in a wheelbarrow, to get in himself and then she started to push him round.

After the 'Knockout' competition (when some people were complaining that the effort involved was having the same effect as being wedged inside a wet suit and walking around stimy to prove it) we had tea , during which various votes of thanks were expressed to the organisers, the cooks, and especially the Army Youth team, who had done so much for us.

We the n set about tidying up and packing and got ready to leave. All this was too much for many of the girls and so it was amidst scenes of great emotion and cries of 'How can you play cards at a time like this?' that the coach set out to take us back home from this, in the words of one girl, happiest weekend of my life'.

Andrew Evans Gregson Lane Combined Cadet Division.

--'Getting and holding cadets---.

'Officers seconded Jor duties with cadets must have proven ability to iNTER EST and lead boys and girls' ....:....- Brigade Regulations re Appoin tment of Office rs.

TN 1975 I was asked to take over the Ambulance Cadet Division as their officer and leader. One of the first things we as a division decided was that in a town the size of Maidstone (population , 70 ,000) there were too few cadets (12 regular attenders).

A cadet division will function only if its leaders function. And if the leaders show an interest in the cadets , they will stick by them through hell and high water. We decided on a recruiting campaign.

Recruiting posters obtained from headquarters were sent, together with a letter to the headmasters, to all the schools in our area. Another idea was for each cadet to do a project on some aspect of St. John. A letter was sent to the local library and it was agreed that these projects would be exhibited in the library.

Ten new boys came to our first meeting after the exhibition in the library, and others came via the schools. The cadets also did their own recruiting by word of mouth.

Having got our recruits we now had to set about keeping them.

P r o g ra mm e p lan n in g

A new recruit first undergoes a course in first aid before he can become a cadet, and it is during these first few weeks that his impression of St. John is established.

So the first aid course must be made as interesting as possible.

In Maidstone, we include in the first aid course visits to the local fire, ambulance, and police stations. Such visits can easily be arranged by letter. Tf there is a casualty department in the area, a visit to the division by a nurse from the department helps to brighten up the course for the new r ecruit - and it makes him feel more involved.

I find that programme planning can be fun if you use your imagination and plan well ahead of the event. When planning proficiency subjects a chart showing the subjects gained by each cadet is a great help. Try to obtain outside tutors for some of these subjects, by the way, it not only makes the subject more interesting but also introduces the cadets to new faces.

Films are also very useful for teaching many subjects They can be obtained on free loan or for a modest hire fee. If you do not own a film projector enquire at your local Education Department about their county youth organisation We have the Kent Association of Youth Clubs , and by becoming affiliated to such an

organisation you may borrow equipment such as projectors, camping gea r and sports eq ui pment. These organisations also run many competitio n s th r oughout the year in which your cadets may be interested.

I nter -divisional activities are a good way of stimulating interest an d showing the cadets what other divisions do. We've combined with a division 12 miles away for proficiency subjects such as fire fighting, r oad / home safety, and knowledge of the Order. S uch an arrangement not only saves tutors' time but also cuts costs of examinations, etc. When you have transport problems involve the parents. In fact, cadets' parents should be involved as much as possible in all activities For instance, set aside at least one training evening when parents can come and watch their children carrying out Brigade activities. A programme of events can easily be arranged with the parents made-up as casualties - which the ca d ets (and the parents) will thoroughly enjoy!

Generally, I find cadets want to enjoy tuition. Take them to the park for a game of football, rounders or cricket, or some other game they want to play. Plan a summer outing to the sea, or to a place of historic interest and include the parents. You'll be surprised at the response.

Outside the meeting night cadets lose interest very quickly (because of so many other diversions). and especially if they miss a week or two. We overcame this problem of retaining their interest outside meetings by contacting overseas cadet divisions through the Overseas Department at HQ, who gave me the addresses of SJ A HQs in Canada, New Zealand, Malta and Australia. I wrote to each HQ and was put in touch with a cadet division in each country. Our cadets now all have overseas pen-pals, many of whom are girls, which makes the letters even more interesting. This also gains them another proficiency subject, once so many letters have been exchanged.

Ideas. ideas ideas are what make a division tick, and these are just a few that we have adopted at Maidstone. Do they work? We started with 12 regular cadets. We now have 32.

Cadets will follow a leader.

L. A. Bond, SRN, RMN, Div. Officer.

Lancashire cadets abseiling with the army

FIRST AID INSTRUCTION

from Old Timer

I feel a reply is necessary to SRN's disparaging letter in the Dec. 76 Review. Is SRN really concerned with ability and skill or just pointing out that 'I AM MIGHTIER THAN THOU' in her letter? I would like to know what makes SRN think that he/she is better qualified to instruct first aid than a lay instructor? Obtaining the SRN did not include a teaching or instructing course. At least lay instructors are recommended persons of proven ability who have attended a specialist course and obtained a certificate to say that they are competent to instruct.

think that everyone responsible for teaching first aid should hold a lay instructor's certificate.

Salop Old Timer

from S. P. Kelly, Ambulance Member

Dear officer -in-charge Anon SRN (Dec. Review) , I read your letter with feelings of great sadness and disappointment. Sadness because you apparently felt it necessary to publicly (but anonymously?) have confirmation of your status , rather than privately corresponding with your local courses' secretary or director. Disappointment because once again the lay instructor has been quietly but officially relegated to the bottom of the 'who can we find to do our next course?' league

As a recently qualified lay instructor, but long -time member of St. John, r have attended and/or been involved in a considerable number of first aid courses and lectures and have also, through St. John, and privately through work in hospital casualty and surgical units known a fair number of doctors and nurses.

The general consensus of opinion among those people , and many others to whom I have talked, is that doctors and nurses are not automatically the best people to teach the basic adult first aid course. Home nursing has many direct and obvious connections with hospital or district nursing. In the normal course of his / her duties a qualified nurse will use and develop all the basic home nursing techniques and would therefore almost certainly be knowledgeable enough to teach.

• However, first aid is not a simplified medical course General practitioners, hospital doctors or nurses do not in the normal course of their duties use many basic first aid methods or techniques Their objectives are the same but their training is biased towards the equipment and facilities that only medical conditions can provide Unless a doctor or nurse has regular involvement in first aid, as opposed to medicine , he/she will not automatically be knowledgeable enough to teach it.

Doctors and nurses, who are not regularly involved in first aid, can be of enormous value if one needs 'one off or short-series lectures about specialist subjects of interest to, but not directly part of, first aid. Such lectures should be for people who have qualified in first aid but most certainly not for beginners.

Being knowledgeable about one's subject does not make one qualified to teach it. Some very gifted people can recite from the London telephone directory and make it sound interesting. Your average chalk juggling, floor pacing, story telling, 'sorry I'm late J had a full surgery/late shift/emergency call', 'where did I get to last week I'm afraid I've lost my notes?', 'can you manage to read the next few chapters yourself because we seem to be running out of time?', 'ca n you all see this quick drawing of the main circulatory system only I couldn't find the coloured chalk?', type of lecturer cannot.

I am not suggesting that every lecture or course must have a multiscreen overhead projector with quadraphonic sound and four -w heel drive or a Resusci -Anne with tickertape and Blackpool illuminations attached, but in order to sustain the interest, especially of first time learners, every lecture and course must be properly planned , and must use basic teaching techniques, or you are being unfair , and possibly insulting, to your pupils.

The time available in an Association course is extremely limited if one is to ensure that all topics are given their proper emphasis and priority within the syllabus. My experience has been that it is all too

READERS VIEWS

Readers v iews and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its Foundation Although readers may sign published letters with a pen - name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

easy for an unprepared lecturer (and indeed some prepared ones) to be drawn into the graphic details of his / her favourite medical topic: be it diabetes heart defects or the incidence of athletes foot among Amazonian tribesmen. Specialist 'a dditional interest' topics they mi ght be, but basic first aid they are not.

Within their working environment professional medical stafT are trained to use pain inhibiting drugs, transfusions and drips, Brook airways, etc, and within the operating theatre a tourniquet is still recognised and used as a valuable mean s of controlling blood flow

This training, and from that this working background, often leads to such terms being mentioned or described in first aid lectures that can immediately create confusion and doubt in previously unknowing minds whose basic reference book not only does not mention such things but deliberately avoids mention of them.

As members of St. John we should all be concerned with the standards and proficiency of our first aid and home nursing training and should therefore be endeavouring to ensure that in every case the best qualified and best prepared people of whatever title or rank are invited to teach. Such choices s hould be made with commonsense common purpose and 'the approval of the County Director' and not by a process of I wonder if old Doctor Whatsit is still practising locally?'

P.S. You will probably find me in the register correctly placed somewhat lower than Cabinet Ministers and television newsca sters but just above apprentice taxidermists and Coronation Day programme sellers. But then I know my place!

London, Ni2

I THINK from W. E. Street, Divisional Officer

S. P. Kel(l'

I am not sure that I agree with the reply given to SRN (Dec. Revie w) re priority in giving first aid instruction, as only a few months ago several SRNs stated in the Review that it was their experience when training for their qualifications that little or no instruction was given in first aid.

Home nursing instruction, yes, definitely an SRN or SEN should take precendence, but in first aid a good lay instructor is also an ideal person, as after all HN and FA are two difTerent subjects.

Then Mr s . Cable's problem (Dec. Review) re officers in competitions. Personally I think those seconded to cadets should be called Leader s and not wear officer's uniform or pips just white bars on ordinary member 's uniform, two bars for senior leader and one for assistant leader. This would get over the competition problem, although as Mr s. Cable says it's not the pips that count.

In fact I would like to see all sections, adult and cadet, who train in the same HQ, all under one 3 -pip superintendent, with an assistant supt. wearing 2 pips, a nursing officer 1 pip, and a section leader for every 25 adult members wearing 1 pip. There would, of course, have to be NCOs in the same proportion as now.

All reserve and retired officers should also, of course, have to remove their pips , etc, and wear the 'R' only; SRNs and SENs just

the coloured bar they wear now but no pip , on an or.dinary meo;ber 's uniform (unless, of course, they hold any of the prevIously mentioned pip positions). This would reduce the present number of officers, reserved, retired, or otherwise, by about 50% and gIve the officer rank more status than at present.

I liked David Hunter's idea of a white boiler -suit for dirty duties but prefer a beret for headwear. Also the suit sho uld have a St: John badge on the back, similar to the one on the cadet T-shIrt, only slightly larger.

This would also solve Mrs. J Wood's problem, because what her mb ers wear underneath would be up to them, and could vary with me the seasons; and if the bottoms of the legs had short lapels In lace with a button for neatness with a second button a few Inches p ay one could close the bottoms of the suit's legs in cold weather. aw , ,

Finally 1 must say I had a good laugh at Jack's cartoon but can t say I liked any of hi s suggested uniforms.

W. E. Street

Exmouth

UNWORM CHANGES

from P. W. Castle, Divisional Superintendent

It was with interest that I read about the fashion parade of six new uniforms (Around and About, Dec). I am sure that the stafT officers and the commissioners appreciated being asked their opinions of what we are all sooner or later going to have to wear. But what about us , the ordinary members , who will have to work in the new creation in the multitudinous conditions found on duties throughout the country?

May T suggest that the six models be asked to wear the proposed uniforms again - this time in front of a photographer. Then if these pictures are published in the Review and everyone asked to comment perhaps a practical uniform would result.

I also noted the C - in-C's comments concerning the wearing of the white cross belt and haversack and agree that this is our most important recognition feature. Can we hope that in the near future officers will also have a white hat - band for public duties and the white stripe is returned to the trousers of all ranks.

One Review correspondent, David Hunter, mentions the use of a white plastic cap cover for indentification purposes. A very good idea, but unfortunately in Lincolnshire this feature is used by the traffic police and therefore would not be suitable for us up here in the sticks. Nr. Stamford Pet e r Castle

We

Having

There

A TIP FOR WINTER

from R. Bain, Divisional Superintendent

During the winter we all hear of vehicles experiencing starting problems because of the poor condition of the battery. Ambulances are especially prone to this, as some stand in garages for long periods between runs. They also carry extra electrical equipment which makes heavy demands on the battery.

The answer to this problem is regular charging of the battery, but this relies on someone remembering to do the job.

A simple solution which we have used for 4 to 5 years, with not a non-starter during that time is a small electrical time clock which plugs into a 13 amp socket. Plug the battery trickle-charger into the timer an d set it to switc h on for 1 hour each day.

T h e c h arger may then be safe ly left connected to the battery, but remember to unscrew the filler caps if the vehicle is to remain statio n ary for longer than 3 or 4 days. Top up with distilled water in the usual way.

Follow these steps and you should not have any push starts this year.

Caterham

3- Y E AR -O L D F IRS T-AI D E R from Mrs. L. Fe nwi c k

How ol d must you be before you can help in emergencies?

The scene was a public house, with several people drinking, when a bomb exploded. There were seven casualties, with the landlord and the uninjured panicking; there were also two dead. The SJ team was On first and two members started artificial respiration on the dead. How were they to know they were dead? I heard them asking the judge if they were breathing or dead, but they got no reply. I really did feel sorry for them, they were there until the end of the test. Needless to say they lost valuable time and points.

While on the subject of recognition of ranks, at a recent county competition for cadets the following o.f ans:,ers were put against the rank markings of t.he Commlssloner -In -Ch.lef: Area Staff Officer, Qualified Surgeon, Krught of S1. John, Probationary Officer, Transport Officer, Ambulance Driver, Stretcher Bearer!

Something must be wrong somewhere.

Gravesend

R.Bain

John N. Cook

My little grand-daughter, just turned three years, often stays with me and if I have any first aid class to attend for Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Brownies, etc, she comes along with me and takes a great interest. At home she plays nurses with her dolls and also with me, trying to put a dressing on the elbow, hand, foot, etc, and makes a good attempt at it too One day I found her on the floor doing cardiac massage o n he r doll, then blowing into its mouth, turning it over and doing Holger Neilson respiration.

Last week when she was walking down the street with her parents an elderly gentleman running for a bus slipped and fell over the pavement in front of her. She rushed up to him saying 'You'll be alright, I'm a little nurse.' Her father helped the gentleman into a nearby shop and the small girl asked the shopkeeper for something to wipe the blood off the casualty s head and leg, then turned to her mother and said they had better get an ambulance. As there was no phone in the shop they went next door and when the ambulance arrived the small girl insisted o n helping the gentleman, carried his stick, placed it beside him, then wanted to go to hospital with him to see he was alright.

Since the incident she has not ceased to talk about him and ask if he is better and gone home again.

The winning team just checked the 'dead' casualties and presumed them dead. This is where St. John misses out. I wonder who is right 1 It wouldn't have mattered how many Brigade teams were there, the y would have all fallen into the same trap, as we cannot presume death until a doctor tells us so. I'd like to add though that this particular Brigade team became the champion ambulance team of Wales in 1975. And I'm sure they'll never forget that open

They say practice makes perfect. But there is so much for us in the Brigade to do, keeping to our mottoes and Regulations, that practise on our part is very limited.

I'm afraid I've rather run on - just got carried away!

But I'd like to thank everyone who contributes to the St. John Review, making it such enjoyable reading.

Valley Division, Gwynedd

CAN YOU HELP?

from Mrs. W. Parkinson, Divisional Superintendent

Mair Jones

SJ AND THE DEAF from Mary Whittaker, Nursing Cadet

1 thought the article First Aid for the Deaf (Nov. Review) very good and I agree with the views of the deaf boy Alex Olsen.

May I introduce myself? I am severely deaf and have been a cadet for four years. I am working for my Grand Prior's badge and have only four more subjects to do.

I have a sister, aged 13, who is also a cadet, and she often helps me if T have any difficulty at St. John meetings. During the summer sometimes T go on duty in the park.

I enjoy St. John very much and find it very rewarding. So I hope my letter will encourage other deaf people to joi n St. J oh n.

Huddersfield Mary Whillaker, aged 16

SJ AND THE DEAF

from Mrs. O. M. Short, Divisional Superintendent

As part of the centenary celebrations we are hoping to stage an exhibition of SJ uniforms old and new. I have been promised the use of Newark Palace theatre foyer for this, and we are also hopIng to persuade a local band to put on an evening show for us to round ofT things.

I read with great interest the article (Nov. Review) by Mr. S. F. Aylott, First Aid for the Deaf, and thought perhaps readers would like to hear of how T dealt with a similar request, but in my case for young deaf adults.

Examination early next year.

Personally r would not hesitate to recommend any division to accept applications from deaf persons on a first aid course, though J feel that 4 would be the maximum number to cope with in the circumstances we had, and should any wish to join the Brigade afterwards, in fairness to the remaining members a limit of 2 in any one Division. This being because when a deaf person who has been taught to speak gets nervous or excited their speech is not always clear, and we have found it necessary at times to get them to start all over again at a slower pace, though not very often. If A/Member Wackett is anything to go by, any superintendent who takes the plunge by accepting a deaf member will have no regrets.

Enfield

BRIGADE IN MALTA from E. R. Ball, Divisional Superinten d ent

O. M. Shorr

Having recently been on holiday in Malta I thought readers might like to know that the new addres of the island's Brigade HQ is: 34E Archbishop Street, Valletta.

Sudbury

NEWS from SCOTLAND

The Very Reverend A. Nevile Davidson, Ch.St.J., D O, DL

E. R. Ball

We are hoping to attract recruits and at the same time make some money. I wonder if you could put me in touch with anyone who would be likely to have any old uniforms or books, etc, that we could borrow? We would take special care of anything lent to us, and are thinking of taking out an insurance for the week these things are on show.

L. Fenwick

It would be interesting to know if there has ever been recorded another first-aider as young as this. If she hurts herself she has to get the first aid book out to see what to do. Surely an example to enco u rage our J uniors and Cadets . Whitehaven, Cumbria

C OMP ETI TIO NS

fr om Mrs. M Jone s, D ivis io n a l O ffice r Ilc

Through the R eview I'd like to thank a divisional secretary (the name I can't remember, the letter is misplaced) who kindly passed on to me copies of the Review 73, 74 and early 75. I can't say how many happy ho u rs t h ese copies gave me reading up to the time (75) I came a reg ular subscriber, and now I look forward to the magazine every month.

The most interesting topic for me is competitions, as I am a regular competitor and enjoy every shaking minute of it. There is no doubt that competitions are very good training-wise, but one can also be disillusioned when the marking sheet comes in with blank spaces on what you know you have done! But we must carryon, regardless. I have been watching some open competitions and sometimes it makes me wonder w hether we in the B rigade (what with public duties, etc, and t r eating real casualties) are spoi led in ever beating Industry, P olice, etc, in open competitions. When I compete I take the casualty as real, and very often lose valuable time by reassuring and not being too rough. As we know from real casualties reassurance is top of the list in treatment, but there are only a few marks for this on the marking sheet. At open competitions the St. John teams stand out in taking care of their casualties.

I remember one instance when there were about twelve teams co m peting and there was an elementary round as only three teams were able to go thro u gh to the final. We were there to clap on the one S J -team that got to the final.

Also in answer to the letter Dirty Duty Uniform from J. A. Lewi s (Nov. Review), as part of our duties are motor cycle and stockcar racing, for this we wear black slacks, white polo-neck jerseys, black anoraks and black berets with appropriate badge. Members without badges for anoraks wear an armband. The anoraks, which are available from the Supplies Dept, have hoods which are useful in wet weather. Black shoes or boots are worn.

106 Lincoln Rd, Newark, Nolls. W. Parkinsoll

HAVERSACKS

from Paul Burke, Ambulance Cadet

We would like to know the opinion of fellow ambulance cadets throughout the country about the use of our white haversacks.

Instead of the haversack suspended from the shoulder, why not a bag of the same type worn on the hip but suspended from the belt? The cadet belt would then be seen in dress uniform.

All Padiham Division cadets agree on this, as we have lost several members due to the feminine appearance of the haversack.

Padiham A mbulance Cadets

RECOGNITION

From John N. Cook, Area Superintendent

Paul Burke

In November 1974 J was approached by a member from another local division whom I had known for some years asking if I could help him. He knew of 4 young men who were interested in taking a course in first aid but the problem was they were all born deaf, but had been taught to lip read and had varying amounts of speech. Would J consider accepting them on the course my Division was starting in January (1975)? He added that he had approached other superintendents with the same request but had been turned down.

Seeing it as a possible challenge, I told him as far as I was concerned I would accept them but would need the full agreement of both the lecturer and the remaining members of my Division. This agreement was obtained and the 4 young men joined the class on the understanding that apart from the fact seats would be reserved for them in the front row, no special concessions would be made. Their ability to follow the lectures must rely entirely on their capability to lipread, as would the practical sessions. If, however, after the first week they found it too much, then with no sense of failure on either side they could withdraw from the course and their fees returned. We were, however, agreeable for a trained lay reader for the deaf to be in attendance for their examination on the condition he or she had no knowledge what- so -ever of first aid.

On the night of the exam only 3 attended, the other having been taken ill earlier that day, and all 3 passed with flying colours.

Then came my next problem, which was not so easily solved. The 2 elder, who incidently had the most speach, asked to join the Brigade. After discussing the matter fully with my members they all agreed that if it was possible to get the applications accepted they would welcome them, adding that between them they would also guarantee that neither of the- lads would attend a duty without a hearing partner.

THE most devastating news came in December with the sudden death of the Prelate of the Order in Scotland. Dr. Davidson was a remarkable man to whom tribute has been paid in the obituary columns of the newspapers. So here I would like to give some personal recollections. First, his contributions to discussions of the Order's affairs were always wise, moderate and humane; and they were also invariably centred on spiritual considerations. His religious belief was in a very real sense the moving power of his life and no thought he had seemed to be untouched by it. Secondly, he was always kind and considerate: T never heard an angry or uncharitable word uttered by him. He was, in the old sense of the terms, courteous and gracious. Thirdly, he had to a high degree what in the theatre is known as 'presence'. A very handsome man, he was blessed with the most beautiful speaking voice. His sermons, preached each year at the Annual Commemoration Service, were among the finest I have heard. At first there would be for the observant members of the congregation signs of that nervousness so common among great orators - the hands moved slightly, he fingered his spectacles - and then the message, always simple, direct and magnificently articulated, took over and he carried his audience along on waves of inspiration. In a Church of fine preachers he was among the very best. He will assuredly rest in peace

Priory

Col. Calder MacLeod, our Hospitaller, has spent two weeks in Jerusalem, visiting the hospital in the company of the Hospitaller of Grand Priory.

Ten Scottish knights were invested by the Grand Prior at St. James's Palace on November 23.

Further to the letter from David Hunter (Dec. Review), why not wear a plastic bump cap or safety helmet? These can be obtained very cheaply, stand up to considerable hard use, are completely waterproof, and look good with the three-inch St. John transfer fixed to the front. Officers could wear a white version, with yellow for other ranks, which is the colour coding used by the Fire Service, whose different shaped helmet would eliminate confusion with St. John.

Since having an expensive staff hat ruined at a road accident, I noW carry a white bump cap in my car, ready for immediate use.

W;ch the Division behind me J accepted the applications and sent them to my Area Commissioner with a covering note explaining the circumstances, indicating that if the answer was no then it must come from the top, as r was prepared to fight.

After several months I was able to tell both lads they had been accepted. Unfortunately for us, one moved away from our district after marrying earlier this year and can no longer attend our meetings; the other has not only proved tCl be a good and enthusiastic member while on duty but he has also taken and passed his Initial Nursing examination and now looks forward to taking the Advanced

Eight members of Chapter attended, as usual, the annual St. Andrew's Day Service at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh

Branches

On December 12 the annual carol service was held at Torphichen parish church, the carols being sung by the choir of Broxburn Academy. After the service the Annual General Meeting of the Torphichen branch was held in the hall.

On December 9 the Annual General Meeti ng of the Fife branch took place. Mr. D. Watson Law gave a lecture on the organisation of St. John cadets.

Divisions/Centl'es

Paula 13 and sister Maureen 15 (right), Cassidy , of Coventry 's Allesley and Radford N / C Division, took junior and senior bedmaking trophies at W. Midland corps. (Photo: Coventry Evening Telegraph)

Herefordshire Bromyard Combined Division's N/ Ms T Horne and G. Bowen presented a St. John Flag to their Div. Off. A E Evans , and (20 to the newly - formed cadet division, from sewing and dressmak ng

Below) Liscard N/ C team, winners of the 1976 Canada / Merseyside Southwick, Sussex first aid competition, being congratulated by the Mayor of Wirral.

Bottom ) Prize winners at the annual SJA Merseyside cadet swimming gala, overall winners Sefton Area

DEVON - During 1976 Exmoun

Ambulance and Ambulance Cadet Divisionl both celebrated their 50th anniversary, St John Golden Jubilee certificates wen presented to the Ambulance Division at thei l annual dinner, and to the Cadet Division at a special supper.

Guest speaker at the dinner was Mr Derrick Dray, chairman of the Tow n Committee (formally Town Council), and ir appreciation of the service given to the towr over the last 50 years he presented a chequt (from his committee and other local bodies to the Division for £4,500 towards a ambulance. The Jubilee certificate wal handed to Supt. S. Nicholsen by Rear Admiral Sir Ronald Forrest KCVO, the recently-appointed Devon Count) Commissioner.

At the cadet supper, held a few weeki later, a service was conducted by the Rev B. Eaton and a first aid competition was judged by Area Officer K. Chick of Exeter. The Jubilee certificate was presented to Supt. G, Coates by Major T. C. Gracey, Count) Commander.

N. YORKS The Scarborough Ambulance Cadet and the Whitby Nursing Cadet Divisions both celebrated their 25th anniversary during 1976.

The N. Yorkshire Coastal Area President. the Marchioness of Normanby, kindly held a celebration barbeque in the grounds of Mulgrave Castle at which officers an d members of both divisions were present together with the Coastal Are a Commissioner, Mr. J. D. Morley, and the Area Staff Officer Cadets, Mr. H. Fowler.

OBITUARY

Captain E. Allen Smith, former Wirral Area Commissioner, Merseyside. Mrs. E. A. Smith and family thank all kind friends of St. John Ambulance, Merseyside and Cheshire for their condolences.

Frank Henry Dyer, member of Colchester Division for 4] years. Serving Brother. Died December 29.

Ernest Rooke, 57, Divisional Offker , Dulwich Combined Division. 32 years in Brigade. Serving Brother. Died suddenly on November 23. Winchester Ambulance Division sadly reports the loss of three members during J 976 who served a total of 108 years at Winchester: Joseph A. Lamborne Webb, Ambulance Member. Joined 1949, died May 18 1976.

Cecil Lawrant Harris, Corporal. Joined 1933 , died August 24 1976. John Piper, Superintendent (R). Jomed 1925, died October 8 1976. Feltham Combined Division received this ambulance from funds collected by these cha rity walkers from EMI Electronics Systems and Weapons Division , Feltham. Feltham Division 's

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.2 (77) CompiledbyW.A.Potter

Across 1. Nice plea for a bandage for the head. (8). 8. Drug producin g unconsciousness. (8). 9. Reconstruct a melting joint tissue. (8). II. Please upset the body in a resting state. (6). 12. Epidermal appendage not found on palms and soles. (4).13. Cold -blooded vertebrate. (4).15. Alcoholic liquors for ghosts. (7). 17. Jerk indicating that deep reflexes are present. (4). 20. Aquiline nose. (5). 21. Beginning of the E.N.T. Ward. (3). 22. A large number by mouth is ethical. (5). 23. Wound likely to damage deep vessels and internal organs. (4). 25. Course of instruction read in church. (7). 27. A sound reflection. (4). 29. The upper seven pairs of ribs. (4). 30. Temperature mistake producing great fright. (6). 32. Part of the pleura and bones of the skull. (8). 34. Discolouration of skin and mucous membranes due to bile pigments in blood. (8). 35. Saudi man has vesicular eruption caused by sweat retention. (8).

Down

I. Vitamin D. (10). 2. A period of time in therapy (3). 3. Drastic treatment to reduce the temperature. (3 -4). 4. Admit at start of enteritis. (5). 5. Song with a change of air. (4).6. Commonly fractured by a fall on the hand or shoulder. (6-4). 7. Show the way to command. (6). 10. Courage from the intestines. (4). 14. Obstinate - due to having a thick skull? (lO). IS. Blood products containing antibodies and antitoxins. (4). 16. 13 Across and girl produce food poisoning organisms. (10). 18. Scottish loch in a coastal feature. (4). 19 Consume a variety of tea. (3). 24 Vision lacking sharpness and ability to distinguish detail. (7). 26. Dressing applied in treatment of a conceal abrasion. (3 -3). 28. Coagulated blood. (4). 29. Consumes IS Acros s excessively and habitually. (5). 31. Safety measure on the stairway. (4). 33. Tree seen in Chelmsford. (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.1 (77)

Across I. Albino; 5. Ant.rum; 8. Ul.nar; 9. Splint; 10. Renown ; 11. Exude; 14. Rest.less; 16. Tang.ie; 18. Meniere's disea se; 20. Stroke ; 22. Eruption; 25. Ci.ted; 27. Slough; 28. Air -bed; 29. A.foot ; 30 Silver; 3 I. Enzyme.

Down I. Answer ; 2. Bile ; 3. Outer ear; 4. Intussusception; 5. Arrest; 6. Root; 7. Man.gle; 12. Stridor; 13. Injects; IS. Evert; 17. Lass.o; 19. Inundate; 20. Stasis; 21. Eschar; 23. Needle; 24. Boil; 26. O bey

• OFFERED 16mm tilm projector in exchange for overhead projector. Mr. Jarman , 9 The Cre scent Hipperholm e, Hal ifax , W. York s.

A NEW Review ser vice which we feel mi g ht be of value to reader s and divi s ions is a column for the sale or exchange of item s of equipment , uniforms. books etc.

The conditions of the Under £ 10 Bring -and - Bu y arc: l. Submissions free of charge but limited to sixteen words , which must include price, address and/or phone number.

2. Each submission must be made on the form

VISUAL AIDS

The SJA Multi -Media Appraisal Panel, wh ic h comprises doctors, Ilu rses , jirstaiders and "isual aid exper ts. is o ne 0/ t he appointed panels 0/ the B ri t is h M edical Associa tio n It s reviews a re also publis h ed in t he B MA I II/o rm ation'.

HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE AT WORK SHOPS AND OFFICES

Tape/Slide/filmstrip presentation. Cassetted tapes £3.50, slides £5.95, teaching notes SOp.

-Distributed by: Camera Talks Ltd, 31 North Row, London W lR 2EN.

Content: Some 23 million working days are lost each year through injuries at work. We will attempt to show how a large retail organisation deals with the problem thereb y contributing to the health and welfare of its employees and ultimately to the good of the nation as a whole

PAR TIC atering Facilities. These 29 transparencies and tape s ho w safety precautions , clothing and equipment in a staff cafetaria.

PART II Behind the Scenes. These 29 transparencie s and tape show safety precautions in the warehouse , for attendant drivers and protecti ve clothing in cold rooms and for general attendants.

PART III Health and Hygiene. These 31 transparencies and tap e show the medical centre , the doctor at work and hi s respon sibilitie s, and the range of hyg iene facilities that should be a v ailable in a st ore.

Appraisal: This series presents simple sound practical ad vi ce in a clear manner. Mark s and Spencers , w here the series w as shot , is a byword for it s app lication of h y giene and health pra c t ices , and thi s simple series is extremely effect ive.

PART IV Technical Services (I7 transp. ) This part deals with protecti ve clothing in printing machine room s and associated equipment.

Appraisal: Thi s is a simple basic presentation a imed for ab init io training ; it is clearly presented and with the proviso that the clea n ahd h y gienic s urroundings displa yed in the programme ma y not be the norm , it is extremel y effective.

PAR T V Fire Prevention and Protection ( 19 tran sp. ) This part , wh ic h shows sprinkler sy stem s, smoke detect o r s and water extin g ui sher s, deals with fire precaution and safety drill.

Appraisal: Thi s is also a simple basic pre sentat ion that co ver s th e subject of fire prevent ion more 'than adequatel y. The fire s afety appliances portra yed appear modern and effect i.v e ; all in all thi s is an excellent , to -t he -point pro g ramme

ABOUT YOUR BODY (U.S.A.) 1975

Parts I & II (13 mins. and 12 mins.).

Distributed by: Boulton - Hawker Films, Hadleigh, Nr. Ipswich , IP7 SBG.

Content: Both parts s how a bo y visiting hi s doctor for a check -up and the mean s b y w hich the doctor make s hi s examinat ion gi ve ri se t o di scu ss ion of bod y sys tem s. Part I - Skel etal Mu scu lar and N e r vous.

Part II - Re s pirator y, Dige sti ve and Circulat o r y.

Appraisal: Both part s of thi s film are excellent. The u se o f anim at ion is striking , the performer s are not aggre s si vel y in sular and the e xpo sit io n of each part is clea r and simple . Thi s is one of the be st Health E ducation film s of t hi s ty pe and alth o ug h addre ss ed to youn gs ter s and teenager s is o f s uffici ent in te r es t t o s ho w un iver s ally. Stron g y recommended.

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE NATIONAL FIRST AID COMPETITIONS 1977

WED. 16 Feb. Po ice (Men, women & cadets) Seymour Hall, Seymour P lace, London, WI

THURS. Electricity Supply Ambulance Centre Seymour Hall 24 Mar. (men & women) Seymour Place, London WI

SAT 26 Mar. National Coal Board (Miners Winter Gardens, & Ancillary Workers) Blackpool

SAT. 16 Ap. National Dock Labour Queen Mary Board Ambulance Centre (men) College, Mile End, London El

SAT.14May H.l. Heinz Co. Ltd. Wigan Factory, (men & women) Lanes.

THURS. B.P. Chemicals (International) Provisional19 May Ltd. (men & women) London Hotel

THURS. British Ports Association (men) Winter Gardens, Margate

TUES 31 May Fire Brigades (men) Home Office, Fire Services Technical College, Moreton in -Marsh, Glos

WED 151une Ministry of Defence Church House, Ambulance Centre Great Smith (men & women) Street, London, SWI

SA T. 91uly St. lohn Ambulance Brigade Fairfield Halls, (men, women & cadets) Croydon

Wed. 21 Sept. National Industrial Queen M ary (men & women) College , Mile End, London El

SUN. 2 Oct. National Road Passenger Hatfield Transport Ambulance Technical Association (men & women) College, Hatfie ld Hens

TUES. 4 Oct. Gas Industry (men & women) Royal Bath Assembly R ooms, Harrogate

Midweek, Post Office Ambulance Centre Provisional17, 18 or 19 (men & women) Midlands area Oct.

WED. 2 Nov. British Rail, London Winter Gardens, Trans. (Rail) & British Margate Trans. Docks (men & women)

TUES. 29 Nov. The Grand Prior s Trophy Seymour Hall, Competitions (men & women) Seymour Place, London, WI

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WHY NOT GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR MEMBERS & FRIENDS AND TOAST OUR GREAT CENTENARY IN STYLE.

Why should SJA have to attract cash to keep going? by Proteus p.50

The Division which just grows and grows, by E. H. Jackson p.52

Competitions: relating procedure to reality, by A. N. Other p.54

Around and About, by the Editor p.56

Staffs' new HQ p.61

Planning a nursing programme, by Kate Wilkinson , p.62

Readers'Views p.64

News from Wales - Scotland p.68

1977 Centenary Calendar (revised) p.69

News from Divisions/ Centres p 70

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W, Williams

Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief

'SEVEN YEARS and six months!' Humpty Dumpty repeated thoughtfully. 'An uncomfortable sort of age. Now if you'd asked my advice, I'd have said "Leave off at seven" - but its's too late now.'

'I never ask advice about growing,' Alice said indignantly.

'Too proud?' the other enquired.

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Edited and produced for the Order of St. John by Driscoll Productions Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley, Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk IP 12 3QF.

Phone Oriord (Std 039 45) 548. Editor Frank Driscoll.

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Price 26p monthly. E3.60 per annum, including postage, from Review Sales, St. John Ambulan ce, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EF.

COVER: A picture of happiness is our Denise French senior cadet of Whitton (Twickenham) Cadet Division, who has just received her Grand Prior s Badge from the Deputy Mayor of Richmond - on - Thames Four years with the Division , Denise is an outdoor girl during the summer espeCially at hockey and water ski - ing

Alice felt even more indignant at this suggestion, 'I mean,' she said, 'that one ca'n't help growing older.'

'One ca'n't, perhaps,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'but two can. With proper assistance, you might have left off at seven.' *

There was once a Nursing Cadet Division which had had no officers for at least two years and, despite all the efforts of an Area Staff Officer to hold the division together and run its weekly meetings, numbers were dwindling and the surviving members were losing interest. They shared a headquarters with three other divisionsAmbulance, Nursing, and Ambulance Cadet; but apart from meeting at the same HQ at different times each week, these four divisions were almost as widely separated from each other as if they had been twenty miles apart. Every effort to find a nursing member to take over the cadets had failed, nor had anyone suggested forming a combined cadet division, though these were admittedly rare in those days.

PROTEUS, of The Field, asks a pertinent question:

WHY SHOULD

SJA HAVE TD ATTRACT CASH TO KEEP GOING?

WHEREVER outdoor crowds gather, they are there. Beside jumps on racecourses, near the centre of agricultural shows, at motor-car hill -climbs, amid holiday traffic, the St. John Ambulance men (and women) are always well-placed for "trouble. They are at other places too.

It would be fair to say that they are everywhere. The familiar uniform, reassuring in its warranty of competence , does not make the men; the men make it. When they are not wearing it they are not off-duty. They never are. If a need arises, they cope, no matter when or where. Theirs is a total commitment. And theirs is voluntary service. It is rendered by people more concerned in having made themselves fit to be useful than in being paid for doing so. All these aspects are rare nowadays.

So I read with mixed feelings of the generous support given by the Queen and her family to a fund - raising effort on St. John's behalf in London. Royal patronage must often be given in the course of duty to causes less selfless , Jess necessary and less effective than this. The mother and father of a competitive horsewoman (Princess Anne was

there too) must have been just as thankful as other parent s, ourselves included, for the black figures on hand at hors e trials. But if surprise was absent , wonder was not. Ho\\ remarkable that this , of all organizations , should require to take over the Talk of the Town for an evening to attrac t cash to keep it going. We owe it so much , it should neve r be short of money. No more eloquent testimony could be given of the habit, into which we all fall in some degree nowadays , to take for granted whatever is done to help us, The Welfare State has improved life for most people But it has also invoked chronic undervaluation of service! freely rendered out of a sense of duty. It is as if the natio n has convinced itself that all good things around us were sent by Bevan above; that if something is happening fo r the general good, it must have been laid on by th e Government.

Far from it. And that St. John Ambulance, from whid so many have benefited, and from which everyone of u! and ours may benefit further at any time, could be in even temporary need, throws a poor Ijght on our collective sense of responsibility. The thought invited introspection.

Those who lead active lives include a rugh proportion of the accident - prone, among whom I long ago qualified for membersrup. So marked has this been in my case that I could well be issued with some insignia to identify me to ambulancemen as a potential patient. Some of my family have likewise qualified for free transport to those tents where the injured, and the merely faint. are rendered strong and healthy enough to reach hospital. The same must be true of a million others. We, and our sons and daughters , have accepted the service offered , and have done little about it, even to the extent of passIng by on the other side. We should not let this continue.

If all who have benefited were each to give one pound a year thereafter, there would be no need to monopolize the Talk .of the Town. By denying ourselves a not exceptionally large glass of whisky every six months the target could be met. So small a thing, so simply done. is surely worth doing to perpetuate so fine a service.

Mem?ry comes sharply back. Hoofbeats , sharp breath, flags stiff in the wind of a grey M arch day, pale turf

shrinking, a black birch fence coming quickly nearer, and beside it a peak -capped figure ' on one knee beside a folded stretcher. They put the stretcher to good use within a matter of seconds. But I was in no state to know. What I know now is that to do the decent thing I should have been paying my fare ever since. Although my need of first aid is (or so I hope) less pressing than it was, it seems that I have stamped my offspring with small sense of caution. As a family we remain potential patrons. What I also know is that the still small voice of reason joins the voice of conscience, telling me that to pay the fare is not enough. One day, and it will not be for the first time, fate will lead me past the scene of accident or sudden illness, and find me wanting. Good intentions will not then be enough. Others will suffer for my lack of knowledge and skill. The blame will be on me if in the meantime I have not acquired enough basic knowledge to learn how to be useful, as the men and women in black have had the gumption and public spirit to do.

(Reprintedfrom The Field, 30 Dec 1976)

(Left) Generous and delighted support for St John.

The Queen chatting to the Duke of Gloucester, the Grand Prior of St. John. Left, the Lord Prior, Lord Caccia. And Douglas Fairbranks, who compered The Talk of the Town show. with Geoffrey Meek, St. John director of fund raising

Princess Anne (a horsewoman who knows all about falls) meets the entertainers who also generously and delightedly gave their support to St. John

The Division which just grows and grows

AS A LAD of thirteen years old J joined the St. John Ambulance Cadets at Dagenham C 12 Division. In those wartime years I had plenty of real experience of first aid. and on many occasions helped the victims of the blitz. When a bomb fell I would grab. my bike and hurry to the scene. In those days the rescue work was less organised than it would be today and anyone who turned up was welcome to lend a hand. More than once I came ofT a bomb site only to find that my bike had been cleared away with debris!

I worked my way through the ranks of corporal and sergeant and gained eleven proficiency certificates. At the age of fifteen I took my adult First Aid and Home Nursing Certificates. Later I transferred to the Adult Division. 94 Dagenham (London District). I was very interested in cadet work. so I stayed on to help the cadets and became an Officer of Cadets in 1949.

By this time I was running my own coach business. In 1952 London District hired my coach to take a group to an officers' conference at Filey. It was there that I met my future wife. who was Superintendent of

E. H. JACKSON came back to the Brigade after 20 years to prove that a division was needed in Kirby, Essex. Now local interest in St. John is snow-balling

CN34 Enfield Nursing Cadet Division. By now my business was taking more and more of my time. and coach bookings were clashing with cadet nights. I believe strongly that. if you cannot spare the time to do a job properly. then it is time to leave, so I had to retire from St. John after twelve happy years. Some years later my wife and I moved to Kirby Cross. Frinton on Sea, Essex. with our young son Nigel. As my son grew older he wanted to join St. John. r made enquiries in my local area and was told that there was no St. John Cadet organisation because the Sea Cadets. Scouts. Cubs and Guides were too strong. 1 eventually contacted Clacton Division. where the Cadet Superintendent, Mr. G. Fuller. welcomed my son, who soon settled in happily with the Division. I told Mr. Fuller of my past with the Brigade and started to give him a hand when he was short of help. It was over twenty years since I had left the Brigade, but I now took a new adult first aid course with Clacton Div ision and rejoined. That was over two years ago. and I was by then helping Mr. Fuller on a regular basis. but I kept thinking of my own home

area at Kirby. It seemed to be a great challenge. so r discussed the possibility of a division at Kirby with the ASO (Cadets) Mr JcfTerie s. who had meeting and discussions with other people in the area. Eventually I was given permi sion to form an Association c las s in the Essentials of First Aid.

I visited the local school and the Headmaster agreed for me to go along and talk to the top class about St. John work. All the boys in the class turned up. with their friends. at our first meeting. whiC;h was held at my house in May 1976. As there were over twenty boys. we almost immediatel) outgrew my house. so we started to meet in the local Church hut. In Jul y my first group was ready for their Essentials of First Aid exam. CSO (Cadets) Mr. Fletcher came to Kirby for this and eleven boys (all who were old enough) passed the exam.

The week following the exam I took a group of the boys to Harwich to watch a local open fir t aid competition. The organiser. Superintendent S. Wright of Harwich Cadet Division asked me to enter the boys rather than just let them watch. The

onl'.' boy with competitIOn experience was my· son. but they were all willing to a go so in they went. To the of everyone our Kirby boys (not yet registered as a division) won first place. They came proudly home with the Gilham Cup. The registration of the Division came through with efTect from August 18 1976. Since. the cadets have obtained Home N ursi ng C erti fi cates and P rofi c ien c y Certificates in Casualty Simulation and Handyman. not bad for a new Division! In November we entered a cadet team and a junior team in the Area Competitions at Colchester. The junior team won the Jefferies Shield. and the cadet team came second in their section. and so are through to the County Competition.

On December 7 we held our first enrolment and parents' evening, and were very pleased and honoured to have the St. John Commander for Essex. Dr. Nicholls Palmer. present. together with the Chairman of the Frinton and Walton Council and other guests. There were twenty-four boys on parade. all in uniform and looking very smart. I must add that I am one of the 'old school', and believe that discipline plays an important part in creating a good Division. All the boys accept this; and they agree that. when dealing with human life. you must be disciplined. But they still find it great fun to belong to St. John.

We are very fortunate to have Mr. L. B, Wills. SEN. as our President. He is a retired Chief Ambulance Officer of the London Ambulance Service. a former ASO of the London District. and a Serving Brother of the Order. His knowledge of ambulance work is a great help to me and the Division.

At one of the parents' evenings a parents' Association was formed and its members have been working hard to raise funds. with already £80 raised .from coffee mornings and rummage sales.

The sisters of some of my cadets soon began to ask when could they learn first aid. One boy's parent. Mrs. Skeels. offered to help. and as did Mrs. Warren. a nursing member of Clacton Division. So we now have a class of eighteen girls. nine of them having taken the Essentials of First Aid exam. The girls are now eagerly waiting for the re sults. to be confirmed. so that a Combined Division can be formed. To round off the process of finding out if there is sufficent interest in an area to start a St. John Division. we now have a number of parents under training. Is this the beginning of our Adult Division?

(E. H. Jackson) Divisional Superintendent. Kirby and Frinton Ambulance Cadet Division. 90 Frinton Road. Kirby Cross. Frinton on Sea. (Telephone No. Frinton 2844)

Please stop and say hello ...

"YOU'R E the first I've seen for - oh. w fks." She hobbled from the front door into the kitchen. and I followed. "Mrs. Simpson." said my list. "83 and widowed for sixteen years; asthma. £8.65 a week "

There was a row of sneering china dogs on the mantelpiece: a little bronze bell engraved "Suisse - Mentey Valais" nudged one of the dogs. Somebody - a son or a daughter? - had brought this back years ago. Sometimes it would catch her filming eyes and a bright image of laughter, family dinners. her own holidays maybe would spring into her mind.

The wallpaper had faded to a scratched mottled pattern. the lino had frayed almost into strips. and a single rug was laid up to the door to stop the draughts. The inevitable cat lounged on the unmade "concealed" bed. hidden because of a shred of clinging selfrespect during the daytime by a thin curtain stretched across a string.

What 1 assumed was breakfast lay on a newspaper covering a coverless table - a cup with the lee s of weak tea; a jar of so met h i n gun ide n t i fi a bIe: and surprisingly a good looking teapot with an arched handle. a Dresden shepherdess and the scene from the court of a longforgotten dynasty painted delicately on its "ides.

Lonelines has an odour. a mixture of gradual decay. encroaching neglect and hopelessness. There is no mistaking it. She must sit here day after day while the enemy advanced closer and closer and the dirt piled in corners.

"Sit down." she said. laying aside her stick and bending slowly till she sat herself. I laid my parcel almost stealthily on the table. She saw it. though her steel-rimmed glasses lay across the stragg lin g hair over her brow.

"Thank you." and she nodded.

"Now." I began, with what I hoped was heartening brisknes These people were long past sympathy. What they wanted. needed. wa someone to top and say hello; to tell them about the local world they had once been a part of. the world still w'agging away outside the sooted window with the strip of paper round the frame for the ame rea on as the rug lay against the door.

She probably wouldn't speak to anyone for a week on end. The milkman left the halfpint outside the door. but she just couldn't always rise: be ides, he never had time.

''I'll put the kettle on and we'll have a cup of tea." I went on. My brisknes was to hide my feelings for thi woman .The gas -ring on the cold stove fluttered. 1 put a lOp piece in the meter and at.

"How." r asked her. a little desperately.

"is your asthma? The doctor calling regularly? You're not pouring your medicine down the sink?" The ghastly joke had to be made.

The blueish lips trembled in the shadow of a smile. " r might as well for all the good it does. I'm 87. you know" - what was a year one way or the other? - "and my wireless has broken down."

r saw a small radio in a dusty corner. This r could do - have it repaired: this. I said to myself thankfully. will be a real help. not a string of worn phra es she will have heard before and mean really so little. ., Are you all right for coke." I asked next. We both looked at the small stove. "Coke? Oh. coke. I don't know. There's a boy from below who brings me a bucket now and again. When he remembers. I don't use much. though. I lie in bed most of the time :.

1 made the tea in the handsome teapot: spread bread: opened a tin of tongue I'd brought. I found a knife and fork. and helped her to the table. She wheezed her thanks. 1 had learned that you never asked them personal question . rt seems to be more than they can bear. The past is present with them too much. too near the surface of wandering minds to talk about. I took out my notebook and wrote: "Doctor, coke. radio. draughts." This was all I could do. all anybody could do. I pulled some magazines from my holdall. Would she ever read them? "You can't sit here. Like thi ." I told her. smiling to her. "You'll blow away."

"What?" she asked. and the asthma thickened in her throat. "Look." I continued. 'TII.arrange for the door and the window to be seen to." "Thank you,"

1 took a last look round. a little helplessly. and tuffed the broken "wireless" into my bag. r shook the soft. lifeless hand. "Well " The going away was always difficult. She sat there looking at the teapot. I turned abruptly. and the doorhandle rattled in my grasp.

On my way downstairs almost slippery with damp I called out: "Is there anybody there?" A door off the landing opened: a tousled head poked round , "Are you the boy:' I asked. "who get Mrs. Simpson' coke for her?"

The head nodded. pound note changed. "Go for ome now. will you. please?"

Back in the treet I examined my list again: "Mr. Simpson. 83." etc. I added: "Too orrowful to be sor ry for herself. Living because there' nothing el e to do."

Jo Ann Maclay

(RC'(!rill((!d(rolll Ih(! Church TiIlJe )

Relating procedure to reality

FROM considerable participation in first aid competitions, (mainly as the Casualty Simulator), active participation in ARP and CD. including some Blitz experience, and over 4,000 hours NHSR service in accident and emergency departments of busy hospitals, it is proposed that those who arrange first aid competitions examine the following suggestions. No claim is made to having more imagination or grasp of realism, but it is suggested that, in an attempt to give full scope to first aid knowledge and skill, it may well be that competition incidents, although very well staged and acted, depart from realism and actuality in placing too much emphasis on the procedure which gains most points.

1. Competition teams are quartettesbut St. John personnel rarely operate in such groupings. Within that set-up No. I of the team (usually the most active. vociferous, capable, senior. commanding member) often 'steals the show' leaving little for the others to do except by his direction. (Let me say at this point that. at an actual incident, r am all in favour of the best first aider taking charge,

COMPETITORS - LET'S ALL DISCUSS OUR VIEWS

assessing. diagnosing, etc, - but not in the sense that his colleagues have to be given specific stage-by-stage in truction as though only he can order an ambulance to be called, first aid gear to be sought, witnesses to be examined. etc.). I suggest that, in competitions. Nos I and 3 assess injury and such relevant matters and Nos. 2 and 4, without beil1R fold, get busy on all ancillary matters and do not stand idle until given specific tasks.

2. One such function which No. 4 should undertake (whilst No.2 collects first aid gear. blankets. etc. and - as soon as No. I has completed assessment - calls for an ambulance) 'is the invaluable documentation which must accompany the casualty to hospital. We tend to overlook the fact it is the casualty officer who needs' to be informed of the successive changes of pulse rate, etc., not just the 'Boss First Aider.' Moreover. unless one has had hospital experience. it may not be appreciated what trouble can follow if scattered belongi ngs are not taken care of by a reliable person.

I would like to see Supplies Department produce a BASIC I NFOR MAnON label which could be printed by the million so that we can all have one on our person at all times along with the proverbial 'safety pin and clean handkerchief.' The form proposed is as sketched in Fig. 1 - but, it is suggested. hospital and ambulance authorities should give their expert advice hefore the format is ettled.

3. Can responsible authority please clarify the 999 Procedure? Whenever we attend 'Major Disaster Plan' lectures. the chief police officer present always stresses that the POLICE must always be informed first and that they inform the ambulance service: and, from our association with them we know that Ambulance. Police, Fire Services mutually inform each other in all matters likely to be appropriate. Should we not accept. as standard drill. that. in actual incident and competition training. we tell the Police 'Accident involving elderly man in High Street opposite Guildhall. Ambulance required. Presume you will arrange.' (St. 10hn personnel on public duty have, on

occasion. met the case where police with walky -ta lk y sets have countermanded or overriden attempts by St. John personnel to inform the professional ambulance service that the injury did not justify ambulance callout. If it were universally -accepted that police are the primary and initiating emergency service, duplication. overlapping and confusion could be avoided).

4. Can responsible authority - not necessarily doctors: the AA or RAC might well be more appropriate! - consider the feasibility of the procedure laid own in the First Aid Manual (and, therefore, the markswinning method) for such incidents as road crashes. electrical accidents, etc. For example, with a crashed car is it practicable to attempt the removal of the battery (p.175)? rn the immense variety of vehicles do we know where to find it? How can you disconnect it without tools - and without causing the disastrous spark? And the instruction to switch off the engine! Is it likely that it is still running in a crashed car? Is it wise to fiddle about with the controls of an unfamiliar car, anyway? If the frontal damage involves a headlamp, turning the switch just a trifle the wrong way could cause the short -circuit it is so necessary to avoid. As in medical and surgical matters, our enthusiasm and desire to be helpful can

As pleased as

MEET Marie Deakin, 18, and Alison Lowe. 17, both of Staffordshire's Blythe Bridge Quadrilateral Division, who recently received their Grand Prior's certificates.

Friends since the age of eight. Marie and Alison were at school together, joined the Brigade together in 1971, and worked for their Grand Prior's Badge together. They also obtained their Special Service Shields together in 1973 for 200 hours at a local hospital.

But Soon they'll be parting. Marie has her sights on being an infant teacher, Alison to become a social worker.

Meanwhile they find their division 'successfully combines serious study of fir t aid and home nursing with social events'.

Good luck - Marie and Alison!

easily betray us into stepping outside the scope of our knowledge and capability; 'masterly inaction' is often the finest first aid - and this could apply to crashed motorcars etc. The dimculty in competitions is that marks can usually only be given for what the team DOES, not for what it intelligently refrains from doing. On the other hand the instruction about high voltage injuries (p 84): 'Do not allow anyone within twenty yards: is carrying caution too far; at this distance one would be too far away to make any assessment - and, in any case. no electrical engineer designs 'clearances in air' at such fantastic dimensions. Obviously, in this instance. the appropriate authority was not consulted.

5. In order that the team can demonstrate its ability in setting up and loading a stretcher, team tests usually call for this to be done prior to the announced arrival of the ambulance. In actual incidents, especially where fractured spine, flail chest, trapped motorist. etc, is involved, it would be preferable to await the arrival of the ambulance: if for no other reason than that two fully capable additions to the team will be available. to say nothing of stretchertrolleys and stretchers not being interchangeable, and so on. We must move with the times and accept the fact of life that r

there is now a fully professional ambulance service: first -aiders we may well still claim to be - ambulancers we are NOT, but competitions are still designed as though we were the sole intermediaries between the roadside and the hospital and. moreover, that we operate closely in line with pre -war RAMC training manuals.

Since training is the object, and improved functioning at any incident the goal. of all our competition activity we must arrange that all who enter get equal opportunity to expand their skills, not make it easy for a team comprising one capable, bustling extrovert and three dim stooges to impress the invigilator most: we must ensure that most marks go to those revealing the knowledge and ability required at an adual incident. including interaction with the public. the polict' and ambulance services and with complete knowledge of all aspects which the hospital's accident emergency department would wish us to attend to.

J would like to provoke discussion of these and similar points. evoking comments. not so much by those who arrange or judge competitions. but by those who compete in them. To provide such a forum is, I believe, the prime purpose of our Review.

Fig. 1

10hn Sinjin Whyte - Ban

BERKSHIRE

The Grand Prior has approved the appointment of Mr. C. T. Willoughby Cashell, MB. BS. FRCS. as Chairman of Council for Berkshire in succession to Sir John Horlick who is leaving Berkshire. Mr. Cashell is an ophthalmic surgeon living at Finchampstead and working in Reading. He joined the St. John Council for Berkshire in May 1958 and has also been on the County Association Committee for many years. He is at present acting as chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, and was promoted to the grade of Commander only last year. His appointment will take effect immediately and will run, in the first instance. for three years from St. John's Day 1977.

TO THE PARLOUR

We haven't heard of many civic receptions for SJ A during centenary year. This month (March 2) the Lord Mayor of Bristol is giving one for 300 people ofSJA Avon. An idea for your county?

70 YEARS YOUNG

Leeds Central (YMCA) Nursing Division

celebrates its 70th birthday this month with a champagne dinner for members and officers (to which they are contributing) at a local hotel.

The division, which has three Serving Sisters among its 15 members, runs first aid and nursing courses at its HQ in the centre of Leeds with a very high degree of passes. Divisional Superintendent is Miss F. Tollemache. 44 Swardale Road, Leeds, should you know of anyone who'd like to join the division.

MEDICAL CONFERENCE

The Medical Confe'rence at Nottingham is always one of the high spots of the year. It will take place this spring at Nottingham

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

University over the period April 22-24. both dates inclusive, and is residential.

The organising committee are to be congratulated on arranging a most interesting conference programme - it includes Professor Donald Court. former president of the British Paediatric Association, who will give a presentation relating to the 'Court Committee' which has recently hit the headlines with its recommendation for a complete restructuring of Child Health Services.

Manifestly, this will be a seminar of absorbing and topical interest.

Mrs. Margaret Wynn, well-known for the studies she has made in Child Health Services will also be a speaker in this session.

Other eminent personalities who are giving papers are - Professor Pat Lawther, Professor of Environmental Medicine and Physics at St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, and Professor David Greenfield. the Dean of the University of Nottingham Medical School. It is probable that guest speakers from the Priory of Canada and the Priory in Australia will tell us of special fir st aid applicable to these territories.

The general theme of the conference will be Past. Present and Future, and will be chaired by Mr. P H. Newman, CBE, DSO ,

MC. FRCS, the new chairman of the Medical Board.

Application forms may be obtained from you r Di s trict / or County Secretary, or, In case of difficulty, from the Conference Secretary at Headquarters in London.

Conference fees have been kept to a minimum - £20 for Brigade nur sing officers and £28 for Brigade surgeons and lay personnel.

The Conference Secretary tells me that as conference numbers are restricted early application is desirable.

DOING ALL RIGHT

Facts from SJA Canada:

In 1976 Ottawa St. John Brigade set a recruitment goal of 20% increase in every division - and has met it!

In Quebec blind first -aiders have saved lives . Blind Course' are taught, and ver) successfully; and a blind first aid competition team is to compete against sighted teams this year.

Quebec has closed its doors to nell Brigade members as they have far too many.

DIRTY DUTY UNIFORM

Coventry Area News reports: Correspondence in the St. John Revie w

BY THE EDITOR

GALA LUNCH

At the tribute lunch for 'Once Upon a Century evening held In the Chapter Hall, St. John 's Gate on January 18 (L to R) The host. Lord Westbury, Barbara Cartland. Hughie Green. Princess Helena Moutafian (Gala committee vice chairman) and the Chief Commander. Everyone bought copies 01 Barbara Cartland's new book The Dream and the Glory. the royalties of which she has given to the Order She spent most of the lunch autographing copies

MIND BENDERS

Find the first aid word or words in the clue. The number of letters in the answer is given. To get you used to the idea. I'll give you the first answer.

CLUE: Doctor unwell (5) ANSWER : DR ILL.

I. Nose bleed for example (8.5).

2. Get ready to bat (3).

3. Sole of the foot. for example (8.5)

4 Others armies (7.6).

Answers Upside down - are at the bottom of page 58. No c heating.

has raised the point of Special Service Uniform, now discontinued as a Supplies issue. It would appear that a useful replacement could be the Battle Dress type of uniform. These uniforms, in navy blue, are worn by the Ro ya Navy and were issued to Civil Defence units. Good quality uniforms of this type are obtainable from Government Surplus Stores, in fact a few weeks ago, uniforms of this type, in navy blue, new and uni ssued. were advertised at only £7 complete.

If worn with a white polo - neck jumper for the colder months, and at other times the usual white shirt, a smart turnout could be achieved at a very low cost, certainly better to use in dirty conditions than a £40 uniform. Under some conditions the long sleeved jumper, with patches, or without. in navy blue would make a very smart alternative to the Battle Dress blouse top. The usual shoulder flashes, badge 3654 on the right breast pocket and the white

Having a good time at the Torquay Centre's annual dinner and dance. (L to R) Back row Mr G. Furneaux , committee member, Mr. D Andrews Hon Treas., Mr P Lyle. committee member. Mr A E Elson, chairman. Mr F Atkins committee member, Mr L. Lownds Pateman PreSident, Major M J Malcolm County Director Mr R. W. Trebilcock Front row: Mrs D Andrews Mrs S Furneaux Hon. Sec Mrs A E Elson. Mrs R W. Trebilcock County Supt.. Mrs L Lownds Pate man Mrs L. Freeman Div. Supt. Torquay Nursing Cadet Division (Photo: West of England Newspapers)

1976 winners of the Grand Prior's Trophy

really

Major George Coleman. chairman of Derbyshire County Council prior to a Emergency Aid course held In the Council Chamber recently The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire. Sir Ian P A. M. Walker-Okeover, also attended the course, which was under the direction of County Surgeon Col. S A Bower (photo Ron Duggins)

haversack could complete the outfit. Ambulance personnel wear the standard cap or beret, nursing personnel could also wear this type of uniform with either the regulation cap or black beret.

This would leave your regulation uniform clean and tidy at home. ready for that clean duty which always seems to be the day after that very dirty duty or emergency call-out.

CORRECTION

1n AWARDS, published last month.

EMERGENCY AID

On Friday evening. January 2 L the County President for South and West Yorkshire, Mrs. E. M. Ingham, and the County Association DIrector, Major P J. Mortimer, held a small reception at the University of Leeds to inaugurate a Emergency Aid 'Project for Presidents'. The hope is that this introduction to the Emergency Aid Scheme

Chief rnspector K. Proctor and Sergeant W. Hunt are both members of Staffordshire Police not Lancashire. as stated.

Bolsover Colliery Ambulance DiviSion team ,

immobillsed

West Frontier Province. because of her intimate knowledge of the language and customs of the Pathans

WHAT ABOUT A ST . JOHN LEAG UE?

would snowball and presidents throughout the county would find their own means of publicising it and encouraging friends and members of local organisations to enrol for the two-hour course. The reception was fo ll owed by an Emergency Aid session in m iniature, with a showing of part of the film ' D on't Let Him Die', a short lecture by the D eputy County S urgeon, Dr. W. Brown, a nd demonstrations by Inspector Harold McC udden of the South Yorkshire Police. Among the guests were the Commander, the St. John Council Chairman, County Vice-Presidents a n d Area and Corps Pr esidents, the County Superintendent (Nursing), Area Commissioners, Officers of the Associatio n P o lice Officers, including the D eputy Chief Constable of West Yorks h ire, and representatives of the Fire and Ambulance Services.

Great interest was shown, a nd both the County President and the Director are confi

bring this basic training scheme -

valuable to housewives and others with little time to spare - to wide sections of the general public.

BARGAIN

A green keeper of a Reading golf course bought a Braune electric invalid chair (cost £500) to take him around the course after he became an invalid. But he died soon after buying the chair, which had done only about 4 miles so it is virtually new; the chair is now on offer for £275 at Theale Motor Engineering Works, Theale (M4 junction 12), Reading 302422 - should any reader know of anyone who is in need of such a chair.

TEACHING TH E BLIN D

From Coventry Area News: Coventry Area StafT were approached by a group of blind people with a request for some instruction in emergency first aid. This,

of course, wa s something d iITerent anc certainly a challen ge to our Area Traini n! Officers. A fter s ome con s ideration it agreed that we s hould undertake a pil ol scheme with a small group of our bl inc friends. Thi s ha s been completed and we shall have to evaluate the results.

It was agreed that it would not be po ss ib lf to undertake s uch a course in the norm a' manner: it wa s decided to have am instructor to give the verbal instruction one demonstrator for each two candidate s I' was found that it was po ssible to give sim ila! instruction a s that g iven in the normal tw ohour se ss ion in two two - hour session s It would appear that this is the fir st sud course of instruction to be asked for, or eve' arranged.

Should any d ivi sion be approached bl anyone or a similar group, they shaull the Area Training Officer s befor. undertaking or accepting any invitations.

N-W FRONTIER

Mrs. Lilian Underhill who has died, aged 91 won national fame in 1923 when she led , group of North -West Frontier tribesmen rescue a girl of 17, kidnapped from Kohat b Pathans She wa s awarded the Life Savi n; Medal of the Order.

Mrs. Underhill , then Mrs. Lilian was serving as a nurse at the Churd Missionary Society Hospital, Peshawar. N the daughter of a missionary she had be er born and brought up in the Himalayas

She wa s sent on the mission by Sir Maffey. chief commissioner of the Nartn

BENDERS (answers)

The abducted girl, Miss Molly Elli s, had been kidnapped after Pathans had murdered her mother, the wife of Major Ellis a British officer stationed at Kohat.

Sir John knew that a military force would be useless against tribesmen in such terrain.

Mrs. Starr set ofT with a s mall group of loyal Pathans and returned safely with the girl after hair -raising adventure s

She was also awarded the Kaisar -i-Hind medal.

HELP

Greater Manchester's Chead le and Cheadle Heath Division, which recentl y started a cadet section and are hoping to form a band are badly in need of ambulance cadet uniforms and instruments. OITers , please, to Supt. T. Lane 19 Maple Road. Bramhall , Cheshire.

CAPABLE HANDS

SJA Weymouth, I hear, ha s four member s who when on duty together can ofTer an allembracing service - DELIVERING , RADIOGRAPHY. NURSING , and BURYING.

This formidable quartet is Div. Nursin g Officer (Cadet s) Mrs. J. RobinsonMIDWIFE: Div Supt. (Cadets) Mr s. T Cotton - RADIOGRAPHER; Di v. Sup t. (Cadets) Mr s. P Arnold - SENIOR HOSPITAL NIGHT SISTER ; and Div OfT. (Adult s) Mr. J. Cotton - FUNERAL DIRECTOR.

Perhap s, after all. we d better play thi s service down

YOUR ORDER?

A number of paid order s (without addre s se s) for personali sed desk diaries have not been collected from HQ' s Press Office. One for 20 copies, overprinted Division a l Superintendent, is in the name of D J. Hughes.

Will member s who've ordered these diaries please get in touch with the Press

CYANOACRYLATE ADHESIVES - HANDLE WITH CARE

100 YEARS OF SERVICE

I'm s urpri sed more readers don't have a go at th e Review's attempts to draw their thought s. Even when we oITer a free annual s ub scription for the best attempt. as in the December is s ue. for a headline to Jack's cartoon of winter duty under clothes, their res pon se is virtuall y

The odd point about these only two s ubmissions is that they both come from the soft' and 'decadent south of England. And yet we hear. not only in St. John. so much nowadays about the so-much-more - realistic, down -to -earth north of the country. Is there a line from the

ever it is

Perhaps I'd better move to the Wash, with one foot in either.

An example of this substance is now being marketed in the United Kingdom under the name of LOCTITE Super Glue -3 as a DIY preparation and has been advertised on television and elsewhere.

Cyanoacrylate is a liquid whjch turns into a solid in the presence of surface moisture. This means it bonds human tissue including skin in seconds and should therefore be handled with care. The makers have taken care to include adequate instructions on the blister packs and on the actual tube. They have also provided copies of the information card (right) for issue to Centre s Further supplies, or enquiries concerning the product may be obtained from the makers, Loctite (UK) Ltd , Watchmead. Welwyn Garden City. Herts. AL 7 UB

The time came for their annual inspection, and as their inspecting officer I insisted that all four divisions should meet on the same evening, the cadets at an earlier hour than the adults, but with a short overlap during which all four divi ions would be present together and I could speak to them as members of the same St. John family and present badges and any other awards in the presence of them all. Further, I requested all the officers to wait behind afterwards so that we could discuss together any problems affecting each of the four divisions; and I had a shrewd suspicion that this was the Arst time they had ever met together within the same four walls. The subject of Anding an officer for the nursing cadets naturally arose, and I was assured that no single person could be found to take them on. So I suggested using the cadets themselves to recruit a prospective officer of their own choosing, on the principle (not by any means a bad one) that if they wanted to go on being cadets they mllS[ have an officer, and it was up to them to And one; but this was regarded with disfavour. Finally adopted the role of Humpty Dumpty and said: 'You say you've had no success in trying to And olle person to run the cadets; but have you thought of trying to And /ll'o?'

The ens uing silence was broken by the Area Superintendent who, though normally a model of truthfulness. played into my hands by telling the biggest lie of her life when she said: 'I've no doubt that there's very profound wisdom in the Commissioner's last remark, but I must confess that it escapes me ; perhaps he would explain.'

So I pointed out how impo sible it was to expect one person on her own. and without experience or training in It:adership. to agree to take over the responsibility of running a cadet division. But get a group of two or more friends to accept the challenge of working together and sharing the responsibilities between them, and there might be some chance of success. No need to decide at the outset precisely who should hold which office or rank, but after the team had been working together for a while it would become clear which member of it was best suited to each particular job.

As in all the best fairy tales (and many true life stories too) the magic worked, and so far as I know they all lived happily ever afterwards!

Two better than one

'One ca'n't, perhaps, but [)I'O can.' This isn't the only lesson that we can learn from the wisdom of Humpty Dumpty, and I hope the quotation at the head of this column will encourage us to ask ourselves some pretty searching questions. both about growing in numbers collectively and about growing old individually.

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p. 49)

Could it perhaps be true that at least some of our divisions fail to attract keen new young recruits because one overworked and dedicated officer carries on too long, 'going it alone' without asking advice about how to grow, and without the proper assistance that that advice could provide? Is it, at least occasionally, because we're too proud to ask? Or because we're too set in our ways to bear the thought of training a helper and a potential successor? If. like Alice, you are indignant at this suggestion , try to curb your indignation and ask yourself whether the suggestion may not in fact be true.

Perhaps, if we would allow Humpt y Dumpty to teach us a lesson, we could not only so ften the traumatic effect of retirement by discovering that it often means no more than changing the particular job we're doing in the service of mankind, but also ensure that. though individual s must ine vitably grow old with the passage of yea r s, the St. John family as a whole remains young and vigorous in fulAlling the purpo se that we exist to serve.

Glow of warmth

During the past month r've had the good fortune to attend three outstandingly interesting St. John events. The Arst was the official opening by H R H The Princes s Margaret of Staffordshire's new county HQ; the second was the annual Police and St. John symposium at Hendon Police Cadet Training College: and the third was a dinner to celebrate the Afth birthday of the St. John Air Wing

Since 1973 there has been in Staffordshire a very marked increase in the Association's first aid training for the public and more especially in industry, together with a steady rise in Brigade membership and greater demands for it s se rvices on public duty, a similar increase in the number of medical

aids required for loan to the sick and injurea in their home. and the development of a SI John emergency call -out scheme to Wor K with the statutory services in the event or any major disaster.

All this meant that the former county HQ was no longer adequate to co-ordinate th t work undertaken by St. John. The St. Council managed to acquire at moderal! cost a vacant house which could be adaptec to suit the purpose. Much of the adaptation renovation and redecoration was undertaker by voluntary labour led by th t Commissioner and County Superintenden who. I'm told, proved hi ghly skilful a! interior decorators.

While the outside world was wrapped Ir the snow and slu h left from the previow day's blizzard, thi s splendid new HQ lI"a' opened by Princess Margaret on Janu ary 14 and the ceremony wa followed by , reception in the vast 'Top of the World ballroom \\'hirh \\as crowded with St. Joh r member, friends and supporter from al over the county. Many of these were presented to Her Royal Highness who alsc walked round the ballroom and chatted wit i uniformed members. both adult and cadet before leaving to carry out furthe r engagements in LichAeld.

A happy blend of formality ana friendliness, coupled with the obviou l enthusiasm of all those present. gave to th unforgetable occasion a glow of warmth th a: no amount of wintry weather could chill.

Close ties

On the following day Mr. John Gerrard Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, laid on his now famm and popular ymposium at attended by members of the Metropolit 2 Special Constabulary and a large St. Johr contingent from London District as well al Bri gade representatives from ten othe' counties.

The programme consisted of illustrated by slides and Alms, given bl senior police ofAcers about aspects of polic, work which were their special responsibilitl These included 'TrafAc Accidenl Investigation', 'Ceremonial Occasions' Aircraft Accidents" and the harrowing and thought - provoking Aim 'Seven Greer Bottl es' on the subject of juvenile deliquency

Once again the whole programme enabled us to have a better understanding of some 01 the problems and emergencies with whicn the Police have to cope and with which wt may. as a disciplined body of Arst aiders sometimes be able to give them a helpin! hand. But above all it was a further proof 01 the close ties of friendship and collaboration that can exist between statutory and voluntary services in our joint task of givin! help in distress and furthering the welfare d the community.

In keeping

Five years may be a very small fraction of a century, but the Air Wing has proved a most sig niAcant development in the services provided by St. John Ambulance during these past Ave years, as well as yet another examp le of the success with which volunteers can combine with a statutory body - in this case the Department of Health's Organ Matching Service at Bristol - in emergency life -s aving procedur e.

More than 70 pilots, controllers and spec ial guests attended a birthday dinner last month at St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping, where the Air Wing came to birth 5 years ago and where its national Flight Control Centre is situated. During that period Air Wing pilots have Oown on 270 missions, most of them transporting organs for kidney (and, more recently, liver) transplant operations, and more than 90% of them during hours of darkness when the normal transport agencies are less often available.

In an unscheduled after -dinner speech Profe ssor Ro y Caine, FRS, the eminent transplant surgeon from Cambridge, paid a moving tribute to the help that he received from the Air Wing, without which (he said) his liver transplant operations would often have been totally impossible. Each emergency call to the Air Wing involves the controller on duty and the pilot selected for the ni ght - and inevitably their families being roused from sleep at any hour of the night and remaining on duty till the mission has been accomplished. All these people have daytime jobs to do, and they receive nothing in return but their out-of- pocket expenses and the atisfaction of knowing that they have probably helped to save a life. What could be more in keeping with the ancient traditions of the Knights of St. John') It was a high privilege to meet them and to share in their birthday celebrations.

H R H meets the two oldest Staffordshire members Mr Sambrook 86 and Mr Bagley, 87 (Photo. Staffordsh ire Sentinel)

Staffs' new HQ

Princess Margar et, accompanied by the County Commissioner, Mr MaUrice Simmons, OBE and County Superintendent Miss Phyl lis Lawton (Below) Mr. Simmonds presenting Princess Margaret with a Wedgwood Jubilee mug (limited edition), a gift from SJA Staffordshire. (Photos' Staffordshire Sentrnal)

(Below, right) SJA expansion in Staffordshire over the last few years demanded a more spacIous HQ H ere it is - a house modernised and adapted mainly by members led by the County's Commissioner and Sup erintendent. (Photo: John BeSWick, courtesy of Staffordshire Magazine)

Planning a training programme

Imagination and variety should be used throughout the year

SUPERINTENDENTS have been asked in recent years to produce a training programme for their divisions.

The aim of such a programme is to provide a stimulating and interesting series of lectures throughout the year. It is hoped that both new and more experienced members will be kept interested in nursing and first aid. and their skills and knowledge kept up to date

The planning of a training programme is a highly skilled and complex art, and teachers spend many years learning how to plan them. But many St. John divisional superintendents and nursing officers are not familiar with the processes involved, so this article is designed to help those who have little idea of how to set about arranging an imaginative programme, and also perhaps to suggest some new ideas for those with experience.

Questions to be asked

All those involved in the teaching and instruction of St. John members should ask themselves some very basic questions.

What is the aim or purpose of a St. John nursing division?

One may say that the aim is to teach the contents of the Nursing Manual.

Thi s provides a basis of fourteen lectures which wi ll be of interest to new membersbut what is bein g done to stimulate and maintain the intere st of the more experienced members? The year has fifty -two weeks. Are interesting divisional meetings held between the doctor s ' and nurses' lectures? How does one know what the members have learned?

Can one test to find out if teaching has been effective? Can members, in fact, carry out the nursing procedure s or can they only talk about doing it?

Basic principles

Having asked these questions. one must now seek the answers.

What is the aim of the instruction and teac hi ng th at goes on in the St. John?

Basically one could say that the St. John exists to se rve mankind. The nursing

division s work towards thi s aim by teaching and learnin g the skills required to nurse the ick in their own homes.

Thinking a little further ahead. when would St. J o hn members be called upon to us e these sk ills ? Usually they are required when a nei ghbou r or a member of the family is ill. Sometime s help may be asked for by local hospitals during a crisis (remember the influenza epidemics). or in an extreme case their skills may be required in the eve nt of a national emergency. It is a useful exe rcise to think about the aims of what you are doing.

It is essential that the programme planner writes these aims down, so that all the members of the division know exactly what they are aiming for. Individual s will have their own ideas of the aims for their division, and the examples given here ca n be used as a guide to help formulate the aims.

The Aims

I. To teach the nur ing member the skills necessary to nurse the sick in their own homes.

2. To pr ovide the community with an efficient and sk illed nursing force which could be used effectively in time of a national crisis or local emergency.

3. To st imulat e an interest in nursing and health education.

Achieving the aims

When the individual or group know what they want, the next step is to set about achieving it. Mo st g roups do not acquire success overnight; usually a lot of hard work and planning goes into success. When a girl first learn s to knit, she practises the basic stitches under supervision, and when she is proficient s he is read y to start the production of a useful article (remember the dish cloths!). rn other words s he is sett ing herself an ohjectil'e. When s he has demonstrated her skill. s he g raduate s onto the more difficult patterns until eventually, with practice and motivation s he can acquire a very high deg ree of skill. The imp o rtant point is that s he has set herself (or someo ne else has se t for her) objectives which are mea su rable. She will see her own progress and thi s motivate s her to continue

by KATE WILKINSON, SRN, RNT, ReNT, DipN(Lond.)

Derbyshire, Peak Area Nursing Officer

I n the same way a trammg programme needs to have objectives. The production of suc h a list is not an academic exercise since it serve a number of useful purpose s. Firstly, it motivates the members, since the y can see the measured progress that is bein g made in a division towards the main aim s.

Secondly. since the objectives must be measurable (and therefore observable) II en ures that the members must demonstrate their ability to perform the skills set out in the Nursing Manual.

1 have examined nursing divisions whos e members cou ld tell me in great detail how to prepare and give an inhalation. But pre ented with the actual equipment the l obviously had never handled it or, indeed practised making and giving such a treatment. Would that member be of use in a cri is? 1 doubt it! A measurable objective helps to ensure that members can perform the tasks they shou ld be able to do after a course of nursing lectures. Obviously the nursing officer is closely involved in th e initial planning of the aims and objectives, since it is she. who will deliver the lectures. It is VItal that the superintendent and the nursing officer work closely together to formulate the objectives. There will be man y objectives in a nursing course, and the examples given here may be useful as a basis for discussion.

The objectives

I. The the member shall demonstrate an abi lit y to carry out the basi c procedures as contained in the official Nursing Manual.

2. That the members shall be able to demonstrate sufficie nt understanding of a technique, to be able to adapt the basic procedure as the situation demands and to make use of equipment availab le in the home.

3. That the member sha ll be able to discl/ss the value of home nursing and indicate where various aids or se rvices may be obtained.

4. That the member shall be ab le to w/is/" an examine r in a practical and theoretical examination at the end of the cour<;e.

All these objectives are measurable and can be tested at any time. Think of other objectives that will be needed to check that members are efficient and that the degree of skill is of a satisfactory standard.

Teaching and learning

In a division it i<; necessary to develop an envi ronm ent in which the members are motivated to learn, and to ensure that the learning process is as painless as possible.

Educational psychologists tell us that there are man y ways of learning, but the best is ca lled ' in sight' learning. This means there is understanding of II h.l' a procedure is done and holl' it is done, and the member understands the principles behind the procedure.

How then can the divisional supe rintendent and the nursing officer ensure that in sight learning takes place? The teaching session of a divisional meeting shou ld be a combination of lectures, demonstration and practice. The emphasis should be on the demonstraliol7 and practice. At least 60 Qo of the session should be given to member participation. and practice of the task.

Variation of teaching methods

Variation in the presentation of topics can act as an stimulant to both the new and the more established member.

Each session should not follow exactly the same pattern of presentation. The teacher or lecturer should try to use as many teaching methods and visual aids as possible.

Glancing through the initial section in the Nursing Manual the different topics suggest different approaches: Chapter 2 deals with the patient's comfort; the session dealing with bed - making obviously demands a lecture demonstration with a great deal of supervised practice. Why not develop the teaching ski lls of the more experienced members and ask them to help supervise the newer members?

Lifting a patient from a bed lends itself to the use of 'role play'. Use the more experie nced members to act the part of a patient following a stroke. A colleague will Soon comment upon rough or thoughtless - when a real patient may not be 111 a position to!

Diets and nutrition can prove to be a rather dull ses ion. Why not use a film? food producing firms have made II1structional films on this subject. They are loaned free of charge in most instances. Any film catalogue will give details. The hiring or bor rowing of a projector need not present a major problem.

Use project work and discussion groups

Look through the Nur ing Manual and diSCUSS the po sib le methods of presenting th e sessIOns; always allow plenty of time for

practice in the teaching sessions and always insist upon the highest standards.

When examinations are due, arrange to have all the necessary equipment ready and insist that the nursing division have a flrac/ical examination. Arrange for suitable 'patients' to be present so that the members can demon trate their skills in patient handling.

The thoughtful planning of a trallllng programme and the use of measurable objectives will ensure that a division will be ready to act as an efficient and effective nursing force s hould the need ever arise.

The other thirty-seven weeks

Once the initial interest and enthusiasm hae; been acquired it is necessary to keep it going throughout the year. Morale needs to be kept high, and whenever possible members need to put the skills they have been taught into practice on real patients.

Does the local hospital need help? Are there elderly or bed-fast patients who may be very grateful to receive help? Does the public know that the ursing Division exists and they are prepared to help people in need?

One word of warning - if a promise of assistance is made, then that assistance must be given. Never let the public down - they don't forget!

The remaining meeting nights must not be ne glected. Time must be provided for first aid lectures and examinations, also extra e;e sions will be needed for advanced certificate work. It is a good idea to make out a year's list of the dates of divisional meeting nights Lectures and examinations can be arranged well in advance, and so can the rresentation of awards. This list will give the superintendent a year's view of the

division's actIvItIes. During the year add (opic e; of general interest. Be democraticthe members of the division should be consulted as to what topics they would like included in the programme. It is a mistake to concentrate only on first aid and nursingthe members need some light relief - and so does the superintendent!

Some ideas for non-professional nights

Near to Christmas a local baker may be asked to demonstrate his skills at cake decoration. This may be combined with an invitation to another division to join you for a Christmas get-together. Do member s of one division really know other members of St. John outside their own divisions?

Mountain Rescue Services will provide a speaker who will discuss their role; the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Samaritans are also possible speakers. The public health departments and local hospitals have a wide selection of specialised staff who will be delighted to receive an invitation to lecture.

A formidable task

The planning of a training programme is not easy. and the work involved falls heavily on the divi ional superintendent and her officers. but the re ults justify the effort. Remember that enthusiasm is infectious and a division which is seen to be thriving, active and efficient attracts new members. If the divisional superintendent finds initial difficulty in programme planning, seek the assistance of the area training officer. A study day concerned with programme planning may be useful in your Area - for there is much more to learn!

From SJA's Class Secretaries' Handbook

from S. P. Kelly , Ambulance Member

In Readers Views of January Dr. Phillips suggests a new term to replace 'First Aid' in order to 'have greater impact on the public. give a truer sense of value to our members. and. perhaps more important. keep up the number of recruit s to the Brigade.'

I fully agree with him that our public image is of only treating minor injuries or trivial illnesses. I don't agree. however. that the introduction of Critical Care or another alternative to 'First Aid' is an answer to improving our impact. etc.

First aid is not exclusive to St. John and St. John work. and first aid is not exclusively or mainly to do with the critically ill or seriously injured. How gruesome if it were.

To have greater impact on the public we must bring ourselves to public attention at every opportunity both big and small.

As can be seen by the credits to many of the photographs in the Review we are adept at getting publicity for inspections. parades. presentations, etc, through the lo cal press. But how often have we seen both locall y and nationally stories and / or photographs where 'ambulance men are see n carrying off a famous football forward, or as with the recent Nottin g Hill riots 'an ambulance spokesman sa id .Never any direct mention of St. John doing or saying.

If a buxom young lady becomes Miss United Kingdon or Mastermind of 1977 then national coverage is guaranteed and yet our Brigade finals are nowhere to be seen. The recent Grand Prior's Trophy (also Januar y Review), despite being more than 'just' St. John and having the prestige of Sir Robert Mark, re ceived no publicity that I saw and none of your photograph s acknowledge a newspaper.

(Editor: They were taken by a St. John commissioned photographer).

This is our centenary year and despite our 'Once upon a Century' , have seen little mention of St. John We have not been chosen for a special stamp issue and in a number of national papers that presented their 'What to see in 1977 ' New Year specia ls I saw references to Wimbledon, Sir Francis Drake (set sail around the world 1577), and to various treaties and other groups or activities that celebrate an anniversary of one kind or another in 1977 including of course Her Majesty the Queen 's Silver Jubilee. But (apart from one letter to the Times on December 9 and an article/ advertisement in the Guardian) not a word about St. John.

Our public image and that of first aid would be improved by seeing our name associated with fir st aid activities of all kinds. The 'trucr sense of value to our members' would be felt by those seeing that publicity, giving them something 'pu blic to be associated with. The recruits would be encouraged by seeing and recogni sing the publicity and would not be confused or repelled by the uncertainty of Critical Care as opposed to wide-ranging familiar first aid.

Our 1976 Emergency Aid Session s brought us valuable but sho rtlived publicity and public contact, and shou ld have helped to dispel the 'minor ailments' idea. Is it intended to repeat this exercise?

We are going to be very busy during 1977 not only with our regular duties but with all the 'extras' for the national Jubilee and our own.

Each one of us has a responsibilit y to be a public relations officer by our actions, behaviour and enthusiasm in all public situations but Brigade Regulation s Nos. 113 and 154 acknowledge that Brigade activities, events and outstanding occurrences must recei ve good publicity.

We seem to be sa dl y lacking in this, and as any publicity man or PRO will testify the public ha ve very short memories.

Finchle.v S. P.

WHY?

from F. R. Johnston, SBStJ, SEN

Having been a reader of the Review for man y years, also I read my St. John diar y every year, I have often noticed lett ers, such as F.R . C.S .. M.V.O., or S.R.N after name s, but very seldom do I see S.B.SU or O.SU. or K SU When I was honoured by having the dignity of serving Brother conferred upon me I used the letter s S.B.SU. after my

READERS VIEWS

Readers' views and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, wri ters must supply their name and address to the editor.

name, but this slightly bewildered friends. think that M.SU. would be appropriate to indicate that we are members of the Order. I am curiou s to know why Officers, Dames and Knights do not proudly display the letters after their names?

Banstead, Surrey FR Johnston

S.B'stJ, SEN.

HQ says: Mr. Johnston and other confreres will remember that paragraph 2 of Statute 25 of the Order states:

'The letters specified above after each Grade may properly be used by those to whom they apply for the purpose of indicating their Grade in the Order in the context of any occasion or matter connected with their participation in the work of the Order. or for inclusion in any publication of a biographical nature but, subject to this, admission attachment, or promotion to any Grade of the Order or the privilege s derived therefrom of wearing the insignia appertaining or belongin g thereto shall not confer any rank, style, title, dignity, appelation or social precedence whatsoever.'

SACHA'S RESCUE

from N. R. Turnbull, Deputy Commissioner (rtd)

As a veterinary surgeon I would like to congratulate Mrs. Marjor ie Schamp (Review Jan) for her enterprise and resource in carrying out 'mouth -to - mouth' resuscitation on the little terrier. Her prompt action undoubtedly saved the life of the dog. This incident shows that first aid can be carried out on animals, and members ought to know how to do it.

One bit of advice for anyone faced with this situation in the future - it is much easier to give mouth -to NOSE resuscitation to a dog , Hold the jaws closed with the hand and blow down the nose, covering the nose with your mouth. Most dogs' noses are a lot cleaner than many human's!

Well done, Mrs. Schamp. Chippenham N. R. Turnbull

FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN

from W. L. Nimmo, Divisional Superintendent

I was recently the recipient of a leaflet inviting me to become a Friend of St. John. or alternatively to enlist others. Excellent, I thought, the more support we can secure the better, but before I endeavour to enrol any of my own circle of acquaintances it would be advisable to read the literature, in order to find what is entailed. Minimum annual subscription. scroll of honour, insignia. membership form (cheques payable direct to the Order) then on the back page, notes on the Order, the Ophthalmic Hospital and St. John Ambulance. and it was here that I really sat up and took notice. fOf th ere it states 'to maintain and increase their service. and 10 gil'e them the necessary equipment and transport, costs an enormous sum of money'.

Are we then in the divisions to receive financial assistance from this source towards the cost of equipment and transport? I am sure that

every divisional superintendent in the country would be pleased to hear it, after struggling to 'go it alone ' in the past. If. however, the fund s rai sed by this means will be needed to maintain our s upporting organisation, the Air Wing. the Ophthalmic Hospital, etc then I have no quarrel with this, BUT, there is no doubt in my mind that some of the Friend s may feel aggrieved if they are subsequently asked to help finance separately some local project, when they enrolled under the impression that their subscriptions are already u sed in part for thi s purpose.

In short, does this literature really mean what it states, or has some publicity organisation been allowed licence in its phrasing?

Gods/one W. L Nimmo

Mr. Watkin Williams (Deputy C-in-C) writes: My comments on the above letter are written with authority from the Commissioner -inChief whom I consulted before replying. The publicity literature about the Friends of St. John quite definitely means what it says about the generosity of the Friends being used to maintain and increase the service provided by the Order and its Foundations and to give them the nec essary equipment and transport. But Mr. Nimmo and his friends will do well to bear the following points in mind: I. The Order has fwo Foundations - the Ophthalmic Hospital and St. John Ambulance. We in St. John Ambulance are proud of the link which the hospital gives us with the Holy City of Jerusalem from which the Ordcr sprang nearly 900 years ago: we admire with thankfulness the quite outstanding contribution that it makes to the Service of Mankind in the Middle East: we fully recognise the

Nevv Hants unit

IN APRIL 1976, Hants Ash Vale Combined Division purchased an ex - RAF 39 seater ambulance coach which has since been converted into an emergency treatment unit for use at a variety of functions.

The vehicle can treat up to five stretcher patients , or sixteen to twenty sitting patients. or a combination of the two. The treatment accommodation is served by large rear doors to facilitate quick transfer of hospital patients to ambulance, especially as the ambulance can back right up to the rear of the unit. A large amount of equipment is carried so that the unit could deal with numbers of patient at an accident.

Calor gas. Ouorescent lighting and running water are provided. Curtaining enab les the treatment section to be divided in two or three sections so that doctors and nurses can examine patients in privacy. In the front section of the unit there is a small crew's quarter with sink and calor gas cooker. Along side the driver a small radio control has been provided so that contact can. be kept with personnel with portable radiOS o r with ambu lances serving the unit. The radios are tuned to the St. John frequency. which means that all St. John vehicles and portables can link with this co ntrol.

This vehic le is primarily intended to serve

hospital's claim to its share, with us, of the Order's financial support: and if any proof were needed of our high regard for the hospital's work and our pride in contributing to it, this may be found in the generosity with which, for example local units of St. John Ambulance up and down this country and overseas initiate and support collections in aid of the hospital at annual Services of Re -dedication and on other occasions

2 The St. John Air Wing, which also does splendid work. is entirely self-supporting and will therefore not receive a penny of the St. John Ambulance share of whatever additional funds are raised by the Friends of St. John and other special appeals of the Order.

3 The 'necessary equipment and transport' most certainly includes the need s of the Brigade and, in many cases. of individual divisions. But it is not intended that local fund -raising efforts should be abolished. whether they be for routine expenditure or for special local projects: not only would this be impracticable but it would be very bad for us to feel that whatever we needed was handed to us on a plate. Deserving local projects. however. will definitely be eligible for help and support. bearing in mind that among our most urgent needs are (a) an improvement in the overall standard of our first aid and nursing skills. (b) a continual raising of the standard of leadership and initiative. not least among our younger members. (c) the provision of better divi sional HQ as centres for first aid and nursing as well as for social and welfare activities, (d) a sustained increase in Brigade membership to enable us to cope with the ever-increasing demands on the voluntary service for which we are trained to help the community. and (e) an imaginative extension of the ways in which we can give that

the larger first aid duties such as scrambles. horse shows. carnivals and ceremonial occasion. It could also serve as a refreshment unit at large incidents, such as the large cale fires of the ummer of 1976. a well as acting as a minor treatment centre at the scene of a major incident, thu relea ing ambulances to deal with priority patients that need ho pital treatment. With a doctor and nurse on board. many of the minor casualties need not be transported by ambulance to hospital.

The Ash Vale Division has two ambulances which can act as support ormandy 2533.

vehicles. and the hand portable radios for first aid parties or incident officers. The emergency treatment unit is available for emergency call and for routine public duties. If you wish to use this vehicle or any other facilities of the Division please contact the Divi ional Superintendent at the following address: St. John Ambulance, Ambulance Station, Hutton Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot. Hants. In Emergency. call: Aldershot 26769 (24 hr. number) - or at 89 Christmaspie Avenue, Normandy. Guildford. Surrey. Tel.

(Photo Aldershot News)

help in {he age in which \I'e til'e. and thus ensure that our contribution to the Service of Mankind in our second century is even greater than it has been in our first.

4. One of the most important items on the Commissioner-in -Chiefs agenda for his Commissioners' Conference on March 25 is to discuss how best to make use of the Brigade's share of the extra funds provided by the Friends of St. John and other generous supporters of the work of the Order - lI'hich I'ery much includes OUR work

LIAISON

from J. S. Berry, Divisional Superintendent May r comment on the letter headed 'Liaison and Finance' (Jan 1977 Review) from Divisional Officer D. Haselgrove in which he remarks that. whilst his local fire brigade and police force 'fall over themselves' to help him. the ambulance service is unhelpful.

It might well be that the reaction of the first two named authorities would be different if the local St. John Division were planning to act as firemen or policemen. And what do ambulance statTs think if the St. John Division operates ambulance transport with adverse effect on their earnings.

With regard to St. John personnel riding ·as 'third man' to gain experience. the value of this is questionable. It can mean a lot of waiting about and may well be demoralising to the volunteer. Ambulancemen are not necessarily qualified or willing to act as instructors either. Consider your own attitude if you were asked by your employer to train (in your own trade and without extra remuneration) enthusiastic members of the public who wanted to work unpaid. leading to a cut in the overtime you had come to rely on to meet the household budget. (I refer to the work lost when St. John vehicles are provided at events previously covered by the Ambulance Service).

I feel that St. John Ambulance should continue as before to look for those jobs not filled by the public services. After all. it would appear that there are still not enough volunteers to provide on-site first aid facilities at public gatherings. Training standards for such duties might well be raised with co-operation with ambulance services once any suspicions as to intentions had been removed. And what about Emergency Aid courses? We are still a long way from 'a first-aider in every street' let alone 'one in every home'. There is more than enough for St. John Ambulance to do before attempting to duplicate facilities.

I have been a member of St. John Ambulance for eighteen years. I am a full time ambulanceman and have worked in the past for a number of years as a volunteer alongside paid staff (and vice -versa) not only on the ambulances but also on railway work. Given the right attitudes and a certain amount of caution, successful co -operation can and will occur.

Kendal 1. S. Beny

CADET WASTAGE

from Mrs. J. E. Neale, a cadet's mum May 1. as a Mum and an honorary member of New Cross Quadrilateral Division, make a comment relating to cadet wastage. I feel it is a shame that the 2,000 duty hours my son has put in as a cadet are virtually to be lost when he becomes an adult member in January. He has not yet completed his Grand Prior subjects and so will not have anything on his new uniform to distinguish him from a newly -joined member of the same age (16 years). This might be quite important on a public duty when it came to a strange officer deciding who should deal with a difficult injury, or just in knowing the value of the members on his station.

I am sure my son's case is not unique by a long way and perhaps this is one reason why I hear superintendents moaning about the lack of interest among the 16 to 18 year olds in transfering to adult sections. After all. I should be reluctant to dismiss 8 years' hard work and I think cadets are among the most conscientious students of first aid in the Brigade.

I hope I have not trod where angels fear to tread! London. S£4 J. E. Neale

Chief Officer Cadets replies: Mrs. Neale is absolutely right up to a point and I appreciate her (and presumably her son's) disappointment at not being able to continue to wear certain cadet badges when he joins an adult division.

It is a question of where to draw the line . If we were to allow, say, the Service Shield to be worn, what about Proficiency or Musician' s badges, etc?

Above all, the Grand Prior's Badge has the unique distinction or being the only badge relating to cadet service which may be worn on adult uniform. and it is generally felt that we do not want to detract from the significance of this award were it to become merely 'one' or the cadet badges carried forward to adult service

WINTER DUTY CLOTHES

from B. G. Sayer, Ambulance Member

Ref. letter from Mrs. J. Wood (Dec 76), after many years of cold and wet duties during the winter at motor racing, our ambulance and nursing members decided it was time we had warm and dry clothing

To raise the funds a local farmer kindly opened his gardens to the public one May Sunday and through enquiries by an ambulance member we found the answer to our problem at a local agricultural dealer. It is the Massey Ferguson Arctic jacket, which at the time or writing, with discount. costs £ 10 each.

The jacket is black with no markings on the exterior, and is made or a type of nylon with red quilt lining. It has a zip front with an overflap held in place with press studs. and a hood. We have sewn on our SJA badges. etc. The jacket is very lightweight and extremely warm. In wet weather we wear it with leggings.

We have now used the jackets for two years and find they are ideal for winter duties. Other local divisions are now following our example , and I've bought another jacket for personal use. so successful have they proved.

Hingham Comhined Dip, No/laId. B. G. Sayer OFFICER RATIO

from A. S. Andrews, Divisional Officer

I found it very saddening to read in J. E. Smith s letter (Nov Review ) that East Surrey has decided to compulsorily enter all divisions in competitions. This is like taking a sledge - hammer to crack a nut and I wonder if any in -depth investigation has been performed to justify such a drastic course of action.

In his second paragraph he tates many officers think their members are of insufficient standard to enter. or to warrant the cost of transport'. How true is this? Obviously Mr. Smith doubts it authenticity since he adds that their standards at annual inspections are good. My interpretation is that what the officers infer is and should read 'we have not the officers or time to train for competitions'. This is basically true of cadet divisions, the majority of which have an average strength of 40 (25 cadets, 15 juniors), yet they have only 1 or 2 officers, exceptionally they may have 3. Now let's look at the ir responsibilities:

First aid training: home nursing training: proficiency subject training: first aid refresher training for re-exam; home nursing refresher training for re -exam; allocation of duties; recording of duty hours; storekeeping (replacement of bandages etc. ordering of new equipment): treasurer and book keeper: public relations officer: fund raiser: and competition training.

Is it any wonder. therefore, that competition work goes by the board. since it is of least importance to the individual cadet?

May I suggest. Mr. Smith, that a better idea would be to abandon all competitions for three years and use all that expertise in ensuring that all divisions are fully equipped with officers and apparatus' to do the necessary training. At a conservative estimate this would increase the officer complement by about 300% but it has the advantages as follow:

I) A year's programme could be produced without the need to close the division when the officer goes on holiday.

2) The officers could have rest periods to allow them to refresh themselves for the next course.

After I have found nothing in the Rules and Regulations to indicate that officers must attend 52 drill nights a year to obtain their emciency, yet we all know that if they didn't we would soon have no division and a lot of Mr. Smith's colleagues would be out of ajob.

Surely then, here is an opportunity to produce a lasting centenary event - an officer -in -training scheme.

This would ensure that on appointment all officers are fully conversant with their duties and obligations. Seminars could be arranged on a County / District or Regional basis where prospective omcers would learn the basics of instructional methods, and also acquire their lay instructor's certificate.

If you are still not convinced let me draw your attention to the picture of Southend Division on page 263 (Nov 76 Review). Twelve omcers and thirty - nine members. A ration of I :3. Enough said?

A K enl A. S. Andrews

RADIO ADVICE

from Martin Newlan, Ambulance Member

While driving to work today (11 Jan), [ listened to the start of BBC Radio 4's Tuesday Call programme on first aid, and was surprised to hear the Doctor and the St. John Ambulance lecturer agree with the caller who felt that the mouth -to-mouth method of resuscitation was 'dangerous'. Both experts suggested that untrained persons should use one of the manual methods in preference, because of the risks of causing ingestion of vomit, interfering with the victim's own shallow breathing, or failing to seal the mouth because of moustache or beard.

Has the Medical Committee change course on the teaching of the Kiss of Life to the masses? The Emergency Aid lecture devotes much of its time to this procedure, and in my experience most short talks on first aid have concentrated on it.

This one technique is surely crucial to the life -saving aspect of first aid teaching. <\ re we no longer to counsel the public to 'have a go' at reviving a casualty whose breathing has apparently stopped?

If the Association does not endorse the comments of the speakers, then that radio programme has done our cause a great dis -service. If the emphasis of our teaching is to be changed again. however. then we should surely be told without delay.

Caterham Ambulance Division Martin NeH lan from Mrs. D. Savage, SRN, ANO

J was listening to a recent 'phone -in' programme on BBC on first aid with questions being answered by a St. John medical officer and a Brigade training officer.

One of the callers recounted an accident at which a friend received a severely cut hand or foot (1 can't remember which) and a tourniquet was applied. She wished to know if this was correct. 1 was somewhat startled to hear the medical officer and the training officer agreeing on the efficiency of such treatment without any suggestion being made about elevation of the limb or the application of direct or indirect pressure!

It seems unfortunate to me and confusing to our members and the public when Brigade instructors either do not know or do not choose to conform to our training manual which is common to all three voluntary first aid organisations!

Letchworth

Diane Sal'age

reply: These two correspondents are right in claiming that vIews were expressed in the 'Tuesday Call' radio programme of January II which are contrary to the approved first aid doctrine cont.ained in the Authorised Joint First Aid Manual. and that the medIcal officer and lay instructor were identified as St. John members although neither was officially sponsored.

FOllowing suggestions made by us to the BBC that they should apply for official spokesmen for such programmes or, alternatively, consult their own Corporation Medical Adviser (who is also chairman of the BBC Special Centre of the Association), a formal letter of complaint has been sent by the Director -General to the DirectorGeneral of the BBC.

BOOKS

Reader's Digest Basic Guides (65p each)

These new additions to an established series are simply written. plentifully illustrated and each contains about forty pages.

First Facts of Life begins with a clear description of the male and female reproductive tracts. and illustrates the changes in the female during the menstrual cycle. Sexual intercourse is discussed and the development of the fertili7ed ovum or egg is traced from conception to birth. At a purely biological level the text is good but fails to deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of arousal and desire, or the constraints imposed by love and respect.

The development and subsequent birth of the baby are simply portrayed and the care given during pregnancy informative and reassuring.

After birth, development is traced through infancy. childhood and adolescence. It deals briefly with the physical, emotional and sexual problems of adolescence. The final chapter is a brief but comprehensive survey of contraception.

Altogether a useful booklet for the young and one on which many helpful discussions could be based. r would recommend it to officers of cadets and youth leaders.

Taking Care of your Health begins with ' sensible' eating and the extra information about food is complementary to the chapter in the Nursing Manual. A chart gives the calorie value of common foods and average portions are given in domestic measures as well as ounces.

Posture and exercise comes next and there is excellent advice on the correct method of lifting and carrying weights. Care of the heart describes the structure and function of this vital organ and gives hints on how to help rather than abuse it. Three chapters. Young Adulthood. The Middle Years, Later Years. outline problems concerned with stress, over-weight. cancer and its detection. the change of life. the effects of ageing and retirement.

Finally, the book looks at the causes of injury and infection, how the body seeks to repair damage and central disease.

The information is usefuL but there is no cohesive pattern and this I think is a pity. Also in a book so recently published it is a pity kilo joules have not been introduced at least alongside the calories, if not in place of them

Home Nursing: Caring for the sick shows bed making. lifting, washing hair and bathing in bed in pictorial form with a short text. One wonders if someone with no knowledge of the subject would find enough information. Moving the patient is inadequate and could cause injury to the helpers. The diagram shows the feet in the wrong position and the use of the arm as a lever. whilst straightening the back is not mentioned.

Recording the patient's progress - the labelling on the oral and rectal thermometer have been reversed in the diagram. which could lead to damage if an oral thermometer were used in the rectum (it is more liable to break) The passage on the prevention of be'dsores is good. it emphasises the necessity for turning the patient frequently but unfortunately goes on to rub the area with surgical spirit. which is oldfashioned and detrimental to good skin care.

The next chapter i baby care - hardly what one would think of as home nursing. Keeping the sick child amused whilst not actually nursing is helpful, but hints for nursing common illnesses rather than a glossary of di eases would be far more useful to an anxious mother.

The final section is First Aid. Much of the treatment i not in accordance with the Joint Manual. particularly the use of antihistamine creams and aspirin tablets. Both these item are also included in the items for a fir t aid box.

In my view this is the poorest of the three books. It tries to cover too much with the re ult that very little of it is well done. I would not recommend it.

Chief ursing Officer

WALES

Gwynedd

On December 17, Lt. Col. W. C. E. Nash, OStJ, TD, and his wife, Mrs. D. Nash, SSStJ, gave a cheese and wine party at their home in Maentwrog to raise funds for Gwynedd County. An enjoyable evening was had by the 63 guests who attended and a total of £ 198.40p was raised from donations, tom bola, an auction, raffle and a guessing game.

This contribution to County funds will be most helpful in these difficult times when we are faced with ever increasing costs in connection with our work which are not matched by increasing contributions from industry and other sources. This of course means that those responsible for running Counties, Districts and Divisions have to work all the harder to raise the money required to keep our organisation functioning efficiently and able to cope with the numerous calls upon it.

Comp

The annual championship competition of all the First Aid Leagues in Wales was held at Caerphilly under the auspices of the First Aid Competition Association of Wale s and Mr

ladies team. Gerald Davies Cefn Cribbwr SJA. and Gordon Creak. Thomas Ness Ltd. Th e Prior's Trophy was shared by the last two teams with equa I ma rks in individual and team tests

sponsored by Thomas Ness, Ltd, (National Coal Products).

The works manager, Mr. P. E. Rogers, presided at the presentation of trophies and prizes. which were distributed by Councillor Mrs. M J Ryland, vice chairman of the Rhymney Valley District Council.

The order of merit of the winning teams was Machynlleth St. John Division representin g Powys, Chester Police from the North Wales League, and Rhymney who competed on behalf of the Rhymney Valley League. The winners of the individual prizes were Mr. G Smith and Mr. G. Fleming of Machynlleth, and Mrs. E. M. Wyatt of the South Wales Docks ladies team.

Any Questions 7

The Hospitallers' Club of Wales got off to a quick start in Centenary Year by being host to the BBC Any Questions? programme, which was the first event of this series of broadcasts in 1977 The programme was broadcast live on January 7 and repeated the following da y immediately after the 1 o'clock new s

The panel, under the chairmanship of David Jacobs. were Sir Geoffrey Howe, Conservative Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ann Clwyd, Labour Candidate and Welsh correspondent of The Guardian, Tom Hopkinson former Editor of Picture Post and Julian Mitchell, writer and broadcaster.

1977 CENTENARY CALENDAR

SCOTLAND

The Prelate

The funeral service for Dr Nevile David son was held o n Christmas Eve in Glasgow cathedral where he had been minister for man y yea r s. There was a large congregation, in c ludin g the Queen' s representative, the Lord Pro vos t o f Glasgow. the Archbi s hop of Glasgow. thc Bi s hop of Glasgow and Gallowa y, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and representatives of public bodi es in the city. The coffin was covered by the na g of the Order and twelve members of chapter attended, the Prior being repre se nt ed by the Chancellor.

Scotland and Malta

The Prior y of Scotland, through Professor Sir Hugh Rob so n, sent greetings to the University of Malta on the occasion of the terc e ntenar y of the founding of the School of Anatom y and Surgery, celebrated on December 19. The message, containing a reference to Scotti s h knights of St. Joh n active in Malta in the 16th century, was mu c h appreciated; and Sir Hugh return ed with a me ssage of goodwill from th e ambassador of the Sovereign Order to

Conference Count; Sports Day and Jamboree Count; Re\'le" Birmingham STA Girl, Crulle departs IpSWich ST A Bo,< CruISe depans Southampt"n Cathedral Sen I, <'hcflield Coun" Rail, ',.\\ «"tic County Rall,. 1\11 ,,"orthern Area DI\ lSlonal Headquarters 'Open Fventng.· Roval Wmdsor H orse Show. SJ A exhibition stand Count) Ball Tramlng. Cours Easthampstead

,"0 6 Region FA & Nur<lng. Camps. Bournemouth SI. John ·\mbulanc< Gre,hound Meetln!!. Wemhle, ,"0 10 RegIOn FA & Nur"n!! Camps. Kendal Countv Ser'lce \\ 'lndsor Count, Semce. St Michael> Mount Ordt!r Sen ICe. \,v!nchc,acr Camp Leaders' Cour,c Bexhlll on 'iea Queen's Jubilee en icc St Paul', Cathedral Thames Royal Progress Centenary Dmner Dam t: Cathedral Sen ICC Lincoln Count, Da,. Dorchester Countv Inspection. \\ Cathedral Service Wells and Countv Re'I"" Catheural Sen ice. Truro otllngham Order Ser'lce. llttlt Mapic5lead Centena" xhlhltlon. C"pt

competition against ten men Chie Cadet Officer for Wales. Mrs. Bridget Lewis. recently visited Bangor. (Right) With some of the award winning cadets, and I Left) presenting the Grand Prior B adge to 16-year-old Christopher Shea rs.

Photos: N. Wales Chronicle)

Prior's Tr ophies compet it ion teams with the Lord May or of Cardiff - Mr s. Pat Cobb, leader. S Wales Docks

News from Divisions/Centres

Relaxing for a moment Lowestoft's Cadet Sgt. Lynda Coote. 16. and Cadet Leader Tony Curd. 17. who do duties at the local hospital. Seven Lowestoft cadets have done hospital duties over the last few years prior to taking up a hospital career. (Photo AI M R Cable. ex - cadet with many hospital duty hours)

13 -year old Cadet David Greenfield. of Cinderhill and Babbington Div sells poppies to the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Nottingham. David's sister, Nottingham s 1976 Poppy Queen is also selling with him. David had permission not to wear his haversack by the way (Photo: Nottingham Evening Post)

NORTHUMBRIA - At the an nual dinner of Novocastrian Division, held at the end of December, the Divisional President Mr. p Denham Christie was presented with two sp lendid 'nail pictures' of the Cross of Malta and the St. John Cross to mark his 25th yea r with the divi ion. The pictures were made by Sgt. T. Cundall and Cpl. J. Sowerby

The President's Trophy was won by A/M David Kershaw in his first year as an adult member. The annual essay competit ion was won by AIM Fred Smith.

ST AFFOR DSHIRE - At a socia l held on December 17 by SJ A Stoke, 79 awards were presented 28 first aid certificates (Ambulance), 16 nursing certificates, 23 Ambulance Cadet and 12 Nursing Cadet certificates. Top awards went to: Chris Henwood, (President's Cup) Ambulance; Gilbert Whalley, (Shea r ing Cup) Ambulance: Anthony Evans, (Penson Cup for first aid) Cadets; Paul Johnson, (Moore Proficiency Cup) Cadets; and Arthur Morris, (Bar to Service Medal).

The awards were presented by County Commissioner A. A. Simmonds, OBE, Northern Area Commissioner B. Byrne, Area Supt. Nursing Mrs. N. Yates, and her deputy Mrs. K. Harris.

Among the award winners were two fathers and their sons, and one father and his daughter.

Gtr. Manchester Western Area competition overall winners - Walkden Nursing Cadet team: C Ldr Carolyn Holden (captl. Sgt. Wendy Chapman. Sgt. Joanne Grimshaw. Cadet Fiona Hodcroft , and (reserve) Denise Hartley They were trained by their Supt. Mrs. Allison Eden

OBITUARY

Miss Ethel M. Griffin, 83 former Easte rn Area Superintendent Cheshire, with a long and devoted service in Brigade. Died January 10.

Alfred Hainslea, Runcorn Combined Division. 14 years in Brigade. Died January 7.

Jesse Lea, 71, Area StafT Officer, Stoke-onTrent. 46 years in Brigade. Serving Brother. Died December 8, 1976.

Lt. Col. F. Williamson OBE, of Cheltenham. Secretary of the Council for Gloucestershire for 25 years, and Executive Officer, St. John Ambulance. Commander of the Order. Died December 24, 1976.

Feltham Combined Division's president Robbie Bolton holds the cheque recently presented by Feltham ex Serviceman's Club president

Mr. G Onyon (right) Mrs Bolton (Ieftl. and Dlv. Supt Sid Wastell and Mrs Wastell

in

the recently formed London SW Area Mortlake Ambulance (CA 197) and Nursing Cadet (CN 209) Divisions first presentation evening the new ASO (NC ) Mrs Griffiths (2nd from right back row ) presented the awards (Photo Norman High)

Lewes Sussex Pat PenfOld. 16, and Heather Treagus 13 receiving their Grand Prior's Badges

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.3 (77)

Compiled by W. A. Potter

Across I. Spade is broken in fat forming base of ointments (5 ). 4 Unhealth y feeling after eating too many pomegranates? (9). 9. Atom in an y surrounding is a subject of the medical curriculum (7 ) 10. Vitamin preventing beri -beri. (7). 11 Many with objective to inflict a disablin g injury. (4). 12. Group of wards under the charge of a Nursing Officer (4). 13. Joint having painful, restricted movement. (5).16. A conveyance with a failure of muscular co -ordination ( 6). 17 . The charge the midwife makes ? (8). 19. Sight ending II Acro ss. (3 ) 20 The sort of fracture which might occur on the forehead? (4.4) . 21. Where the hospitalised patient is nearer to the centre (6 ). 24. Paste for varicose ulcers. (5). 26. Diseases and misfortunes (4) 27. Having a poorly developed physique. (4). 29 Anguish of men caught in a civil wrong (7). 31. The cause of the two lovely black eyes (7). 32. Will a sufferer from this disease have an iron lung? (9 ) . 33. The leg between knee and ankle. (5).

Down: 1. Disease in which the sufferer does not look ruddy well. (7) 2. Precedes diagnosis and treatment. (11). 3 Demonstrate a blood -stained discharge at onset of labour. (4). 4. Gay sin provides a proverb. (6). 5 Skin rash. (8) 6. The separate articles on the list in changed times. (5). 7. Sense organ in heart. (3). 8. Insect whose bite transmit s a mild fever common in Mediterranean countries . (7). 14. Expectorant, emetic, and wine. (11) 15. Sphere of medicine? (4) 17. Succumb to disease (3). 18. Barristers hostelries? (4). 19 After a bad g in it is inflammation of blood vessels. (8). 20. Thus U.S.A. provide s draught of liquid preparation of drugs (7). 22. Procedure for sweating a patient by use of a warm blanket and hot bottles. (3.4) 23 Collapses in a heap with half surrounding swelling. (6). 25. Unpleasant insinuation used in early diagnosis of uterine malignancy. (5). 28. Poisonous reptiles as addendum. (4). 30. Marrow in the cancellous tissue of the ends of lon g bones. (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.2 (77)

Across: 71 I. Capeline; 8 Narcotic ; 9. Ligament; 11. Asleep; 12. Hair ; 13. Fish ; IS Spirits; 17 Knee; 20. Roman ; 21. Ear ; 22.M oral ; 23 Stab 25 Lesson s; 27 Echo ; 29 True; 30. T.error; 32. Parietal; 34. Jaundice; 35. Sudamina.

Down: 1. Calciferol ; 2. Era; 3. Ice-pack ; 4 Enter ; 5. A ria ; 6 Collar -bone 7. Direct; 10 Guts 14

IS

16 Salmonella; 18. Ness; 19. Eat; 24. Blurred; 26. Eye -pad; 28. Clot 29. Topes ; 31. Rail; 33 Elm.

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REVIEW

Jus t another Emergency Aid course p.77

Around and About, by the Editor p.78

Snakes in the grass, by Richard Webber p.82

Orde r Investiture, February 24 p. 8 4

The use of the trained casualty, by Dr. E. C. Dawson p 8 6

St. John stories p.88

Trends p.89

Readers' Views p.90

News from Scotland - Wales p.92

M ili t ary medicine 200 years ago, by Patricia Greenhalgh p.93

News from Divisions/Centres p.94

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Edited and produced for the Order of St. John by Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Sutley. Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3QF.

Phone: Orford (Std 039 45) 548. Editor: Frank Driscoll.

Advertising, display and classified, rates on request from Driscoll Productions.

Price 26p monthly. £3.60 per annum, including postage, from Review Sales, 51. John Ambulance, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EF.

AT RANDO .M

by Watki n W. Williams

Deputy

Commissioner

- in-Chief

COVER During the C-in C's recent tour of Australia. A day to remember for Cadet Paul McMurtrie - when he opened the car door for the C-in-C. Paul's father, Victoria Corps Officer Peter McMurtrie looks on approvingly (far left)

B U T , DADDY , it ' s so deadly dull! This was the lament of a y oung nursing member who worked in a different part of the count ry from her parents ' home and who , inspired b y her fat h er 's membership of St John Ambulance, d eci ded to follow in his footstep s and join a nearby div isi on . Unfortunatel y, far too man y keen young people wh o join o u r adult divisions - and , worse still , far too man y keen cadets who accept promotion to adult m ember sh ip with starry-eyed enthusiasm - suffer the s ame disillusionment. And if you have never had that ex perience , count y ourselves luck y and don ' t imagine that I' m talking through m y hat. I on ly wish I were! Fo r se v er al y ears it wa s part of my St John duty , at bo t h area and count y le vel , to v isit div isions in action' on the ir trai ning eve ning s, and although nowadays I unfo rt unately don ' t g et s o much opportunity to witness di vis ional trainin g I manage to get a pretty good overall pi ct ure of it from the wide range of members that I meet at c ount y and na tional training events. And while I have no t hing but the highest praise for the splendid leadership and enthus ia sm to be found in man y divisions where the t ra in ing is i maginat iv e , challenging and adventurous , and therefore produces a high standard of efficiency in the basic skills of first aid and nursing , I'm sadly compelled to ex pre ss m y conviction that the weekly training p rogr ammes o f at least 25 % of our adult divisions are so d ea dl y dull that I can only marvel at the dedication of t h ose m embers who sta y the course and go on , week after wee k and y ear after y ear , putting up with such monotonous a nd uninsp iring fare. No wonder that they fi nd it hard to get recruits. No wonder that so many of our ex-c adets refuse promotion to adult membership or give it up aft er a s hort period of trial.

M an y o f y ou , I know , are tackling this problem at every

FOR MOST people Hong Kong is a mere spot on the map and they are unaware of the fact that the British Crown Colony, in addition, consists of a large number of small islands as well as a slice of the mainland known as the New Territories, altogether comprising some 400 square miles. This area sustains a population of some 4 Y2 million people which is about I million more than the total population of New Zealand.

On arrival in Hong Kong , the visitor is immediately struck as he drives from the airport by the throbbing, pulsating life of the colony, as vehicles of every description pour through the recently constructed tunnel under the sea, linking Hong Kong Island with the New Territories. It is not without interest to note that some 40,000 vehicles are estimated to use this tunnel every 24 hours, at 5 dollars a time, and at this rate the tunnel will have paid for itself within 5 or 6 years.

As one continues this first journey, one sees the never ending crowds of people pouring through the streets on both sides of the water - streets crowded with shops and offices, large and small, the shops selling everything imaginable, both European and Asian. The skyline around the harbour is lined with skyscrapers in serried ranks, which almost shut out the daylight, so close are they together.

The reason for my journey was to visit St. John Ambulance and to see for myself how another member of the St. John family was faring on the other side of the world. The Brigade consists of a District Headquarters and two Area Headquarters, one on the Island and the other at Kowloon on the mainland.

As one would expect, the Brigade in Hong Kong goes about its duty serving the public in much the same way as our Divisions in the UK. The duties and indeed the problems

A StJohn • Journey overseas

TO HONG KONG, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

from a family of eight all of whom are members of the Division by Major General DESMOND GORDON Commissioner-in-Chief

are much the same, including recruiting and finance to mention merely two. In addition there is a good deal of competition from other voluntary or semi - voluntary organisations. The majority of its members speak only Cantonese, which in itself produces problems, especially so far as leadership is concerned. Cadets may serve as such up to the age of 19. They are enormously enthusiastic, cheerful and very smart on parade (they would win any drill competition), but I was disappointed that there were not more of them; at present their strength is a mere 600 A unique feature of the Brigade is a Dental Clinic, which is a self-contained unit of about 30 people who do splendid work among the villages on the mainland, as well as among the population on Hong Kong Island

The Divisions based at Kowloon operate a night ambulance service for the public. I went to the station one evening to see how the crews were alerted, and watched an ambulance going out to answer a call. This duty gives a great sense of motivation to the volunteer member.

r believe there are great opportunities to extend the work of both the Association and the Brigade in the Crown Colony. Especially as the Government of Hong Kong is continuing with their ambitious plans for more and more reclamation projects and for the development of more new towns on the mainland , in order to house more adequately the enormous population and to develop further industrial growth.

These new areas will need SJ A Divisions to support the community and in particular help to do something for the countless thousands of young people who live by our standards, in overcrowded conditions with little to occupy their time outside school hours. The scope for welfare work is

driven out to the Port of Freemantle , where a party of about a dozen of us , the Chief Commissioner and his wife, and the Commissioner for Western Australia, embarked on a brand new 10 - ton cabin cruiser and sailed out to an island about 10 miles off the coast. Here we anchored about 200 yards off the beach. On the shore we watched through glasses a colony of seals. Before beginning a most delicious picnic lunch on board , we all dived over the side for a swim. Within seconds we were joined by 6 young seals (each about 6 feet long) which continued to swim and dive amongst and around us for the entire time we remained in the water! I was actually able to stroke one for a fleeting second as it came alongside me.

I can only describe their behaviour as like a group of excitable children who had suddenly found a group of equally excitable children to play with!

enormous. St. John is fortunate in havin g His Excellency The Governor as an active supporter, and it is through his good office s that a reconstituted Council has recentl y been formed under the chairmanship of a prominent industrialist. With the active support of the Council T feel sure the Brigade will be able to increase its strength both in adult s and cadets, especially the latter and so widen the field of its activitie s even further

I left Hong Kong after a busy week, and travelled on to Perth in Western Australia , where I was met by the Chief Commissioner, who is himself based in Melbourne. I had timed my arrival to coincide with the last two days of the National Cadet Camp , which was being held at Swanleigh, about 10 mile s outside Perth. It was to this camp that we had sent a representative party of 15 young members from the UK, the first time , I believe , that the Brigade in England has sent a party across the world to link up with their St. John contempories in another Commonwealth country. I will only say here, because a separate account is being prepared, that I was very proud of all these young people ; they acquitted themselves well throughout the visit, and it gave me infinite pleasure to be invited by the Commissioner for Western Australia to present our team of 3 nursing members with a very handsome first prize which they won at the first aid competition at the conclusion of the camp. A great deal of the credit for the high reputation earned by the UK party must go to its leader, James Nuttall (!':lorthants) who was an inspiration to the whole party from the time that the plan was originally conceived.

T am glad my Australian hosts recognised the need for a few hours of relaxation in a tour of this nature While in Perth I was

After 4 days in the Perth area, I moved on to Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and finally Sydney. These journeys, all by air, were a reminder of the vast size of this country - each individual State being many times larger than the UK. Consequently every State differs to some extent so far as the role and work of St. John Ambulance is concerned. In some States the Association runs the whole of the professional ambulance service. covering thousands of square miles with substations spread throughout the entire State - in many cases voluntary members of the Brigade help to crew the ambulances in the outlying areas

In Southern Australia the Brigade mans the Ambulance Service - the State also operates a highly professional St. John Ambulance Air Wing, which in some respects has taken the place of the Flying Doctor Service. These active duties undoubtedly help to motivate the voluntary members of the Brigade in their first aid duties and training When I arrived in Melbourne, T found neither the Association nor the Brigade operates the Ambulance Service. But the Brigade here has developed a very fine rescue service which operates in conjunction with its primary role of first aid and nursing

I was most impressed with the versatility of its rescue equipment and found that Divisions were often required to assist in dealing with the menace of bush fires, besides answering calls for traffic accidents, etc.

In Melbourne I had one of the most rewarding days on my Australian tour. The Commissioner had arranged to borrow for the day a Police six - seater Cessna aircraft in which I was able to visit two Divisions in outlying areas some 100 miles from the city. In both cases I was met with a most heart warming welcome, not only from the members themselves but from the Mayor and Councillors and the Member for

The C- in - C is gree ed by Alan Penaluna , member of Broadmeadows Division , Victoria Alan is

Parliament. I was especially struck by the quality of the members. some of whom were local farmers. This long but most rewarding day concluded with me formally opening a new Divisional Headquarters at Warburton. where again I received a most enthusiastic welcome from the members and representatives of the local community.

The following day I was the guest of the Chief Commissioner and Mrs. Donnell. The main objective of the day was to visit the Wild Life Sanctuary at Healesville, some 50 miles north of Victoria. Here we were the guests of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. who personally conducted us on a fascinating tour of the Reserve , which comprises nearly 1.000 acres of natural bush country. before entertaining us to lunch at the Sanctuary Centre. On our way there we had stopped to visit the Brigade Training Camp set in hilly. wooded country, ideal for the purpose. The site provides permanent camp structures for the needs of 200 to 300 persons. The site is also hired out to other voluntary organisations

In Sydney I was hospitably entertained by the New South Wales District Staff. who, among other things, took me on an unforgettable tour of the Blue Mountains. some 70 miles outside Sydney They also kindly arranged a most interesting tour of Sydney Harbour in the special launch, owned by the Harbour Authorities, which among its distinguished passengers had carried The Queen, other Heads of State , and, fairly recently. the Pope. Neither the Brigade nor the Association in this State operates the Ambulance Service, · and I was disappointed that unlike Victoria it did not have a rescue role. I was, however, interested to note that it had recently formed a Pipe Band - so far as I am aware the only Pipe Band in St. John Ambulance worldwide (Dr. Burns. of Durham, please note). I believe this band could have a significant effect on Brigade recruiting and pUblicity I watched it practicing one night in Sydney outside the District Headquarters -a regular weekly occurrence. What intrigued me was the crowd that gathered to watch and someone, by design or not, passing the hat round.

My two weeks in Australia did not of course give me time to visit every State, but I saw enough to give me a useful impression of the great contribution that St. John Ambulance is making to the well being of Australia as a whole, and more especially to the individual States. More of course could be done, because as Commissioner -in -Chief I am never really satisfied. I would like , for example, to see an increase in cadet strength, and when trained for them to be encouraged to do more for the community. Possibly running camps out in the bush for the less well off elements of the big cities. If any of my Australian friends read this

articl e. and I gather quite a number are regular ub criber to the Review. I would like to thank them all in every State for the welcome they gave me and for all their kindness and hospitalit y - I only hope I gave them some in pi ration in return.

A two-and -a - half hour flight across the Tasmanian Sea from Sydney brought me to Wellington. the capital of New Zealand. where I was met by the Chief Com missioner. Mr. Ian Campbell. Experience of other St. John tours ha s by now accustomed me to what r might term crash action. In this instance. on arrival my new host gave me one hour to reach my hotel. have a meal, change into uniform (complete with all regalia) and present myself to the assembly at District Headquarters. I was about 3 minutes late! Gathered before me were 250 members from Wellington and Christchurch Districts. some of the latter having travelled up to 100 miles to be present (a nd it was holiday time too). Here I witnessed a first aid display given by cadets. presented some 20 Grand Prior's Badges and a dozen long service medals or bars, and finally addressed an enthusiastic assembly. This was how I spent my first few hours in Wellington. After that I was to experience a change in my tour routine From now on I was to drive by stages in the Chief Commissioner's car through the North Island to Auckland. calling at villages and houses en route where members of the Brigade lived.

One of the highlights of the journey was a two days stay in Rotorua. This township has expanded considerably in the last 25 years and is now one of the main tourist attractions in the North Island because of its numerous hot springs. These appear as clouds of steam, boiling mud or geysers out of the ground all around town, in gardens, parks and various public places. Every motel. and there are many, has its own thermal pool and private thermal baths. Rotorua. which is the centre of Maori culture and activities, is set in a countryside of lakes, wooded hills and green pastures What more could one want? And for the

fisherman - as I am - New Zealand is paradise. There are no restrictions on fishing anywhere inland and no trout may be sold. I fished Lake Tarawera - and the Chief Commissioner can witness my catch - a 5V2 1b rainbow!

The final stage of my journey took me 150 miles through dairy farming country to Auckland. A peculiar feature of this city is its number of volcanic hills. some 500 to 600 feet high. from which one can obtain a different view of the widely scattered city of some 700.000 people. Here r met a large gathering of Brigade officers at a wellestablished training centre some 20 miles outside the city. I also inspected the Headquarters of the St. John Ambulance Service. which is a professional body. neither Brigade nor Association. but controlled by a Board of Management. It does. however. depend very much on the Brigade for the provision of ambulance crews, a duty which is undoubtedly a great incentive to the standard of training of Brigade personnel.

My last day in New Zealand was spent on a boat belonging to Mr. John Turnwold. a Divisional Superintendent of a Cadet Division, in the annual Auckland regatta, reputed to be the greatest concentration of ships of any such event in the world.

This enjoyable day at sea inspired me to suggest to my host that surely here was an opportunity to develop some form of St. John Ambulance maritime activity. It seemed to me that every other inhabitant of Auckland must own a boat of some description, and those who don't, appear to spend much of their leisure time on the numerous beaches. Surely this is an example of where crowds gather, whether on land or water. there St. John Ambulance must be.

Did I enjoy my tour? Of course I did! And I hope I was able to offer my generous friends some measure of my appreciation for their hospitality and give them some words of praise and inspiration for the work that the St. John family in that part of the world is doing so splendidly in the Service of Mankind.

Just another Emergency aid course

AS THEY are being attended throughout the country every week, Princess Margaret joined a 2 - hour emergency aid course at Headquarters during February.

Instruction was by Dr. C. C. Molloy Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Jimmy Newcombe, Chief Training Officer. The course, planned by Training Manager Bill Oliver, was for 14 people including some HQ staff.

SJA s Air Wing, here celebrating its recent 5th birthday has made 270 mer cy flights since it began Great! - flyers all. (Photo London & Essex Guardian Newspapers)

Practis ing haemorrhage control

Jimmy Newcombe introduces Resusci -Ann before instruction

Princess Margaret thanks Bill Oliver (right) and Jimmy Newcombe for their help on the course

Princess Margaret, SJA Grand President. who asked to attend an emergency aid course , is met at Headquarters

by Marjorie Countess of Brecknock who is Chief President

JUBILEE APPEAL

The following letter from the Chief Commander, Sir Maurice Dorman, has been sent to all Counties:

I am anxious to clarify any doubts there may be as to the part to by played by St. John Ambulance in connection with The Queen's Silver Jubilee Appeal, particularly in relation to our own fund - raising and recruiting efforts in this our Centenary Year.

Firstly, let me point out that there is no restriction whatsoever on St. John Ambulance Centenary activites, providing we at Headquarters abide by our agreement not to launch a National Centenary 'Appeal' which might conflict with the Silver Jubilee Appeal. Earlier fears of out Centenary fundraising having to be curtailed at local level have now been finally laid to rest. Indeed 1977 is a unique opportunity which everyone in St. John must take full advantage of within the Counties to build up resources of funds, publicity and recruits.

Having fully discussed the whole matter, the Council of the Order has decided that whilst St. John Ambulance could scarcely be expected to initiate and run fund -r aising events for the Jubilee Appeal in our Centenary Year, every effort should neverthele ss be made to support it in all other practical ways, including assisting, if asked, with the large number of Silver Jubilee events already arranged.

The Superintendent-in-Chief has accepted an invitation from Princess Anne to join the Women's Committee of The Queen's Silver Jubilee Appeal and it is hoped that others within St. John will support the Appeal by serving on Lord Lieutenants' Committees in Counties, and on separate women's committees where these are established.

Commissioners will have already received two letters from the Chief Officer Cadets dated January 4 and 7 regarding the submission of projects to The Queen's Silver Jubilee Trust via local committees. In the

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

letter of 4 January it was stated that the Trust required these projects to be submitted in January, 1977. The situation has now changed and provided such projects meet the criteria applied by the Trust they may be submitted at any time during the Jubilee Year. I n the case of a project being submitted and approved by Prince Charles' Silver Jubilee Appeal Council, organisations submitting such a project do not necessarily have to raise any money themselves to finance it.

With a Centenary and a Jubilee to celebrate, the year ahead is going to be a busy one. Let us make it a memorable one also.

BRIGADE CAMP

More young adults - ambulance and nursing members aged between 17 and 25 - are needed for the Brigade international training camp at Keogh Barracks, M ytchett, Nr. Aldershot, from August 12 to 21. The all -i n cost is about £20. Applications through County offices, please.

JUST 22

Winchester Division, with only 22 members, did 2,238 public duty hours last year and treated 900 cases. Their ambulance covered 4,833 miles: flag day raised £725.

BY THE EDITOR

On May 28, the 'Indominable 22' as the local press calls them, will have a special day - the visitation of the Order to their city.

SEAS OF MORNING

Geoffrey Trease, author of this exciting story about the Order of St John in the 15th century, and issued as a Puffin paperback, will be signing copies of the book at the Puffin Exhibition, to be held at The Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SWI, from 2.3Opm on April 14.

CLAIM

SJA Cornwall, with about 2000 members of all ranks, claims the highest membership in the UK per head of population of any county.

GEAR REFORMS7

A certain state of flux, I hear from Derbyshire, appears to be going on in St. John Ambulance sartorial circles.

It was noted at the recent Peak Area (Derbyshire) competition that one prominent member was not wearing the familiar peak (pun not intended) hat, but a black beret. It is thought this may be what might be called 'operational' head -gear, compared to the Services 'forage' cap, and more practical than the parade -s tyle one which, many members no doubt hope, will be retainecj for ceremonia occasions.

Also a divisional superintendent was seen in a black knitted jersey with 'leather' shoulder and epaulettes. This is said to be on trial to test the claim that, because of its streamlined simplicity and absence of awkward excrescences like buttons, it is more suitable 'in the field'.

With such dress reform in the air, one wonder how long the woman's skirt uniform will survive for working situations. It was observed, as four nursing members were kneeling and bending over a 'patient' who

How 's this for an SJA family the Pring children of Bristol? All five of them (L to R) Annette 15 Margaret 14 Susan , 13 Ronnie , 11, and Alan 10 With the backing of their parents they are among the liveliest cadets in Avon Both boys have been best juniors. while Annette is joining the SJA lifeguards along the River Avon (Photo: Bristol Evening Post)

MIND BENDERS

Find the first aid word or words In the clue. The number oflellers in the answer is given.

I. Gossip in the rain, perhaps (4.3)

2. Sounds like an easy going start to golf (8)

3. Could be a catapu lt! (3.5)

4 Evil about Ka y (4)

Answers: UpSide down - are at the bottom of page 80. No cheating.

had suffered 'a nasty accident' (though still conscious and fully aware) that the visibilities in his immediate vicinity might unduly affect his pulse -rate - which in the circumstances really needed to be undisturbed.

The wear and tear on tights, as nursing members work at the scenes of accidents in street or wherever, is also a factor to be considered. There is now open talk 'in the ranks' of a possible change to slacks. Maybe not as attractive. Definitely not as attractive. But that's hardly the point of the St. John exercise.

THANKS

The Chief Secretary acknowledges with thanks an anonymous postal order for £5 in favour of Headquarters, St John Ambulance, from St. Albans.

RADIO TALKS

A se ries of talks on St John and first aid in the home has just been completed by Area Staff Officer W. F. Shaw, of Nottingham City Area, J hear.

The talks, broadcast on Nottingham's commercial radio network Radio Trent, took place oyer five weekly sessions with Trent's Peter Quinn.

The first session was devoted to the work of St John in the area and was followed by weekly talks on burns and scalds, fainting, headaches, foreign bodies in the ear and nose, wounds and dressings, mouth -tomouth resuscitation, and finally a further talk about St John.

A number of adults and children have since written to Mr. Shaw asking for details on how to join St John.

(Above) Walkers from Sevenoaks recently raised more than £110 for the Ophthalmic Hospital. After a service at St Luke's Church, the Vicar the Rev John Hargreaves and pilgrims set off on a 15-mile walk to St John's Jerusalem at Sutton-at-Hone, once a Commandery of the medieval Knights of St John and now the lovely home of Mr and Mrs J P Mallik

After being welcomed by Mrs Mallik and given tea, the walkers went into the ancient chapel of the Knights for a service given by Mr Hargreaves , at which the Commissioner' for Kent, Mr Robert Per cival, who was with the walkers. spoke about the Order, the hospital and its work and needs.

Afterwards a framed print of 5t John's Gate was given to Mrs Mallik (right in photo) as a memento. A party from St Luke's Church visited Jerusalem soon afterwards and presented the proceeds of the walk to the Warden of the Ophthalmic Hospital

Perhaps other PROs might arrange something similar to help recruiting.

WORKAND FUN

After considering at a recent meeting matters which among others involved the disposition of monies amounting to hundreds of pounds which they had either raised themselves or had been donated, I hear the Presidents Committee of the Peak Area - it consists mainly of 'civilian' presidents and vicepresidents of the various divisions in the Area - settled down to be entertained by a film.

The film was made by the Area Secretary, Mr. David Travis, at the Peak Area's camp held near Whitby, Yorkshire, during last year's glorious summer.

:rhough members wear uniform, St John Ambulance is, as we know, by no means militaristic in style. The uniform allows members to be easily identified, of course; and, more importantly, helps develop a corporate sense with loyalty attached. (Most 'go od' schools have uniforms too.)

Thus, in the film of camp life the green tents were dead in line; flaps up each day; kit tidily arranged; white kitchen aprons

changed daily, as much for hygiene as for appearance.

A flag pole was erected, and the St. John flag broken and lowered, morning and evening.

Each cadet's general 'performance' as a camper was assessed at the end of every day. The award of 'Best Camper' went to the youngest, Ruth Carrington, of Glossop. Nothing straitlaced, though, about Brigade members. Recreational events, apart from the early morni ng sea-dip, included a fancy dress competition (won by a creation called' A load of rubbish', duly disinfected) , and camp olympics.

An important entry in a skipping exercise was that of someone claimed to be the oldest active camper in the Brigade: Matron Johnson (retired, but the 'Matron' is forever).

Geoffrey Shepherd until recently an Ambulance Member with Wantage and now transferred to Alverstoke Division is Pearly Prince of Oxfordshire Here with the Japanese Ambassador to London he was attending a get-together of Britain s pearly kings and queens at the Japanese Embassy

Her crossovers were reported to be of quite remarkable dexterity. Her balancing on an air mattress on a camp-bed was less successful. She fell off seven times during the first night between 'Lights Out' and 'Reveille'. A bad night was had by all, suffering mainly from 'hilarius extremis'.

NEW DI RECTOR

The new Director of the Association Branch of London District, on the retirement of Lt. Col. John Coates, is R. H. (Bob) Phillips, who lives in Hampstead. Since retiring as Marketing Adviser to the Electricity Council two years ago, Bob Phillips has been an Assistant Director General at SJA's national HQ, chiefly r esponsible for Emergency Aid training and a forthcoming campaign to improve hygiene in the food industry.

SPECIAL D UTY UNIFORM

I am informed by Brigade HQ that Coventry Area News (see March 'Around and About') is mistaken in suggesting that the special

SKELETON STAFF

SJA Staffordsh re s new HQ which was opened recently by Princess Margaret has all mod cons' - including a skeleton staff in the bar County Secretary Joyce Winkel is showing the County Comm Mr Maurice Simmons (ri ght) that he knows his job

FIRST TRY

SJA Chichester entered a team for the first - t me in the c ounty competitions recently - and won! The team was awarded the Sir William Gentle Challenge Cup and the Dorothy Jarvis Cup for highest individual test. (L to Rfront) AIM John Dexter, Cp l Pauline Harmes AIM Charlie Bignell ; back AIMs John Flanagan and Mick Stent duty uniform has been discontinued. Full details of the current SOU for nursing personnel (black proofed anorak, zip centre front, detachable hood; plain black trousers; plain white polo-necked jumper with long sleeves) were issued in Brigade Orders for November 1972 and should have been inserted in all copies of Nursing Dress Regulations. The SOU for ambulance personnel, of which stocks were exhausted last year, has been replaced by a black showerproof anorak with zip front fastening, detachable hood and side slant pockets with zip fastening, to be worn with normal black uniform trousers. Details were issued in Brigade Orders for January 1977 and should now be inserted in all copies of Ambulance Dress Regulations. Details of badges worn will be found in appropriate Brigade Orders as above.

ROME REUNION

Overnight accommodation for four either before or after the reunion, is available.

Mrs. Taylor, who is looking forward to seeing everyone, gives these directions to her home:

Travelling from the north or the south on the M I, leave the motorway at exit A46 and follow the City signs. At first traffic lights turn right (at the Post House), and follow the Oadby signs to Oadby village, turning left at St. Peter's Church through the village. At next traffic lights turn left for Leicester, following the A6. turn right at next traffic lights, then left and second right. Hope you And it.

MY MAP READING!

Apologies, Ash Vale Combined Division in the article about their new mobile unit (March Review) for locating the division in Hampshire - it is in fact in Surrey (by a few yards).

PHOTO COMPETITION

SJA Dorset is holding a Centenary photographic competition, the theme being Wessex Town and Country Enquiries and submissions to Mr. P. Cotton, 19 Franchise St Weymouth (phone 75477), Dorset. Here are the rules in brief:

1. Open to all amateur photographers

2 Black and white/ colour prints only. Two age groups. Under 14 years and over 14 years. Entry fee 5p per print.

3. Maximum number of prints per entry is 10.

4 Print size, black and white no larger than lOin x 8in, glossy finish. Colour, enprint lOin x 8in, any finish. All unmounted.

5. Name to be put on back of each print with address and age group.

6 Enclose S.A.E if prints are to be returned

7. Prints not sent with S.A.E. will be destroyed one month after competition closes.

8. Copyright will remain witl) photographer. St John Ambulance claim right to publish winning photographs with no fee.

9. Closing date 1 JUNE 1977. Winners will be announced and prizes presented on 11 JUNE 1977 at the St. John County Day, where winning prints will be on display.

Members of A and B teams, who were on the Holy Year duty in Rome from August 7 to 14 1975, are invited together with Dr. Barrs and Dr. Ferrar to the home of Nursing Officer Mrs. K Taylor (18 Abor Road, Stoneygate, Leicester, phone Leicester 707795) on Sunday, May 15, for a reunion.

level and making good progress; but you must try not to feel disappointed if success doesn't come overnight. It takes some time to train good leaders, especially when, as occasionally happens, the only solution is to And new material and start again from scratch; and it takes some time'to change the public image of a division. But both these things can be done in time; and they must be done if the Brigade is to continue meeting the challenge of human need in the next hundred years with the same measure of success that it has done in the past.

This is at present a minority problem, but it'll very soon become a majority one if we don't do something about it. And though it only affects a minority, it needs more than a mere minority to tackle it. The responsibility lies with every single one of us, and the first thing we must do is to ask ourselves two questions: (1) 'What are our ex -cadets and our new young members looking for when they join an adult division?' (2) 'Do they find it?' If the answer to the second question is 'no', then we must go back to the Arst question andjind out where we have/ailed. Let's have a look at some other activity that young people enjoy doing together and which they can go on enjoying for the rest of their active lives. Bell-ringing, for example I've got quite a lot of friends who are keen bell-ringers. They're prepared to accept , for an hour or more every week, a pretty tough discipline of training in order to become proficient; to ring bells regularly once and often twice on Sundays - yes, and then to stay on to worship at the service to which their bells have summoned others; to ring for the midnight Mass at Christmas and then a week later to ring the old year out and the new year in; to ring at all sorts of other odd times, often at some personal inconvenience to themselves, for special services or weddings on Saturdays and public holidays and after work on weekday evenings to go on occasional visits or holiday tours, ringing bells in other churches by special invitation.

Do you think they would do this if, when first they joined a bell -ringing group, they were kept for six months watching other people ringing before they were allowed to touch a bell - rope? Or if three -quarters of their training time were filled with long lectures on the art of campanology, even if sometimes illustrated by coloured slides? Or if, whenever a specially important occasion came, the team was always made up from 'o ldies' who'd been ringing for the past forty years, and the newer members never had a chance to be included? Not on your life! They joined the group first and foremost because they wanted to RING BELLS. Closely linked with this was the desire to enjoy doing something useful and chall en ging in the company of friends of all ' ages an d (more often than not) of both sexes. Many of them, too, joined because they felt

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.73)

quite simply that this was something they could do to the glory of God.

Now back to St John. Our new members join first and foremost because they want to DO FIRST AID AND NURSING. Of course there'll be other contributory reasons, but that one is absolutely basic. They're prepared to accept a pretty tough discipline of training in order to become proficient, and to take their share of duties at all sorts of odd times , often at some personal inconvenience. But they do expect their training to be realistic, imaginative , challenging and above all practical - not consisting solely of long lectures, even if illustrated by slides, nor yet of demonstrations at which they either stand by passively watching or are invariably cast in the role of the casualty and never of the firstaider. They expect to be given a chance to handle real casualties and patients as well as 'practice' ones, and not to have all the more exciting public duties, and the jobs on these duties, hogged by the 'oldies' who've been at it for forty years. And they expect to enjoy doing something useful and challenging in the company of friends of all ages and (more often than not) of both sexes. Many of them, too, joined because having studied the mottoes of our Order they felt that this was something they could do in the service of both God and man.

If they don't find what they hoped for , they'll almost certainly go - and join some other organisation in which they can find fulfilment. Their loss will be a loss not merely to St John but to humanity as a whole, and the fault will be ours. That's why we're all involved.

Updating BGRs

Our Supplies Department having recently exhausted their stock of the current (1974)

edition of Brigade General Regulations, a reprint was issued last month and is now on sa le. Plea se note that although this reprint contains all the amendments that have been issued up to March 1977 inclusive , it is not a new edition ' and it's quite unnecessary to buy one if you already possess a copy of the 1974 BGR and have conscientiously kept its amendments up to date.

Many of you will remember that in 1974 we started a new system whereby amendments to Regulations were of two kinds: (a) those involving only a few words which could be written in by hand; (b) longer amendments of which a complete reprint of the page concerned was distributed to counties so that officers, secretaries and others could 'comb them in' (according to instructions printed at the front of BGR) to replace the page that had become obsolete. It was intended to issue a check -list of amendments annually, but so few were the amendments during the past 2 Y2 years that the first check-list was not in fact issued till Januar y 1977 - on a pink sheet which can be combed in to the back of your copy and kept for reference

So, provided you have inserted (either in writing or by combing in) amendments as soon as they appeared in Brigade Orders, there's no need for you to buy a new copy until your existing copy literally falls to pieces with old age and hard wear. The updated reprint is for those who need a copy of BGR and don't already possess one But we must all keep our copies up to date.

One book replaces two A completely revised edition of the Adult Membership Book can also now be obtained from Supplies Department. This contains (a) extracts from some of the Brigade Regulations to which divisional members will more frequently wish to refer, and (b) a personal record section to enable members to keep a check of meetings attended and various types of Brigade duty performed over a period of five years - by which time they'll probably need a new copy anyway! It replaces two separate booklets, both now out of print , one of which gave extracts from BGR while the other was a personal record booklet. It s about the size of an oldstyle driving licence and will conveniently fit into a wallet or handbag. Inside the front cover is a flap into which members can put a passport -s ized photograph for identification when doing welfare visiting or assisting the police and ambulance services in any emergency.

The price is 20p which compares favourably with the 24p which was the combined cost of the two previous booklets.

I hope that many divisions will use this little book and will find that to present a copy to new members on joining is a thoroughly worth -while charge on their divisional funds.

With summer coming, know your

SNAKES IN THE GRASS

"Upon thy belly shalt thou go and dust shalt thou eat, all the days of thy life."

Genesis 3:14.

(Part of the serpent's punishment for tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden).

BRIT AIN is not very well off with its snake population; although there are over 2,700 species in the world only three species exist in this country, and only one of them is venomous

Smooth snake

Of the first two species the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) is only to be found in parts of Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey , with an occasional sighting in Wiltshire and Berkshire. It is a harmless creature, very smooth to the touch (hence its popular name), usually brown , grey or reddish in colour with black spots or transverse bars across the back, extending from head to tail. It frequents dry, sandy, heath- type country with plenty of cover available. Its staple diet is lizards but it has also been known to eat young adders, shrews and even spiders. It is an egg-laying snake and appears to be fond of water.

Apart from Southern England, the smooth snake is to be found in most countries of Europe , and certain Balkan States as far as Northern Greece. In Britain it is now protected by law , and must not be killed or kept in captivity.

Grass snake

The second species of harmless snake is the Ringed Snake (N atrix natrix) or as it is often called the Grass Snake. This is the longest snake in Britain , the male growing to an average length of 60cm (24 inches) and the females up to ncm (29 inches), although there are records in existence of a female grass snake caught in the New Forest at the turn of the century which measured I85.5cm (6ft 2%ins). Grass snakes of this length are fortunately few and far between!

The grass snake is to be found in most counties of England and Wales but is confined to the southern counties of Scotland from Galloway in the west across to Berwick in the east. It is also becoming increasingly scarce in Lancashire , possibly because of increased industrialisation in that area. Most grass snakes are darkish green or

by RICHARD WEBBER, County Training Officer, SJA Devon

Member of the S-Western Herpetological Society

olive brown in colour and there is little variation in these basic colours. Behind the head there is a 'collar', either yellow or orange in colour, and it is this 'ring' or 'co llar ' which gives the snake its other popular name the ringed snake. This 'collar' is also invaluable in distinguishing the grass snake from the other two British species, neither of which has similar markings behind the head. Black (melanistic) grass snakes have been found in other parts of Europe but there is no record to date of them being found in Britain

Their staple diet consists of frogs, tadpoles, egg yolks, fledgling birds, birds eggs and even bumble bees. In captivity they have been known to drink milk.

The grass snake is to be found on rough moorland, in woods and clearings, and is fond of water. It is a good swimmer and there are reports of it having been seen crossing the Menai Strait and also of one 'swimming strongly' 25 miles out to sea in the Bay of Biscay!

As I have already mentioned, the grass snake,is harmless and if disturbed usually seeks to escape into nearby vegetation. If caught it inva riabl y discharges a very strong and very obnoxious white fluid from its anal vent - which has the effect of discouraging people from handling it! The slow-worm (which is not a snake at all, but a limbless lizard) also voids its anal excrement when caught.

Another 'defensive' action of a grass snake is to feign death. It does this by rolling onto its back with its jaws apart and tongue lolling out, but , if left alone for a minute or two, will come to life again and quietly glide away into the undergrowth!

Sometimes the grass snake will try to bluff it s way out of trouble by adopting a threatening posture , drawing up its body into an S -shaped loop , hissing loudly and striking forward with its head in a similar manner to the adder. However, it rarely bites but it is frequently successful in keeping dogs and other enemies at bay by adopting these defensive tactics.

As well as in England and Wales, the

grass snake is also found in France, Germany, Switzerland , Italy and parts of Scandinavia.

The adder

The adder (Vipera Berus Berus), or viper as it is sometimes called, is our only venomous snake. It is to be found in all parts of Britain (except Ireland, which has no snakes), and frequents clearings, the edges of woods, heathlands, commons, moorland and, during the summer, lOW - lying damp river meadows.

Internationally the adder is a hardy creature and is found as far apart as the Welsh hills, the northern parts of Norway , throughout most of Europe and southern central Asia, as far as the island of Sakhalien, off the eastern coast of Russia!

Identification

The adult adder measures between 24 ins and 32ins (60 to 80 cm) in length, the larger being the female of the species. Male adders rarely exceed 24ins in length although there have been reports of larger specimens of up to 72.5 cm (29 inches) being found in the New Forest and Hereford.

When born both males and females are usually a dull brown but during the first year of life the female becomes a brick -red in colour, slowly changing to a golden brown or brown at maturity. The male adder slowly changes from brown to a straw colour and this in turn gives way to an off-white or grey on reaching maturity (about 4 years in each case) Allowing an average growth rate of 2 cm a year, the life span of the adder, is app roximately 15 years.

On the back of the adders head is a distinctive marking that resembles an inverted V. This marking varies somewhat in different adders, often more closely resembling the letter H with the upright strokes splayed outwards at the base. A jetblack or very dark zig-zag diamond marking extends the full length of the back, with a row of spots along the flanks which diminish in size towards the tail. Occasionally an adder is found with a straight stripe down its back replacing the normal diamond pattern.

Melanistic (i.e. jet black) adders have been found in various parts of the country from time to lime - one was discovered near Bideford in 1975 and finished its days in the Exmouth Zoo!

Adder bite and first aid treatment

Unprovoked bites of human being by snakes never occur. It is never the aggressor and only bites in self-defence when it is frightened, stepped on o r foolishly handled. (This latter action is the cause of the majority of adder bites in this country).

Invariably when an adder bites in selfdefence, little or no venom is injected and therefore it is incorrect to say that a bite from a poisonous snake is the same as 'snake -bite poisoning'. Research has shown that over half the persons bitten by venomous snakes, such as adders, develop no significant poisoning because little or no venom is injected.

Serious poisoning is rare in humans and death highly exceptional - especially if adequate hospital treatment is received within an hour or two of the bite. Persons at high -risk' are chiefly those in bad health, young children and the elderly. I have read of two unusual deaths from adder bitesone of a London woman who picked up an adder in Epping Forest and carried it home, tucked down inside her blouse!! It bit her over 20 times but she steadfastly kept the snake, merely squeezing the wounds - she died later in hospital. The other unusual case was of an adder creeping up the sleeve of a jacket temporarily discarded in the heather - when the owner put it on the adder bit him in the left armpit and the close proximity of the wound to the heart caused death some hours later.

Being bitten by an adder is rather like being stabbed very hard with a needle, or to be more exact, two needles. Apart from the initial stab of the two fangs into the flesh no pain is felt, but within about 10 minutes there is localised aching and throbbing around the bite and this increases as swelling rapidly develops. Swelling is often extensive due to the body's defensive mechanism in rushing Iymp fluids to the affected area, where they assist in the dilution of the venom, thereby reducing its toxicity and absorption into other parts of the body.

Swelling usually reaches its peak within 48 hours and rarely extends beyond the armpit or groin, although some pain is occasionally experienced in the glands of groin or armpit during this period.

After the third day the swelling starts to subside although the bitten limb remains tender and painful to the touch for up to a

Photos (top) Smooth Snake (Middle) Grass Snake (Bottom) The Adder Brita in's on ly venomous snake (Photos The Zoological Society of London)

week or longer in some cases. Pain, swelling, discolouration and reddening are all common signs and symptoms of such a bite, whilst giddiness, vomiting and diarrhoea are sometimes experienced in more severe cases. The Joint First Aid Manual clearly lays down the agreed procedure for dealing with patients sutTering from snake bite:

1. Reassurance

This is the most important part of the treatment because panic is considerable in snake bite victims and every effort must be taken to reassure and calm the patient, for an increased heartbeat only serves to increase the circulation of venom in the bloodstream.

Dr. H. Alistair Reid, aBE, Director of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and one of the leading world experts on snakebite, told me recently that an analgesic, for example paracetomol, is often efficacious in helping to calm a distraught patient in these

circumstances, although this is not specifically mentioned in the manual.

2. Flush the Wound Use soapy water, if available (otherwise use ordinary clean water), washing away from the wound any venom around or oozing from it. (Adder venom is a clear, yellow fluid which crystallises rapidly on drying. N B. If kept dry in a sealed tube it retains its potency indefinitely).

3. Support and immobilise the bitten limb.

4. Obtain medical aid quickly.

5. If retching or vomiting occurs, place the patient in the recovery position.

6. If breathing fails commence artificial respiration.

7. DO NOT incise the wound - this could introduce infection, aggravate bleeding and delay recovery.

If the snake is killed have it taken to the hospital. but do NOT go looking for it as attempts to find or kill it often lead to further bites.

In conclusion, may I quote the words of Mr. John Crompton, author of several books on snakes, who writes 'The horror that most men have for snakes is only equalled by the horror that most snakes have for men '.

I commenced this article with a quotation from the Old Testament; I will finish it with a quotation from the New:

'And, as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life'.

I n the writing of this article I would like to extend my grateful thanks to Dr. H Alister Reid, aBE, Director of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene , and to the Reverend Dr. K. J. Powell, Consultant Anaesthetist, Exeter Group of Hospitals, for their guidance and assistance.

ORDER INVESTITURE

London, February 24

CHAPLAIN

The Re vd. Canon David Carter Rutter. MA. FSA (Lincs).

The Revd Kenneth Frank Belben (Essex).

COMMANDER (Brother)

Charles Henr y Lee (British Rail)

Colonel Peter Hilton MC, DL JP Derby shire).

Douglas Edward Frank Quinnell (Devon).

Wi11iam Louis Murray Bigb y. MBE, MB, BS (Hants).

Francis Charles Rolfe (Kent).

William Albert Richard s (London).

Major Lionel Robert Woods (Jersey).

COMMANDER (Sister)

Elizabeth Margaret, Mrs. Morrison, SRFN (Some r set).

Beryl Marion Mi ss White (Bucks).

Charlotte Mary. Mrs Rodd (Devon).

Marion Amy. Mrs. Spurgeon (Essex).

P ame la Mildred J oan Douglas, Mrs. Riley , SRN (Glos).

OFFICER (Brother)

William Henry Gilbert Gibbs ( Bucks)

John Martin Warren (Berks).

Leonard George Grabham (Metro. Police)

Frank R oy Driscoll (Suffolk)

Douglas John Faulkner (Glos).

who has four chi ldren in SJA, is promoted Officer Brother. He has 34 years SJA service

Alfred Ewan Adamson (British Rail).

John Gerrard. OBE, MC , QPM (London).

Ivor John Nott Lake (Cornwall)

Harold Spencer (Derbyshire).

William Jones (Greater Manche ster ).

Sergeant C. T. Manning (above left). of Jaguar Daimler Combined Division becomes a Serving Brother ; and (right) Grand Prior's Badge holder Div Supt. Miss

Joyce Yates of Stokes' Hanley Nursing and Nursing Cadet Division, a Serving Sister. Miss Yates - both her parents are Brigade members - became a nursing cadet superintendent at the age of 19. Her fiance is a divisional officer. A St John family indeed

John Harold Francis (Derbyshire).

Walter Thomas Alfred Higgm (London).

Bernard William John Cutcliffe (Avon).

Thomas Cecil Hyde (Greater Manchester)

Edward Bostock. CBE, MA. FCA (London).

Richard Gibson Alderson (Bucks).

Noel Arthur Fisher (Norfolk).

John Alexander Jermany (Humberside).

Frederick Cross (Cleveland).

Edward Charles Elmer (London).

Thomas Hugh Prideaux Jenkin (Cornwall).

James Henry Brown (Greater Manchester).

Colin Howe (Derbyshire).

Ernest Arthur Vines (Leicestershire)

Alfred William Clark (Dorset)

Regin ald H arold Trevains (Devon).

Charles William John Claydon, MB, BS. MRCS. LRCP (London).

Walter Thomas Rosser (Hereford/Worcestershire).

John Arrowsmith (Cheshire).

Arthur Henry Green (Hertfordshire).

OFFICER (Sister)

Ellen, Mrs. Atkinson (Humberside).

Yvonne Jeanne. MISS Albon (Cheshire)

Kathleen Mary. Mrs. Postlethwaite (Glos).

Lena. Mrs. Knowles Bolton (Derbyshire).

Ethel Anne. Mrs. Jackson (Humberside).

Jane. Mrs. Trewavas (Cornwall).

El1en Ruth Miss Owens, SEN (Devon).

Iv y Winifred, Mrs Bevan (Dorset).

Constance Mary Mrs Daniels (Humberside).

SERVING BROTHER

Colin Reeder (London).

Philip Benjamin Emmel (W. Midlands).

William Jam es (N. Yorkshire).

Walter Holden (Merseyside).

John Emmerson Boddy (British Rail).

Ri chard James Errington (Metro. Police)

Sidney George Norman Woodcock (W. Midlands).

Thomas William Mellor (Notts).

Colonel John Butterfield. TO, Croix -de - Guerre (S. & W. Yorks).

Anthony Haith (Metro Police).

Eric Stanley Pugh (W. Midlands).

Howard Nicholls (Nottinghamshire).

Noel Reginald Leaf (Warwickshire).

John Hesketh (Merseyside).

John Darle y Ayers (Metro. Police).

Charles Thomas Manning (W. Midlands).

Thomas Henry Fryer (N. Yorkshire).

Stuart Martin Latham (Surrey).

Norman Fordy Burn (North umbria).

Francis Xavier Malone (S. & W. Yorks).

Robert William Robertson (Metro. Police).

Frederick Shay (W. Midlands).

The Review's Editor

Frank Driscoll, becomes an Officer of the Order

Frank Ulyatt (No ttinghamshire).

James Robert Chapman (British Rail).

Ronald Thomas Nicholas Jones (Merseyside).

Henry Anthony Avery (Metro. Police).

David Frederick Wickens (Oxford).

Charles Gordon Ewington (Berkshire).

Henry John R ic hard Hughes (Electricity Ambulance Centre).

George Henry Luscombe (Devon).

Kenneth Norman Johnston Pocock MA, MB. MRCS. LRCP (Beds).

Wil1iam Henry Bailey (Hertfordshire).

Reginald Joseph Parsons (W. Midlands)

James Pilkington ( orthumbria).

Edward Victor Freeman (Hampshire).

Frank Dennison (British Rail)

Eric Aldridge (S. & W Yorks).

Stanley Hartford Copeman Bacon (Post Office, Ambulance Centre)

Thomas Bricknel1 ( Nottinghamshire).

John Edward Wil1iam Felton (Shropshire).

Major Paul John Daly. TO, LRCP, LRCS, LM (W. Midlands)

Ronald Eric Snape (Surrey).

Percy Charles John Loveridge (Oxford).

Frank Albert Thomas Peters (Shropshire).

Alfred Frank Arrell (London).

John Reginald Davis (Post Office Ambulance Centre)

Roy Lane (Sussex).

Thomas Leslie Hodson (Staffordshire).

Charles Francis Leslie Wanklyn (Warwickshire).

Alfred Noel Wheeler (N. Yorks).

Eric Montague Kil1ik (London).

ASSOCIATE SERVING BROTHER

Max Herbert Heilbut. BA. LLB (Berkshire).

SERVING SISTER

Anne Weir. Mrs. Wal1 ( orthumbria).

Ethel May. Mrs. Cutler (Staffordshire).

Elma Priscilla Dr Wyatt (Dorset).

Mabel Frances. Miss Thomas (Devon).

Helena. Mis s Charles (London).

Barbara. Mrs. Smith (S. & W. Yorks).

Joyce. Miss Yates (Staffordshire).

Audrey. Miss Burns. SR (Dock Labour Board)

Pamela Jane. Miss Wil1is (London).

Anne ancy. MISS Oyston (Northumbria).

Joan Mar). Mrs Edwards (Merseyside). el1le. Mrs Barks (Staffordshire).

Edna Doreen. Mrs Healing (Isle of Wight).

Jean Enid. Mrs. Griffiths (S. &

THE USE OF TRAINED CASUALTIES

One cannot produce seriously injured people for first-aiders to practise on, but one can produce someone who can accurately simulate the symptoms

WE HAVE all been involved, either in the present or in the past, with the training of nurses and first - aiders. You may well be feeling satisfied with your own individual presentation of the subject to the many classes that you have taken annually You will all be able to recall the last class you conducted and achieved what - 70%, 80%, 90% or some even 100% pass. Very satisfying to you as a lecturer and to your lay instructor, who most probably carries out the practical work, and of course to the candidate who on passing feels confident that he or she can cope with any accident that occurs around the corner. But can he?

Let me tell you a true story that took place not so very long ago in one of the Ambulance Divisions in S.E. Area of London. One evening when I was attending this particular Division I arranged for a trained casualty to be brought into the Divisional Headquarters, having been accidently knocked down by a passing motor cycle. The Superintendent picked on two members of the division to deal with the case. Both men were in uniform and had been in the Brigade for about three years or more; certainly not less. They had therefore passed a minimum of three first aid examinations. The casualty was lying on a stretcher, not blanketed, and she was dressed in a jumper and skirt, and wore stockings. The first-aiders took one look at the injury on the front of the leg, applied a No.9 Mines Dressing to the wound, stood back looking pleased with themselves, and waited for me to say something. They had not at this stage exchanged a single word with the casualty, taken no notice of her complaining of pain in her leg or anything. I asked for the diagnosis 'Laceration of the leg'. To my other questions as to who was the casualty, where did she live, what was the history of the accident, where had she got pain, could she use the leg, the foot, the knee, etc, I got no answers. All the first -aiders had seen had been a wound of the leg, some bleeding and the fact that the leg was attached to the rest of a conscious human body appeared to make no difference to the two ambulance

by Dr. E. C. DAWSON, A senior medical adviser to Casualties Union and a London District Area Surgeon

members. This situation to me was serious, for if they failed to carry out a proper history taking, examination, diagnosis and treatment on a trained casualty, what on earth were they likely to do if confronted with a similar real casualty? Yet they were fully trained first -a iders according to their examination certificates. When I told them the diagnosis they gasped, and then without a word to the casualty proceeded to bandage the good lady in the textbook fashion for an open fracture of the tibia. They still said nothing to the casualty and completely ignored the other leg and the rest of the body.

Something had been very radically wrong with their instruction over the years to have allowed this sort of situation to have arisen. On questioning the members further, they readily admitted that despite having been on many duties with the division they had never even seen any serious injuries, let alone had to deal with them. This was unfortunate and one cannot produce seriously injured people for first - aiders to practise on but we can produce simulated casualties for the training , which gives the first -a ider a chance to see serious injuries and to deal with people who can portray those injuries throughout the history taking, examination, diagnosis and treatment. This particular Division had never had the opportunity of using the trained casualty until that night and they realised what they had missed by the end of the evening. The Division knew the first aid book, probably from cover to cover, but did not know how to apply that knowledge to the situation with which they were confronted. My answer is not to show a large number of slides, films, wall charts, blackboard drawings, but to use the trained

The casualty must be placed in appropriate enviromental conditions in order to simulate accurately the situation in which the accident has occurred. It is essential that maximum realism is achieved in all stages so that good and sensible habits are developed throughout training.

You will see that my criteria for a trained casualty are far higher than any Brigade course - is at present, assuming that all Brigade courses are similar in content as those run in London District. They lack the staging and acting so essential if one is going to attempt to use casualty simulation in first aid training The make - up may well be up to standard, but what use is that if the acting and staging is so out of keeping with the injury portrayed?

But let me now demonstrate to you the use of the trained casualty in simple basic first aid, and at the same time demonstrate the points that I think should be emphasised in all stages of instruction right from the beginning.

casualty throughout the training of any firstaider or nurse. There is no finer visual aid.

The method of presentation is essentially practical and it is therefore particularly suitable for routine training. The use of the trained casualty can be applied equally well to all age groups and for all grades of nurses and first - aiders Cadets, adult beginners , veterans, etc, and can be used in all grades of courses from the preliminary to the refresher courses.

First of all, though, who or what is a 'trained casualty'. I have quite definite ideas about this and will not accept anyone who does not measure up to this particular standard:

1. A per son must be the holder of a current First Aid Certificate, a nursing or medical qualification.

2. He must have undergone an adequate period of training in: a) Make up of simple injuries; b) Able to act those simple injuries; c) Able to stage realistically the incident that has caused the injury; and d) Has passed an examination in all three aspects listed above to the satisfaction of at least one doctor and one lay instructor qualified in casualty simulation.

During the period of instruction, which if carried out properly takes two hours a week over a period of three months, the student studies the behaviour of sick and injured people who are able after being properly briefed and rehearsed, to portray a particular condition, simulate the changing conduct of a person with that condition, its disabilities and limitations, under such examination, handHng , treatment, transport, etc, as he may receive.

In the portrayal of injury make -up must be accurate in its appearance and its touch.

yo urself when teaching, and your student nrst -aiders have then gone away that the treatment for a closed fracture of the left c1avical is carried out in this way. But yo u know and I know that to try and apply bandages in the way that has just been demonstrated would cause unknown pain to the unfortunate casualty, making him feel much worse than before he had had any treatment.

Let us now see the demonstration again , only this time with the casualty acting the part of a middle aged man suffering from a closed fracture of the left clavical. Watch the casualty from the time that he enters the hall to the time that he is assisted to leave.

Note his entry:

a) method of walking,

b) holding the left arm,

c) po si tion of his head, bent slightly towards the injured side,

d) the look of pain in his expression,

e) the slight degree of shock - pallor,

f) the appeal for help.

To refresh your memory of how the usual demonstration of bandaging is carried out my colleague is not going to act the part. He has however got the make -up applied for a fracture of the left clavicaJ.

(Enter Casualty No 1 made up for closed fracture of left clavi cal. Not acting, to walk in quite normally smiling at audience, sits on chair and assists first - aider to place appropriate bandages in position).

You will note that little conversation takes place between casualty and first-aider, the first -aider knows that he has the make - up on for a closed fracture of the clavical, but he feels that there is no need to show this to the class as he will have already explained the signs and symptoms of such a fracture. His duty therefore is to demonstrate the bandages to be used and their correct application. Any error he makes is corrected by the casualty. You have seen this done before, I'm sure. Probably you have done it

Already you will have formed the opinion that this man has something wrong with him.

You already suspect he has an injured arm , s houlder or c1avical. I s this not what we all do as doctors and nurses? Do we not watch our patients get up from the chair in the waiting room and see them walk into the surge r y? J do and so often can have a reasonable idea as to what is wrong with the patient before J ask him any questions at all.

By this demonstration you are teaching your class to observe their casualty in the few moments before contact is actually made with them through the spoken word.

You now meet you r casualty and conduct him to a seat in front of the class You immediately ask the casualty his name and address and note it. You refer to him by name from now onwards We do as doctors and nurses so why not the first-aiders?

You now take the history of the You ma y have already guessed what is

wrong with the casualty but you must still take a hi s tory and teach your class to do likewise. What happened? He was walking up the path to the lecture theatre when he tripped over a slightly raised paving stone. He fell forward onto his outstretched arm and landed with his full weight on his left arm. He felt something go in the left shoulder area. He ha s pain in that area. He cannot use hi s upper arm as he should be able to do ; it is painful to move his head in certain directions. He can however move his forearm, hi s hand and wrist.

At this point you can point out to the class what you have learnt so far: N arne and address, with a rough idea of his age from his appearence, The history of the accident, The point where he has pain and the disability that he now sutTers, You now demonstrate the examination

Examination:

a) Note the swelling, b) Note the deformity, c) Limitation of movement of the bones of the shoulder joint, d) Tenderness on palpation. Up to this point you have not even had to touch the casualty except to assist in the removal of clothing in order to facilitate the examination.

Having examined, then you instruct the class that you are now, and only now, in a position to make the correct diagnosis: Closed fracture of the left clavical.

Treatment: the appropriate bandages can now be applied and watch how different the approach by the first-aider is now compared with the first demonstration. How much more gentle he is, how he explains to the casualty what he is going to do, etc.

Transport : Following the correct treatment the first - aider assists the casualty out of the c1asroom to go to hospital by car or ambulance.

NICE TO Sa: LCX:AL '"'fEtIMS COMIN0 IN It> 1l-lE 10 RAY 61 \fOVE, A OFCH.6NT1N6 OUlSlCE l1--\E MAIN 0ATE YaJ CAN GLJ.6PANrrE -n1OSt=lWO'LL BE IN 1HE OFITI

Bill Tidy

The use of trained casualties (cont.)

You have demonstrated to all the student first - aiders the full and correct method of approach to a casualty and his injuries. After your demonstration you need a number of similar trained casualties for the class in turn to practise upon so that they learn to observe, take history, examine, diagnose, treat and transport.

Unfortunately it is difficult enough to get student doctors and nurses to carry out this procedure correctly and so it stands to reason that it may be more difficult to persuade first-aiders that this is the method that we as instructors in St. John wish them to use However it can be done if on each occasion that a class is taken the trained casualty is used in this form of demonstration. We know it is not used routinely throughout the Brigade for you have only to watch the members who enter competitions to see that they see a spot of blood on the floor and immediately think that the casualty is bleeding to death , and consequently dive in without any more thought to the patient or themselves.

Let us now see our next casualty who is going to be used to demonstrate the stopping of bleeding.

Again watch the entry of the casualty:

a) Method of walking - immediately a feeling of some urgency

b) the appearance of fear on the face,

c) the holding of the arm,

d) the blood -stained handkerchief in the hand,

e) the dripping blood on the floor from the wound.

Despite the signs and symptoms that you have observed during the entry of the casualty, still find time to take the name and address of the casualty history of the accident, examination - and note especially t h at a blood vessel has been severed and blood is flowing easily out. At this point demonstrate that by simply lifting the arm above the head the bleeding virtually stops i m mediately. Demonstrate that simple digital pressure will also stop the bleeding from the wound. If an artery is being demonstrated then pressure on the pressure point can easily be shown. Demonstrate that the application of a pad and bandage , tightly applied , will also stop the bleeding. Place the a r m in a triangular sling. In this simple demonst r ation I have managed to show the main methods of stopping haemorrhage.

Each student first -aider can also have a go and see that it works and at the end of the class they will all know how to stop bleeding by t h e use of digital pressure, pad and b a n dage, and p r essure point if necessary. They w ill also see the difference between art.erial and venous bleeding.

[ h e casualty now slips off the chair into a

faint and after a moment starts to breath noisely. Call the audience to be quiet in order to hear obstructed breathing.

This I always arrange at some stage of the course. provided no member of the class actually does this If they do, then I stop my talk and immediately demonstrate to the clas s what to do when someone actually faints , and how to tell the difference between a faint and other causes of unconsciousness.

It also allows you to demonstrate the use of the recovery position , a position known by all members of St. John but used by the majority at the end of all treatment rather than as the first thing to do in cases of unconsciousness.

When the casualty is turned into the recovery position, note the immediate improvement in the breathing, watch him come round, pointing out all the manifestations of a faint. Finally, allow the casualty to sit up and eventually be helped out of the room.

Over the years it has become apparent that the trained casualty is really considered for first aid training only. This I think is a mistaken idea, for they should also be used in the training of nurses throughout their training. There are many nursing procedures described in the nursing text book and many of them can be carried out on the trained casualty , who will respond to the gentleness and care that should go with all procedures carried out on an individual. They would also respond in the opposite, if care and attention is lacking. A person properly dressed and acting a case of congestive cardiac failure should be used when a bed is to be made, or the pressure areas attended to. There are so many items that can be done if a little thought is given and a good briefing given to the casualty.

ST

JOHN STORIES

Hand le the casualty without causing unnecessary pain.

Examiner: Now, I want you to secure a dressing on the right shoulder

Cadet: Yes Sir. (He places the centre of a triangular bandage over the shoulder. Applies an arm sling. Brings the point of the bandage over the knot of the sling).

Examiner: And how are you going to secure it?

Cadet: With a drawing pin Sir!

Do not allow people to crowd around.

The Partner oj our Lecturer: Don't forget to tell the class my story!

Lecturer: My partner was at a town some 10 to 15 mi les away from here. He was in the main stream of traffic being slowed down by an accident ahead. Arriving at the scene, he volunteered his help to an efficient first -aider in charge

In the case that I am about to show you there is a procedure to be carried out that would probably not be done by St. John nur s ing members on many occasions, but on the other hand it is a procedure that worries the student nurse on the first occasion that she has to do it. Namely the changing of the tracheotomy tube The patient had the tracheotomy carried out some months ago becau s e of a carcinoma of the larynx She has been in hospital for early congestive cardiac failure, hence the ankle oedema, rapid respiration rate, and very slight cyanosis.

In all three cases I hope that I have been able to demonstrate the importance of having trained , well briefed and rehearsed casualties I cannot stress too strongly the importance of a good briefing and rehearsal of the casualty before you actually start the lecture demonstration. For make - up, the casualty requires a minimum of 30 minutes for simple make - up and 60 minutes for more complicated make - up. Please therefore allow sufficient time for make- up before starting your lecture demonstration. You cannot change your mind over make - up five minutes before starting the class.

Commissioner-in-Ch.iers comment

There is no doubt that this method of training far out -classes all other methods and provides interest to all those taking part, not least of all the casualty who by the mistakes of the nurses and first -aiders , learns how to deal with the real casualty so much more gently but with confidence, It is our aim in Casualties Union that wherever first aid is taught there shall be a trained casualty to assist. Let us see this aim come true in St. John, and we shall all be better first - aiders and nurses for it.

Load

First -aider: Will you people please keep back!

(This being repeated several times as he moved round).

Partner: (Stepping forward with a smile) : I'm a doctor!

First -aider: Then as for you , Sir, you should know better!

Splints may be improvised

During an individual test for the Saxton Cup, which [ judged, the casualty fell in his home and fractured his arm, involving the elbow After reassuring the casualty , the cadet sat him on a chair and proceeded to apply the prescribed three broad bandages around his upper arm, lower arm, wrist, trunk and thigh

Judge: (Finding it difficult to suppress his laughter): But why have you passed the bandages around the back of the chair as well?

Cadet: I'm using it as a splint, Sir! (Imagine this stretcher case arriving at Torbay Hospital!)

K. F. Townsend, Hon, Member

Into Eu r ope

F. W. Equipment Co. Ltd. of Bradford, well - known makers and suppliers of ambulance and hospital equipment are now established on the Continent with a sales office in France headed by marketing director Peter Harris , son of the company's managing director, Leslie Harris.

The company already exports to eleven countries

Shower for disabled

A shower unit called the 'Cleveland' , which is s pecially designed so that a disabled person can use it in s afety and complete privacy , has been produced by EM] Reinforced Plastics Ltd , Clarence Drive , Filey , Yorkshire from whom full detail s can be obtained

Moved

The Medishield Corporation Ltd s two divisions for home and oversea s sales and servicing of medical equipment are now both at 12 Priestley Way, London NW2 7AF phone 01 -4526422

Film Catalogue

A new catalogue of sponsored films containing over 1400 16mm titles most of which are on free loan is available price £ 1.50 (incl. postage) from Guild Sound & Vision Ltd , Woodston House , Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 9PZ,

Happy Birthday, Seton

Seton Products Ltd, the surgical dressing specialists, of Oldham Lancs, is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. Founded as a oneman business in Oldham 25 years ago , this international hospital supply company now exports to 130 countries

Their instructional wall -chart giving stepby-step guidance on the use of tubular bandages is available , free , from Seaton Products Ltd, Tubiton House, Medlock St, Oldham, Lancs

Teeth and mushrooms

Two very attractive wall - posters - one on dental care for children featuring a Pam Ayres poem, and the other showing the potentially poisonous mushrooms found in Britain - are available (9p postage each) from Dept DP, Sterling Health Products Surbiton, Surrey KT6 4PH.

USE OF SPIRIT

from Norman Ingle

Last night while assisting in hospital I was about to apply spirit to a patient's heels, as is the usual practice, when the staff nurse told me that she did not like it used and that it had been banned in most hospitals as 'it causes C A under the sk in '. I presumed that she meant cancer

I should therefore like to know the opinion of the Brigade's advisers on the use of spirit in general. Should we refrain from using it on chafed hands and feet in danger of blistering, and for cleaning the skin before injections? Is the use of witch hazel suspect? Ought we to discourage the use of Eau de Cologne on the skin?

Shoreham -b.l'- Sea N. C. Ingle

Medical Branch replies:

Spirit, ie Ethyl Alcohol, was used for many years as a sterilizing' agent. both for surgical instruments and for the skin, but it is now known that it is not particularly effective. Its use on the skin prior to injection can be defended in as much as the spirit removes grease. which includes a number of skin organisms, but it in no way sterilizes. Spirit does not, however, cause cancer in or under the skin. so there is no reason why it should not be applied as a soothing agent in the form of witch hazel or Eau de Cologne.

CADET AWARDS

from S. Wastell, Divisional Superintendent

Having until recently been Divisional Superintendent of an Ambulance Cadet Division, I would heartily endorse any suggestion for raising the val ue of the Grand Prior's Badge to its true level both in the eyes of the general public and our own organisation.

To change its name to the Queen's Award, as suggested by S. C. Bishop, Area PRO (Review Jan), may be a step in the right direction but let's take it further.

I. Widen the range of Proficiency subjects and make them more adventurous; youngsters thrive on the challenge of 'controlled' risk

2. Who, other than those involved with cadets. can recognise the Proficiency Badge worn on a cadet's upper left arm for what it is? It needs to be redesigned and identified.

3. When the G.P's Badge has been finally earned, and it takes a minimum of 4 years, why not a formal ceremony at St. John's Gate twice a year. similar to that for admission to the Order? I am sure any Knight of the Order would be delighted to officiate.

The Cadets earn their award. Let them see that the Brigade and the Order recognise the fact.

Feltham Combined Division S. Wastell

DOES THE NAME COUNT'?

from G. H. G. Tilling

I have had a Grand Prior's Badge for thirty -s even years. Please don't make me call it something else. All the people who need to understand it, do. And if a lot of people don't understand it, don't mind.

I sympathise with the PRO (Review Jan) because it is his job to get publicity and I expect his argument is right. But let's leave this name as it is.

London, SE21

BGR

AMENDMENTS

from M. V. Moring, Divisional Officer/Secretary

G. H. G. Tilling

The idea to reprint amended pages of Brigade General Regulations and issue them with Brigade Orders is good in theory. Unfortunately it does seem to fall short of the ideal in practice, in my location anyway.

Since reprint pages started to be issued my Division has received no more than one issue and then only one copy of each page. I was fortunate enough to get some extra copies of the other amended pages from Supplies Dept, but they apparently do not have ALL the reprints.

I did not know until the end of November last that there was issued a complete Appendix (App. u.) on radio equipment and have still been

READERS VIEWS

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor , although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen - name , writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

unable to obtain a copy of this amendment: a sorry state of affairs when you realise that our Division has eight R T sets.

One reprint per Division would seem inadequate, anyway, when you consider that BGR states that the Divisional Superintendent, Divisional Secretary and all the officers should possess a copy of Regulations (kept up to date). This would mean our Division should receive eight copies at least of each reprint page.

Before am told that it would be impossible to supply each Division its correct needs, let me say that I fully appreciate this. What] am complaining about is that additional supplies are not readily available: r suspect because the original print order is far too low Supplie s Dept know how many copies of BGR have been printed, therefore the printing order for each reprint page should be comparable. One copy would be distributed as of present for the obligatory divisional copy of Reg's, the remainder available at Supplies Dept for collection upon request. There would be wastage, of course, becauste many Di v ision s would not bother to request their additional copie s, but at least every holder of Reg 's would have been given the opportunity to keep them up to date. It may be possible for County HQs to put in bulk orders for their own Divisions.

If cost is the main oppressor, and I don t believe in this instance it is (the majority of the cost of producing reprint pages is in the preparation. thus 10,000 copies does not cost 10 times the cost of 1,000 copies), then surely it is more economical to return to the previous system whereby amendments to Reg 's were produced as part of Brigade Orders, for altering by hand or pasting into interleaved copies of BGR's

I am not criticising the present system, as stated earlier; in theory it is more positive than its predecessor, but it seems to fall down on it implementation. It must be of paramount importance to ensure that all changes in the governing rules of our Foundation reach the ears (and eyes) of all concerned in their application, because as BGR 74 points out 'The plea of ignorance cannot be accepted as an excuse for nonobservance'

Southend M. V. Moring

OFFICER RANKS

from Ian R. Buckmaster, Divisional Officer

During a recent discussion with a prospective officer in our Divi s ion on the subject of the various ranks of officers, he made the point that our 'hierarchy' is unnecessarily complicated so far as designations are concerned. For instance, the wearer of a crown and one star could be the holder of anyone of a number of different posts , all of which hav e different rank titles: e.g. Area Superintendent, Area Surgeon, District/ County Staff Officer (Grade IT), or District/Co unty Nursing

Officer (to name but a few!).

Is it not time. therefore. that we ration al ise d the titles accorded to each rank. so that thi s so rt of confusion is avoided.

One s uggestion might be to use titles as set out below, adding words such as 'Surgeon' or '(Starn' as appropriate: Present Grade

"' IV V Title Proposed Assistant Commissioner Chief Superintendent Superintendent Divisional Officer

Assistant Divisional Officer, Class I VI Assistant Divisional Officer , Class 2

These titles would apply to ALL officers of the appropriate grade, regardless of the appointment held. Similar changes would be made at the 'in - Chief level, also.

r put these suggestions forward for consideration, and would be interested to learn what others think about the idea.

Rom/ord Ian R. Buckmaster

CHALLENGE!

from Jack D. Smith, Divisional Secretary

This June we of Caterham Ambulance Division shall be proudly taking part in the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Her Maje s ty Queen Elizabeth II, as we did for the Sil ve r Jubilee of HM King George V in 1935 and for the Diamond JubiJee of HM Queen Victoria on 22 June 1897. On that occasion, ten of our men and two of our nursing members manned the ambulance station at the south end of London Bridge

We have served Caterham and districts far aneld continuously si nce we were founded in 1894 . We are 83 years of age and we ning down a white glove of challenge: We are the oldest serving Division 0/ the St. John A mbu/ance Brigade in the south 0/ Eng/and.

Ken/e.1', Surre.1 ' Jack D. Smith

PERSONAL CARD

from W. H. Goodall, Ambulance Member

I enclose a card (reproduced), issued at 5p each to patients who have had a laryngectomy, which members are likely to come across as more such operations are performed.

We are familiar with Medicare bracelets, diabetic and other special cards: this one is not only explicit as to what the patient has (or has not!) but also gives very explicit instructions for artincial respiration.

Perhaps you would publish it to advise all who may find someone, not necessarily requiring artificial respiration, but who has difficulty in

• EMERGENCY. lAM A LARYNGECTOMEE

II have no Vocal Cords) I breathe through an opening in the NECK NOT through the NOSE OR MOUTH If ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION IS necessery :-

1 Keep neck opening cle8r of all matter.

2 Don ttwisl head sideways

3 Apply oxygen only to neck opening

4 Don throw water over head or neck

5 Mouth - to - OPENING Ire8tment is effective PTO

expressing themself by word of mouth: although careful listening and a modicum of lip - reading will make it possible to communicate, especially if, as recently, such a person was the only eye witness to a sudden attack causing a collapse of a near relative.

May I say how much I enjoy the Review One can never be sure what is going to appear (Editor:!). but my wife and I find it of much interest, help and encouragement.

East Finchle.l'

MY GREAT UNCLE

Hi s name is on a plaque. dated 18 April 1900. at the H oly Trinity Church. Southport. in memory of those who died And r believe hiS photograph. in Orderly's uniform. is sti ll in Standard Seven class room at Hol y Trinity School. Southport. I sti ll have his medal. which has 'Orderly Arthur Mar sden. SJ AB' on its edge. Southport R obert P Marsdel/

BOYS AS GOOD AS GIRLS

from A shy Ambulance Cadet

I am an ambulance cadet and think ambulance cadets should be able to enter nur si ng competitions. as boys are just as good as girls at bed making. etc. This s also useful to ambulance cadets who want to be male nur ses

What do other cadets think ?

HOW MANY NOTICED?

from L. J. Nudds, Divisional Superintendent

Reference the photo g raph (Jan 77) of Southport Div Supt (R) Harr y Pinch (page 23). how many readers noticed that the picture is printed in rever se, with ribbon s, haversack. etc. on the right side instead of the left?

Norwich

Editor: None I hope.

from S. C. Bishop, Area PRO

W. H Goodall

from Robert P. Marsden, Sgt. and Hon. Sec. Southport Centre

1 have just come across the article When the Brigade first went to War (Review Dec 75). My great uncle, Arthur Marsden, of the Holy Trinity Division, Southport, was one of the sixty Brigade members who did not return from Bloemfontein.

L. J Nubbs

Further to the letter (Jan 77) about the St. John Family poster. the ambulance cadet uniform is also incorrect. It should have badge 3654 on the right breast pocket. The se r geant appears to have left his first aid equipment at home, and I wonder how many one star officers are not divisional transport officers, he's not an SRN. no red bar. and no 'T' for transport officer.

And now I must s mack your hand, Mr. Editor. I refer to (Jan Review) page 22. top left photo. and page 23. bottom left photoboth are printed in reverse! All the best.

COI 'entn'

Sid Bishop Editor: H'mmm

LEAVING

from William Thorpe, ASO (Cadets)

Within the next few months my family and I are migrating to Australia. I have read the Review for over 15 yea rs and found it to be a great eye -opener to all the different aspects of St. John. both here and abroad. Becau se various duties are not undertaken by you r own division. one hould not close one eyes to the fact that they are being carried ou elsewhere.

The very best wishes for all future work on the Review. and may the potential of every officer of every division prove successful.

Ha/({a x, W. YorA.s Wiliam Thorpe

HELP!

from J. A. Booty, Divisional Superintendent

As a result of a letter in the Review a few months ago we obtained some secondhand ambulance cadet shirts, but we should also be pleased to hear from any division with some old-style nursing cadet dresses for disposal.

Northwold Quad. Division

42 School Lane, Northwold, Thetford, Norfolk J. A. Booty

HELP!

from J. J. Matthews, Corps Superintendent

For some time we have been raising money to buy replacements for the two ambulances run by this corps. We cannot aspire to new vehicles. but hope to obtain two similar vehicles which are in good condition - but. having raised the funds, we cannot find the ambulance.

If any readers can help. I should be grateful if they would write to me.

57 Naunlon Park Rd Cheltenham, Glos. J. 1. Matthell's

A Shy Cadel

General Assembly

THIS year the General Assembly will be held in Perth on June 24. To coincide with it an exhibition on the work of the Order, on a somewhat smaller scale than that in Edinburgh last summer, will be mounted in the Perth Art Gallery . The gallery is very near to where the assembly will be held and members of the Order ought to be able to visit it. It is proposed to hold the annual festivals of 1978 and 1979 in Edinburgh and Fife respectively.

The Regions

The Edinburgh committee has linked up w1th the Hospital Broadcasting Service and is paying for the hire of the telephone lines. The Perth committee is giving close support to the Glenshee Ski Rescue Service and a combined committee is being formed , under a St. John chairman eMr. M. M. Cruickshank), of representatives of our Order the Venture Scouts and the Chairlift Company. The committee of the Highland Re gion is supporting the Search and Rescue D og Association. At the annual general meeting of the Central Region the Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair made an eloquent and moving speech on the problems of loneliness - of young people in a new environment of young married women and of the elderly. At the annual genera l meeting of the Fife association Mr. D. W. Law gave a talk on the organisation of the Denn y St. John cadets.

WALES

officer-in-charge of the Gwent cadet party which recently went to Preston in a SJA cadet exchange visit. (Photo: South Wales Argus)

(Right) Wales County Cadet Officer Ernest Williams at the Berlin HQ of JohanniterUnfall-Hilfe

A party of cadets of the Priory for Wales, led by County Cadet Officer Ernest Williams and Divisional Officer Vince Hawkins, visited the Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales in West Germany from January 5 to II. The visit was organised by Mr. J. P Harries, Chief Training Officer for Wales to further the close links between the Battalion and the St. John Ambulance movement in Wales. The Division within the Royal Regiment of Wales was founded in 1970 by Cpl. D J. Hughes, OStJ, who holds the appointment of Divisional Superintendent. The division is thought to be the only one of its kind in the Regular Army

Dur ng their stay. which was planned to be both educational and entertaining, the cadets were shown many aspects of the life in Berlin. A highlight of their stay was a visit to the Headquarters of the German equivalent to St. John Ambulance, Johanniter ·U nfall Hilfe (photo above), where they were shown items of equipment used in the city and had the full sco pe of the operation explained to them On return to Aldershot later this year, the Battalion hopes to establish even firmer relations with St. John in the United Kingdom.

MOST of us are now aware that 19 76 saw the bicentenary of the American War for Independence. One of the many events which took place to celebrate this occasion was Project B.I.C.E.N. - an AngloAmerican exchange programme between 26 students from Kent, England and Delaware U.S.A. The main purpose of the project was for each student to prepare a historical re search paper on a topic connected with the American Revolutionary Period, 1764 - 1789. These papers have now been collated and published in America.

As a member of St. John, and as a prospective medical student, I chose to research into the first aid and medical facilities for soldiers during the American War for Independence. In the course of my research, I discovered some startling facts about medical care in Revolutionary America.

At that time, a doctor's education consisted simp ly of one or two years' apprenticeship to a senior physician - only a tenth of all colonial doctors had received any formal medical education. Anatomical dissection of human bodies by medical students was then considered highly immoral, so dissections were carried out on animals. Added to which, there was a chronic shortage of textbooks; so the average colonial doctor began his career with very little knowledge of basic anatomy, pathology or pharmacology. Far from being an intelligent and well -educated member of society, the 18th -c entury physician was frequently little more than a 'quack'.

The poor standard of medical care resulting from this is reflected in the military statistics of the War for Independence; for each soldier who died in battle, there were

National First Aid Competitions

Police,

held London, Feb. 16

MILITARY MEDICINE 200 YEARS AGO

nine who died of disease. Paradoxically, the majority of these diseases were contracted in the military hospitals themselve s. One surgeon wrote that' hospitals are among the chief causes of sickness and death in our army.' Many of the hospitals were either makeshift shacks or converted public buildiligs, such as schools or churches. The 'beds' were straw pallets on the ground and frequently several patients would be crowded onto one bed. Usually, the wounded soldiers were placed among those dying of disease , and although the germ theory was yet to be discovered, the dangers of contagion were well known. It came as little surprise to the surgeons when whole regiments were wiped out within a few weeks, for in the insanitary and overcrowded conditions, once one patient was st ruck with an infectious disease, there was little chance of the others escaping it. One doctor reported that he had known , from four to five patients to die on the same straw before it was changed, and that many of them had been admitted only for sligh t disorders.'

The major killer diseases at the time were typhus, typhoid, dysentry, yellow fever and smallpox. These were all thought to be caused by the body fluids (o r 'hu mours')that is, blood, lymph and bile - becoming 'putrefied' by heat and contaminated air.

Physician s reasoned that these putrefied humours were doing the body more harm than good and must therefore be drastically reduced in volume. A variety of sadistic arts were practised, under the general heading of

N. IRELAND

'excavation', including bloodletting, blistering, sweating and vomltlDg.

Bloodletting was often performed by placing leeche s on the patient's temples or behind the ears.

As well as excavation, a selection of strange drugs, thought to have an anteseptic effect on the body fluids, were administered. For example, a patient suffer1ng from typhus might be given vinegar, rhubarb, snake-root, and wine; although one doctor observed that , opium, in frequent and sometimes large doses, was more useful then wine .'

Considering these treatments, it is easy to infer that in the unlikely event of a patient surviving, it was probably in spite of, rather than because of, medical attention! In the words of one 18th -century cynic:

'The canon's shot and doctor 's pill

With equal aim are sure to kill.'

So much for disease. As first - aiders, we might expect the treatment of wounds to be a less harmful process , involving simply the application of a sterile dressing. But in the 18th century, the concept of sterile techniques did not exist, and no attempts were made to ensure cleanliness when treating wounds. Consequently, infection was common, and what would today be described as a minor cut would frequently lead to the loss of a limb. The comforts of anasthaesia were in the future: these were the day s of 'on-the-spot' amputations, where a shocked, agonized soldier would be held down by his compatriots while the surgeon sawed the limb otT with a dirty knife and sealed the wound with boiling oil. This, then, was the state of medicine two hundred years ago. Having discovered some of the horrors undergone by doctors and patients at this time, I have sworn never to complain again of the inconvenience of an injection or the discomfort of a 'Band -Aid '! Patricia Greenhalgh, (Nursing member, Cheriton division).

At Cefn Cribwr Cadet Division's golden Jubilee dinner, Treasurer Arnold Tellem (left) presented a watch to Mr. D Teif Davies Deputy Commissioner, Mid-Glamorgan, for his work with the Division Mr Davies father applied to form the Ambulance Cadet Division in 1925

News from Divisions/Centres

D ivi sion s by h e May o r of C amd en , Alderman Arth u r S o utter. (photo J Wo o dward Each Finc hley )

LONDON - Although No. 398 Combined Divi s ion , Mini str y of Defence (Central Area), ha s been operating less than six months, about 100 members and friends attended their first social event - a Valentine's celebration buffet - on Feb. 12.

Member - in char g e Frank Catania welcom e d everyone, Div. Sec. David Wag s taff was ma s ter of ceremonie s and nur s in g supervisor Mrs. Maureen Reynolds and Holborn detachment organiser Miss Debbie Teodorini were in charge of the buffet.

Entertainer s included Maggie May. ju s t back from California , Martine Melvin , Kell y Gordon (with the audience joining in oldet y me s in g ing). while David Wag s taff arranged the cabaret.

The Valentine Survival draw was made by Nursing Officer P amela Swift who has agreed to take the division's first home nursing course. Fulham Division was repre sented by Supt. Mrs E E. Belsham.

Everyone seems to have had a great time

The y want to know if other London divisions would like to join them for their next evening of fun

OBITUARY

Mr. A. J. Harris, 87, retired President North Worcester Area Joined Dudley Ambulance Divi s ion in 1914. Founded division s in Netherton ( 1920 s) and Kinver (early 1930s). Later Corps Superintendent. Officer Brother. Brigade personnel from four counties attended his funeral on Feb. 10.

Major James Kilshaw, MBE TD , MSc A II p, A R PS, Staff Officer to the Commander, Greater Manchester. Ex RASC and Ro y al Army Medi c al Corps; later Man c he ster Royal Infirmary. Serving Brother. Died suddenl y at home Decembe r 13 , 1976.

Miss Lily Morrison, retired Divisional Officer Bexley Nursing Division. Joined Woolwich Nursing Division in 1943. Well known at the Royal Albert HaJl and Earl s Court. In 1969 performed 1,086 duty hours. Servin g Sister Died February to. Edwin Reid, 47 , Derwent Area StafT Officer. Ser v ing Brother. Died at home in Chesterfield on February 6.

UNDER £10 Bring-and-Buy

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.4 (77)

Compiled by W A Poner

Across

I. Discharge from a raw ulcer surface upsets choir. (S). 4. Salt solution more dilute than normal physiological saline. (9). 9. Type of medication enclosing an organ. (7). 10. Sin cult provides medication to allay a cough. (7) 11. Emotional state. (4) 12. Organ of photosynthesis in plants. (4). 13. An agreeable smell from a European capital. (S). 16. Two sailors on neglected teeth. (6). 17. Carl is in set producing an infectious fever. (7) 19. A girl to take to court. (3). 21. Bone from sea - bird in 17 Down. (7) 22. Congregate together to become purulent. (6). 2S. Good marks for blood -sucking parasites. (S). 27. Depression. (4). 28. Climate contributing to development of rheumatic disorders. (4). 30. Drum used by embroiderers is given by a doctor in tour. (7). 32. Each pit in the vessels of the liver. (7) 33 Our M.O. held to stye. (9). 34. Agglutination reaction used in diagnosis of typhoid fever. (S).

Down

I. Parasite of scabies. (4 -4). 2. Doctors oath. (11). 3. A dissolute man (4).4. Listed as the cobbler did? (6). S Not one of the Indians because of shock? (4-4) 6. Beverage around in ringworm. (S). 7. A lousy egg? (3).8. So talc becomes cartilages in thoracic cage. (6). 14. Sincere and generous as a patient undergoing cardiac surgery? (4 - 7). IS. Where one would look for 7 Down. (4). 17 Add an arithmetical problem . (3 ). 18. Breed the posterior part. (4). 19. Haemorrhage leading to cerebral compression. (8). 20. Diseases including yellow fever , cholera , plague , and typhUS. (8) 23. Suture for a pain in the side (6). 24. The man for a song from the church choir. (6). 26. Weight is a cause"of renal colic (S). 29. Vomit. (4). 31. Spoil fractured arm (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.3 (77)

Across:

I. Adeps; 4. Seediness ; 9. An atom.y; 10. Aneurin; 11. M.aim ; 12 Unit; 13. Stiff; 16. A.taxi.a; 17. Delivery; 19. Aim; 20. Hair-line; 21. In.ward; 24 Unnas; 26. Ills; 27. Puny ; 29. Tor.men.t; 31. Mascara ; 32. Siderosis; 33. Shank.

Down: 1. Anaemia; 2. Examination; 3. Show ; 4. Saying ; S. Exanthem ; 6 Items; 7 Ear; 8. Sandfly ; 14. Ipecacuhana; IS Pill ; 17. Die; 18 Inns; 19. A.ngi.it.is; 20. Haustus; 22. Dry pack; 23 S.lump.s; 2S.

HISTORIC MALTA VIEWS

VOLUME &0 No.1

Right now her finger needs suturing. In the weeks it will nee d a Tubular Bandage.

Seton Tubular Bandages come in a full range of types and sizes that are ideal for holding most kinds of dressings in place on any part of the body.

They are so much quicker to apply than traditional bandages, saving valuable staff time.

Money too is saved, since less actual bandaging material is required.

The finished bandage is much less bulky, therefore more comfortable and there are no loose threads to snag or catch.

The three qualities of bandage are the water repellent Tubiton, the lightweight rayon Tubinette and the standard cotton Tubegauz.

A free, full colour wall chart is available on request.

If you would like to see our 16mm colour film entitled "Its Quicker by Tube '; please contact Guild Sound & Vision Ltd., Sponsored Sales Division, 85/129 Oundle Road , Peterborough PE2 9PY. See our new colour catalogue for detailed information about all Seton products. If you don 't have one to hand we will be happy to send you one. A demonstration of how the products are applied can be arranged on request. Write to Seton Products Limited, Tubiton House , Medlock Street, Oldham 0L13HS Tel. 061-652 2222.

HISTORIC MALTA VIEWS

122

Ph o tog r aph compe tit io n b ac k co v e r

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Edi te d a nd p rod u ced or t h e Ord e o f St Jo hn b y Dris co ll Pr oductio ns, W o o d Cott ag e, H igh Corn e r, Sutle y, Nr W oo d bri dge, Suffo k P1 2 3 QF

Phon e: Orfo rd (S t d 0 3 9 4 5) 5 48 Ed o r : Frank Dr scoll.

Adv e rt ising, dis p lay and c assifie d at es o n requ es rom D riscoll Produc ions.

Price 2 6 p mo nth ly. £ 3 60 per an num n c lu di ng postage ro m Revie

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief

FOOTBALL pools and rock pools are excluded from all that follows. With these exceptions, pools are of two kinds: there are pools with an inlet and an outlet; and there are stagnant pools. The former are in a state of continuous activity , being fed by springs that keep a stream of fresh water flowing through them to irrigate the land and help to keep it green and fertile in times of drought; the latter are motionless, murky and uninviting.

To which kind, I wonder, does your county pool belong? Some of our county pools are most certainly of the first kind, and the contribution that they make to the sum total of service rendered by the Brigade is quite incalculable. But there are also, alas, county pools so stagnant that Brigade members recoil with horror at the thought of joining them and would even resign rather than suffer such a fate. This ought not to be, and it is indeed quite unnecessary, for it shows that we don't always use our county pools as they are intended to be we allow them to stagnate instead of feeding them with the springs of incentive and opportunity that can keep them in a state of activity and enable them to help maintain the 'flow' of St. John service throughout the county ,as a whole, especially at difficult times when other sources of'flow' are apt to be running a bit dry.

If you look at BGR 115 you'll see that there are five main groups of Brigade members who may belong to the county pool. Four of these groups consist of people whose membership of the pool is likely, for one reason or another, to be fairly transitory; while one group (actually the first that appears in the list) consists of people "whose membership is likely to last for several years, and they are described as 'officers who relinquish their appointment but wish to continue active membership of the Brigade in their existing rank', The majority of these are officers of continued on

Miss St. John 1977

No

No.

the finalists

CENTENARY year's Miss St. John 1977 competItIOn, open to all adult

personnel serving in UK divisions, produced 12 finalists from the

competitions. Entries had to have at least two years efficient Brigade service, and to have given a notable long -term contribution to SJ A or performed a single act of exceptional service to mankind

No.

No

No 7 Region:

A good-looking lot of gals they are too; five of the 12 are married, you'll notice.

Our Miss St. John 1977 will be chosen at a press and TV evening on May 30 at the Cunard International Hotel, Hammersmith (guests by invitation only, we're afraid). The winner's prize is a holiday in Malta. Results will be published in the June Review. Make your choice now.

No. 11 Region

No

Priory for

No

Commandery

and New York Nursing care of these pat ients can be very difficult in an aircraft. p sychiatric cases again formed a major part of our work and involved air attendants in some rather unusual situations. Under this heading are included drug addicts and alcoholics.

Air Attendants

G-AWNU

19 7 6 PROD UCED the largest growth rate in the SJ A Aeromedical Service since its foundat ion. 94 flights, repatriating 101 patients , were undertaken This involved 1,001 hou rs 51 minutes flying time, over a distance of a p p r oximately 422,400 milesthe equ ivalen t of nea rly 18 times round the world ! To achieve this incredible coverage volunteer (u n paid) SJA Air Attendants gave 3 410 ho urs of t heir time, including 84 nights away fr o m home.

Flights

1. Air Ambulanc e 1 9 A ir Ambulance nights were undertak en, which is· slightly less than for 197 5. T he total number of flights by this sect io n since its formation in September

19 72 is 66.

A notable day during last year was June 30 when he aeromedical control room rece iv ed two requests for rapid emergency flight s within hours of each other. Four air attendant s were mobilised at very short noti ce a nd t wo HS 125 aircraft chartered.

Wi hin h o ur s both patients were repatriated to the U K , one from Ibiza with severe head inj urie s, the second from Corfu with internal haem o rrh age.

T wo patients were repatriated on c o n tinu o us venti lation, one from Finland , the o t her fro m the South of France. We later repatri ate d t hi s second patient to Australia. The gift o f an auto m atic venti lator in 1975 enabl ed th e air atte ndants to s uccessfully undert a ke these repat riatio n s.

A fu rt he r two flights required cardiac

monitoring equipment and the availability of a defibrillator. This equipment was obtained on loan and it is hoped to raise sufficient funds during 1977 to purchase our own ECG and defibrillator. Electronic pulse monitors were donated in December 1976.

During 1976 the SJ A Aeromedical Service again received excellent service from Thurston Aviation, AA Aviation and McAlpine Aviation, who chartered us aircraft ranging from Aztecs to H S 125 s, often at very short notice.

It is anticipated that 1977 will see a large increase in this part of our work, particularly in the Middle East following approaches by companies in 1976.

2 Sc hedul ed Flig h ts As forecast in the 1975 report. there was a rapid expansion in escort work on scheduled airlines during 1976. The number of nights increased from 21 in 1975 to 75, and this rate of growth is expected to be maintained in 1977.

Escort duties during the year were undertaken to or from Japan, Indonesia, Australia, USA, India Bangladesh, Israel, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Nigeria, Zaire, Tunisia , Malta , Sicily, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, East and West Germany , Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Majorca, Ibiza, Canary Islands, Turkey, Finland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France and Eire.

Athens was the most visited place by air attendants, with eight repatriations to UK during the year. On short haul routes the

largest number of repatriations was to or from France (19), on long haul routes the USA (6).

1976 saw the first link-up between the St. John Aeromedical services in the UK and Australia. A patient repatriated to the UK from the South of France on an air ambulance flight was subsequently escorted to Melbourne and met by the St. John air ambulance service in South Australia. who flew the patient to Adelaide.

Patients

101 patients were carried. Their diagnoses were roughly as follows:

Accidents

Abdominal

Cardiac & circulatory

Cerebral

Chest

Midwifer y & gynae Psych iatric

Infective hepatitis Mi scellaneous

Accident cases ranged from single fractures to patients with multiple fractures and in coma. Commonest was lower limb fracture, followed by head injuries. Several patients had tracheotomies and intravenou S infusions to care for in flight.

The commonest cardiac case was again the myocardial infarct. one patient being repatriated with a faulty pacemaker.

Cerebral cases were mainly cerebrovascular accidents with accompanying hemiplegia. a number in coma. Some of these patient s required repatriation over long haul routes such as Brisbane, Chittagong

This voluntary service is fortunate to have an enthusiastic group of volunteer unpaid air attendants There are 90 on the current reg ister , consisting of 60 doctors and nurses , and 30 lay members. 44 air attendants undertook flights in 1976 giving 3,410 hours of their time.

This type of work is highly specialised and it is normal practice to use a doctor or nurse as escort on every flight. On air ambulance flights, lay members fly as the number two or three air attendant, acting as assistants to the doctors and nurses.

All air attendants receive aeromedical training and are required to attend annual revision courses. 19 of the 60 professionally qualified members are physician s or surgeons cover ing a range of specialitie s. The aeromedical service now has its own advisers in industrial medicine, cardiology. psychiatry obstetrics. paediatrics burns orthopaedics and general surgery. Five members also ha ve the Certificate in Aviation Medicine The majorit y of the 41 male and female nurses have additional qualifications usually SCM or RMN. Several are experienced in inten sive care nursing.

At no time have we been unable to provi de a n air attendant when requested to do so, even at short notice. Thi s is a credit to the members most of whom are in full -time employment.

As mentioned earlier in this report several rapid emergency fli g hts took place. and although the number of air ambulance flights decreased the severity of the patients' conditions resulted in greater use of HS 125 aircraft. The increase in schedule flight work resulted in more air attendants being away from work for several days; a number went without sleep for long periods when caring for patients on intercontinental flights.

One air attendant had to appear before a judge in the New York Supreme Court to obtain the release of a ps yc hiatric patient. This same air attendant also spent a night in Athens with a patient who insi sted on singing and dancin g throughout the night. Another member had only five hours rest in a Singapore hotel on a duty from London to Djakarta and back Yet another had a Code 3' hair -raising ambulance journey through Los Angeles

Air attendants were frequently called to sort out situations at foreign aIrports, and collect patients from foreign hospitals several mile s from the airports.

Overnight accommodation for air attendants abroad varied from the five star hotel to hostels of a somewhat doubtful quality. Lack of sleep and disruption of the Circadian cycle were common.

I n addition to the flights undertaken there were man y that were cancelled after tentative arrangements had been made , with air attendants s tanding by for several day s before cancellation.

Christmas 1976 involved arrangement s for a flight, which resu lted in a Manchesterbased air attendant flying to Las Palmas and back on Boxing Da y.

Training and Equipment

Aeromedical training days were held in London and Epping during the year. Our lecturers at the se training days included Air Vice Mar s hal P. O'Connor , CB OBE. QHP , MD, BCh , FRCP, FRCPsych DPM; Wing Commander M. G. P. Fisher. BA. MB BChir, DOb st RCOG. DCH DipAvMed : Sgt. J Logan, RMN, RAF; Dr. 1. McLaren MB. ChB. DIH. British Airway s: Miss J. Fleming. SRN. British Airways: Mr. K Walker. FRCS; and Capt. E. Thurston We are grateful to all our lecturers for their support and encouragement.

New equipment continues to be purchased and new bases have been opened at the Hert s and Essex Ho s pital. Bis hops Stortford. for Stan sted Airport. and at Stapleford Airport. A third base will be opened in early 1977 at Luton Airport. Finance is still needed for so me of the more expensive items of equipment; an electronic infusion re gu lator an additional electric aspirator. a cardioscope and defibrillator must be purchased in 1977 to cope with our increasing commitments.

Administration

Mr. George Woodhill became the service's first full -time administrator in April 1976 on his appointment as Director of Aeromedical Services

Both the Director and Hon Technical Adviser (Mr. Derek Clark) hav e attended meetings with nation a l and international companies throughout the yea r. There ha s been a notable increase in work for major tour operators and sh ippin g companies in 1976. The Foreign Office Consular Department remains our largest user.

Derek Clark spent one month during the early part of 1976 working with the St. John Aeromedical Servi ce in South Australia. making arrangements to link up with our own service in the UK when neces sa ry (See Rev iew , Jul y and August 1976). The first com bined operation took place in ] une.

Towards the end of 1976 work started on a new co ntrol room and the installation of a dditional telephones More sophi ticated communications equipment will be essential in the near future, in particular a Telex

Summary (1975 figures in brackets)

Total flight s 94 (44).

Air ambulance 19 (23).

Scheduled 75 (21).

Total flying hours 1001.51 (270.10).

Mile s flown 422,400 (74,884). Nights away from home 84 (13).

Patients escorted 101 (51).

Air attendants on register 90 (67).

Air attendants used 44 (35).

Hours away from home 3,410 (970).

Ai r a mbulan ce. Companies used: Thurston. AA and McAlpine Aviation.

Airli nes use d British Airways, Quantas, Alitalia. Britannia British Caledonian , Sabena, Iberia, East African , Zambia , KLM, Olympic. Aer Lingus , Singapore , Air France, Dan Air, EI AI , SAS, British Midland, Bangladesh Bimon and Indian Airline s

As well as the organisation and administration of air attendant duties. the Aeromedical Service is also responsible for providing ambulances for transporting patient s to and from hospitals and airports. Also patients who are unable or do not wish to fl y are transported to and from the Continent by road ambulance. or by rail and sea with a St. J oh n escort.

1976 saw the continued development of an efficient back -up organisation from the Counties for this ancillary but essential aspect of the Aeromedical Service. During the yea r SJ A road ambulance drivers and attendants were drawn from 15 Counties to convey 82 patients on journeys totalling 11.731 miles. Some very favourable comment on the handling of patients by these 'SJ A crews, in some cases from one i nten sive care unit to another. came from doctors and nurses on air ambulance flights. Two Counties used by the Aeromedical Ser vice recentl y introduced regular training course for Brigade members (both men and women) in all aspects of ambulance duties It is hoped more Counties will do the same. Help and co -operation in providing road ambulances also came during the year from the Sovereign Military Order in Eire. by the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association in Scotland. and local authorities in England. Of the seven escort missions during 1976. probably the most outstanding involved bringin g a partially paralysed patient from Mala ga (southern Spain) to Nottingham by rail and sea. The journey involved two days and ni g hts on trains. changing stationswhen local ambulances were used - at Madrid and Paris. As there was a delay of seve ral hours between trains at Madrid, the patient was a dmitted to hospital for that period When the patient reached London the escort. who had been on continuous duty for 61 hour. was relieved for the final leg of the jou rne y to Nottingham.

Frequently used by the service. this Thurston Aviation Islander can carry 3 stretcher cases and 2 attendants

FIRST SJA TREE

Was SJA Herne Bay the first to plant a tree for centenary year?

Members of Herne Bay Combined and Nursing Cadet Divisions met on February 26 in the entrance drive of Campfield Old Peoples Home where the flowering cherry tree was duly planted by the town's Mayoress Cadets later planted twelve rose bushes in the same area.

CLOSED

The Conn aught Hospital, which served the Walthamstow, London, district for 99 years, closed its doors for the last time on January 31. Sad news.

The Hospital Secretary has written Thank You to the Chief Commander for all the help the hospital has received over the years from SJ A members of Willow Walk, Walthamstow , latterly under Corps Supt. T. Hurst. There's obviously been some very fine work done by members of Walthamstow. Thank you, everyone involved.

A DUTY

The following letter was received by the Corps Public Duty Officer, Guildford:

On Sunday, March 6, the Surrey Union Hunter Trials were held at my home and unfortunately there were several accidents to riders who came off their mounts. There was one particularly bad case, where a young girl was injured after a heavy fall when the horse landed on top of her. Her ribs were broken, puncturing the lungs, and it was

AWARDS

ORDER AWARD

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

discovered later that there was a hair line fracture of the skull.

The purpose of this letter is not only to thank you for the excellence of the turnout in the way of first aid facilities provided for the occasion, but to let you know that I have yet to see casualties handled in a more efficient and competent manner than those attended to by your staff on the day in question.

[ suppose, over the years, I have written various letters of commendation regarding individuals or groups of people who through their efforts have risen above the normal call of duty On some of these occasions it is easy for one to be swept away by writing words of exaggerated compliment. But when r write about your group of St. John Ambulance people who attended to the injured on that particular day and that includes them all, I have no hesitation in describing their efforts as magnificent. And that is precisely what I mean - magnificent.

I believe there is no doubt that were it not for the calm and professional manner with

January 1 to March 31 1977

BRIGADE AWARDS

Meritorious Service Certificate

Life Saving Medal in Bronze

Mr Willem Andreas Kolver, Prior y for South Africa

In rec ognitio n of his very gallant action on November 17 1974 when at continuous risk to his life he jumped from the esplanade at Three Anchor Bay Cape Peninsula, to the re scue of a man and two women whose innatable rubber dinghy had overturned. I t was high tide, the sea was very rough and the curren so strong that Mr. Kolver 's pro gress was inevi tabl y slow. On reaching the scene he managed to get the male victim on to the overturned dinghy but could find no trace of the

women. After further searching in vai n he managed to get the dinghy and male victim back to the sea wall where he sec ured the man with a rope passed down by bystanders and both rescued and rescuer were pulled up to safety.

ASSOCIATION AWADS

Meritorious First Aid Certificate

Police Constable J. D. Howard, Lancashire Constabulary.

Mrs R Stanley, Electricity Supply Ambulance Centre.

Area Staff Officer W. A. Edgar, SRN, SRMN, Londonderry Area, Commandery of Ards.

D ivisona Superintendent G. N. Thorne, Opotiki

Ambulance Cadet Division, Prio r y in New Zealan d. Ambulance Member N. F. Har greaves, Opotiki Ambulance and Nursing Division, Prior y in New Zealand.

Divisional Superintendent Mrs. G. Beckett, Abingdon Nursing Cadet Division, County of Oxford.

Divisional Officer Mrs. P. Grinter, Abingdon Nursing Cadet Division. County of Oxford.

Ambulance Member Stephen Humm , Abingdon Ambulance and Nursing Division County of Oxford

Cadet Corporal Paul Holland Chapel-en-Ie- Frith Ambulance Cadet Division, County of Derby.

Letter of Commendation

Ambulance Member Eric Walwyn. Macclesfield

Ambulance Division, County of Cheshire. Divi sional Superintendent Mrs. E. Harrott, Kingsand A, N, A l c and N!C Division, County of Cornwall.

Cadet Sergeant Ian Forsythe, Lymm Ambulance and Nursing Cadet Division, County of Cheshire.

Nursing Cadet Heather V. Jamieson , Bangor

Nursing Cadet Di visio n Commandery of Ards

Derbysh ire Commander, Col. Peter Hilton, presents the Meritorious Service Certlficate to 12-year-old Cadet Corporal Paul Holland (See AWARDS) Paul, finding a 6-year-old boy severely cut by glass, diagnosed a severed left radial artery to which he applied direct pressure, elevated the limb, and then got the boy to his home A doctor was called, who confirmed the injury and sent the boy to hospital. The doctor stated Paul saved the boy's life which they handled the case of the young lady, Miss Stead, she would not be alive today. One does not usually like to single out individuals, for what was after all a group effort, but it is difficult to write without mentioning in particular two of your young men who attended Miss Stead. I suspect that they had not been on a case of this severity before. It was not an easy task for them to help in the handling and care of such severe injuries. Many an old hand would have been forgiven for feeling uneasy and affected by the state of the casualty But those two youngsters were rock steady. They behaved like veterans. The driver of the ambulance, I believe, was also a young man, and he must have driven with great skill and dash to get to the hospital in what must have been record time.

It would please me greatly if you could convey, on behalf of myself and the Surrey Union Hunt, our congratulations to all ranks for such a splendid effort. You must be very proud of them.

Our Secretary will be sending a donation to the Brigade by separate post.

M. L. Hardingham (Major)

AGOOD LAUGH

BY THE EDITOR

MIND BENDERS

Answers : Upside down - are at the bottom of page 104 No cheating.

SJA STAMP

SJA centenary stamps are now being issued, r see, by Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man post offices. Mint sets, first day covers and a centenary presentation album are being handled for St. John Ambulance by SJA Stamps, I High Street, Worthing, Sussex, whose order form leaflet (write if you want another) was inserted in last month's Re view.

BROTHERLY LOVE

In the British Columbia Industrial First Aid Attendant magazine J read: The first aid teacher asked a small boy what he would do if his sister swallowed the door key. He thought about it for a moment, then said: 'I guess I'd climb through the window'.

KENNETH JOHNSON

Kenneth J Johnson, OBE, FHA, relinquished his post as administrator of the Hospitals and Medical Services Department of the Joint Committee on March 31 to enjoy a well earned retirement after 14 years dedicated service.

Respon sible for the administration of the committee's homes and institutions he successfully coped with the many problems facing those who provide residential care for the elderly and infirm.

He represented the Joint Committee on the management bodies of the various locally administered St. John and Red Cross settlements for paraplegics and the severely disabled.

Tn a wider field, Kenneth Johnson was a of the Whitley Council for Hospital Anctlhary Workers a co uncil he served with d" as chairman during a particularly dIffiCUlt period of office.

Prior to his service with the Joint

AFLOAT

STILLAFLOAT

Kenne th Johnson retires

Committee, Kenneth Johnson was house governor and secretary for the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley hospitals.

He is a Commander of the Order of St. John.

CHICKEN

The film being made by Bristol's Filton Cadet Division on the children's game Chicken, mentioned in this column recently, is now completed, [ hear. Chicken, as I understand it, is a game of do -or -die in which a boy stands in the path of an oncoming train until the last, safe moment to jump clear. Obviously, a dangerous pastime - for anyone. The plot of this film involves a boy, tormented by nightmares through the death of two of his mates, determined to prove he is not scared by agreeing to also play chicken. Events in the film are based on actual incidents.

The film, and another dealing with accidents, is available for free showing to divisions in the Bristol area from the DemLec Organisation, which has encouraged and helped Filton cadets in the production. Dem - Lec's secretary is Mr. J. Collins, 17 Southfield Road, Cotham, Bristol, phone (Sunday am onl y c / o Mrs Healey) Bristol 43916.

ROYAlTOURNAMENT

The Grand Prior will take the salute at The Royal Tournament Earls Court at the evening performance starting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 27 July. The Committee of the Royal Tournament have agreed that this should be regarded as a speci31 occasion for St. John Ambulance at which the work of the Brigade, who have provided first aid cover for so many years, will be publicly acknowledged.

It is hoped that the occasion will be supported by as many Divisions as possible. A discount of 10% is otTered on the price of tickets for parties of 10 or more. For seating plan and prices see page III this issue.

MAY 14

A model exhibition of trains, planes, etc, working and static displays , is being held at Reading Town Hall on Saturday, May 14 (lOam to 5 30pm) in aid of Reading Town 'B Division. Entrance: adults 3Op, children and OAPs 20p.

MIND BENDERS (answers)

divisions who , at the age of 65 and sometimes earlier give up their appointment so that a younger man or woman can be given the incentive of exercising leadership and receiving promotion - and this is a matter of tremendous importance But there will also be officers at every level of appointment (county , area, corps or division) who may for a variety of personal reasons be unable to continue carrying out the task for which they were appointed, but are still able to make a useful contribution to the service performed by the Brigade as a whole, and are anxious to continue doing so. If the county pool is not to become stagnant it is vital that its members should be made to feel wanted', that they should be given opportunities of performing useful service suited to their personal availability and individual qualifications and that they should be given all possible help in maintaining their annual efficiency.

The first essential

To enable this to be done , the first essential is that an officer should be designated to co - ordinate the Brigade activities of members of the county pool and to maintain their personal efficiency records. It may sometimes be easier if these two jobs are done by two ditTerent people, but that will depend on local circumstances what matters is that they should be DONE. Ideally, perhaps , the officer responsible for the county pool s hould be one of its members but if no such member is available the Commissioner may ask one of his staff officers to take it on. Whichever alternative is adopted, there's no need for any new warrant of appointment to be given, nor does it matter what rank or grade the officer happens to hold All that matters is that he or she should be known to be the county pool co -ordinator, should be able and willing to keep as close a contact as possible with 311 its members and should be keen to make a good job of it.

Co-ordi nation

The task of co -ordination is probably easier in a compact and populous district than in a sparsely populated rural county, but in each it is equ31ly important and in neither is it impossible. The co -ordinator will inevitably incur quite a bit of expense on postage and phone c31ls, and it's essential that he should keep a record of this and be reimbursed from county funds; it will undoubtedly be money well spent. The fOllowing suggestions may be helpful as guide-lines to co -ordinators but the details will vary from one county to another.

(A) The co -ordinator should keep an upto -date list of the names, addresses and phone numbers of all members of the county noting against each their most likely times, dates or periods of availability, and

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.97)

any special limitations to their availability. This will avoid much frustration, as well as waste of time and money.

(B) Public duty officers in particular and all other members of county and area statTs, should know that they can apply to the coordinator for extra help of many kinds (ie not onl y public duties) at times of special need. Of course, the longer notice they can give, the better chance there is of getting the help the y need

(C) Many of our members on county pool s are by definition 'pensioners', but perfectly able - bodied and capable of doing variou s types of public duty provided that the y have (if over 65) a medical certificate and their Commissioner's approval to rem a in on the Active List and (if over 70) they have special permission from the Commissioner -in - Chief to do so. They are often available for mid - week daytime duties which couldn't possibly be covered by those still in employment. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the large number of our members who already do a vast total of duties of this kind, and we couldn't possibly do without them; but we should be better otT still if all county pools were equally well coordinated in making use of their availability, so lon g as tact and common sense are applied in allocating suitable duties to each individual.

(D) Some members of county pools who are still in employment may be completely unavailable for weeks or even months at a time, and then have periods when they can help These may sometimes be very useful in helping to keep a division going during a vacancy or temporary absence (whether BOOK NOW

Have you booked for SJA's international get-together to be held at Mytchett, near Aldershot, August 12 to 21 7 As well as instruction in advanced first aid, trips have been arranged to such places as the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Greenwich, the Gate; there ll be sporting activities, dancing - in other words a good time for all. The all-in cost of this instruction holiday is about £20. Send in your application to your Commissioner without delay.

from illness or any other cause) of the superintendent or of a divisional officer, or even of a secretary or treasurer.

(E) A nother possible sphere of activity is the planning and organisation of speci31 training events, including adventure-training day s or weekends for older cadets and younger adult members. Someone who is old and wise in experience but young in mind and bod y can be a quite inv31uable helper on such occasions, and I can think of two such officers (one of either sex, and both of them pensioners') in my former county, without whose active and inspiring help many events of this kind would have been incomplete.

(F) It s hould be quite unnecessary to stres s the immense value of surgeons and nursing officers whose professional or personal commitments make it necessary for them to transfer, maybe temporarily, to the county pool. As well as these, there are bound to be some members who hold an Association lay demonstrator's certificate and more would probably qualify if encouraged to do so. All these can be most useful to Centre Secretaries and to divisions in helping with first aid courses; if they are pensioners' they can be an inv31uable source of help on industrial courses held during working hours. And even if they don't hold a lay demonstrator's certificate they can help at emergency aid sessions and in giving introductory talks on first aid, eg to Women s Institutes and in schools.

Annual efficiency and personal records Without some help over these matters, members of the county pool are apt to feel themselves very much 'out on a limb', and their co -ordinator should give them the sort of help normally given by a divisional secretary - keeping their BF4's up to date and ensuring that each member checks and initials them as correct at the end of every year; preparing the county pool's BF 1 and forwarding it to the County secretary; arranging for BF4's to be submitted for certification of efficiency and for the award of Service Medals or Bars; letting members know in good time the dates of reexaminations and annual inspections, so that they can choose a date when they will be a v ailable, and ensuring that they are expected on the date of their choice; in the case of re -examinations, giving them a copy of BF / BXR to fill in and hand to the person in charge of the re -examination (see final para. of BGR 120); and lastly, since members of the pool do not belong to a divi ion and may find it difficult or even impossible to attend the norm31 meetings of any division, helping them to ensure in advance that their 'comparable number of specific duties' referred to in BGR 94(AXc) are acceptable to their Commissioner or Area Commissioner for purposes of annual efficiency

(Photo Guernsey Press)

ON JULY 1 1976 I received a letter saying I had been selected to receive a sponsorship to attend the 1977 Cadet Camp at Perth in Western Australia. Fourteen other members of St. John, including two officers, from various parts of Britain and the Channel Islands received similar exciting news.

The first meeting for most of us was at the Leadership Training Convention at the RMAS Camberley on 30th October 1976, where we were presented to Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne.

The next meeting was 2 months later, 28th December, the day before we were due to fly off on the great adventure. We met at 50 Eaton Place, the St. John House Club and were taken to Headquarters, where we were shown a film of Perth, to give us an idea of what to expect and to whet our appetites for what was to come. After talks, advice, a good supper and generally a very enjoyable evening, we were taken back to Eaton Place to spend the last night in England for three weeks!

We were awakened next morning at 7 am and after breakfast we left in a mini-bus, together with a mound of luggage, for Heathrow Airport. There was still evidence of snow on the ground, but even more serious there was a thick fog descending and restrictions had been imposed on the motorway.

At about 9.30 am we checked in at Heathrow and handed over our passports. There was a bitter blow for one girl. She had the wrong type of passport and was told she could not go without getting a full one. Arrangements were then made to get her the

correct passport as soon as possible and we understood that she would get a later flight. What a disappointment for her!

The next set - back came as a result of the fog, which delayed the plane for several hours, and instead of taking off at 10.45 am we were not expected to leave until 3 pm. We eventually left the ground about 3.30 pm.

The Quantas 747B took us over Canterbury, Belgium, the tip of Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Istanbul, Turkey, Persia, Pakistan and India. The expected time of arrival in Perth was 5.15 pm Perth time (9.15 am GMT the following morning).

Quite soon after we boarded the plane, at about 4.33 pm GMT, the sun set. We landed at Bombay at midnight GMT, but it was 5.15 am Bombay time and already the temperature was 80°. We spent %hour there and nobody regretted re-boarding the plane as it was a very humid heat and we all hoped that it would not be the same in Perth.

During the flight we had a chance to go up to the cockpit and talk to the pilot. He showed us how the aircraft was operated, but unfortunately it was dark outside and we were unable to see any sights. We were flying at 33,000 feet. Not many of the group were able to sleep, indeed few got more than 3 hours' sleep.

The meals on the flight were very good but it seemed very odd to have an evening meal at about 2 am and breakfast in the afternoon!

At 5 pm Perth time (9 am GMT) we began the decent through the clouds and had our first sight of the Australian coast.

Moving inland, we noticed that the fields were brown and parched, with a few trees scattered here and there. The weather that day was slightly hazy and cloudy, though still warm at 22 ° Centigrade, 72° Farenheit.

Everything we could see from the plane resembled 'Dinky' toys! There were no storeyed houses, just bungalows. We landed at 5.05 pm after travelling for 171/2 hours.

At the airport we were so confused we had to ask what day it was! It was Thursday, 30th December. After collecting our bags we were met by a welcoming party of St. John people. We were interested to note that the women's uniforms were all white and their hats looked very much like those worn by British policewomen. We were taken to the camp at Swanleigh, 14 miles away. We noticed immediately how flat the land was, and also the straight, wide roads, with a lack of roundabouts such as we are used to in Britain.

The camp was beautifully laid out with houses amongst lawns and flower beds, a river flowing by and cows grazing in nearby fields. Once there, we were sorted out into dormitories in separate houses. Swanleigh is a type of hostel for children who live too far away from schools and have to be accommodated for term times. This was their summer holidays and the children had gone back to their homes. In the evening most of us went for a walk to a nearby town, which I believe was Swanleigh town. The roads seemed very wide, so too were some of the cars, which were mostly English and American models.

In the town we saw our first 'Drive-In'. A

CADETS GO TO SJA CAMP IN AUSTRALIA

Here's the 1 st prize winning essay of their 3-week adventure Down Under

by KATHERINE DAVIES

16-year-old Cadet Sergeant, of Cove (Hants) Nursing Cadet Division

huge film screen appeared to be suspended against the sky and 'Snow - white and the 7 Dwarfs' was showing. The Australians could not understand why we had never seen ' Dri\IC -Ins' before, until we explained our weather problems!

The next morning, despite our exhaustion, most of us got up at 5 am woken by the noise of the Kookaburra, and with the sun shining brilliantly through the shutters of the dormitory It was amazing to see it so early in the morning. In summer at home the sun usually sets at about 9 30 to 10 pm. Here it sets at about 8 pm but rose very early

We were the only contingent to have arrived, so there were only ourselves and the camp organisers for a while, until the remaining campers arrived in the afternoon and evening, first the Western Australians and later about 400 or so from the Eastern states of A ustralia, including Tasmania , and one boy only from New Zealand

During that morning we went into the town of Midland to 'Centrepoint', the shopping precinct. Many people bought open sandals, called 'flip -flops' in Britain, but known as 'thongs' by the Aussies. We also bought insect repellent as thousands of flies were already annoying us. The shops were lIttle different to those at home.

Back at the camp, after lunch we were all treated to ice cream, and when we were offered a 'bucket' of ice cream, the Aussies couldn't understand why we looked startled! The translation was a 'tub' of ice cream even so their ices and 'blocks', as their

are called, were twice the size of our ices in Britain.

In the afternoon, the outdoor swimming pool was opened for us and we greatly enjoyed a cooling swim. Later on we collected our identity tags with our numbers and camp badges.

Security at the camp was very high The ID tags were to be worn at all times and could never be taken off, even in the shower or in bed. The system was very well worked out. The numbers on the 10 tags each had a special meaning, for example, the first number represented your contingent, which for the UK was' I'. At 10 pm the Eastern Australians came in their coach loads. The British contingent acted as reception committee for them and after sorting them out in their various dormitories and seeing them settled, we all went down to the recreation area and had a New Year barbeque party Our first BBQ of many.

Saturday the 1st January 1977 was a very quiet day although numerous meetings took place for the officers. In the evening uniform was worn by us all for the official opening of the camp by the Premier of Western A ustralia, Sir Charles Court, who was accompanied by his wife, and the first formal

Th e C in- C' s essa y competiti o n o r members

c hosen or thi s Austral an trip w as won by

Ka th e ine D avi es ([25 ). se c ond Cad e Roger

M o rt o n, Read ing ([ 15 1. a nd third Cadet Leader Gary S oop s B el ast ([ 10).

introductions of all staff and organisers. Sunday was to be the first day in Perth itself and we were all looking forward to seeing the skyscrapers of the city. From the concert hall in Perth we marched through the city to St. George's Cathedral. The UK contingent was at the head of the procession and behind the St. John Band. The Western Australians marched at the rear, being the host company There was a slight breeze so it was not too hot for the march, much to our relief. The Cathedral was very small in comparison to those at home, more like an English parish church but still impressive. The streets were still full of Christmas decorations but instead of being wet and snow -covered, they were glinting in the summer sun! After the Service, during which there was a Commandery Capitula Procession, we went across from the Cathedral to the Supreme Court Gardens for lunch, a picnic lunch of chicken and salad, In the afternoon we were taken in a convoy of buses for a tour of Perth and its suburbs. One stop was King's Park, which is a 1,000 acre parkland of woods, lakes, monuments, etc and the plant 'Kangaroo Paw' in particular grows there, being a protected species of wild flower. There is also an enormous 106ft long Kam log from South West Australia, which represents the logging industry of that area. The park is high above the City of Perth and we were able to take numerous photographs looking down upon the city Going through the s uburbs we noticed how the bungalows (the A ustralians call them 'houses') were all different, each one being of individual design. We returned to the camp in time for tea. For the rest of the evening there was a choice of joining a pyjama party or watching films on a screen erected on the grass in the open. A Ithough you would have expected the evening to be reasonably warm, the temperature dropped considerably and most had to put on jumpers or cover up with blankets.

Monday was the first day of the activity options. Choice could be made from hiking, a day on the beach, canoeing, scuba diving, archery, ten - pin bowling, squash, volley-ball, pool, table -tennis, horse or mini -bike riding, small - bore shooting or sailing.

The beach trip was to Mullaloo, where the sea was blue and clear, but there was rather a lot of sea -weed. The sand -dunes were not sand -coloured as we have on our beaches, but white. We were warned to swim within a flagged area, where lifeguards kept watch for sharks from a high observation tower. Fortunately we did not encounter any sharks and had a very pleasant swim.

On Tuesday 4th January we went for a cruise on the beautiful Swan River. From Perth we cruised down river almost to the port of Freemantle. We stopped at a picnic area for a SBQ lunch. The houses along this river were mostly 2 storeyed, and nearly all

Cadets go to SJA camp in Australia (cont.)

built in a Spanish style with arches and balconies. There were a few yachts on the river, but I was surprised there were not many more, this being the heart of summer

We saw some water-skiing along this river, and there were picnic grounds and children's play-parks also along the waterfront. This was a pleasant trip and the breeze on the water kept us cool.

In the evening there was a variety of incamp activities such as films, etc. arranged for us. The next day, Wednesday, a choice of options again, and I tried my hand at archery in the morning, which was something I had not tried before. but enjoyed and must try again sometime! I had a free afternoon, so Christine Marshall, from Derbyshire. and myself joined forces with an officer from Victoria State and a cadet also from Victoria; Heather, the officer, hired a car and we went to Perth for shopping. This turned out to be great fun, and we learnt much about Australia from Heather and Majella (the young cadet).

One very interesting street in Perth is London Court, which we found to be a replica of an old London street of a few hundred years ago (but looking remarkably new!). Most of the buildings are light coloured and look very clean. There are some strange shaped buildings. Heather and Majella told us of the nick - names for some of them because of their design - one was known as a 'Toast - rack', another the 'Thermos Flask'!

Parliament House

After shopping, Heather took us to Freemantle, the port of Perth and Western AustraJia. On the way we stopped to look at the University of W.A. and took some photographs. On returning from Freemantle we went back to King's Park to view the multitude of city lights below us. It was an exciting and impressive sight.

Next day, Thursday, I joined the group going to Parliament House in the morning. This is the Western Australian 'Houses of Parliament'. Housed in the white brick building built in 1902, are 254 pictures and portraits On the polished wooden floor is the black swan emblem of Western A ustralia. Our guide took us up a marble spiraJ staircase to the two Houses, the Upper and the Lower. The Lower House (Legislative Assembly), which by tradition is normally covered by red and green carpeting, is here carpeted in blue (as it is in N. Ireland). The Upper House (Legislative Council) retains the tradition and uses red carpeting. The seating layout is the same as in the Houses of Parliament in London.

Australia has two governments, a State Government and a Commonwealth Government.

In the afternoon we had a complete contrast to our morning's visit, when we went down the Yanchep Caves, which are 60.000 years old. They are 60ft below ground and were discovered in 1845. They were opened by an English earl.

Bus tours were again arranged for Friday. One in the morning was to the EI Caballo Blanco, a hotel rising out of the Darling Ranges. 60 km from Perth, in an area called Wooroloo. along the Great Eastern Highway Here we saw the famous A ndalusian horses perform some of their dancing tricks, etc. As the name explains, this hotel is in the Spanish style of architecture.

From EI Caballo Blanco we made a tour of the hills. Among the many beauty spots at which we stopped was Mundaring Weir, which is a reservoir that serves most of the area around Perth.

St. John HQ

That evening the nursing members of the UK contingent were invited to a Nursing Cadet Officers' dinner at the St. John HQ in the city. This proved to be a happy and interesting occasion After looking round the HQ, we learned that St. John in Australia runs the ambulance s ervice. This is done by duty roster, and one group of members would be on duty for one week at a time Saturday 8th January was to be a big day!

The Australian Nursing Cadet Championships were to be held at the camp in the afternoon. In Britain, the teams consist of four members who take part in a team first -aid test and individuaJ home nursing tests. However the AustraJian teams consist of just 3 members who do both a team firstaid and home nursing test , and are also required to answer oral questions.

The women's uniform is white shortsleeved dresses with white gloves , black shoes and light coloured tights The ambulance cadet uniform is grey and much the same as the British. Nursing cadets also have a winter or cold weather type of uniform, which is a white tunic over black trousers The officers hats - like our policewomen's hats in style are worn by adult members as well as cadet leaders. Cadets wear the normal berets. We were very surprised to see in their first - aid kit a type of rubber tornique bandage. They explained that this type of bandage had to be used in cases involving snake and poisonous spider bites.

That evening the trophies were to be presented. However, a sad announcement was made that Mrs. Pentland, the Entertainments Officer, had been rushed to hospital with a heart attack, therefore the presentation was put otT until the Church

Parade in the morning on the camp fields.

This was to be the inspection by the Chief Commissioner of W.A. He presented all the UK party with Kangaroo Pins, a memento of our stay in AustraJia After the inspection, contingent photographs were taken

Tn the evening the women officers gave us a hilarious fashion show, which we thoroughly enjoyed and was quite a diversion.

On Monday, 10th January more bus tours were organised. But Heather, from Victoria, decided to take us out again in a hired car and show us more of the Australian countryside. We drove further north from Perth to the towns of Northam and York. The y were very quiet towns and there was a strange peaceful atmosphere. The buildings looked remarkably like 'ghost towns' from a Cowboy film. with the hotels and the balconies of the Wild West townships.

We learned a great deal about the ordinary' A ustralia from Heather and Majella on these trips They told us of various systems in the country , such as the 'P' plate drivers who are holders of a probationary licence who have passed a driving test but only driven for one year. They also told us of the free-transport the bus company otTer s to children if they have lost their bus tickets or money , which seemed to u s to be a very commendable attitude for the safety of the young.

In these small towns we also saw a few Aborigine families whose life- style we could see had become very much like that of the ordinary Australians, doing their shopping and other activities in the same way.

We especiaJly observed the flatness of the land and the lack of hedges by the roadside.

At one s tage we seemed to be following a huge pipeline which we were told ran for over 400km to supply water to remote areas further inland, such as KaJgoorlie, the old gold - mining town

State Laws

Heather pointed out to us that in the Eastern States bingo is illegaJ, and aJso some other forms of gambling However around Perth this was not so. This seems a very good example of the djtTerent laws that exist between the States. The police system is split - there being a separate Road Traffic Authority which deals with all road policing to do with traffic. Quite a good idea.

On the way home we went into a Drive -In shop. Apparently there are drive - in bottleshops, grocers, chemists and others as well as drive - in cinemas! One can sit in one's car and have goods brought to the car if you don't wish to get out and look round! I photographed a fire -engine which, though similar to ours, are somewhat brighter in colour, more orangey-red and have an American sounding siren.

Returning to cam p we passed by floodlit tennis courts. It was explained to us that as it is too hot during the day (up in the 1000s), the players train in the cool of the evening hours. Back in camp, we did not seem very far from home, with 'Dad's Army' and 'Please Sir' showing on the television.

On Tuesday 11th January a trip had been arranged to Rottnest Island. The 'Rottnest Islander' and the 'Temaraire' took us from Freemantle to the island, II miles otT the mainland. Rottnest is approximately 11 km by 4. The limestone buildings were originally for prisoners , the last leaving in 1922. The island was so named after the Dutchman Willem de Vlaming landed on Rottnest in 1696 and mistook the Quokkas (which are little native animaJs on this island) for rats. For a time salt was produced on the island but the works were demolished, as they were unsafe, in 1947. We went rowing otT the island, which is a holiday resort for the Australians.

That evening in camp we had a great tidyup in preparation for the C -in -C's inspection the following day!

In the afternoon of the next day the Colyer Invitation Plate Competition was held. The same rules were kept as for the National Competition , but we were only required to undertake a team first - aid test and individual first-aid questions. One of the questions concerned the treatment for heat exhaustion, and the Australian St. John examiner was surprised that we actuaJly knew something about it! Many Aussies have the impression that we British live in a perpetual 'smog !

There were six teams of 3 cadets: Two

UK two AustraJian , one Tasmanian and one New Zealand. The practicaJ test was a casualty who had been stabbed in the stomach and had protruding intestines , very gory! However we must have made a good job of dealing with him as to our great delight it was announced that the UK nursing team had won! The UK boys , we discovered later were runners-up , so we were doubly pleased. We were presented with a silver tray to bring back to London and also with individual prizes of model kits (skeletons or the senses').

The C -in-C presented

Not only were the British contingent pleased at our success in the competition , but s o too were the other contingent members, who cheered us and were full of congratulations when the Commissioner-inChief, Major General Gordon, presented us with our trophies and was obviously thrilled that we had made such a good showing for Britain. That evening we had the Camp Concert , with a mixture of entertainment from all the different contingents ; we engaged in a sing -song which the others joined in. and told a few English jokes which went down well. Altogether we found a very pro - British attitude out there, and the friendliness of everyone with whom we had contact was overwhelming. We were very pleased to find such a welcome.

Thi s was the last night of camp for many and the next evening , after the closing ceremony , the contingents from the Eastern State s left from Perth Airport. During the ceremony and parade , Grand Prior's badges

Light plane crash exercise

w e re pre s ent e d to a dozen or so members from the camp Grand Prior's badges are mor e difficult to obtain in AustraJia than at home a s the opportunities are very few It is difficult to get instructors to all the tiny St. John Di visions in the remote parts of the countr y After the Camp Commandant (K. M. Dear). Chief Commissioner , and Governor of We s tern A ustralia had made their closing s peeche s , the various contingents' flags were lowered for the last time to mark the closing of the camp for this year. The next Au s tralian Cadet Camp will be held in five year s' time in Tasmania - arrangements for which are already in the planning stages.

Throu g hout all the camp parades, not one UK cadet p as sed-out through the heat, yet there were a number of Australian casualties a s a re s ult of the sun. This amazed the A us tralian s who joked that it must have been British 's titT upper lip'! (Personally, I think the fourteen hours of duty for each of two da ys at the Aldershot Army Display last year. at the height of our freak summer , mu s ha ve stood me in good stead!). When the la s t Officers ' Mess at the camp had ended the coach loads of Eastern Australian s left for the airport. It was very s

Next morning Friday 14th found

Cadets go to SJA camp in Australia (cont.)

now forlornly empty, echoing with the happy laughter which had filled them a short while before. We had enjoyed a great deal offun at the camp and made many new friends.

During our two weeks' stay, so many people gave us souvenirs of their home towns, and gave us badges. The Camp Postmaster supplied us each with a camp T-shirt.

Incidentally, we were shown on local television, filmed in camp one day, but unfortunately I missed seeing the showing.

There were many facilities at the camp, so it was impossible to become bored or homesick. There was never a dull moment, and every need was covered. There was even a branch of the Rural and Industries Western Australian Bank.

One of the houses acted as a temporary 30-bed hospital which did come into use quite a few tjmes when several cadets fell sick. One unfortunate girl was rushed to hospital after being bitten by a poisonous red-backed spider!

Other facilities included a recreation tent filled with slot machines and 'one-armed bandits'. There was a shop for purchasing drinks and ices and a souvenir shop. Most of the 'houses' on camp had a laundry extension and the organisers even arranged for a hairdresser to come into the camp and make appointments for hair-do's.

Families travelled 8 days

The average age of the campers was about 14 years. Some of the families travelled from the Eastern States to the camp by car, a journey of about 8 days, travelling through the bush and desert for 2,000 miles. It was very hard to believe the vastness of the country, until one saw the battered and dusty cars that had travelled across the desert! For protection on long journeys these cars had a wire-mesh grid over the front windscreen to prevent stones shattering the glass. They also had a metal bar grid covering the front of the bonnet of the car, to lessen the force of any kangaroo which may bound into the path of the car. Kangaroos are so powerful that they can push the engine of a car through to the inside. These bars are known as 'Roo Bars'.

The Adventure Training Camp having come to a successful conclusion, the next part of our adventure was beginning. We left camp in a mini-bus for a 3-hour journey down to the seaside town of Busselton; at least the girls went to Busselton, the boys being accommodated in and around Perth itself. We saw many green cockatoos in the trees of the bush, which was the only splash of colour amid the brown parched land and sun burnt trees - many burned by the numerous bush fires, reminiscent of last

year's summer in Britain. One strange formation we noticed was the way many trees had grown to a few feet and then been forced by the strong winds to grow horizontally. It was quite a unique sight.

En route we passed several garages, and although understandable, it seemed strange to see ice advertised there for sale! As we drove along we suddenly noticed a heap of something beside the road. It was a kangaroo, and unfortunately the poor thing was dead. They are prone to get hit by cars as they cross the roads.

To stay with a family

We were taken to Busselton by the Burrow farruly who had been at the camp. In Busselton we were introduced to the Moore's, who were to look after 4 of the girls, while 2 others stayed with another family; another girl and myself stayed at the home of the Kelly farruly. The house was 50 yards or so from the sea, only separated by a quiet road in front and then sand dunes. The Kelly's were a typical Australjan family. Their 2 cillidren were Michael, who was 14 years old and due to leave school (15 being their school leaving age), and Jenny who was 13. Mr. Kelly was a builder and had built his own impressive home, with beautiful tiled floor and a sunken bath. We were told that most Aussie families have their houses specially designed and built for them. However, we did see a few Council built houses which still looked very comfortable.

On Saturday morning a friend of the Kelly family came and offered to take us all down to the beach at Yallingup. Tills beach is known for the good surfing opportunities, indeed we could see quite a few surfers riding the waves there. However, Yallingup is also known as a 'drug centre' of that area.

That evening the Kellys took us to a barbeque and rame at the yacht club. It was in aid of the Rotary Club. When the draws were made, we were amazed to win 3 prizes!

One was a load of wood, some fuel was another and the third was a horse grooming set. Of course, we had no way of getting these prizes back to England! That evening we saw on the television a filmed report of the terrible snow conditions back home. Mr. Kelly very kindly insisted that I telephoned my family in Farnborough and boast to everyone at home about the gorgeous weather we were enjoying!

Sunday, however, was a slightly cooler day. We went down to the Blackwood River to have a swim in the beautiful clear water.

After a BBQ lunch, the man who had been postmaster at the camp took us potholing. He was quite an experienced potholer and showed us 3 caves: the 'Bride', Kangaroo Pot, and a third called 'Calderup' (I think!). Tills latter cave he took us through. It had been closed to the public because most of the crystal formations had 'died' - however,

there were still some very beautiful 'live' formations left.

Monday was a fairly 'free for all' day. As the town shops closed on Saturday, we went into town to do much of our souvenir shopping. That morning a photographer came to take photographs for the local newspaper. In the evening we met another of the Kelly family's friends, Lance Holt, a teacher who had started his own experimental school. School teachers are much in demand out there, although in other walks of life there is quite a good deal of unemployment

On Tuesday morning I was surprised to be woken up by pouring rain. A storm had been raging for most of the night. We were told it had been caused by a cyclone further up in the north. On our way back from a visit to the Wildlife Park in the afternoon, we stopped by at Yallingup again to see the huge rollers of surf caused by the storm It was most spectacular, but far too dangerous for surfing. In the Wildlife Park we saw many Australian native animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, quokkas, emus rat kangaroos and many species of birds.

That evening back at B usselton I went for a walk along the 11/4 mile Busselton jetty , which is one of the longest in Australia

Our stay at Busselton was very relaxing after the non -stop activity in camp, and a very happy time getting to know the everyday Aussies. Even though Busselton is a sea - side resort and this was the middle of the summer, the town was very peaceful and almost seemed deserted compared with our coastal resorts in Britain.

Sadly - farewell

On Wednesday 19th January we sadly had to say farewell to our friends and hosts.

We arrived at Perth Airport at about 4.30 as our plane was due to fly us home at 5 pm However, we were delayed until 6 30 pm

So many familiar faces from the camp in Perth had come to see us off - including that of Mrs. Pentland (the officer who had had the heart -attack). Her effort to come to the airport typifies the kjndness, hospitality and friendliness shown to us right through our stay. The Australians had hired a private room at the airport so that we could have farewell drinks together and make the final speeches

Heather and Majella, whom we had last seen flying back to Victoria, had sent us a telegram with the simple message 'Farewell friends, God speed, RULE BRITANNIA'. There were tears all round as the boarding call for our fljght was announced. We took off at 7.05 pm and flew over the north-west coast of Australia, over Geraldton, Java and Jekata. Our first stop was to be Singapore at 1 1.30 pm. The view outside the plane was amazing. The sky was a sandwich of pink and blue, and a golden sunset. At 11.30 the

British Airways Boeing 747 came down to land at Singapore. Looking down, we could see the lights of the boats in the harbour and the tall buildings of the city. We took off again at ] am and after a 9 -hour flight landed at Teheran. We expected Teheran to be very hot like Bombay, but in fact the temperature was a freezing 8°C. On taking off once more at 11.20 am Perth time (though only sunrise in Teheran) we were told we would be in London in about 5 hours 55 mins.

We were again given the honour of talking to the pilot of the plane. Indeed, I was thrilled to be allowed to sit in one of the pilots' seats at the nose of the plane and have the controls explained to me. Ahead I could see the condensation trail of another plane that , 1. was informed , was on its way to India. Below were the snow covered mountains of Bulgaria. When asked what the long dark line on the surface of the snow could be, the pilot said that it was the shadow of our own plane! We were flying at 35,000ft and at a ground speed of 515 miles per hour.

We crossed the English coast, and flying over Kent it became very cloudy and we could see nothing until we made the descent through the clouds, coming in to land at Heathrow We were 214 hours behind schedule and were told the temperature outside was 9°C, quite a difference from the 40°C of sunshine in Australia that we had so shortly been experiencing!

After having our photographs taken beside the plane, and retrieving our luggage, we were met by Mr. McKay , the St. John Staff Officer, and given letters of congratulations from Lady Moyra Browne, the Superintendent -in -Chief.

We were back in a damp Britain, having left behind all the 'Crow Eaters', 'Banana

Smart girls at

Benders' and 'Sand Gropers' (The nicknames of the natives of the various' Australian States), with great reluctance.

I shall never, never forget this wonderful experience I have been so lucky to have had. Every minute was thoroughJy worthwhile and I have learned a lot about Australia and how the St. John Ambulance Brigade functions out there on the other side of the world I am sure they , too, have learned much about us. I was a little surprised to find how little some knew about Britain, but I am sure we have all benefited from mutual exchanges of information. One of the first Australian girls I met asked where I came from and when I replied 'England', she said 'Oh. Is that overseas?'!

J came home bearing among my souvenir boomerangs, etc, many badges which I was given, including a sun - hat with a Victorian badge, and have promised to send one like

mine - a bush hat with a 'Britain is Great' badge upon it - back to the giver! Without a doubt, we have many proBritish well -wishers in Australia, and I hope that we have shown them our friendship, our pride in our own country and share with them a great interest in the work of St. John Ambulance.

I have a great many people to thank for making this unbelievable trip a possibility. Without naming them all, my grateful thanks for everything to everyone in St. John who gave me the opportunity and organised everything so well. Perhaps most of all, I should say a very heartfelt 'Thank you' to the, so far anonymous sponsors without whose marvellous generosity this trip for me would not have become a memorable and lasting fact for the rest of my Life. I sincerely hope that they feel I have justjfied their kindness and made the gesture worth while. Thank you, everybody.

The Association Branch

then and now

Extracts from a paper on some of the results of eight years' work of the St. John Ambulance Association read by JOHN FURLEY (later Sir John) before the Knights of St. John at their General Assembly in London on June 24 1885.

THIS ASSOCIA nON was founded in the year 1877 , with the popular motive of affording First Aid to the Injured 'Peace hath her victories', but, as in war, there is a reverse to the medal ; and who can count the number of civilians who are struck down by disease and accident on the battle field of daily life? These need assistance as much as those who fall in war, and they have as great a claim on our sympathy. With this object in vrew the first aid classes were established for the purpose of teaching men and women how to meet cases of accident or sudden illness in the absence of, or whilst waiting for, a doctor. I use the term, in the absence of a doctor, advisedly for, although the first advice always given is send for a doctor, the Association has had many pupils who in the Mercantile Marine, or living in distant colonies, or uncivilized countries, pass long periods in regions far remote from qualified medical assistance.

S John Furley

THE THEMES EXPRESSED IN THESE TWO PAPERS - ONE OF 1885, THE OTHER OF 1976 - SHOW A THREAD OF CONTINUITY

THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF ST . JOHN WHICH HAS A VERY REAL MEANING FOR CENTENARY YEAR

Our programme was, and still remains a very simp le one, and soon the pupils who week after week came together to listen to able lecturers , who generously sacrificed to them some of the brief leisure allowed by their professional engagements, were numbered by thousands. People discovered that instruction which it was sometimes suggested could only be useful to those who are engaged in 'dangerous pursuits' might be of importance to themselves. They learned to acknowledge the fact that as far as danger is concerned there is really no strong line of demarcation between so-called dangerous occupations and harmless employment, and that even our homes and our amusements produce a very large proportion of victims. Not a day passes but proof of this is afforded and at the same time the practical usefulnes s is shown of the slight training which the pupils undergo.

In conclusion then, I claim for this Association that it has popularised the giving and receiving of instruction in, and the practical application of first aid to the sick and injured. That it has not only done this in every class of society in the United Kingdom , in India and in all the British Colonies , but it has also assisted in extending the same work in many other countries, notably in Germany. By this means , simple accidents are daily prevented from becoming

How the St. John Ambulance Association might enhance the volume, quality and effectiveness of its training, an address by Robert 8. Salter, MD, MS, FRCS(C), FACS, Professor of Surgery, University of Toronto, at the meeting of Priory Chapter, Ottawa, June 11 1976.

HAVING LONG been an admirer of the sp lendid work of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade I deem it a privilege to have been invited last year by Dr Gordon Sinclair of Toronto to join the Medical Committee of the Ontario Council. I use the word 'privi lege' advisedly because it has given me the opportunity to become personally involved in promulgating the tremendously important work of St. John Ambulance.

As you well know St. John Ambulance has a lon g and distinguished history of public service based on the Christian ethic. Ind eed, the underlying ethic might be considered in an ecumenical sense to be much broader than Christianity since it is in essence the golden rule of 'doing unto others what you would have them to unto you' - a concept that is shared. though variously expressed. by all the major religions of the world.

complicated, unnecessary pain is frequently avoided and valuable lives are sometimes saved.

The Association has also introduced and circulated throu ghout the world ambulance material of improved quality and construction; and this has materially helped to diminish suffering. And by means of its Ambulance Corps, it has not only provided vehicles for the transport of invalids, but what is of far greater importance, it possesses a staff of trained men who can adapt these means to the varied requirements which the circumstances of individual invalids create.

Further, I may add that all the consequences which have sprung from the Association may be summed up in one great and conspicuous result. Sympathy with pain and sufferi ng has expanded in the same degree as the knowledge how best to alleviate it has been diffused. It will be the duty of those on whom in the future will devolve the responsibility of directing and regulating the simple but wide spreading machinery of this great Association, strictly to maintain the principles on which it was based , and on which it is now flourishing . Thus guided the St. John Ambulance Association is capable of still further developing a power of practical good in a world that is at its best when, through humane and Christian sentiments, it is keeping touch with the victims of moral and physical suffering.

this important relationship from the beginning of recorded history to the 20th century and at this time I would like to quote the following relevant statement from that address.

'During the 12th century a number of Christian religious orders began to create hospitals. For example, in the Holy Land, even before the Crusades, an Order of Hospitallers whose Patron Saint was St. John the Baptist was founded to create a series of "Hospitals of Jerusalem" for sick and injured pilgrims. As you are well aware this vene rable Order of St. John persists to this day and its main function is carried out by the much respected St. John Ambulance Association and Bri gade.'

I mention this quotation to emphasise the point that all of us who are privileged to be assoc iated with St. John Ambulance in whatever capacity have a co -existent responsibility to bring the work of the Association to the attention of others and in a positive manner.

their reasoning was based on the same selfishness that persists to this day under such circumstances and could be expressed by such statements as:

'That's not my problem - r couldn't care less.'

'It would not be convenient for me to become involved.'

'I do not wish to become involved because of the possible consequences.'

'I would not know what to do anyway.'

These all too common attitudes are as relevant today as they were in the time of Christ because all of us who are anxious to enhance S1. John Ambulance training in first aid are faced with precisely the same attitudes of selfishness, apathy, callousness and insecurity in the general public. Much missionary zeal was required to spread the Christian gospel throughout the world; it will take the same missionary zeal to overcome these negative attitudes toward first aid, that is to teach the gospel of first aid according to St. John Ambulance.

Recently at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto we held a Conference for the Clergy which was attended by 150 clergymen representing many denominations. In addressing this conference on the topic Medicine and Religion I traced

It seems to me that the spirit or underlying ethical basis of St. John Ambulance is epitomized by the parable of The Good Samaritan as written by St. Luke, the Physician and the Patron Saint of Medicine. Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, S1. Luke was emphasising the importance of caring in a compassionate and practical manner for the injured. You will recall that two travellers along the same road -a Priest and a Levite - when seeing the badly beaten victim of thieves by the road side passed by on the other side. Undoubtedly,

AIR LINE TRAINING PRODUCES QUICK RESULTS

Just as religious education should begin at an early age so also should education concerning the principles and practice of first aid. T am sure that many, if not all, of you attending this meeting of Priory Chapter today have been influenced in a personal way at an early age to accept and subsequently foster the concept of first aid. The ultimate and idealistic goal of first aid training in a given country is that every trainable citizen should acquire at least the basic concepts of first aid. To achieve this goal it is obvious that such training and

resuscitation without apparent success and after 10 minutes it was suggested that he should give up but in his own words : 1 remembered being told to persevere and so carried on and suddenly she coughed and started

In 1974 the St. John Civil Av ation Centre secretary

Weston (left)

The Association Branch then and now (cont.)

education should begin at an early age; as with all education the basic problem is that we teach too little too late. J will refer to first aid training in secondary schools later but at this point I would like to suggest that perhaps we should be developing appropriate educational programmes that begin in Grade I of our public schools across Canada and that continue with increasing levels of sophistication throughout every grade of our primary and secondary school education. Eventually by this means virtually every citizen of Canada would have acquired at least some knowledge of the basic principles of first aid as well as of the underlying motivation of the golden rule. I believe that without emphasising the ethical motivation of helping others through caring for and about them, we are unlikely to be successful in teaching the principles of first aid on such a broad scale. We must begin by teaching young children to overcome the negative attitudes of mind toward the suffering of others that lead one to 'pass by on the other side of the road'. As the slogan says 'If you care enough to learn, we at St. John care enough to teach you.'

Logistics

The logistics of mounting such an programme of first aid training at all levels of primary and secondary education might seem at first thought to be insuperable. Obviously there are not enough St. John instructors in the entire organisation to carry out such a programme. But let me draw an analogy between the teaching of science in our schools and the teaching of first aid. There are not enough scientists in all of Canada to teach science to all students in primary and secondary schools. The teaching of science in our schools, however, is not done by scientists but rather by regular teachers who have learned about science from the scientists - usually through the written word. By the same token, school teachers learn about first aid from St. John instructors as well as from the written word and, in turn, present their newly-acquired knowledge at the appropriate level of sophistication for their particular students.

Thanks to the outstanding efforts of St. John Ambulance Association leaders such as Dr. Allan Davidson, the printed word has come a long way from the days of the rather uninteresting little black first aid book. Indeed the third Canadian edition of the St.

John First Aid Manual has been dramatically updated and made extremely interesting. Furthermore, the relatively recently developed multi - media programmes are ideally suited for the purpose of teaching students. Indeed, all of the modern technology of education available to us must be brought to bear on this ambitious programme.

Throughout its long and distinguished history the St. John Ambulance Association has counted heavily on the medical profession as a resource group since the teaching of first aid must be constantly updated to comply with continuing advances in medical knowledge. There are many ways in which the medical profession in Canada can enhance the volume, quality and effectiveness of first aid training through the S1. John Ambulance Association. Indeed many more members of the medical profession must be actively recruited to join the ranks of those who are already serving in a variety of capacities and to become involved in a meaningful way with the goals of the St. John Ambulance Association.

Local level

For every medical doctor in Canada there is an opportunity to become involved at the local community level through assisting in training of St. John personnel who , in turn, train others.

For others there is the opportunity to serve in some administrative level of the Association - for example serving on Branch Committees, serving as Area Corps and Divisional Surgeons or on Provincial Committees. Others can become involved at the national level, as you are, in the Priory Chapter.

The officers of provincial and national medical organis,ations also have the opportunity to enhance the goals of the St. John Ambulance Association I would like to site two examples. As many of you know, in 1974 the General Council of the Canadian Medical Association approved the following Resolution:

'Whereas the knowledge of first aid procedures in Canada is extremely limited in its dissemination, be it resolved that the Canadian Medical Association stress to the appropriate bodies the urgent need for -

(A) Advanced first aid courses to be included in the undergraduate curriculum of all Canadian Medical Schools.

(B) A basic first aid course to be included as a credit course in the health education programmes of Canadian High Schools'.

In 1975 the Honourable Mr. Marc Lalonde, Minister of National Health and Welfare, responded, and I wish to quote only two sentences from his response:

'It is our belief that training for prevention , including the proposed teaching of Arst aid. will do a great deal to help achieve our objectives in the area of health maintenance. I therefore wish to commend to your membership the proposal of the Order of St. John to introduce a new Canadian multi - media course in safetyoriented Arst aid.'

Earlier this year at the January meeting of Council of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - a national association composed of 15,000 medical and surgical specialists - I had the privilege of presenting the following resolution that was passed unanimously:

Whereas the intelligent application of advanced knowledge of first aid is of proven value in decreasing the mortality and morbidity of accidents and acute illnesses and whereas undergraduate medical studentseven in their Arst year - are expected by the lay public to know more about Arst aid than the average citizen but generally do not. Be it resolved that Council of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada endorses in principle the inclusion of a mandatory St. John first aid course in the first year of the undergraduate curriculum of all Canadian Faculties of Medicine and furthermore that this resolution be brought to the attention of such Faculties through the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges.'

Real stimulus

The passing of such resolutions by national medical associations and colleges, however. is. but a beginning. The real sti mulus for the teaching of first aid to medical students in each of our Canadian medical schools is going to have to come from below as well as from above: that is, from interested members of Facultyparticularly those in the Departments of Surgery. The competition for curriculum time is keen but those of us who have the privilege - as well as the co -e xistent responsibility - of teaching medical students have a unique opportunity to foster the concept of not only caring about the acutely ill and injured in a compassionate sense but also of caring for them: that is, to teach not only the underlying ethical motiviation but also principles and procedures of Arst aid

I believe, as do at least some of my fellow medical educators, that a certificate in basic Arst aid should be a mandatory prerequisite for an application to enter a medical school. If this concept could be universally accepted and implemented, every medical student in Canada would have already had at least some first aid training. It is also my feeling that within the first few weeks of medical

school eve,y medical student should receive a mandatory and more advanced course in Arst aid. At this stage in the life of a medical student he is more receptive to first aid training - especially if it involves practical 'hands on' demonstrations - than he is at a later s tage when he becomes more involved in the electromicroscopic appearance of cells and the complexities of biochemistry. However, the second year medical student who has become something of a pseudoscientist and knows much about the physiology of bone cells but little about broken bones is ill equipped to deal with actuely ill and injured persons he may come upon in the course of his extra-curricular activities

At the University of Toronto Medical School we have at present in our first year an elective course in emergency medicine that includes first aid training through cooperation with the St. John Ambulance Association. The popularity of this particular elective course is evidenced by the fact that over one third of the 250 students have chosen to take this elective.

We are hoping to have a more advanced

Arst aid pro g ramme - probably using the multi media co urse - in our third year of medicine. I n addition, however, we must continue to emphasise to the medical students of today - who will be the medical doctors of tomorrow - their personal obligation to the injured. In this respect I would like to read you one sentence that I have written on page 205 in the book Care for the Injured Child that I have presented to Priory Chapter today under the heading of Immediate Care Outside a Hospital (First Aid): 'When you happen upon the scene of an accident you, as a medical doctor should always accept your moral obligation to stop and render help to the injured.'

There are still other ways in which responsible leaders in the medical profession can enhance the volume, quality and effectiveness of the training in first aid. As yo u well know, there is good evidence that properly applied Arst aid reduces both mortality and morbidity in the injured and hence reduces the costs of health care.

Furthermore the results of the FACTS I and FACTS 11 studies reveal that safety oriented Arst aid courses in industry can lead

to the prevention of approximately 30% of industrial accidents, which results in further reduction in the costs of health care. Colonel William Gib so n , Director of Training of the Ontario Council of S1. John, has suggested that. armed with such information, medical leaders should approach the Provincial Health Insurance Programmes and request that they fund Arst aid training with only a fraction of the funds that would be saved by s uch programmes. This seems to me to be an excellent suggestion.

Much has been accomplished in the past and for this the Association deserves much credit. but much more remains to be done. Much of what I have suggested to you today to enhance the volume, quality and effectiveness of Arst aid training is not new to you, but the implementation of the concepts will require a great deal of hard work by many individuals to meet our idealistic goals in the spirit of two of the Apostles - S1. John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of this Association, and St. Luke, the Patron Saint of Medicine.

As Rothschild said 'Hats off to the past - coats off to the future!'

LINCOLNSHIRE'S Stamford Combined Division parted with an old friend recently - their Daimler ambulance bought new in 1954 in memory of their first superintendent, Mr. W. R. Newell.

To give an idea of the pride the Division took in JCT 482 (her registration number), a standing instruction to drivers was: 'The Daimler is not to be driven over 30 mph except on emergencies. And whenever possible it is to be parked in the shade to prevent fading of paintwork'.

JCT 482's life with SJA was not uneventful She was once reversed into her

An old friend retires. JCT 482 is handed over by Stamford s Div. Supt Peter Castle to the Director of Leyland 's vehicle museum

BEST PUBLICITY IS OURSELVES

from Alan R. Croft, Divisional Superintendent

There has been much said and written in recent months about improving our image, making ourselves better known and so on. In visiting various divisions I have noticed that it is usual for members NOT to wear uniform except for special events (and there is a wide variation in the definition of special events). Whilst I refer mainly to cadet divisions I do not entirely exclude adult divisions when I propose that we must be seen and be identified for what we are. All other uniformed youth organisations wear uniform as a matter of course, why not us? In my own (Combined Cadet) Division the normal rule is uniform - cadets and officers - for all meetings except one week a month. This last week allows for more hectic games and activities without risk · to uniform. r know there are sometimes problems with time - officers do not always have time to go home and change after work but in my experience cadets can usually find the time. If we are proud of the uniform and the organisation it represents we should be seen in it as often as possible - and in full uniform. 'Excused haversacks' takes away the impact , the recognition. The best publicity is ourselves - let's make the most of it.

London, SW20 Alan R. Croft

CARAV AN CLUBS

from Mrs. Norah M. Fowles

After reading about a new safety blanket in the Caravan Club magazine En Route I thought of an idea which might be useful to St. John Ambulance.

C.aravaning is becoming very popular and most caravans are very lightly built; they could easily catch fire and are also accident prone. Caravaning clubs throughout the country hold many weekend rallies, at which St. John could hold first aid demonstrations and instruction which would involve whole families. I have heard of neither St. John or the Red Cross acting in this field. Perhaps it is an idea Counties might pursue.

r am on the retired list but still think of you alL Only wish I were younger to get things started on this idea!

Crediton Norah M. Fowles

HERE IN WALES

from K. M. Dunn, Officer -i n -Ch arge

I was very interested to read a letter from Mrs. J. E. Neale Cadet Wastage (Review, March) and the comments in reply from the Chief Officer Cadets.

I think you may be interested to know that here in the Priory for Wales cadets who transfer to an adult division can retain their Special Service Shield on their uniform. This rule was introduced in January 1976.

I find in my division the young adults are very proud to wear their Special Service Shield on the adult uniform as they have done so many hours voluntary service to the community as cadets. My own personal view is that the Grand Prior's Badge is a badge of 'knowledge', whereas the Special Service Shield is for duties to the community. I think both the Grand Prior's Badge and Special Service Shield should be retained in England, as they are in Wales, for the following reason: I recently took a party of St. John personnel on an exchange visit to the Ribble area of Lancashire, and we found that many young adults of this area would wish to retain their badges as a mark of achievement, as r am sure would be the case in many other areas in England.

As an officer I wear the Special Service Shield for 1,000 hrs. duty and many of my cadets are conscious that they can retain their badge when they transfer to the adult section. This, I feel, is an added incentive to them. They are also trying to better my score of 1,000 hrs. Newport, Gwen! K. M. Dunn

READERS VIEWS

Readers views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

M:r F..J.ne., st J.nes AIIllulanoe

The J ones family has their own organisation around Speke See letter ST JONES

St. JONES

from A. F. Jones, Corps Staff Officer

Through a typist's error, the enclosed envelope made me realise what a family business is St. John in our locality.

Both my Grandfathers were in St. John, as was my mother until leaving to bring up a family. Father is Divisional Superintendent of Speke Division. my brother is a professional ambulance officer having been a cadet and moving on to become Secretary of Garston Division.

I was Secretary of Speke Division and am now Corps Secretary This preamble will explain a recent phone call which we frequently laugh about:

Scene: Mother answers the phone.

'Is Mr. Jones in?'

'Which Mr Jones?'

'From the Ambulance!'

St. John or City Ambulance?'

'St. John!

Which Division?'

The Secretary!'

'Two out of the three are secretaries What 's it about?'

Oh! - FORGET IT!'

Phone goes dead

We never did find out who rang. We only hope it wasn't important. Speke A. F. Jones

MERSEYSIDE

from Mrs. J. M. Edwards, County Secretary

Merseyside County, together witR Manchester and Cheshire, are endeavouring to formulate a complete list of competitions in the region.

The Development Officer, Mr. D. R. Brooks, has sent out a circular letter and form to be completed by interested Competition Secretaries and the response has been gratifying. The idea behind this pilot scheme is to endeavour to avoid the clashing of competitions in the same area,

and also to act as an event centre for the choosing of dates and venues.

If any Competition Secretary in these areas has not received a proforma, it would be appreciated if they would send particulars to Mr. D. R. Brooks at County HQ, 49A Rodney Street Liverpool.

We stress that this is only a PILOT scheme and its success and continuity will depend upon the co-operation received from the Competition Secretaries. This could avoid the clashing of dates in the immediate vicinity. As the replies already received by Mr Brooks have been most favourable , his idea is to make the scheme as comprehensive as possible .

Liverpool

SPECIAL DUTY SHIELD

J M. Edwards

from G. E. Robinson SRN, Divisional Superintendent I read with interest the letter Cadet Wastage (March Review) I have had two cadets qualify for the Special Duty Shield just as the y enter the adult division. This makes it impossible for them to show that they have worked very hard for the badge, which they can only put in their pocket.

T suggest a certificate is presented to them which bears the signature of an HQ officer and expresses the thanks to the cadet for his work for the Brigade

Rushden

AIR WING

from W. E. Street

G. E. Robinson

I was pleased to see reference in At Random (Review March ) to the progress of the St. John Air Wing during the past five years. but I understood the Aeromedical Service , which I presume is the same thing (forgive me if I'm wrong), was formed and undertook its first flight in 1956

There were in fact two divisions formed and registered in 1934 at Ipswich for air duties. (See photo below).

Exmouth

W E. SlJ'eel

Director Aeromedical Services George Woodhill replies: The activities of the St. John Air Wing are separate from the Aeromedical Services. The St. John Air Wing was formed in February 1972 and is manned by highly-qualified volunteer pilots and provide s a service for the rapid transport of organic spare parts (mainly kidneys) urgently needed for transplant operations. The Aeromedical Services have the responsibility for the organisation and administration of all Air Attendant duties of both air ambulance and schedule flights also the provision of an efficient road ambulance service for the transport of patients and casualities to and from hospitals and airports. It also assists patients who are unable , or do not wish, to fly; they are transported by road ambulance to and from the Continent of Europe. or by rail and sea, escorted by a trained St. John escort.

I can confirm that the first Air Attendant flight was in 1956. The first recorded St. John Air Attendant duty however was carried out in 1923 b y Mr. Charles Green, of the Order 's Invalid Transport Corps.

AIR DIVISION 1937

From a 1937 St John Ambulance publicat io n - the first Air Division (Ambulance and Nursing) registered at Ipswich Aerodrome in June 1934 The purpose of the Division was to deal with aircraft accidents on take-off or landing. Some of the members were p lots however. The Division had a smal on the airfield and their strength In 1937 was six officers. 18 ambulance and 25 nursing members (See letter AI R WING)

when he escorted a patient from Paris to London in an Air France plane. The air tickets used for this duty can be seen in the museum at St. John' s Gate. Tn the 1930s there were several Air Ambulance divi sio ns formed in Suffolk and Berkshire but it would appear that these divi s ion s did not servive the war years 1939 to 1945.

OFFICER RATIO

from Eric C. Whybrew, Divisional Superintendent

I feel I must correct a statement in D i O A S. Andrew's letter (Officer Ratio, Review, March) which gives an inaccurate impression. While not wishing to destroy support for his argument , we do not have a ratio of I officer to 3 members.

Firstly, at the time the photograph was taken (May '76) our DivisonaJ strength was 75.

Secondly, the 12 officers appearing were comprised as follows: 1 Divisional President, I Divisional Superintendent, 3 Divisional Officers , I Divisional Nursing Officer I Transport Officer on Reserve, I Divisional Officer on Retired list, 4 Officers of Cadet Divisions in the area.

The ratio therefore comes out in line with the establishment as laid down in BGR 22. S outh end Division

Eric C. Whybrew

LIAISON

from E. J. Small, Divisional Superintendent

Ma y I add my comments to the letter Liaison from J. S Berry (March Review) ?

I cannot believe that any St. John member wishes to deprive anyone in the Ambulance Service of any overtime or any other financial benefits, but J should like to point out that I have had 44 years as a member of St. John , and, like so many others. put in hundreds of hours on transport duties prior to the introduction of the Ambulance Service at my own expense But that is why we joined St. John. in order to uphold the motto of the Order 'Pro Utilitate Hominum - For the Service of Mankind

In this area we get thousands of visitors every day to see the famous caves and go rge We have a new ambulance which we use as a mobile first aid centre to deal with any emergencies that may arise What would the public think of St. John if, as has happened , we are called to treat a case of serious injury or illness in an empty ambulance and, after treatment. have to tell the patient or his relatives we are sorry we cannot take you to the nearest hospital in our ambulance, you will have to wait until the Ambulance Service arrives. which in summer conditions in this area could be 20 minutes later. I m afraid opinion of St. John would be very badly shaken. I have always been taught that speed in getting a patient to medical treatment is essential, yet. because of trade union rules, my patient can lie and quietly die waiting for an ambulance when ours is idle alongside him

No. Mr. Berry , I'm afraid co-operation is almost non -existent. and [ never thought I would see the day when money was put before the

saving of a life. Can you wonder that the members of this Division do not like to take the ambulance when they go on duty at the Gorge? They do not wish to have the name of St. John humbled, neither do they wish to offend the members of the Ambulance Service.

Cheddar E. J Small COMPETITIONS

from J. E. Smith, ASO

Mr. Andrews (March Review) was replying to my letter (November Review) stating that we have entered all Divisions in quiz, drill, (and perhaps later first aid and nursing) competitions, by visiting them on their home ground for the first round.

I do not interpret our aim as sledge -hammer tactics. We are trying to point out that every division should be able to have a go. After all we are not asking them to do something that is alien to St. John.

Mr. Andrews says that the officers are probably trying to tell me that they do not have the time to train for competitions when they do not turn up for these events. This point has been given as an excuse ever since I have been in St. John, and I do not know what people mean. If members are capable of attending a public function on real first aid or nursing duty why do they find it impossible to take part in a simulated incident (training)?

It is an excuse in many cases, put into new members' minds by older members. What I am concerned about is trying to get every division to participate at least in the first round of our national and local competitions so that we can truly say that the winners are the best we have, not just competition pot-hunting members as some could be. If we have to train differently or separately for competitions, very often to the detriment of the division, there must be something wrong with our outlook and the organisation of our competitions. Why cannot we treat entry as an aim for our divisions, important as a training aid, as a means to meeting others, etc?

[f we are lucky or skilled enough to get through to Regional and Finals, then let us by all means go the whole hog and carry our uniforms in polythene bags, black the underneath of our shoes, learn the book by heart, practise night and day.

Competition lethargy is a frame of mind. We do not particularly want to turn up for the annual re-examination or inspection, but we have all been tuned into these things and accept these obligations So we should with our annual simulated incident. Another similar point is the reluctance of some members to attend just one parade a year (County Review), as they do not like all the standing about. But same people will stand for hours on duty in bad weather at public events. Let us stop looking for excuses and get on with it. Every organisaiton has its competitions and social occasions.

I have not replied to the main point of Mr. Andrew's letter. I would like someone else to comment on this.

Betchworth John E Smith

CAFE CORONARY

from Edward Tortell, Corps Superintendent

With reference to the very informative and instructive article on Chewing Footballers (Review, January), I suppose that if these kind of sportsmen were trained in the application of the '.Cafe method of dealing with choking, as explained and Illustrated m the Medical News, April 17 1975, and subsequently published in the Sunday Times of Malta, August 311975, they be able to deal with their colleagues immediately and very effectively. ThiS method of artificial respiration is officially known as 'The Heimlich Manoeuvre' and applies only in cases of choking and to eject food from the trachea.

The name is derived from the type of accident that occurs mainly in coffee shops where people are inclined to discuss heatedly while eating; the word 'Coronary' is used as a term for a major collapse which is really asphyxia. The manoeuvre is described in the Medical News as follows - When the victim is standing or sitting, stand behind him and wrap your arms around his waist; make a fist above the victim's

navel and below his rib cage, and press it forcefully with the other hand into his abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat several times if necessary. When the victim is lying on his back, face the victim whilst kneeling astride his hips. This manoeuvre produces an average ejected air-flow rate of 205 litre per minute and an pressure of 3lmm of mercury in healthy adults; the air flow should dislodge the food in the trachea.

Sliema, Malta

WHAT IS FIRST AID?

from Mr. P. S. London

Edward Tort ell

In his interesting letter (Review January) Dr Phillips , Area Commissioner , Chorley, Lancs makes a plea for the abandonment of the term first aid and suggests instead critical care. I think there are two important objections to this; the first is that the term critical care has already been adopted by some doctors to indicate the detailed care required for the gravely ill patient. It is subtly different from so -called intensive care and I have to confess that to me the difference is not all that clear.

Secondly , many people seem to have forgotten what the word s first aid mean To me they are literal in their meaning and my own definition of first aid is the first treatment that can usefully be provided by whoever is there using whatever he or she has. If this definition be accepted it includes everything from a few words of advice up to the most detailed medical care such as may be the first to be provided for a patient who is injured or taken ill immediately outside an hospital.

Birmingham Accident Hospital P. S . London

UNIFORMS

from Mrs. P. Wilkinson, Divisional Superintendent

Once again we come up with the question: How to look smart and tidy? I think a lot more thought should have been put into the design of the nursing cadet dress. Cadets are not models and many never will be but these dresses are made to standard model measurements. Mo st girls have a waist that is 2in s. thicker than standard mea surement s In order to get a correctly fitting waist, the size larger has to be ordered, and then the bust and hips are too large so the appearance is untidy

I have found the style with darts very bad for this. In fact on some of the smaller cadets the top of the darts are at the waist, the bottom on the top of the leg.

I wonder how many officers and cadets still prefer the prince ss' style, as I do

To be smart in uniform , I believe you have to be proud of what it stands for and feel comfortable and tidy in it.

P Wilkin s on

Dewsbury

DUTY WEAR

from Mrs. Julia Wood, Divisional Secretary

Since publishing my letter Undies Inspection ( Review , Dec ) I ha ve noticed the letters in reply have somewhat missed the point. Hackne y Division does not want to continue wearing undies (pyjamas etc .)they want a uniform that is realistic to weather conditions marshe s, mud and speedway shale. A uniform passed by the Uniform Committee, for we don't want to break the rules as other divisions round the country seem to do.

And we don't want to go to Joe Brown's store and kit ourselves out.

Perhaps Joe Brown can do a better job , but it is not S1. John uniform Northern Area staff of London District will point out at inspections if you have a badge slightly out of place I wonder what would happen if the division had an inspection in Joe Brown s gear? I think there would be red faces all round.

Now come on , Uniform Committee , out of your centrally -heated offices and stand with us, up to your knees in mud , rain , frozen stiff and pretending you're enjoying it. Or boiled to near death in summer in that polo -neck jumper

Hackney will welcome you as I'm sure other divisions in the country that do similar types of duties will.

We suggest two alterations A car or %-length anorak type jacket , w'ith belt , plus a quilted or nylon -fur lining for winter. In the summer , a short sleeve blouse. Both items to be WASHABLE

Hackney Combined Division Julia Wood

AN IDEA

from M. Lois Gurney, ex-Cadet Superintendent

The Brigade in Malta was most kind and hospitable to our part y in January when we visited the island with our St. John study tour. We had a lovely time and I was so glad to meet some of their cadets.

Since returning I have thought how nice it would be if some of their members with a few cadets could visit us during centenary year.

Perhaps there are some members who would provide hospitalit y for a couple of cadets for a week I should be happy to , if Herts is not too far from London. As it is the Queen s Jubilee year , the UK might be especially attractive to members from the George Cross Island This is just an idea and I wonder if others might think as I do Hemel Hempstead M. Lois Gurn ey

RULING PLEASE from A CStJ

Please can someone give a definite ruling on the following:

On promotion in the Order , i.e. fram Officer Brother/ Si ster to Commander Brother/ Sister, what is the ruling regarding the insignia of Officer - is it removed or does it still have to be worn with oth er medals ? I notice in the March Review that the Office r's a nd Commander's insignia are being worn at the opening of the Staffordshire HQ

W est Midlands A. CStJ.

Headquarters replies: A member of the Order must of neces sit y be a member of one Grade only , and bears in the appropriate position , the Badge of that Grade and no other.

CADETS' VIEWS

from K. Towns, Ambulance Cadet

Reference Pau l Burke s letter (Review February ), we have been discussing the subject of white haversacks and most of our Division feel they have a feminine appearance and are of very little use. We al so find that the equipment issued is very rarely if ever used, and should be replaced by things that are needed , such as cotton wool , plaster s, scissors maybe one triangular bandage one roller bandage and water Bandages are a waste of money as they just get old and need replacing.

The white haversack usually lasts only about a year; they collect dirt and look white only when new (for about 2 months).

Editor: Here 's a guy with idea s.

I REMEMBER

from Mrs. E. M. King

I s erved 42 y ear s in St. John until my retirement in 1972. Unfortunatel y since then I have become almost housebound owing to severe arthriti s

A y oung nursing officer calls to see me quite often and brings me copies of the Review to read. In the November issue which I received recent ly I was interested in C. R. Davis' letter about 'Scruffy Bands '. While scruffiness in uniform was abhorrent to me it was a scruffy band which awoke in me a deep and lasting affection for the cadet mov em e nt. When I married in 1920 , I left my home in a prosperous northern sea si de town and c ame south first to London and then to E ss ex

In 1930 I j oined SJA No.1 London District and enjoyed the work ver y much Jn the thirties there was a very grim depression in Lanca s h ire and Yorkshire and other northern counties.

In 1934 I wa s on holiday in my home town , and on the Sunday not ic ed m a n y SJA members in uniform. I asked a nursing member w hat was on and she told me that a church parade and inspection was takin g place o n the sands in the afternoon.

So I decided to go to this and hymn sheets were handed out giving the minister s name and stating that a cadet band would play for the hymn s and durin g the inspection.

The band came from one of the hard hit areas and when they appear ed , my ey es misted and I could not speak. The officer was the onl y o ne in full uniform. Otherwise there were berets , haversacks and belt s, with the occasional regulat ion shirt or trousers for most of the bo ys were in ' muft i' - well -mended ordinary clothes , and boots and s hoe s , s ome literally tied together , but well cleaned

When I s aw the officer marching proudly at the head of his band. I felt that there must be something worth while in working with cadets. It wa s not until many years later that I came to work with cadetsa nd I can trul y s ay that those y ears were the happiest of my SJ A ser vic e

To mark the jubilee y ear why do not some of the better off adult div is io ns seek out cadet bands who could do with some financial help and g ive it to them - so that the y won t appear 'scruffy on duty. L eig h -o n -S ea E M. King

Editor: Than k you ver y much , Mr s King , for a beautiful letter.

Home from Cyprus

Sir Al1dltlw Murray tollowll19 ttle Order's banner. Ph oto: Jack Fisher, Photographer, Edin burgh)

Sir Andrew Murray OBE, KStJ, LLO, JP,DL

SIR ANDREW MUR-RAY has died, aged 73, after a distinguished career that included the Presidency of the Liberal Party and the Lord Provostship of Edinburgh. His passage up the ladder of promotion in the Priory of Scotland was steady. He became Director of Ceremonies and Receiver - General in 1957 , Chancellor in 1963 and Preceptor of Torphichen, which he combined with the Chancellorship , in 1972. In the long run it may well be that nothing in his career is seen to be as important as the last fourteen years as Chancellor of the Priory

In an Order like ours the Chancellor is in many ways the lynch - pin of the whole organisation. He is concerned with the da yto-day decisions on the administration of the Priory and he is looked to by members of the Order and Association s for guidance, leadership and inspiration. It is no exaggeration to say that the Order in Scotland was transformed while Sir Andrew was Chancellor and that this transformation was due largely to his efTorts. The growth of the Order can be demonstrated statistically. When he became Chancellor there were about 250 members of the Order in Scotland: now there are over 600. Membership of the Order is, of course, only

NEWS from SCOTLAND

the tip of an iceberg: when Sir Andrew became chancellor there were only 3 regional committees and their allied associations; now there are 10. Since 19 63 the Order, in other words, has trebled in size and this growth has occurred in a very difficult period for charitable institutions, particularl y for one that for historical reasons has not been able to run an ambulance brigade.

H ow did he do it, bearing in mind that he was already very nearly 60 years old when he became Chancellor? He was, of course, a tremendously hard worker. He had great physical vitality which, as a bachelor, he directed out to the world rather than into the home, and, in spite of ill-health towards the end, he was prepared to put in long hours seeing people personally and paying visits to St. John centres all over Scotland. He had th e gift of transmitting that vitality to his subordinates, driving t hem on with his energy and enthusiasm. And he was an enthusiast, in whose eyes there was always a sparkle. He never lost a freshness of approach and was always open to new ideas, as is demonstrated by the way that the Order has branched out into mountain and ski rescue services and sheltered housing during the last decade. He had great warmth,

WALES

with which went a certain impetuosity, but he made this a virtue, for it meant speed of decision and that rapid build - up of encou r agement which is so important when getting ideas ofT the ground. He had, moreover, the Christian virtue of humility. No job, however menial, was scorned by him if it had to be done - he once spent his summer-break digging in the garden of Skerrybrae, one of the Order's hospices, because there was no gardener. Scotland is a small place in terms of population and a man's strengths and weaknesses are soon known. Sir Andrew Murray not only made it his business as Chancellor to get to know everyone but was regarded with real afTection by the many who worked for the Order: he was easily the best known and most popular figure in St. John circles north of the Border. What helped him was the warmth of his manner and his ability to exercise tact on occasions. It was no easy matter, especially in the early days, to bal ance the needs and demands of representati ves from great centres like Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, but he succeeded in reconciling difTerences and maintaining equilibrium. It is impossible to describe in words, to those who did not know him. that genial, energetic figure, beaming round the room at an annual gathering. It is hard to see how he can be replaced. His epitaph is the Order in Scotland today. for he is chieOy responsible for its present healthly condition. May he rest in peace.

J.R.S.

Best Cadet . In trouble

Meet 15 -yea r- old Mark Ord. who recently won a cup for being the best aliround ambulance cadet in Mold H e's also accident prone It seems. to the amusement of his mates - and himself incidentally Over the last 8 months he's chipped an ankle bone and broken a toe at JUDO, was aCCidentally kicked on the head at school SPORTS, broke another toe and was kicked in the eye at RUGBY, and In

How 's his first aid doing7 Said Mark 'When these nasty things happen, at

Perhaps he d better join Casualties Union too. (Photo: Daily Mirror) PR-CHAT

HELP the public to get

OUR Division, although small. has a pretty good relationship with the public but we are always striving to make it better. Recently we decided to hold an open evening mainly for public relations but also aimed at recruitment.

Invitations were sent to local Women's I nstitutes, Royal British Legion. Residents Associations. Paxman's First Aid Group (a local factory). the Police Involvement Community Unit, cadets and parents, members of County and Area stafT. and the Divisional President and Vice · President.

Owing to the numbers that turned up on the evening, a practical first aid demonstration had to be abandoned (to the relief of some members). Well over 100 photographs and 50-odd press cuttings. etc. were set up to make an impressive display: this in turn was broken into small groups each telling a story both past and present: plus write ups on duties and views of members. and publicity material. After the Superintendent had delivered his speech, refreshment s were served by nursing members who had contrived a menu to please everyone.

This was fine. but in the planning stages it was hoped to include something unusual to act as a centre-piece. We produced medals of the Order. a first aid book of the 19th century. duty orders for the coronation of King George vr. and much more. But of greatest interest was a floor tile from a palace in Malta, circa 1600, showing the Cross of St. John. After refre hments one member took one group on a conducted tour of the exhibits answering que tions en route.

Comments, on the evening and since. have shown that the many hours of preparation and the evening itself were well worth while.

Many

The Gwent Health Authority's Hospital Division set up this window display showing the kind of work carried out by ambulance and nursing cadets in the Abbey National Building Society's

News from Divisions/Centres

DERBYSHIRE - At Stanton Divisions AGM, held at I1keston on March 22, the Secretary reported that the Emergency Aid sessions had been very successful, due largely to the management and the officers of the Division.

While the adult divisions had maintained their strength during 1976, the ambulance cadets had increased by 14 to a total of 33.

OBITUARY

W. Graham, 93 Corps Staff Officer (rt.) Sunderland No. 5 Area First aid certificate 1904. Joined Sunderland East Division 1914. During 1914- 18 war worked in reception of convoys of wounded and at Air Raid stations Three days before his death on February 25 he was actively interested in Area competitions A St John man Sunderland was very proud of. Mrs. Lilian Mary H aythorne, of Southampton . Serving Sister. Died March 22.

Miss. E. M. Hardy, 77, Hull Haworth Combined Divisional Sargeant. Joined Brigade in 1940 In 1976 had completed most public dut y hours in the Division Died March 19.

Miss. K. S. Ward, of No. II Nursing Division Walthamstow. 25 years in Brigade. Serving Sister. Died February 26.

J. N. Worrall, member St John Council, Worcestershire 1953 -75. Managing Director of Berrows Newspapers , which helps St John with much pUblicit y. Knight of St John. Died March 5.

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.5 (77)

Compiled by W. A Pott

Across 1. Visits aunt for dance of chorea. (5.5). 6. He ends pain starting before food. (4). 10. Use void for wandering. (7). 11. Not full-blo oded. (7). 12. Sour tasting. (4). 13. Adopt a regimen to reduce obesity. (4). 14. Lots of haemorrhoids. (5). 16. Produced by the larynx. (5). 17. Post -mortem examination. (8). 22. An inborn pattern of behaviour. (8) 25. R ays used in treatment of malignant growths. (5). 27. Perform brilliantl y. (5). 30. Tree with virulently poisonous sap. (4). 31. Characteristic of speech on inebriated person. (4). 33. Condition described on the back page of a medical text - book? (7). 34. Fold of mucou s membrane beneath the tongue. (7). 35. Diagnostic procedure used in almost all branches of medicine and surgery. ( 1.3 ) 36. Anti - rachitic vitamin. (10).

Down 1. Vets idea for a drug to calm the patient. (8). 2. How the ank le is frequently injured. (9) 3. Weights from an ancient city. (4). 4. Secretion of the islets of Langerhans. (7). 5. Coma due to malfunction of the kidneys. (7). 7. Beast of burden came with fifty. (5). 8. A tax to remove by surgery. (6) . 9. Poi so nous snake from west is a stinging insect. (4). 15. Lung with two lobes. (4). 18 Initial form of The Common Market. (3). 19. Debauchery with gory parts. (4) 20. Cartilages of the knee joint. (9). 21. Two s mall bone s of the face. (8). 23. Nerve tumour taken from Euro-man. (7). 24. Trade on the road s. (7). 26. Rapid involuntary response to a senso r y st imulu s. (6). 28. Punctuatio'n mark put s man y in coma. (5). 29. Of slender physique. (4). 32. Young animal shaped by plantar flexor s on ankle. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.4 (77)

Across:

1. Ichor; 4 Hypotonic ; 9. Capsule; 10. Linctu s; 11. Mood 12. Leaf; 13. A.roma; 16 Tar .ta r ; 17. S.ca rl.et 19. Sue; 21. S.tern.um; 22. Gather; 25 Ticks; 27. Dent; 28. Damp ; 30. T.a.mb.our; 32. H epatic; 33. Hordeolum; 34 Widal

Down:

1. Itch -mite; 2. Hippocratic ; 3. Roue ; 4. Heeled; 5. Pale -face; 6. T.in.ea; 7. Nit; 8. Costal; 14. Open -hearte d ; 15. Hair ; 17. Sum; 18. Rear; 19 Subdural ; 20. Tropical ; 23. Stitch ; 24. Anthem ; 26. Stone; 29. Spew; 31. Mar.

--A-Anatomical models

: Fantastic: : FUND RAISERS :

Raise money for your club, charity or organisation I

allowance

Applications stati ng details of qualifications (if a ny) and previous experience should reach the County D re ctor. St John Amb ulance Ellio Hou se, 3, Ja c kson 's Row Deansgate. M anchester, M2 5WD by not later than 31st Ma y, 1977

UNDER £10 Bring-and-Buy

• For Sal e .£7 o.n.o., o fficer 's dress and belt, size 52ins, 46ins, 56ins approx. Davey, Lau nceston 2044.

• Dozen large. small, buttons. Eight sta rs. Three buckles. New. OtTers: 40 Sunfield Lane, Diggle. Oldham. Lanes.

A NEW Review service which we feel might be of value to readers and is a column for the sale or exchange of items of equipment, Uniform s. book s etc.

The conditions of the Under £ I 0 Bring -and - Buy are: 1. Submissions free of charge but limited to sixteen words which must include price, address and/or phone number 2. Each must be made on the form provided in the Review, typed or in block capitals. Only one advertisement to each form. 3. The TOTAL PRICE of offered not to exceed TEN POUNDS. 4. The Bring -and - Buy is specifically mtended for used or secondhand items, and no goods or services by way of trade or commerce can be offered. 5. Goods for exchange can be of any value. 6. Submissions are subject to the usual publishing conditions, including the right to publication. 7. If goods are sold before publication, the Review should be mformed 8. This a service to readers and the publishers of the St John Review will not deal with any complaints or

Miniature Skeleton SAM 99a

66ST. JOHN IN ACTION "

PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION sponsored by KODAK LTD.

The competition is open to all members of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade including Cadets but excluding those whose profession is photography. It is divided into four groups:

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Black & White prints

Coloured prints

Black & White prints

Coloured prints Over 16 years of age Over 16 years of age 16 years and under 16 years and under on 1st May

KODAK LIMITED are most generously donating prizes to each of the groups as follows:

lst prize: a Kodak EK6 instant camera - (or Kodak goods to the value of £50)

Two runners up: Kodak materials to the value of £10

There will also be a special KODAK TROPHY for the overall winner, which will be presented by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester at the Hilton Hotel on Thursday, the 1st December 1977.

Photographs - maximum size Sin. x lOin. - should depict member s of the Brigade - preferably in uniform - and must reflect ACTION. They may be scenes taken at actual accidents, or show St. John personnel carrying out their numerous duties:

- at football matches - at other sporting events - on the river - at the seaside - in old people 's homes - in hospitals - etc, etc.

All photographs must be taken during 1977. There is no limit to the number of entries submitted by any one person , BUT EACH ENTRY MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SEPARATE ENTRY FORM. Entries must be sent to:

The D.P.R., The Order of St. John , 1 Grosvenor Crescent, LONDON SWIX 7EF

Envelopes should be marked "PHOTO COMP " in the top left corner.

Results will be published in the St. John Review.

CLOSING DATE- 30th SEPTEMBER 1977

"ST. JOliN IN ACTION" ENTRY FORM

Brigade Rank

Tick in appropriate square

Title or description of photograph

SEPARATE ENTRY FORM FOR EACH ENTRY - CLOSING DATE 30th SEPTEMBER

dge, S uffolk I P 12 3 QF.

Pho ne: O rf ord (Std 03 9 45 ) 548 Edi t or: Fra n k D riscoll.

A dv er ising display and classif ed rates on reques o m D riscoll Productio n s

Pr ice 26 p monthly. £3 60 pe an num , n clu d in g po st ag e, rom Revie w Sales St John A mbulance 1 Grosve n or Crescent , London SW 1X 7 EF

COVER : Meet the Best twins 14 - years - o d D onn a (left. thi nk ) and S obhan, who ve jus t won Wakefiel d and D istrict Area s B est Cadet of the Year award. Cade t s for 3 years , D o nn

AT RAN DOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief

THE ST. JOHN Ambulance Medical Conference held at Nottingham University from 22 to 24 April, attended by some 250 members of the medical and nursing professions who also belong to the St. John family and by numerous other distinguished guests, was an outstanding event among the many highlights of our centenary year. It was right and proper that the main items on the programme should look back to the past and on to the future , and that the two main themes relating to the future should concentrate on (a) the young and (b) ways in which we can effectively develop our service so as to meet the changing needs of a rapidly changing world.

The opening talk at the first plenary session was by Dr. Ian Fletcher (Assistant Surgeon -in - Chief) , who gave a crystal -clear account , illustrated by slides , of the historical relationship of St. John Ambulance to the ancient Order of Knights Hospitaller and of almost every aspect of its activities and de velopment from 1877 to the present day. It was hard to believe that anyone could pack so much information , with such clarity and in so entertaining a manner, into a mere 45 minutes; and when he finished I have little doubt that all those present felt that whatever might follow was bound to be an anti-climax. But we were mistaken, for, nothing daunted , Miss Rosemary Bailey (Chief Nursing Officer) gave us an equally informative and entertaining account of de v elopments that had taken place more specifically in the field of nursing. Then , after a break for mid - morning coffee, Professor P. J. Lawther of St. Bartholomew s Hospital and Medical College gave a brilliant talk entitled ' The Progress of First Aid ', though he maintained that he himself knew none and that his talk ought to have been advertised as an account of the stages whereby he had become educated in and conditioned to the acceptance of first aid as an essential service in the field of caring for those who suffer. Be that as it may , for the next 45 minutes we were showered with pearls of wisdom set in almost continuous ripples of laughter from an audience which hung on his every word.

(con t in ued on p.I 33)

and

The packed conference Everyone agreed it was

100 doctors among 250 delegates at SJA ' s centena ry

MEDICAL CONFERENCE

Conference co - chairman Dr P A B Raffle greets Professor Lawther who

THE three - day St. John Ambulance Centenary Year Medical Conference was held at Nottingham , April 22 to 24.

It began with a series of three seminars at Nottingham University on the St. John Ambulance Association, the Brigade s Surgeons and its Nursing Officers, They were conducted by Chief Medical Officer Dr P. A. B. Rame, Surgeon -in -Chief Dr. J. Claverhouse Graham, and Chief Nursing Officer Miss R. E. Bailey.

Saturday's events started with a seminar

Th e n and Now and included talks by Dr. Ian Fletcher, Aid, First and Foremost; Mis s Rosemary Bailey, Into our Second Century ; Prof. P. J. Lawther, The Progress of First Aid; Mrs. C M Stretton, Aeromedical Service; and Mr. G. W. Healy, Transport.

An inspection of a parade of ambulances , modern and vintage was followed by th e The Young Idea seminar. Among th e speakers were Prof. S. D. M. Court, Dr. Donald Irvine, and Mrs. Margaret Wynn with talks on the health of children , th e family doctor s role , and protection of mat e rnity and infancy.

Sunday' s activities began with a servic e conducted by the Rev. Leslie Morley, followed by the final seminar Look Forward.

Nursing and medical education, and overseas first aid were the topics under discussion, the speakers being Miss W E. Finch, Prof. A. D. M. Greenfield , Dr. Alan Davidson and Dr J. Peter Bush.

Summing up and closure of the conference was conducted by Dr. Claverhouse Graham

(A bo ve. L and R) The SJA display theme was of course centenary

'Nobby' Clark (faCing

ganised

London District's

ROYAL REVIEW

CENTENARY DINNER

ON Saturday, April 30, on Horse Guards Parade, Princess Margaret attended the special centenary review of St. John Ambulance, London District.

The 2,000 Brigade members on parade included small contingents from the Home Counties (who frequently supply personnel for large scale public duties in London) and five manned static displays - Northern Area's special Cardiac Unit, the new River Division ' s boats on trailers , SJA London's radio control post, London Transport Corps' mobile first aid unit, and the SJ A Southwark Cadet Band.

The Princess, who is of course SJA's Grand President, was welcomed at the parade ground by the Mayor of Westminster and principal officers of London District After touring the displays and ranks, she took the salute of the parade, which was led by the Metropolitan Police Band.

Later, the Chief Commander sent the following message to the Commander , London District: 'I was delighted to witness your splendid parade at The Horse Guards on Saturday and would be grateful if you would convey my congratulations to all who took part. '

During 1976 , SJA London District completed half-a -million hours of public duty.

ANNUAL INSPECTION

PROGRAMME IN FULL SWING

SJA Isl e of Man's centenary y ear programme start ed with an appeal on Manx Radio which raised £650 for the Brigad e. During January a serie s of films on the Blood Transfusion Service was shown to good audienc es throughout the island.

In Februar y some 250 people attended a Centenary Ball in Douglas at which

choir at the Sea Terminal, Douglas, a Gov e rnment House garden party

KOd

Last year's Wimbledon tennis championships - remember the sweltering weather? - drew the second highest r ecor ded number of spectators - 313,446 And th e highest number of casualtiesover 3,000! Who dealt with the wilting tennis fans? At the recent AGM of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which organises the event, it was put on record that: The committee would like to make particular mention of the fine work done by members of St. John Ambulance for the tireless way in which they dealt with over 3,000 cases .. .' Wonder what the weather will be like at Wimbledon this year?

WINNING HEARTS

I hear that SJ A's Areomedical Service is organising transport from Bletchley to Cape Town and back for 5 -y ear -old Katrina Pieri, who is to have life-s aving heart surgery from Professor Barnard in South Africa late July.

Bletchley Ambulance Division is providing ambulance transport between the girl's home and London Airport and return

The Aeromedical Service is arranging the incare flights out and back. And SJA Cape Town, as well as providing transport to and from the hospital, will also be in constant touch with the patient's mother, who will accompany her.

The trip is being financed through an appeal by the Milton Keynes Gazette.

IDEAS

I hear that Cheshire's Dukinfield Division recently held an Emergency Aid course for the blind with the help of a former Brigade member, Ted Grant of Denton, who has lost his sight.

Using resusci-annies, the course supplied one deI11onstrator to every two pupils, and

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

BY

THE EDITOR

some interesting ideas that emerged are now being incorporated by the Division in normal classes.

Another project tried by Dukinfield has been 'T he First-aider and the Motorcycle' , which is aimed at familiarising first-aiders who have no knowledge of motor - bikes with the problems of extracting a fallen rider trapped in his machine (when, often, the engine continues to run). With the help of the motorcycle industry, a simple routine has been devised that even a child ca n put into action.

Mr H C. Gowans

Hope to pass on more details of these see ROYAL ideas soon. OCCASION

ROYAL OCCASION

A right Royal occasion took place last February for Mr. H. C. Gowans , of Gosport, Hants, when he received a special Red Cross award at an investiture by the Queen Mother at Buckingham Palace. His award - Associate of the Royal Red Cross - is believed to be the first to a male, and is for exceptional devotion and competence over a long period .

Now a nursing officer at R.N.A .Y. Fleetlands, Mr. Gowans ' association with nursing began in 1945 in the R.N. Medical

The training team of Leicestershire 's SJA swimming club, which has been formed to train members for lifesaving duties on the 25 mile shores of the new Rutland Water reservoir which opened for the public in April. Members who gained 40 swimming awards last year will operate initially with a 40 knot jet - powered rescue launch provided by the Peter Fry Rescue Trust

The team comprises (L to R) Martin Tierney, Bernard Butterfield (leader) Peter Flannery, (front) Peter Beeston and Joan Williams

Branch. R eleased from the Navy in 1948, he r e-entered in 1950 , served abroad and eventually returned 'home' to the Ro yal Naval Hospital, Haslar, where he qualified as a State R egistered Nurse. In his last post he was responsible for co-ordinating the higher ratings examinations.

H e is a nursing officer and lay instructor with Hamp shi re 's Rowner and Bridgemary Division.

X-WORD

Have we any readers who would be interested in trying their hand at compiling a simple, quickie-type crossword for regular inclusion in the R eview? As well as the present crossword, we've had many requests for a puzzle with simpler clues and aimed more at cadets. I ncidentally, it has been suggested that this new puzzle could include clues not only on first aid but all aspects of cadet activities.

Would anyone interested in this idea please send a suggested puzzle to the editor.

BARGAINS

Two years ago, tired of jumble sales and aware of their relatively poor return for the effort involved , Caterham Nursing Division struck upon the idea of a 'Bargain Basement', I hear.

The Caterham headquarters had a cavernous store-room which has been converted by the members to provide a cadet meeting room, The room has walk-in

MIND BENDERS

Find the first aid word or words in the clue. The number of letters in the answer is given.

I. An effective way to close the conversation (4.3)

2. A co ld snap! (5.4)

3. Get the soldiers down the mines (3.4)

4. A flower fruit (3)

Answers: Upside down are at the bottom of page 132. No cheating.

cupboards where jumble is accumulated between sales, so it seemed logical to hold mini -sales right there, without the cost of hiring a hall and setting up the sale,

The idea has now been developed, with the Basement open on the first Saturday of every month Each sale can be easily managed by three or four people, and they have become so much a part of the local scene that a queue forms outside the headquarters every month!

Takings during J 976 were £400, whiC'h compares very favourably with the average of £80 earned at the former, twice- yearly, jumble sales. One word of warning though - a constant supply of material for the sa les is essential for 'regula rs will soon desert you if they can't find a bargain each month

GETTING INVOLVED

In a recent local press interview with Deputy C -in-C Watkin Williams, 'suffering from

600 peopl e, Including 300 guests, attended

hypothermia from immersion' appeared as 'sutTering from hyperthermia , from emotion'!

W.W. blames it onto his indistinct enunciation. He was interviewed by a young woman.

VISUALAIDS

Training officers of the Association and the Brigade - have you got a copy of the Catalogue of Audio Visual Aids, which has been prepared by HQ 's Medical Department?

If not, it's available from Supplies Dept, ref P02400, price £ 1.

HOSPITAL VISIT

Divisional officer B. H. Bates , of Corsham, writes:

On Monday February 21 members of the Corsham Combined Division spent a very interesting evening in the Burns and Casualty Units of Frenchay Hospital.

We were welcomed at the Hospital main entrance by the Nursing Officer who took us to the Burns Unit and handed us over to the Sister-in-Charge. She told us about the patients in the unit and showed us photographs of their condition when they were admitted. Later we were taken into the wards and shown the present state of burns on the patients and how they were treated. Burns seen were caused by a petrol tank exploding, cement and a bonfire. We were then shown the saline bath. Apparently all the patients are bathed daily, but not always in a saline bath.

Next we visited the Accident and Emergency Unit and once again were met by the Sister-in-Charge. Our first call was to the 'dirty' theatre, where the messy jobs are done, then to the ' clean' theatre with all the instrument trolleys laid out at the ready. Both theatres had piped oxygen and anaesthetic equipment readily available.

Finally we saw the resuscitation room equipped with four trolley beds capable of tilting at any angle, also apparatus for clearing air passages in infants and adults , and for treating cardiac arrest. Many other items needed by a major accident hospital were noted.

This is a superb unit where casualties receive first class treatment under a d edicat ed team It was a visit which all members of the Division enjoyed and gained greatly from th e experience.

THE ANTI

At a nursing exam, the examiner asked one young man to tell her some of the positions used in nursing a patient. He replied: 'The anti - remembrant.' Did he mean semirecumbent?

SPECIMEN

THANKS

A specimen copy of Emergency Servic es News, a n ew n e wspaper dealing w i th emergency and rescue services, can be obtained by sending a stamped, addressed 9ins by 4ins envelope to Mr. Tofts, 106 Middleton Avenue, Chingford, London , E4.

CENTENARY

STAMPS

Mrs. Marina Dolman, Area President, presents Pr o f essor Dennis Norton with a watch on behalf of officers and fri ends t o mark his retirement as Area Commissioner or Bristol and North Avon Look ng on is Mrs. Barbara Norton and Mr George Creech, the Acting Area Commissioner. ( Ph oto. Bristol Evening Po st)

Due to delays in the distribution of order forms for the centenary stamps otTer , which was to close on May 10 this offer has now been extended indefinitely. Details and order forms can be obtained from SJA Stamps, I High Street, Wor.thing, Sussex.

MIND BENDERS (answers)

I should overrun my space if I tried to give you even a brief summary of the whole conference program me, of which every detail made a worthy contribution to this centenary event. But there are two more items which I cannot let pass without mention. The Arst was the exhibition of methods of ambulance transport during the past hundred years, ranging from handlitters and an early horse -drawn ambulance to some of our most sophisticated vehicles of today. Our special thanks are due to those who dug out, begged, borrowed, lent and brought to Nottingham this interesting assembly of exhibits.

The second was the very challenging final talk , illu s trated by slides and a 7 -minute film, by Dr. Peter Bush, Commissioner for Victoria, Australia. His Aim showed an emergency disaster exercise carried out in the most hair -raising conditions by a highlytrained body of St. John volunteers who sought out and rescued a number of realistic 'casualties' trapped in a flooded and boulderstrewn canyon in the bush - a real ljfe emergency which St. John in Victoria might have to cope with any day.

One of his slides showed a uniformed group of adult members and cadets who comprised almost all the able - bodied men women, boys and girls in a village many miles from any large town and who , through first aid, nursing and welfare, devoted the whole of their spare time to the care of the community of which their village was the centre. Their story completely disproves a theory that one sometimes hears put forward, that a village is 'too small' for the formation of a viable division or that a division so formed would find itself languishing from lack of duties to perform : all that is needed is the inspiration of good leadership.

And finally, he described a very imaginative and successful experiment carried out in Victoria District under the name of 'Inter-Link'. This is a project in which Brigade members aged 14 -20 from a number of different divisions within a wide area come together in groups 'to work out their own ideas and translate them into action '. While it includes a number of purely social activities as well as those which develop the qualities of leadership and good citizenship, its main emphasis lies in response to a challenge to adventure - 'Sea, mountain, desert or snow are the rugh spots of an inter - link member's life'. Most important of all it is NOT a separate stratum of Brigade membership but provides a natural bridge between cadets and adults , for its activities are in addition to normal divisional activities and the efficiency of its members is assessed on the work they do with their parent division.

I am sure this is something that we could usefully adapt and develop with very great

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p. 125)

benefit to the recruitment, efficiency and enjoyment of Brigade members in our own country, and I hope that Dr. Bush will be writing more on the subject in a later issue of the Review.

Something's wrong here

Do we try hard enough to recruit divisional s urgeons and nursing officers? The very large number of divisions up and down the country in which these appointments are va cant is a matter for grave concern, for our surgeons and nursing officers are the life - line of our training programme.

I've often heard it said that it's impossible to find divisional surgeons and , to a lesser extent, nursing officers, and I've even heard it claimed that young doctors and nurses are no longer as ready as they used to be to devote their time and their expertise, free of charge, to help a voluntary organisation such as ourselves. But I'm convinced that this is just not true, and I don't think one need attend the Medical Conference at Nottingham, where our most dedicated surgeons and nursing officers are likely to be found , to find many proofs that such an assertion is a most unworthy and undeserved slur on two professions whose members are outstandingly dedicated to the service of mankind.

So what has gone wrong? First of all, I'm sure we are sometimes too ready to assume that a young doctor is bound to be too busy to help us, and therefore we either make our approach too half-hearted or never pluck up courage to make it at all. Of course a little subtlety is needed, as well as that infectious enthusiasm which makes us people whom it's impossible to refuse! But if we don't possess that subtlety and that infection , these are qualities that we must learn to acquire, and meanwhile we must blame our failure on ourselves and not on the doctors.

Secondly, rm sure we often make far too little use of our divisional surgeons and nursing officers when once we've got them. We are too frightened , or too shy, or - dare [ say it ? - perhaps occasionally too d e termined to maintain our own lay independence in matters of training, to get th em really involved as full members of the division to which they belong.

Our s urgeons aren t just medical practitioner s whom we've somehow conned into giving a course of six first aid lectures every year. The divisional surgeon is in the fullest sense 'o n the strength' of the division; he is chairman of the divisional advisory Committee (BGR.122); he is responsible for the division 's training and for promoting its efficiency throughout the year (BGR.60); he ha s a right to be consulted about programmes, to be notified in good time of the date of the annual inspection and / or review and encouraged to be present, to be invited to accompany the division on some of its more important public duties and to share in its social functions, and to have his record of service entered on the division's BF.l and on his own personal BF.4. His professional duties may make it impossible for him to accept many of these invitations; but if he never even receives them, how can he accept any?

Fortunate indeed is the division - and I know there are many such, though still too few - whose surgeon drops in' from time to time on their weekly training evening, maybe for only 10 or 20 minutes, when he finds himself visiting a patient in the neighbourhood or gets through his surgery half an hour earlier than he expected. But he will only do this if he knows he ll receive a really warm welcome and will not be greeted with surprise amounting almost to consternation!

I remember once noticing that a former divisional surgeon who had just been appointed an area commissioner wasn't wearing the ribbon of the Service Medal. I knew that he had many years' outstanding service both with his division and as a lecturer, examiner and competition judge; but on looking up his record I found that he had never been entered on a BF.l or given a BF.4. Fortunately] was able to obtain more than sufficient evidence to validate his record of past service, and I'm happy to say that a few weeks later I was able, at an Area function, to present him with his Service Medal and first Bar.

Now please don't rush otT an indignant letter accusing me of 'knocking' all the conscientious divisional superintendents and secretaries who always make the fullest use of their professional officers, ensure that they are genuinely involved as members of their division and maintain their records of service properly. I know they do and we all owe them an immense debt of gratitude for setting so splendid an example to the rest. But we need tq spread the infection, and I hope that at least some of you who read this will be able to echo the remark of an elderly divisional officer eN) who came up to me at th e end of a conference at which I'd been s peaking and said : 'Mr. Williams, I just wanted to tell you that I feel as if I'm becoming a little bit infectious!'

THOSE THREE (as they're known in SJA Suffolk)-

WE THREE are writing our impressions of our first (but certainly not our last, we hope) visit to Malta with the St. John Centenary Year study tour. The party, of 38 British and 15 French members from the Priory of Brittany, went to Malta for eight days on 'J anuary 24.

Our plane landed at Luqa Airport as the light was fading and we were soon whisked otT to the Corinthia Palace Hotel where we were shown our rooms; then downstairs for briefing, upstairs for changing, and down again for a cocktail reception - all within 45 minutes. Obviously there wasn't going to be a dull moment during our eight days! And there wasn't.

The days began with a lecture in the hotel ballroom by Miss Pamela Willis, Curator of the Library and Museum at St. John's Gate. After a cotTee break, we boarded a coach to visit the sites of the day's study. Our guide on these trips was Chevallier Professor Galea, known atTectionately to everyone as Joe. His constant stream of expert knowledge on Malta's geology, archeology, history, and other facets of the island's life held our attention during the bumpy rides. Most days we returned to the hotel at about 5pm, to recharge ourselves for the evening revelries.

These included a welcoming cocktail party given by the hotel management, and a Centenary reception at St. John Ambulance headquarters as guests of the St. John Council and St. John Ambulance, Malta. This was most valuable, for it gave us the opportunity to meet our counterparts and make new friends.

How do we begin to describe the places we saw, which were so beautiful and aweinspiring? And so ditTerent for each one of us. We've written our own impressionsseparately.

Ann Goldstone's impressions

My eight days in Malta were the most interesting and the happiest I can remember, and I shall go on reliving them for many a long day. Packed full of lectures, tours, events and meeting people, they were for me a sheer delight.

It is impossible to single out what made the deepest impression, but high on the list was the marvellous open-hearted welcome we received from the St. John members, in fact from all the Maltese people with whom we came in contact. I feel very honoured to have made real friends among them.

The island itself I found enchanting, almost another world, in another age, where chivalry, pride of one's country and heritage, plus concern for fellow men were very evident. The magnificent buildings which had survived the terrible bombing of the last war

ANN GOLDSTONE (Div. Supt. Aldeburgh Combined Cadet Div.), ANN LITTLE (D/Off. Rushmere Quadrilateral Div. Ipswich), and CHRISTINE SCARLOTT (CSO(NC) Suffolk) - have been:

MALTA BOUND AT LAST!

were preserved and well cared for. The few gardens and vegetable patches, sometimes miles from habitation, were carefully planned and lovingly tended. The rebuilding programme, using the natural limestone which blends into the countryside, was admirable.

During our daily tours we saw many places of interest and historical value, all of which were unique in their own way, but two in particular left me with strange feelings.

The first was the Inquisitor's Palace. Outside, this looks an ordinary building, much the same as the others in the street, but once inside with the front door shut one stepped back in time into an atmosphere of cold unease. The tiny 'individual cells' did nothing to dispel this chilly feeling, nor did the courtroom where one could almost see large, gaunt, grim-faced men sitting on the carved seats about to pass sentence. It was not difficult to imagine the terror in the hearts of those who stood in that room so many years ago.

The second place which made such a deep impression on me was the chapel built into the walls and fortification of St. Elmo - a Chapel very like others we had seen but here there was a real feeling of peace. A place where the knights had escaped for a few moments to pray for strength in their Faith, and the courage they were going to need in their battles and maybe death. All of us, I'm sure at some time have doubted our Faith, or had conflict; this tiny room was a place where I was sure many found the answer to their doubt.

I had many other impressions of Malta, too numerous to mention, but I thank most sincerely all those who made this trip possible for me.

Ann Little's impressions Landing on a grey, overcast afternoon, the airfield glowing with a carpet of deep. pink

wild flowers. The landscape rocky but surprisingly green. And which ever way you looked, the skyline ornamented by belfries and domes of many beautiful churches. How lucky we were to have a whole week of perfect weather - blue skies over blue water, golden sun on golden stone. During the winter Malta's weather can be as unpredictable as Britain's, so this was an exceptional spell for the end of January.

Valletta - steep narrow streets of steps and gorges dropping into the harbour's sparkling water; glimpses of cool, shady courtyards within dim doorways; canaries singing; the calm gaze of the many statues of saints give a blessing as you pass by; towering bastions of stonework, great clitTs of masonry; the jolly, colourful market in front of St. John's Co - Cathedral; and looking at that great building, and Cross poised on the roof between the towers. This is what we came for.

- Standing in the tiny chapels of Forts St. Angelo and St. Elmo, the Oratory in the Cathedral - but most of all for me - in the Great Ward of the Hospital of the Knights, we felt history inside us, felt a part of the cavalcade of St. John, reaching back not only through our own century of service but also through earlier years; the Order in Malta bringing peace to the Mediterranean after the ordeal of the Great Siege, to the years in Cyprus and Rhodes after the fall of Acre at the end of the back to those gentle, compassionate monks who were the first Serving Brothers to pilgrims, travellers and all-comers to their Hospice.

We have many large, lofty old buildings in Britain, roofs supported by carved columns of stone in fans and vaults and arches. But the Knights Hospital in Valletta is utter simp licity , no decoration, plain walls, massive beams support the roof, each cut from a single tree (chestnut, which must have been magnificent in life). A practical building for a practical purpose, the nursing of the

sick. This is a little of what I felt in the hospital and the other places connected with the Order in Valletta and elsewhere in Malta.

The arts and crafts of Malta all seem to be based on making patterns with air. The Churches that climb into the sky, decorating the sunsets with their pinnacles and towers.

Almost every house has a balcony or screen of beautiful wrought-iron - there is a screen In the upper bar of the British Hotel

Centenary Year study

depicting the galleons of the Order in full sail, the crosses picked out in gold. On a smaller scale is the lace, for which Malta is so famous, every piece, even the smallest handkerchief, has the cross worked into the design. And equally delicate i:: the silver wire filigree jewelry, of exquisite flowers and butterflies, and of course, the cross againin rings, brooches pendants, and earrings. Even the Maltese bread is like lace. It has so

many lovely big holes in it. You could certainly get more butter into a slice then you could into a hot crumpet! The cross is everywhere: ca rved on buildings, picked out in lights on the Cathedral and St. Lawrence Church in Birgu on the stamps, on teatowels, and on the label of the honey brought home for tea.

The deepest impression of all for me was made by the Maltese people - those we met

tour outside the Auberge de Castille Valletta

at St. John HQ were so friendly and made us so welcome at the reception they arranged for us. Everywhere else it was the same The hotel staff made us really feel at home, accompanying us on many of our expeditions. The fisherwoman who made the shopping basket of gay pink nylon I bought at Marsaxlokk was ready to chat; the lady who was making lace shook my hand warmly as a fellow lacemaker; even the lady in the Ladies' on our last morning was worried in case it was cold when we got back to Britain - (and it was!).

All these folk were very kind , were glad to see us, were anxious that we should enjoy every moment of this wonderful opportunity to visit their unique island. I'll be going back.

Christine Scarlott's impressions

Before I went to the island, to me Malta was where the Knights of St. John had rather reluctantly set up home after years of wandering in Europe. I had, of course, read the Short History of the Order and once in Malta 1 tried to come to terms with the names, dates and geographical situations of that history.

It was after standing on the top of Fort St. Elmo and surveying the harbour: then looking out from Fort St. Angelo across Grand Harbour to Fort St. Elmo; and sitting on the ferryboat that took us in and out of the creeks - that everything fell into place.

At last I understood how the siege was fought and the need to defend the island from all such attacks. I saw La Vallette's dream of a new city and marvelled at the speed with which the fortifications had been built. The eyes and the ears of the watchtowers, reminding guardiilns throughout the centuries to be ever watchful for the enemy approaching from the sea.

What a privilege it was to stand in the little chapel of St. Anne at Fort St. Angelo. Was I alone in feeling that here we could have stood together and said the prayers of the Order - rededicating ourselves, as the Knights had done, so many times before? It was here, too, that we saw the Oubliette or 'Forgotten Place' - the ultimate cell of punishment for an erring Knight reminding us of the high standard of discipline within the Order.

It was a very special moment indeed when I stood in the long, lofty hall of the Knights' Hospital. It was like reaching the end of a pilgrimage. Despite the dust of the restoration work, there was such a wonderful atmosphere - calm, peaceful and gentle.

How differently I felt in the Inquisitor's Palace. Here the atmosphere was heavily oppressive - fear was a tangible feeling. To look up into the alcove where the Inquisitor had pronounced sentences was awesome. To stand in the small courtroom, with the carved wooden judicial seats on a raised

dais , and wonder at the calibre of these power - hungry men made one feel cold.

What are the scenes I now see in my mind's eye when I think of Malta? Standing inside the Co-Cathedral, built for the Knights, so richly magnificent, such enormous proportions, with its intricatelycarved stonework and dramatically painted ceiling. The tombstones in the floor , richly coloured, giving a pictorial record of each Knight buried there.

The lovely' facade of the imposing Auberge de Castille, a few steps from which, from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, is the most magnificent view of Grand Harbour. On our last morning I wanted to stand there forever!

The day trip to Gozo, with the sun warm on our backs and a breeze off the sea. The fascinating clear water, for ever changing colour. How I longed to walk across the island. Instead, along with everyone else, I boarded a coach, shared this time with the members from the Priory of Brittany. What a happy journey this was, as we made the most of the opportunity to get to know our French companions better! What spectacular views of the bays around the island, with their beautiful beaches. But for me it was the view of Xlendi Bay which was the most vivid. Sitting in the Moby Dick restaurant, with an excellent meal before us, through the large picture window the sun was shining brilliantly on the turquoise water of the bay. From the edge of the bay the colour of the water changed suddenly, as though a line had been drawn across it into a deep, almost navy blue. A view to remember on a dull damp day in England. The crowded little handicraft shops with their displays of hand -k nitted garments. Shops delved into at every opportunity, coming back to the ferry loaded with parcels

The walled city of Mdina, high on a hill , with its breathtaking, panoramic view of Malta. The cathedral in the square with its two clocks - one for the hour, the other a calendar. The bell - boys scrambling down the outside walls of the bell -tower after calling the procession to M on the Feast of the on joining

Conversion of St. Paul , when inside the cathedral the silver plate and vestments had been laid out for celebrating this special day

The lovely, relaxing hour and a half spent on the ferryboat , as it wended its way in and out of the creeks of Grand Harbour. Listening to the sonerous voice of the guide giving a potted history of the harbour and its future plans. From the ferryboat to the karrozzins waiting in a long line to conduct us to the Castille Place. The startled face of a car driver as our dignified procession developed into a chariot race

The fascination of ancient civilisations as seen at the Ggantija and Tarxien temples, and the Hypogeum.

But it was not Malta's historic places or its beautiful scenery which made the greatest impression on me; it was the warmth and friendliness of the Maltese people.

Conclusion

We three write together again about our last day in Malta, Sunday, when our party had the honour of being invited to th e President's Palace at San Anton, where we were welcomed by the President and Mr s. Buttigieg. The President himself showed us around the gardens and the paJace which was built by Grand M aster Antoine de Paule. Here, we were shown the original painting of the arrival in Malta of Grand Master de I'Isle Adam, which is reproduced on the cover of our Short History '. It was seeing so many things familiar from picture s, s uch as this painting, that made our tour so interesting and fascinating.

The crowning glory of our stay on the island was the splendid farewell party given to us by our hotel. Our host was the hotel's London representative, Mr. J Hunter Fairley, who accompanied us throughout the tour. We mu s t thank him not only for the helpful, unobtrusive way with which the practicalities of the tour were dealt, but also for his many acts of kindness; and the hotel staff for making our stay in Malta so enjoyable; and of course Pam Willis of the Gate, and Ann Newnes of HQ's Press Office, who made our 8 days in Malta such a wonderful success for everyone.

FIRST SJA CAMPUS DIVISION

A GROUP of Chinese students at the University of Toronto has formed a Division of St. John Ambulance which has been recognised by the University as an official campus organisation. This is the first St. John Ambulance unit anywhere to be affiliated with a university

The Hon. Pauline M. McGibbon, LieutenantGovernor of Ontario, was the inspecting officer and presented the charter to Division Superintendent Benjamin Lai at a ceremony on January 23 in the University drill hall.

Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Nigel ,Wong, who made the announcements in English and Chinese. A special feature of the programme was the Chinese Lion Dance, which traditionally causes heavenly blessing to fall on everyone attending the ceremony.

The young men and women in the recently organised Varsity Combined Crusader Division are in the faculties of Engineering, Medicine, and Arts and Science and will provide a free first aid service at univer sity activities. They will also provide this service to the Chinese community of Metro Toronto.

(Reprtnted

(L to R) NurSing Officer Miss R. Ng RN. Dlv Surgeon Dr W Chow; Cadet Corps S UP! W Cotgreave Div. Supt. Ben Lai and the D ivision s President Fred Kan

I Left) The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario The Hon Pauline M. McGibbon presenting the charter to Div. Supt. Ben Lai. while her aide-decamp Col lain Mackay (for the first time an aide de camp appeared In St. John Ambulance uniform) looks on

(Below) The programme included a traditional Lion Dance and demonstrations of Kung Fu bv members of a Chinese club

from Philip T. Area Commissioner

There are certain penalties to be paid for having become a litigation conscious society (At Random April). Some are obvious, others are not. Those 'deadly dull' practice evenings are, at least in part , a result, since some of the more imaginative training can, when enacted through inexperienced planning, lead to unpleasant and sometimes legally actionable results.

Yet another cause for a lack of inspired training stems from the inertia generated by our cocooned and over regulated day -to -day existence , which so many allow to become very ordinary As a result, our get -up - and -go has very often got - up - and -went!

I am continually heartened by evidence that our recruits still do have ample flair and ability. A good proportion have initiative too but I find that when they use it they provoke collision with the stiflers'.

These are a group of people to be found both in and outside divisions who though not a new phenomenon , are gaining fresh impetus. They often use expressions such as 'insurance angle ', 'matter of policy' , 'referred to the committee ', 'under consideration ', 'being carefully examined', and have been known to utter rash truths as 'J don 't like that' or even 'I don't want to know about that' - brave statements indeed.

'The stiflers' will invoke almost any excuse to avoid exploring the problems which may be incurred by new avenues of activity. They also lack the will or ability to overcome those problems when identified.

The guidance and nurture of the novice by the experienced is the controlled process by which we should ensure positive membership succession. It is so often observable as a process by which the sparkle on fresh ideas becomes tarnished by passive response. Those deadly dull evenings are inevitable! Yes, the answer does lie with the leadership, but where?

Ideas, like memories , are precious and need to be nurtured - not tortured. Leadership does not stop at the officer - in -charge , nor does the responsibility for the deadly dull evening. Some ideas which emerge unpolished have the potential of an unbroken horse which crude attempts are made to confine. Skilful and diligent application of enlightened interest is, however, capable of the finest results.

It is up to the WHOLE chain of command to strain every sinew to harness initiative, flair, and ability. This will inevitably mean sometimes 'less pomp and more circumstance'. In the longer term those who show keen interest and useful assistance without interfering will attract respect. They will find themselves recipients of volunteered ideas supplied by members unafraid of 'the stiflers'. Those deadly dull practice evenings will then become a historical feature - not a hysterical one.

NURSING COMPETITIONS

from L. W. Aldwinckle, Divisional Superintendent

In reply to the Shy Ambulance Cadet's letter (April Review) , I would like to give him and other cadets some encouragement by explaining how they could enter for the nursing competition.

It is possible for ambulance and nursing cadets belonging to Combined Divisions to be in teams which enter for the opposite section. So an ambulance cadet could enter for the nursing competition, providing that the standard of his nursing satisfies his officers.

It was as long ago as 1967 that BHQ organised a pilot competition in No. 4 Region for combined teams, comprising of two nursing members and two ambulance members.

The following year, 1968, mixed teams were allowed to enter all sections of Brigade competitions and since 1970 several have appeared at the Brigade Finals in cadet and adult sections.

The Preston Combined Youth team, won the Perrott Shield in 1974 , and in 1975 the first nursing member was included in an ambulance team at the Finals.

READERS VIEWS

Readers ' views and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

1 have shown a great interest in the fortunes of combined teams as I was a member of the Hertfordshire representatives in the original pilot competition and would like to offer the following suggestions.

That the teams revert to the original format of two nursing and two ambulance members. If this is not possible, then teams comprising three of one sex and one of the other should hav e to enter the competition of which they have the most members. For example three ambulance men and one nursing member should enter the competition.

This would stop the situation that could occur of four ambulance members winning the nursing uniform competition.

Stevenage

CHALLENGE!

from R. S. Ashman, Divisional Superintendent

Len A Ldwinckle

In answer to the challenge from Jack D Smith of Caterham Ambulance Division (April Review) we of Bath Division would like to state that we were formed in 1889 (Caterham 1894) and we are still going strong and increasing in numbers.

We would be interested to know if there is any division older than ours.

Bath

CADET AWARDS

from Chief Officer Training Cadets

R. C. Ashman

Referring to the letter from S Wastell (April Review) , readers may be interested to know that some of his suggestions have been considered by the Cadet Advisory Committee or are being acted upon.

Although we have not considered changing the name of the Grand Prior 's Badge - and I am one who thinks it would be a great pity to do so - we have for some time been in the throes of revising the existing syllabi for Proficiency Subjects and are hoping to widen the scope very considerably by introducing new and more adventurous subjects. In this contexf, I would welcome from readers suggestions for new subjects. It would be a great help, however, when sending a suggestion if the writer could include with it a proposed syllabus for the subject. These suggestions should be sent to Headquarters St. John Ambulance, addressed to the Chief Officer Cadets.

We have also considered the possibility of presenting the GP Badge in London at some formal function, but in the present financial climate this has not been suppgrted because of the cost of bringing people from all over the country to London We are trying very hard to cut down costs which counties and members have to incur and it was felt that for this reason the formal presentation of badges in London was not justified.

As regards the Proficiency Badge worn on the cadets left arm, it would be interesting to know what design of badge is envisaged. If the reader is thinking of different badges for each proficiency subject on the lin es of those issued by some other organisations this has been considered by the Cadet Advisory Committee and turned down as it is felt that it is not desirable to proliferate the number of badges that are already worn.

Headquart ers Pat Adams

SRNs LECTURING

from A Puzzled SRN

Further to my letter re SRNs (Review Dec. 76) giving doctor s' le ctures on first aid, I find that on reading page 6 of Class Regulations (Oct 72) that although only a doctor should give the 1ectures (with assistance from other qualified persons), it is permissible for an SRN with industrial experience to give occupational first aid lectures in his own right.

Although I agree that there may be special conditions in industry, J feel that a fractured spine, severed artery, or cardiac arrest, etc, are the same in ind ustry as on the M 1.

I suggest, therefore, that the Association amend page 6, para 4, to read - 'Me dical Practitioner (Doctor), Dental Surgeon, State Registered Nurse with first aid experience (eg, ACTIVE member of St. John) , these may be .'

Puzzled SRN

OFFICER RANKS

from Ben R. Jarman, CSO Ambulance Cadets

I was interested to read the letter by DIO Ian Buckma ster (April Review) headed Officer Ranks, and would agree that recognition may be difficult and confusing by looking only at the shoulder -markings.

However , the picture becomes clearer when all the markings are taken into consideration, ie, cap peaks, shoulder-straps and gorget patches, though even then we haven't the absolute solution.

How would this 'ratio nalisation ' work out in practice? Would it perhaps cause even more confusion? Take for example the still wide -

spread ignorance, at all levels, as to the correct title to be given to Officers il c of Cadets.

Constantly I am hearing, and reading, of Divisional Officers (Cadets) being referred to as Cadet Officers; Divisional Superintendents (Cadets) as Cadet Superintendents; Area Staff Officers (Cadets) as Area Cadet Officers; and County Staff Officers (Cadets) as County Cadet Officers. Incidentally, I have just read in this same issue on page 92, bottom right -hand picture, a reference to 'Wales County Cadet Officer' (I'm sure that wasn't your fault, Editor!).

I think the title was changed in the early 60s, or even before then, to try to improve the 'image' of the officer il c cadets, who was considered by some folk to be some inferior being, whereas he has great responsibility and yet, after all these years, the titles of long ago are still used by many - perhaps through ignorance - who knows!

Mr. Buckmaster, who incidentally seems to have been influenced by the Police Force and the Fire Service in his choice of officer rank titles of chief superintendent and assistant divisional officer (!) has posed an interesting subject for debate. I haven't a ready answer to this one. ] only wish I had!

Harr ogate B en R. Jarman

MALTA

from B. W. J. Cutcliffe, County Secretary

Members from Avon, Devon, Kent, London, Somerset and Wales have just returned from a really wonderful holiday in Malta. This was the fourth consecutive year for some of the members.

We spent a week in the Mediterranean sunshine and were privileged to visit not only the usual tourist attractions but (thanks to the good offices of Corps. Supt. Edward Tortell, Div. Supt. Vincent Bug eja and Div. Off. Ray Fava) also Fort St. Angelo and Fort St. Elmo, including the Hospital of the Knights. These two forts are not open to the general public but they contain many buildings erected by the Knights of St. John.

Two members of the Brigade on holiday in Malta - seeing us in uniform - joined us for the visit to Valletta, including St. John's Cathedral, the Magisterial Palace and Headquarters, Malta District.

The reception we received from members in Malta was reall y wonderful and to show our appreciation for all they did for us we ar e assisting in the payment of the air fares of five members from Malta who are travelling to this country in August to attend the International Camp at Aldershot.

In the year 1113, Pope Paschall II took the Hospital under hi s protection , exempted it from the payment of tithes , confirmed it s endowments, and granted it the privilege of electing its own sup erior . Such were the beginnings of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. '

ingenuity to make very best use of what is available and to se ar c h further afield for extras

in s tructor 's n eed to be very fl exible whatev e r hi s long -term aim s or preparation s

B. W. J CutclifJe

If any.of your readers would like to organise a visit for their friends I shall be delighted to help them. Alternatively if places are available in the 1978 trip I will let interested persons have details of our proposals. 62 Charnwood Road Whitechurch, Bristol

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE HOSPITAL from B. K. Wallace

I particularly enjoyed Mr. Laing s article Saints Alive (Feb. Review) I learned a lot about St. John the Almoner that I didn't know but I was surprised that Mr. Laing was ignorant of how St. John the Baptist became the patron saint of the Order. I imagine that the historians at the Gate have enlightened Mr. Laing and the readers of the Review by now. In case they haven't, let me elucidate by quoting from The Knights of St. John in the British Empire by Sir Edwin King, pages 3 and 4.

'Now there was in existence in Jerusalem when the Crusaders took the city an ancient hospice for Christian pilgrims, dedicated to St. John the Almoner, and under the control of the Benedictine Abbot of S1. Maria Latina. At that time the warden of the hospice was a certain Gerard from Martigues in Provence, better known to history as the Blessed Gerard, who had devoted his life to this work after himself making the pilgrimage to the Holy City. The hospice had been founded about the year 600 by the Abbot Probus, acting under the instructions of Pope Gregory the Great. It was restored and enlarged by th e Emperor Charlemagne, only to be destroyed in 1010 by the mad Caliph El-Hakim, and was restored yet again by the citizens of the wealthy maritime republic of Amalfi in the year 1023. Into this hospice the Blessed Gerard took many of the wounded Christian soldiers , who received there such devoted care and attention that their praise s resounded throughout the army. Duke Godfrey himself (Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lower Lorraine) visited the establishment, and was so impressed by the good work that was being done that he endowed it with the casale (could this be a misprint for castle?), of Hessilia (E sSilsileh) and other property in Jerusalem - an example that was followed by many other Christian leaders, who conferred rich gifts upon it. When the Crusaders began to return to their homes th e following year they were loud in their praises of the Hospital of which the fame speedily became celebrated throughout Christendom. What had been until then a somewhat obscure charitable institution had suddenly become celebrated in all countries and a favourite object for the donations of pious benefactors in every Christian land.

'The Blessed Gerard's popularity with the Crusaders enabled him to free his hospice from the control of the Benedictines and to found a new Order of Hospitallers, who adopted the Augustinian Rule as a further sign of their complete separation from their former patrons Their habit was the black cappa clausa - that is, the long monastic bell-like cloak having a slit on each side for the arms - with a whit e cross on the breast that ultimately took the form of the eight -pointed cross included in the arms of the Republic of Amalfi. By the annexation of the ancient Greek monastery of S1. John Baptist, they secured for their Convent the whole of that square enclosure which Saladin in derision afterwards called the 'Muristan', or mad -house the name that it has borne ever since. In consequence of this addition S1. John naturally became the patron saint of the new Order taking th e place of the original patron of the old hospice, S1. John the Almoner. The Hospitallers took three solemn vows - of chastity, obedience, and poverty - in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before the Patriarch Dagobert, by whom the foundation of their Order was duly confirmed.

From the above you will see that th e ancient hospice which Mr Laing refers to was not the church of St. John the Almoner, but wa s the hospital and library which was originally built by the Emp e ror Charlemagne about 800 and restored in 1023 by the citiz ens of Amalfi. It was certainly dedicated to St. John the Almoner but w as under the control of the Benedictine Abbot of the church of St. Maria Latina through the Blessed Gerard, the warden. It wa s after th e Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 that the hospital acquired the Greek monastery of St. John Baptist and he became the patron saint of the Order.

Victoria,

TRAINING

from S. P. Kelly, Corporal r mean no disrespect to Mr. Piper s intentions or ability (Review Feb .) but I have always understood that one of the main objectives for any instructor is to make him or herself understood. I am afraid that it took several readings of the article Planning a Training Programme b efor e I even began to understand what I think was being said

Trying to make training within a volunteer organisation into an exact science or reduce it to a glorified mathematical formula is fraught with complications and pitfalls that do not apply to s uch training i n an industrial or further education context.

I agree with his premises that 'the participants in a good training programme should become more valuable to the organisation and better prepared for emergencies. Participation in the trainin g programme should help individuals achiev e their obj ecti ves and increase their motivation ', but I think that his methods are unlikely to r e alistically achieve any of these

If this article was intended as a guide to Area or Distr ct trainin g then I cannot see such complexities being coped with when pot e nti a l applicants are geographically scattered and actual participants ar e together for only relatively short one orr periods.

If it was intended as a guide to divisional training of either fir s t aid / home nursing or any additional interest subjects then sur ely h e is taking an IBM computer to evaluate what a simple abacus could.

1) Divisional members have not been press -ganged into the S1. John or any of its activities.

A Divisional instructor be he or she an officer , NCO or mer e human being is not an anonymous or distant ogre.

Why , therefore , do we need to resort to anonymous questionnair es?

Any few minutes in conversation before or after meetings or shared on duty are surely at least as productive, and certainly less forbidding or authoritarian than questionnaires A good instructor should get to know his ' pupils'. They are colleagues not subserviants

2) Any attempts to give collective training should surely be confin ed to very specialist subjects , such as secretary , treasurer history of th e Order etc and these are nominated for personnel who have shown the necessary interest or are expected to assume new responsibilities

Can there be any justification for selective first aid or home nursing training? All members are involved because they want to be and regardless of ability, experience or enthusiasm they should surely all b e given the opportunity to train in all aspects of their first aid or hom e nursing!

3) The planning of a programme should be a continuous and ver y flexible thing.

Unlike an industrial concern or college of further education the S1. John divisions have to 'make do' with what they have. Improvements of any kind, in headquarters, equipment , training aids etc , have to be found from normally limited resources. Because of this the bigg es t assets that a divisional instructor can have are his / her imagination and

I am saying all this because, although 1 am with a divi s ion that is very fortunate compared to many in its headquarters, etc I have learnt the art of opportunism. The ideas and many of the practical aid s for my individual training sessions are prepared in ad v ance but my timetable has to allow for many considerations such a s:

a) A bitterly cold January evening is not the time for a sit in a circl e' question -and -answer session or lecture, however much that might b e wanted or considered necessary.

b) A low attendance evening is not the time to demonstrate a n ew or complex idea, but it could be the right time to revise an old idea or one that is better supervised in small groups.

c) Summer evenings are the time for any possible ' outdoor ' practic e and not every summer is as long as the last so time mu s t b e u se d when it's there. The evening you make elaborate plan s for s invariabl y th e first one for six weeks that it rains on

d) Some subjects or ideas prove to be more difficult to under s tand or of greater interest than expected and thus they requir e more time or repetition at a later date.

e) Some subjects or ideas are understood much more quickly than expected or inspire little enthusiasm and thus there is s udd enl y extra time on hand or you need to revise your s chedules to deal with the relevant topic in a different way later.

f) Other divisional matters periodically need more tim e than or iginally expected or planned for. Training is a v tal part of an y divi s ion ' s activities but it is not the only activity and other it e m s must take precedence when the occasion demands it.

Ther e may be many other s uch factors but the s e suffic e to demonstrate the difference between reality and ideality and an

Cam b rigeshire s St Ives and Dis ric DiVision recently received this ambulance and equipment from the local Round Table and Rotarians the first time, it is believed there has been such a jOint sponsoring ventu r e D iv Supt. D Den ton receives the vehic e from Ro a rian chai rm an Mr F C Barton (left) and Rou n d Table chairman Mr G Dubock. Thanks Gentlemen SI. Ives 1 4 adults and 12 cadets have a 7 - day a week. year - round rec r eation centre duty. and two other duties eve y weekend from March till October.

T hat ambu ance will be u seful

More divisional mobility

Worcester's Pershore Combined D ivision recently saw their new a m bulance dedicated in the grounds of Pershore Abbey and accep ed by Sir Berwick L echmere the Area CommiSSioner, on behalf of the Order

Mr. Pip e r then suggests the use of periodic quizze s to s tudy the progre s s of the training programme. As with his initial questionnaires h e s uggests that they should be formal and can be anonymous. My arguments about knowing your colleagues given in earlier paragraph s appl y e very bit as much here. I can also argue that , a s someone who ha s worked in personnel matters for several years , I know that there is nothing more certain to alienate individuals and distort tru e fe elings than an attempt to fit them into stereotyped questionnaires.

The normally talkative or extrovert types will happily tell you their feelings when asked verbally but will often feel inhibited by ' ring i ng the appropriate mark The introvert or shy will often reveal a great deal with friendly con v ersational persuasion whereas in questionnaires they will frequently give the answer s they think you want.

The final e valuation of a training programme is vital and r agree with Mr. Piper that a written report can be invaluable. Time is a distorter of memory and thus when a programme stop s and is not likely to be dealt with again for any length of time a concise and permanent record of the experiences gained the last time ensures that mistak e s are not re -made and points of useful detail are reu s ed A succes s ful training programme required a great deal of preparation and analysis .'

Hear , hear! Mr. Piper , and becau s e of that it requires a great dea l o f time. That time is be s t used in dealing with the de velopment e volution and ph ys ical pr e paration of idea s and met hods and in personal contact with th o s e under in s truction Our r esults s hould be s een in the enthu s ia s m and incr e asing effic ienc y' and ability of tho s e under training not in admini s trati v ely perfect but imp ersonal paper chains .' Fil1 c hley S. P. K e lly

British Columbia Basil K. Walla ce

NEWS from SCOTLAND

THE new Chancellor, in succession to Sir Andrew Murray, will be Col. J. H. Calder MacLeod, at present Hospitaller and a frequent contributor to this column. The new Prelate, in succession to Dr. Davidson, will be the Rev. Professor Robert A. S. Barbour of Aberdeen University. Both will be installed at Perth on 24 June. The new Hospitaller will be Mr. D. 1. LiddellGrainger.

Mr. Jimmy Tarbuck will be laying on his annual charity Pro - Am Golf Tournament at Dalmahoy on 3 July. This year our Order is to be the main beneficiary.

Glenshee

A new committee under the chairmanship of Mr. M. M. Cruickshank has been formed to liaise between the Order and the Glenshee Ski Rescue Service.

Aberdeen

Mr. Maitland Mackie has been appointed chairman of the Aberdeen St. John Committee in place of the late Col. G. W. Bruce. Mr. Mackie recently held a cocktail party in his house to wruch all members of the Order in the North-East were invited. Mr. Andrew Lawson represented the Chancellor.

Glasgow

The Glasgow St. John Association held its annual general meeting in April with Mr. Agnew the new Chairman, presiding. Mr. , . Agnew pointed out that thIS was the first time since the Association's inception in 1961 that the chair had not been occupied by Mr. Green, now retired.

Perth

A smaller version of the St. John exhibition that was such a success in Edinburgh last summer is to be staged in the Art Gallery, Perth, from the middle of May until July. It can therefore be visited by those who attend the annual festival of the Order in Perth on 24 June. J.R - S

WALES

WITHIN the Brigade in Wales is an organisation known as the Casualty Simulation Group, which is responsible for making-up all types of injuries for first aid training. The headquarters of the group is in Priory House, Cardiff, and there are several groups throughout the Principality. The Cruef Training Officer for Wales, Peter Harries, acts as the liaison officer.

Recently the BBC Wales Head of Make -Up made contact with the Cardiff Group, whose leaders are Mr.

New matron in Jerusalem

THE St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem has a new matron, Mrs. Ruth E. Parks , who took over from Miss Clair on April 1.

Mrs. Parks writes: I trained at The London Hospital Whitechapel Road E.!. and then joined Princess Mary s Royal Air Force Nursing Service Reserve. I later married and had a daughter and returned to nursing in 1946. In 1950 I was appointed Sister - in-Charge of the Somerset and Bristol Coalfields and opened a Medical Centre for the miners. I trained a team of men in first aid for each of the five pits - for work underground and on the surface. In 1956, I took the Occupational Health Course at the Royal College of Nursing and went to the atomic station at Dounreay to open the Medical Centre for use of both construction workers and atomic employees. At the same time I was able to do the chest X - rays for the Caithness inhabitants as the MOH was carrying out a programme to find and treat all cases of tuberculosis. I returned to

and Mrs. F. G. Williams, to ascertain the method they adopt for certain injuries. As a result, a feature on BBC Wales followed which involved two scenes - one a collision with a car and cyclist, and the other the removal of an Aerosol tin from a fire which resulted in burns and blisters.

The leader s also appeared in the programme and showed the various items needed to furnish a casualty simulation kit. Right, Peter Harries watches filming.

LOOKING BACK:

The Military Hospital Reserve and Voluntary Aid Detachments

by C. W. ·TOZER

Wiltshir e in 1957 to work as Nursing Superint e ndent at Westinghouse Brake & Signal Co, Ltd. In 1966 I left to teach pupil nurses at the S W. Regional Board's training school, and then I was appointed Assistant Matron at St. Martin 's Hospital, Bath in 1968, and Matron of Winsley Chest Hospital in 1971 until I retired in January 1976.

I realise how fortunate I am to come to Jerusalem. I look forward to the work here and to adding to my experience. I know I have a great deal to learn , but judging by the warmth of the welcome I have received it will not be too difficult for me to carryon from Miss Clair.

SINCE the publication of my book 'The Insignia and Medals of the Order of St. John' ; my attention has been directed to brooch - bars awarded to members of the Military Hospitals Reserve and of Military Aid Detachments - particularly because the bars were worn on the Service Medal of the Order of St. John. Although they were introduced only 45 years ago I found considerable difficulty in tracing documents referring to them (this especially in the case of the M.H.R.). I have however been able to assemble th e following information.

Military Hospitals Reserve

This Reserve was formed by the Order of St. John by arrangement with the War Office, authorised under Army Order 193 (1908), on 1 May 1907 as the Military Home Hospitals Reserve. As a reserve for the Royal Army Medical Corps it was to assist with the staffing of military hospitals on mobilisation. The authorised peace -time strength was 2000 The Reserve was mobilised on 5 August 1914 and by 3 I December 1915 , 14397 men were serving in it.

After being allowed to lapse after World War I the Reserve was re -organised on 28 February 1926, Army Order 8 (1926), with the same object and peace- time strength but with the additional commitment of providing reinforcements for medical units of Expeditionary Forces overseas on mobilisation. At the same time the title was changed to Military Hospitals Reserve In 1928 there were 80S members.

Members of the Reserve were all male and comprised exclusively St. John personnel in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and St. Andrew's Ambulance Brigade in Scotland.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade used five forms in connection with the Reserve , viz.:

M.H.R.l. Return of Volunteers for Enrolment.

M.H.R.2. Declaration on Enrolment.

M.H.R.3. Application for Reservists to train at a Military Hospital.

M.H.R.4. Record of Attendance at Training - signed by the O I C of the Military Hospital concerned and the Chief

Commissioner St. J AB.

M.H R.S. Certificate of Discharge from the Reserve.

The Reserve was disbanded in 1946.

In 1932 H.M King George V was pleased to approve the issue of a brooch - bar to b e worn on the Service Medal of the Order by St. John personnel and on the Voluntary Medical Services Medal by St. Andrew's personnel. In that year the St. Andrew's Ambulance Brigade had discontinued the use of their own Service Medal and adopted the Voluntary Medical Services Medal instead. The bar was awarded for satisfactory attendance at 12 annual courses at a Military Hospital (war service to count double).

The brooch - bar was in silver, I %ins. long and Y) n. wide, surmounted by an Imperial Crown and bearing the letters 'M.H.R.' in block capitals The bar was worn at the top of the ribbon of the medal Additional bars were awarded for each further six years service and were worn immediately below the first bar. These latter bars were of the same basic dimensions as the 12-year bar, but the Crown slightly smaller in size, was centrally placed on the bar and not above it.

The letters M.H.R.' (or 'V.A.D.' see later) did not appear on these bars and they were designed to slide over the ribbon. When the ribbon was worn alone, a circular emblem, 10mm in diameter, bearing the letters 'M H ,R.' conjoined was worn on the ribbon.

If the brooch - bar was awarded before the recipient held the appropriate medal, the bar was worn on the left breast as a medal ribbon would be.

Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in uniform who were also members of the Reserve wore a cloth badge, 1 Y2 ins. in diamet e r, on the left arm, In the centre was the Badge of the Order woven in white and around it in a border the words MILITAR Y HOSPITALS RESERVE woven in white, all on a black background.

Mobile Voluntary Aid Detachments Voluntary Aid Detachments were set up

on 16 August 1909 by the War Office to operate under the Territorial Army County Organisations. The scheme was revised in 1923, Recruitment was open to St. John Ambulance Brigade, British Red Cross Society and St. Andrew 's Ambulance Brigade , and both sexes were eligible. Mobile ' meant that the members were available to serve anywhere, while those who opted to perform duty only in their home areas were classified as ImmobiJe In World War I, St. John furnished 265 male detachments (strength 14,472) and 70S female detachments (27,800). The men were used chiefly for the transport of the sick and wounded and as hospital orderlies, while the women were engaged in nursing catering, and clerical duties in Military Hospitals , V.A.Ds are organised by the British Red Cross Society but, although a small number of St. John personnel are currently serving with the Royal Navy , the units are no longer a recognised peace - time formation of St. John Ambulance.

As in the case of the M.H R. brooch - bar , a brooch - bar was authorised for V.ADs in 1932 for award to members who had completed 12 years active and efficient service (which included training annually at a military hospital) to count from the date of the re -o rganisation in 1923. And again an additional bar was awarded for each further six years service, The bar was worn in the manner already described by the British Red Cross and St. Andrew's personnel on the Voluntary Medical Services Medal, and by St. John personnel on the Service Medal of the Order (see illustration). The bar was identical in metal, size and pattern with the M.H R. bar, but bore the letters 'V.A.D.', The emblem worn on the ribbon when worn alone was also identical except that it bore the letters V,AD.' and the six year bar was identical with the M.H.R. bar. All the bars were struck at the Royal Mint.

The V A D bars have a number on the M.H R. bars are plain.

Farewell from the Ophthalmic Hospital staff t?

Miss Jennifer Clair (centre, front rowl. and (right) Mrs. Ruth Parks , the new matron

The MHR and (right) VAD brooch bars being worn on the Service Medal of the Order of S I. John.

(Photo: D A L. Llpyd, County Surgeon W. Midlands)

News from Divisions/Centres

(Above) Smart girls. Bed ord Town nursing cadet team that lOok three cups at the County competitions and the annual efficiency cup. (Photo: Bedford County Press)

(Left) Bucks : Bedgrove Combined Cadet Division's five new NCOs Sgts. Julie Dormer and Alun Gardener; Cpls. Katharine Titley Kerry Lavender and Ian Taylor. (Photo. Bucks Advertiser)

London Northern Area's Cohen Trophy, for the outstanding individual act of first aid during the year, was presented to SJA H ackney's A M Edwin Rodgers by Div Chief S upt. of Police Mr. N. B arton. Mr Rodgers assisted a man who had severed an artery in his arm on a

glass window. 'Undoubtedly' said Mr. Barton, 'he saved the m an's life .' OBITUARY

Avon Nallsea Quadrilateral DIvIsion s D/ Os Colin Knight and Sybil Bisset, DNO Denise Richards and A M Peter Satherley went on duty to a Lions Club victorian evening in these period style uniforms

Gtr Manchester County Secretary Mrs. Beryl Pipes with Cty Admin. Officer Ted Higham at the shop set up at the recent Area competitions

Miss Ann Ball , N ursing M emb e r , Garston ( L iv e rpool) Divi s ion. M e mb e r fo r ove r 2 5 ye ar s. Although a 's enior citizen of m a n y ye ar s', Ann c ontinued t o do ov e r 800 h o ur s dut y a nnu a ll y.

Man y S t. John p e r s onn el att e nd ed h'er fun e ra l. Di ed April 7

Miss E. Bates, Walthamstow No . 11 Nur s ing Di v s ion. 22 ye ar s se r vice . S erving Si s t e r. Died sudd e nl y on March II

Arthur J Rosewarn, B E M , Offic e r Brother of Bridgwat e r S o m

N ur s in g Cad e t Di v s ion,

(Above) S & W Yorks 'We've got it Wakefield Nursing Div's team N/ Ms Judith Harrold and Kathryn Cheeseman D/ O (NC) Joyce Bellwood and NI M Cecelia Tibbie With Corfield Cup won at Area comps

(Left) London: Malden and Coombe nursing cadets, Sgts Elizabeth Baker and Debra Breeds recently received their Grand Prior's badges. (Photo T Hampton)

(Below) Stafford : Blythe Bridge nursing cadets who entered the Dlvlslon 's Easter bonnet competition. (Photo. Staffs Sentinel)

(Right) Hereford Worcester. Cadets Robert Dobson Mark Woodward, Mark Bache and Nigel Atkins entering a fire prevention quiz (Photo. Berrows Newspapers Ltd)

(Below) Gtr Manchester: Oldham Corps nursing cadets, who won the recent county drill competition, from whom a team will be chosen 10 carry the County Cadet F(ag at events (Photo. Chronicle) this year Oldham

(Below) Norfolk. Mundford DIvIsion s N/M Catherine Queen being crowned as the local Carnival Queen. Runners-up (left) Jane Carter, daughter of Mund f ord member, and N M Janet Bridg f ord

(Above) Devon Supt G. Coates receives on behalf of Exmouth Cadet Division the 50 years Golden Jubilee certificate from Major T. W, Gracey, County Commander. (Photo: Ric hard Tarrl

41 AM Dickson Road Bla ckpool. Tel :

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• Cadet shi rt s, many sizes, pr ice to be agreed. Ir vi ng Br ockway, 4 Westbourne Place, Porthcawl, Glamorgan. Phone: Porthcawl 4111.

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REVIEW CROSSWORD No.6 (77)

Compiled by W A Potter

Across:

1. Presence of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye. (8). 8. Became ill again during convalescence. (8). 9. Sudden loss of consciousness due to cerebral vascular accident. (8). 11. A pot to use for vegetable. (6).

12. Irregular line for 30 Across. (4). 13. Unnecessary commotion. (4)

15. Am clear for a sweet. (7). 17. Relax ones efforts to relieve pain. (4). 20. Fire in fractured leg. (5). 21. Unit for measurement of radiation emitted. (3). 22. Sergeant -major with ear for diagnosis of cancer of cervix. (5). 23. Sense organs of 11 Across? (4). 25. Easy, uncomplicated labour. (7). 27. Carcinoma in a murderer. (4). 29. Excursion for drug addicts? (4). 30. Abdominal organ with no blood capillary system. (6). 32. Annoying type of poison. (8). 34. Parade ground activity practised in dentistry. (8). 35. Sleep produced artificially by drugs or suggestion. (8).

Down:

1. Administration centre for the psychiatric department? (4.6). 2 Fruit for a joint. (3). 3. Miotic drug from CaJabar bean used in treatment of glaucoma. (7). 4. Language in secondary anaemia (5) 5. A mild panic created for a pedicle graft. (4). 6. Surgeon who will certainly look his patient straight in the eye. (10). 7. Weed causing urticarial rash. (6) 10. Burden we carry, it seems. (4). 14. Following fish course, a girl gets food poisoning organism. (10). 15. Surrender territory to another state. (4). 16. Condition in which one may become speechless. (10). 18 Extent of surface produced by a twisted ear. (4). 19. Speak in final part of essay. (3). 24. Foot-rest for horseman. (7). 26. He can put one out by raising his index finger. (6). 28. Warning to epileptics. (4). 29 Temperature high in part of the leg. (5). 31. Method of fixation of the end of a digit. (4). 33. Number of lobes of left lung. (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.5 (77)

Across:

1. Saint Vitus; 6. Ac.he; 10. Devious ; 11. Anaemic ; 12. Tart; 13. Slim ; 14 Piles; 16. Voice; 17. Necropsy; 22. Instinct; 25. Gamma; 27. Excel; 30. Upas; 31. Slur; 33. Lumbago; 34. Fraenum; 35. X -ray; 36. Calciferal.

Down: 1. Sedative; 2. Inversion; 3. Troy; 4. Insulin; 5. Uraemic; 7. Came.! ; 8. Excise; 9. W.asp; 15. Left; 18. E.E.C.; 19. Orgy ; 20. Semilunar 21.

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s for exchange can be of any value. 6 Submissions are subject to the usual publishing conditions, including thc right to refuse publication. 7. If goods are sold before publication , the Review should be informed. 8. This a service to readers and the publishers of the St. John Review will not deal with a ny

Cut this form out and send it to St. J ohn R eview, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butl ey, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3QF. BLOCK LETTERS please.

Lacrimal; 23. Neuroma; 24. Traffic; 26. Reflex; 28. Co.m.ma; 29. Lean; 32. Calf.

London' CN37. Bexley Nursing Cadet team (back) Clare Kinahan. Linda Copplestone. Tracey Crawley. Jacqueline Smalley and Donna Kent - with trophies won at the recent S .E. Area competitions. (Photo: News Shopper)

(Above) During a centenary training day in Norfolk dUring March a new ambulance presented to St John by the Norfolk & Suffolk Hospital Contributors Assoc was dedicated. (Photo: Eastern Daily Pr ess)

(Above) Workington DIVision steam. which won the Cumbria No.1 Area competitions. being presented with the Fyanes Shield by Area Supt. J. R. Fyanes

After they had received their first aid ce rtificates. these members of Droitwich Combined Division meet Cty. Comm.

Tubigrip can be washed without losing effectiveness and can be removed and re-applied correctly even by the patient.

It can also be used to prevent swelling, after the removal of plaster casts, and for the control of varicose veins prior to surgery.

The bandage is particularly useful where it has to be applied over knees , elbows and ankles giving support while allowing freedom of movement.

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ST. JOHN * REVIEW

THE JOURNAL OF ST. JOHN

Volume

Contents

At Random by Watkin W. Williams p.149

Prin cess Anne inspects SJA rescue c raft p.l 50

The Red Rose of Lancaster p.152

Pre sidents' conference p.153

O rder Investiture, May 19 p.154

Around and About by the Editor p.l 56

Miss St. John 1977 p.161

The human body is a fantastic machine by N. R Tuck er p.162

London District annual competitions p.163

Brigade Uniforms by JACK p.164

Readers ' Views p.166

1200 Merseyside members on parade p.167

News from Scotland - Wales p.168

News from Divisions/Centres p.170

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Edited and produced for the Order of St John by Driscoll Productions Wood Cottage, High Corner Butley, Nr Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 3QF

Phone. Orford (5td 039 45) 548 Editor: Frank Driscoll.

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AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in - Chief

THE TWELVE winners of the regional rounds in the ' Miss St. John 1977' Competition assembled at No. 1 Grosvenor Crescent on the morning of Monday, May 30 for their individual 20-minute interViews with the panel of four judges who were to select the national winner. The panel was chaired by Lady . Moyra Browne (Superintendent-in-Chief) and the other three members were Miss Rosemary . Bailey (Chief Nursing Officer) , Mr . Peter F arror (representing Messrs. Johnson & Johnson who had generously sponsored the winner's prize of a fortnight's holiday for two in Malta) and myself. Our first task was to try and make each competitor feel as relaxed as possible during her interv ie w, and I hope we continued on p.160

THE QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE AND BIRTHDAY HONOURS 1977

THE following honours have been awarded to members of the Order of St John in recognition of their St John services:-

The Lady Moyra Browne , OBE , SEN ., Superintendent-in-Chief.

Mr D. R. Fenton, MBE. Commissioner. London (Prince of Wales's) District.

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COVER : The eyes of 29 -year - old Mrs Joanne Kingdon, % of Barnstaple Nursing Cadet Division , tell the story as she is congratulated by Henry Cooper soon after she became Miss 51. John 1977 Joanne who has two children won a Malta holiday and a QE2 cruise both for two people Enjoy yourselves

Mrs D E. M. Hoadley, District Superintendent, London (Prince of Wale's) District

Mr J. P. Pickford, MBE, DL. Director of Association, Priory for Wales.

Miss D. I. Fuller, Head of Overseas Branch, Supplies Department.

Mr D. J. Hallard, Competitions Manager

Miss I. North, Personal Assistant to the Commissioner-in -Chief

Miss G. Whittaker, County Secretary. Lancashire.

Mr R. C. Pennock, Ambulance Member.

Weybridge A & N Division, Surrey

Mr E. C. Elmer, Staff Sergeant, No.99 (Lambeth) Ambulance Division, London (Prince of Wales's) District.

Princess inspects rescue

Anne SJA craft

PRINCESS ANNE, Commandant-in-Chief of Ambulance and Nursing Cadets, inspected St. John Ambulance rescue craft at St. Katherine's Yacht Haven, near London's Tower Bridge, on June 8 - the day before the SJA fleet proudly provided first aid and rescue cover for the Queen's Jubilee River

Progress on the Thames.

Altogether twelve St. John rescue boats and their specially trained crews from throughout Britain took part in this exceptional duty.

Accompanied by the Commissioner-inChief Major General Desmond Gordon, the chairman and the harbour master of the yacht haven, Superintendent-in-Chief Lady Moyra Browne and London District

Commissioner Derek Fenton, Princess Anne inspected the SJA crews alongside their rescue craft and then watched life-saving demonstrations by the Barry and Loughar St. John Ambulance Life Guard Divisions from South Wales.

Resale teams present

The 12 SJA rescue boats and their crews inspected by Princess Anne and who later covered the Jubilee River Progr ess came from South Wales, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, North Yorkshire, Surrey, London and Guernsey. Good luck in future rescue work!

Team The Princess with the C-ln-C. chatting to SJA rescue boat teams

THE RED ROSE OF LAN CASTE R

THE estates and jurisdiction of the Duchy of Lancaster have been a Lancaster inheritance since the middle of the 13th-century. In 1399 it became a crown title when the son of John of Gaunt became Henry IV.

The rose has been a royal badge for hundreds of years, long before the Wars of the Roses in the latter half of the 15thcentury, which were essentially a fight between two families allied to the royal house for possession of the Crown, and not at that time given any particular name. The contestants had already carried roses as badges for some time.

The earliest recorded use of the rose as a royal badge is by Edward I in the 13thcentury. He wore it in gold with a green stalk. His brother Edmund Crouchback 'differenced' it to red and transmitted it thus to his descendants in the house of Lancaster. The white rose of York is thought to have come from Mortimer, Earl of March, and it was worn by Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III. In the days before uniforms were stabilized a badge or a colour were the only way to tell friend from foe: at the battle of Barnet in 1471 confusion arose over two very similar star-shaped badges, with disastrous results for Lancaster.

The Union Rose

After the battle of Bosworth on August 22 1485 the majority of the senior Lanca'strians and Yorkists were dead. The Tudors moved in from Wales under the banner of the red dragon, and it was only after his marriage with Elizabeth of York that Henry VII adopted the roses joined together, part red and part white , as the Union Rose. The earliest versions show the two colours either halved down the middle ('dimidiated ' ) or quarterly alternating red and white. Red always seems to have been the senior colour and to have been worn dexter, or as the first and fourth quarters. Eventually the Tudor rose became a red rose 'charged with a smaller central white one. Each was of five petals alternating, with a gold centre and green sepals between the outer red petals. This is the Union Rose as we know it today as a badge of the Sovereign. There is also a more modern and somewhat strange plant which carries a rose, a thistle and a shamrock all growing from. the same stalk - botanically impossible, but perfectly simple for the Heralds.

Three SJA Counties now share this emblem which dates back to the 13th-century

The dukedom of Lancaster is a royal title , linked to but separate from the Crown, and the badge of the Duchy remains the original red rose. It usually has five petals but may ha ve an inner ring of five more. It· is described as ' barbed and seeded proper ', meaning that it has gold stamens and green sepals. If it has a stalk it is 'slipped The ros e can be worn either way up, but once its orientation has been decided it should not be changed in the same context.

The rose is widely used as a military badge. To list all its uses would take too long, but we may recall the two Lancashire Divisions, 42nd East Lancs. and 55th W est Lancs. The latter wore the rose slipped on a khaki ground, while 42 had a diamond, white over red horizontally. When they combined after World War II the red rose was placed on a white diamond with a red border. Sadl y, this disappeared in the 1967

In St. John

In St. John, up to local government reorganisation in 1974, the County Palatin e was known as the Duke of Lancaster 's District and the red rose was worn , first on the collar and then on the sleeve , by all ranks. We changed to the sleeve in 1954 when it was decided that the collar looked rather cluttered, especially for those who wore tabs. In 1974 all was changed : the District disappeared, Lancashire became much smaller , and the two new counties of Greater Manchester and Merseyside cam e into being. Apart from minor changes thes e three cover the Duchy, which still exists and was not affected by local government reorganisation. It was agreed that new Lancashire should have a prescriptive right to the rose alone, which the District had worn without a title on the grounds that everyone knows what a red rose means! The two new Counties wear it under their titles, with one green sepal at 12 o'clock. In addition our own county has elected to preserve the title and we are therefore correctly known as ' St. John Ambulance , County of Greater Manchester (Duke of Lancaster s) .' Surely a title and a badge of which we may be proud , even if it is not quite so old as the badge of the Order

Robert Ollerenshaw Commander, Greater Manchester,

PRESIDENTS' CONFERENCE

Held at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, on May 7

sesSIOn

The Chief Commander. Sir Maurice Dorman , summed up closed this most successful conference

Break for lunch

The Ch ief Pr eside nt Marjorie, Countess o Breck n ock, ope n ed the con ere n ce

(Right) General Sir John H ackett who with Lord Gray o N a unton and Professor Sir Hedley A tkins, spoke on 'St. John Ambu an ceYesterday. Today and Tomorrow' (Below right) Director o Pu blic Affairs Geoffrey M eek explainin g the significance of the spec i a tie for the Friends of SI. J ohn

ORDER

I NVESTITU RE

London , Ma y 19

Knight The Marquess of Willingdon (Berks.).

Chap ain

The Rt. Rev. J. Eastaugh, Bishop of Hereford (Hereford, Worcs.).

As Commander (Brother)

Francis Edward Samuel Jones (Stoke on Trent). Lieut. Colonel Noel Henry Maxwell Colyer (w.. Australia).

Air Vice Marshall James Jamieson McNair, QHP, MB, ChB, FFCM, DPH, DTM & H (Haslemere).

Harold Devereux Still (London).

David Herbert Fred Burchell (Sussex).

Arthur Alfred William Weston, BEM (Feltham).

Associate Commander (Brother)

Leon Monty Gerlis, MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP, FC Path (Humberside).

Commander (Sister)

Vera Gertrude, Mrs. Booth (Sheffield).

Eileen Mary, Mrs. Curteen (Surrey).

Mary Alicia, Miss Neville - Kaye (Surrey).

Dorothy Betty Dougal, Mrs. Watson, MB, BS (Birmingham).

Officer (Brother)

Christopher John Dawson (Australia).

William Greaves (Birkenhead).

James Graham Taylor, MB, ChB (Surrey).

Norman George Tagg (Henley on Thames).

Bernard Tyler (Northampton).

Joseph Daniel Hardick (Avon).

John Charles Smith (Staffs).

Thomas WilJiam Foden (Notts.).

William Henry Andrew? (Staffs).

Robert Henry Dow (Merseyside).

Sqn Ldr. David Henry Way, LHA (BFPO 40).

George Edward Blackburn (Birmingham).

Lionel Edward Tyler, MD, FRCGP (StalTs).

Arthur James Burgess (Sussex).

Charles J. Van Bergen (Berks.).

FIt. Lieut. Anthony Bowns SRN, RNT, RAF (Swindon).

Maurice Sherrard, MD, BCh, BAO (Notts.).

Harold Thomas Duffy, MBE, VRD, DL (Merseyside).

Roy David Charles (Leamington Spa).

Leslie David William Atfield (Sussex).

The Rev. Canon Richard Tydeman, MA (London).

Frederick Charles Fellows (StalTs).

Ernest Eric Mayo (Birmingham).

Ian Malcolm Dawson, MB, BS, DIH (Bucks.).

Rodney David Carew -Jones (London).

Officer (Sister)

Beryl, Mrs Pipes ( Gtr. Manchester).

Squadron Officer, Angela Moffat Coram (Harrow).

Marion Eleanor, Mrs. Haddock (Sussex).

Lady Astor of Hever (Kent).

Anthea Susan, Mrs. Toynton, SRN (Guernsey).

Pauline Margaret, Miss Tullett (Amersham).

Helen Joy, Miss Ash, SRN, SCM, HV (Cheltenham).

Kathleen Anne, Mrs. Smith, SRN, SCM (Salop).

Group Officer, Joan Metcalfe (Hants).

Vera, Mrs. Lee (Leics.).

Julia Elizabeth, Mrs. Poczopko (London).

Elsie May, MIss Siers (Warks.).

Doreen, Miss Williscroft (Coventry).

Evelyn Patricia, Mrs. Heath (Isle of Man).

Mary Sutherland, Miss Sainsbury, SRN, SCM (Wilts.).

Ruth Rosemary, Mrs. Bareham (London).

Joan Thirza, Miss Melling (Lincs.).

Milli'cent Rose, Miss Crosdale (Kent).

Winifr ed, Mrs. Newman (London).

Serving Brother

Wilfred George Orchard (Berks.).

John Aubrey Scully, MA, MB, DPH, MFCM, FRSH (Leek).

Richard Lincoln John Butler (Northants.).

Stephen Victor Strong, MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP.

DA (Windsor).

William James Henry Worthy (Chesterfield).

George Henry Joseph Paysden (Essex).

Kenneth John Courtney. SRN (Devon).

Ernest Townsend (Manchester).

Henry Hewitt (Cty. Durham).

Vincent Magee (Cleveland).

Eric Lawrence Edward Hearne (Berks.).

Arthur Ernest Turner (Bedford).

George Edward Sanders (Cumbria).

Thomas, McGough (Gwynedd).

Cyril Kenneth Please (Devon).

Harold Wilson Pearson (York).

Keith Seymour Townsend (Berks).

Douglas Victor White (Essex).

Thomas Robinson (Derbys).

George Thomas Potter (Suffolk).

Neville William Middleton (Cheshire).

David Kermac Mackeikan Thomas, MB, BS,

D Obst. RCOG (Berks).

John Ronald Restorick (Clevefand).

Walter Edward Classey (Devon).

Dennis William Phillips (Hereford/Worcs.).

Ronald Mappledeck (Cleveland).

Tom Nutter (Merseyside).

Edmund Oakley Nichols (Sth. Yorks).

John Logan Hills, BEM (Stirlingshire).

Ronald Parkinson (Lancs.).

James William Rogers (Manchester).

Kenneth George Smith (Beds).

Reginald Ford (Hants.).

Philip Arnold Thompson (Cumbria).

Dougla Arthur Whitehead (Bristol).

John David Patrick (Oxon).

Malcolm James Webber (Essex).

Michael Lloyd Kennedy (Cleveland).

Reginald Walter Allen (Chesterfield).

Stanley Francis Welch (Essex).

Victor Daniel Grant (Bucks.).

Reginald Frank John Down (Devon).

Serving Sister Ada, Mrs. Cocker (Lancs.).

Eileen Elizabeth, Mrs. Bentley (Plymouth).

Pamela Grace, Miss Board, SRN (Essex).

Marjorie, Miss Straw (Humberside).

Winifred Rhoda, Miss Grinstead (London).

Barbara Elizabeth, Miss Done (Cheshire).

Doreen Amy, Mrs. Matthews (Cheshire).

Hilda Mary, Mrs. (Devon).

Sylvia, Mrs. Tidberough (Worcester).

Florence Ruby May, Mrs. Dowler (Leicester).

Margaret, Mrs. Spruce (Manchester).

Hazel Joan, Mrs Huddlestone (Cumbria).

Maisie Lockwood, Mrs. Gibson (Clwyd).

Lena Jane, Mrs. Griffin (Devon).

Ruby Clare, Mrs. Walters (Kent).

Ivy, Mrs. Garforth (Humberside).

Joyce Evelyn, Mrs. White (Essex).

Eunice, Mrs. Valle -Jones, SRN, RSCN (Lancs.).

Christine , Mrs. Taylor (Cambs).

Florence, Mrs. Wright (Cheshire).

Rose Anne, Mrs. Smith (Berks.).

Mary, Miss Fenton (Leics.).

Winifred. Mrs. Lubbock (Cumbria).

Nancy, Miss Roser (Hereford).

Phyllis Marjorie, Mrs. Packard (Nth. Devon).

Winifred Vera, Miss Nicholls (Bucks ).

Iris Clive, Mrs. Hunt (Essex).

Winifred, Mrs. Chaffey, SRN (Dorset).

Elaine Wynn, Mrs. Forbes (Herts.).

Julie Louise, Mrs. Hewitson (Cheshire).

Phyllis May, Mrs. Thornton (Surrey).

Winifred Irene, Mrs. Roberts (Isle of Wight).

Mary Georgina, Mrs. Igglesden (Kent).

Francis Olga, Marie, Mrs. Officer (N.

Associate Serving Sister Doris, Mrs. Wilkes (Newcastle upon Tyne).

Esquire

The Earl of Malmesbury, Knight of Grace, presented his personal Esquire The Viscount Fitzharris, to the Lord Prior.

The Hon. Denis Berry, Knight of Justice, presented his personal Esquire, Richard Comer Berry. to the Lord Prior.

Mrs Beryl Pipes. of Bury.

Officer

The Marquess of Wilhngdon. of Windsor Forest Berkshire being invested as Knight of the OrdElr by the Lord Prior

Miss Mary Neville - Kaye of Croydon. becomes a Commander (Sister)

(Right) Mr. Ernest Townsend. of Gorton Manchester - Serving Brother

Miss Winifred Grinstead. secretary of Association Branch Secretary John Coles at HQ becomes a Serving Sister

Also a Serving Sister - Mrs Phyllis May Thornton, of Surb ito n Surrey

Robert James Moore (Durham). Keith Barrett - Bee, BA, MA, D.Phil (Macclesfield).

LOYAL GREETINGS

The following message of Loyal Greetings was sent by the Chapter General of the Order on the occasion of Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee: The Queen's most excellent Majesty. May it please Your Majesty.

With our humble duty we the ChapterGeneral of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem beg to convey to Your Majesty our Sovereign Head the loyal greetings and enthusiastic congratulations of all members of our Order, both in the United Kingdom and Overseas , on the happy occasion of Your Majesty's Silver Jubilee.

We would express our deep gratitude for Your Majesty s example of service to the Nation and the Commonwealth. We pledge ourselves to follow this example and we rededicate ourselves to the humanitarian purposes of our Order expressed in its twin mottoes "Pro Fide" and "Pro Utilitate hominum".

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

THE LONG WALK

Three Derbyshire cadet divisionsStanton Ilkeston and Chaddesden and Spondon - are taking part in a centenary year stretcher -carrying marathon from near Derby to London, a distance of 100 mil e s.

This mile-a -year carry takes place over the weekend August 27 to 29 and about 20 cadets will be involved , four carrying th e stretcher at a time on a relay basis. Their route will follow the A6 and they ll al s o bring

a message from their Commander/ Commissioner Col. P Hilton to the C -in -C at Headquarters

But can you give these cadets-of-the -longwalk a hand? They n eed facilities , either the us e of an HQ or a camping site (tents can be supplied by SJA Derbyshire) in the Market Harborough and St. Albans areas for overnight stays on th e Saturday (Aug 27 ) and the Sunday (Aug 28) It's also been sugg ested that a clisco , organised by guests or hosts , at th e Saturday night stop would be fun

An y help or sugges tions , please, direc t to Stanton Div Supt. Andrew Collington , 137 Ladywood Road , Ilkeston, Derbyshire

NEW DIVISIONS

I hear that two new Combined Divisions are in proce s s of being formed i n Cambridg es hire - at Chatteris and at Sawtry. We wish them well as they start ofT

Up and aw ay to raise fun ds for A vo n SJ A goes M rs. M a i n a Do ma n

BY THE EDITOR

eak (8.8).

An swe s U ps de do w n - are at t he botto m of page 159 No c heating.

in C ent enar y Ye ar. One of the D iv is ion s hop es that H eadquart er s will allo w it t o incorpora te C entenar y' in it s title - a nic e id e a

THANKS

Reading the local paper c arefully can som etimes be to y our advantag e. This wa s certainly tru e when M'iss Joan Br y ant , Di v isional Superintendent o f No. 391 (Combin ed) Division read an item in the Barn et Press earlier this year stating that the local Round Table had some mon ey to di spose of for local good causes. Miss Br y ant quickly got in touch with Round Table s community service offi ce r and told h im of her Division s need for adclitional equi pment (they hav e started a fund hopefully to purchase an ambulan ce)

Be o w Co m e on , la d - let's see w hat w e ca n d o o hose ankles .' H erts. N o rth e rn Ar ea Nurs ng office M rs D Sav a ge a he Ashw ell gymk han a w h p atient wh o recove red

(Above) N ne nursing m e mbers rom all of the country being seen off at Ipswich after staying the night at local members homes and a supper at psw ch HQ for a two week cruise on the SJA schooner Winston Churchill

( R ght) Here s Southport SJA's Centenary Carnival Queen Rose mary Duiboisson - with her six attendants , all cadets with Southport Corps Are we looking for a M ss SI. John Cadet? Photo Southport Visiter)

(Below) The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Donald Coggan who is Prelate o t he Order visiting Bodmin for an open air centenary service of Truro Diocese inspec t s the guard of honour of members from throughout Cornwall He was accompanied by Area Comm Ron B ray of Wadebridge (Photo Ray B ishop Wadebridge)

Mrs. Mary Markham with S O E. J Ie Gallez

(I / C Cadets), unveils her gift of a board listing Grand Prior Badge cadets in Guernsey (Photo: Guernsey Press)

and St. John was in due course considered to be a worthy cause,

The outcome has been a welcome donation of £400, which was handed over recently by the Table's immediate past president, Mr. Harry Spencer, and received on behalf of the di vision by their president Mrs. Barbara Greaves. Thanks, Tablers.

IN THE FAMILY

'Join our Family' says one of the latest recruIting posters available from Headquarters, a theme which was very evident at the presentation of awards of Stockingford Combined Division at their Nuneaton HQ during April. Among the award winners were three pairs of husband and wife, a mother and her son, two pairs of brothers, two cousins - and an engaged couple. Not bad going, eh?

LORD MAYOR INSPECTS

ST. JOHN-IN-ACTION PHOTO COMPETITION

Further copies of the entry form are available from County offices.

YOU ASKED FOR IT!

W ot, no poets in St. John?

Where has all the talent gone?

As Watkin Williams might have said, 'Can deathless verse be nearly dead?'

Of course the answer's really clear,

But not till now will it appearDoggerel verse, or sonnet form, Or rhyming couplets by the swarm.

First Aid's not funny, not a bit, so where can I derive some wit

To stop the reader being bored?

The pen's not mightier than the 'sored'!

An ode on fractures would be'quaint, Or worse - a verse to make you faint!

I'm sure no shortage will arise;

The thwarted poets you despise

Will take their pens and write to you

To swell the size of our Review.

An so, dear Ed, a final plea: Don't print the works of such as we, Or readership may soon decline.

So just print one, dear Sir, print MINE! Vincent Smith, Area Staff Officer, High Wycombe, Bucks.

Mr. Watkin Williams, who has known 'Vince' from the days when he was a cadet, writes:

I didn', ask for doggerel, since It often leaves me wincing.

But though I'd never dare con Vince, ] find his verse convincing.

Editor writes: Since Deputy C-in-C Watkin asked in At Random last autumn whether we had any poets in St. John, he has been made Review poetry editor (I don't understand any poetry, at least not word poetry) and has been inundated with poetwell, verse, rhymes, I can't tell one from t'other.

DR. ALAN DAVIDSON

In the report of the Medical Conference (Review, June) we incorrectly stated that Dr. Alan Davidson, of Canada, who died suddenly before the conference, was a speaker. We extend our condolances to his family and colleagues.

MIND BENDERS (answers)

A DEAD-CERT

FUND RAISER

When Div. Supt. Percy Jenner was promoted to head Gravesend and District Am.bulance Division in March 1967, he decided that something had to be done quickly with regard to raising funds. Costs were rising, and would continue to rise in the years ahead. Raffles and such events would, of course, help, but he felt that this was only nibbling at the problem. Something big was needed, something in which the public could take part and so capture their interest and support. A line of thinking which many of us have taken - but how many have found the answer?

After much thought Percy Jenner hit on an idea that seemed to fill the bill. Why not hold a Donkey Derby on Easter Monday, the first public holiday of the year, and when in Gravesend there were no other events taking place?

He did some homework, asking the local authority if it would be agreeable to such an even t being held in the local Woodlands Park and if so whether the park could be closed for the day to enable a small admission charge to be made. The park could be made available, he was told, but the question of an admission charge would have to be referred to the Council. (This was later granted).

Now Percy called a meeting of the ambulance and nursing divisions and put forward his idea:

The cost of producing programmes must be covered by ,advertiSing, and the

programmes would be sold to the public. Cost of hire of donkeys, etc, must come from sponsors, who would be sought from the publics and members' friends. There would be races for child riders, who would be obtained with help from a local riding school.

Local organisations would be invited to provide stalls at a small fee, with profits going to their own particular organisations. There would be a tote.

There were many other ideas - but the main objective, said Div. Supt. Jenner , was that every item must pay for itself and show a profit for divisional funds.

The idea was discussed among officers and members, and although one or two thought the Div. Supt's idea a little mad, nevertheless it appealed to them and the decision was to go ahead.

The SJA Gravesend and District Donkey Derby was first run the following year (1968), on Easter Monday. It was a great success. Since, it has been an annual event with the exception of 1975. Depending on the weather, 3000 to 5000 people turn up for the fun. Profits each year cover a half of the Divisions' annual expenditure.

Is your division interested in running a donkey derby to help solve that fund-raising problem? Ifit is, Div Supt. Percy Jenner will be only too happy to advise by contacting him at St. John Ambulance HQ, Commercial Road, Gravesend (phone Gravesend 52854).

D v Supt. Percy Jenner lining up the 1977 Gravesend Donkey Derby Incidentally, his donkey c ame in last

met with some success in this, for two 'of the finalists told me afterwards that they felt 'surprisingly" relaxed during their interview - far more so than they had done during either their county or their regional rounds.

Our next task was to find out all we could about them - about the real contribution that they had made to the service of mankind through their St. John membership and in relation to their age and length of serviceabout the extent to which their personality, their enthusiastic involvement and their way of life genuinely projected the kind of image that we would all like the public to have of our Sf. John members. Since their length of adult service in the Brigade ranged between 2 years and 15 years (and nine of them had been cadets before that) and their ages ranged between 18 and 38, and all of them were not only outstandingly worthy representatives of St. John but very charming people as well (as one member of the audience at the Cunard Hotel that evening remarked to me, 'I could very happily have enjoyed ill-health with any of them'), the assessment was no easy task. And in view of the high quality of all the contestants it is perhaps all the greater tribute to the outstanding personality of the winner th.at the panel's decision was unanimous.

Somewhat exhausted but with our main task over, competitors and judges reassembled at 3.30 pm in the ballroom of the Cunard Hotel, Hammersmith, which had been generously lent to us for the occasion, for 2 hours' briefing and rehearsal for the denouement to be held before a distinguished gathering of invited guests at 5.30. It had originally been planned that this event should be broadcast 'live' on Thames Television; but an unfortunate hitch caused by what has ironically become known as 'industrial action' made this impossible, and a somewhat curtailed version was broadcast the following evening.

When the reception had got under way and the guests were enjoying their champagne (by courtesy of Moet et Chandon), Dickie Davies compered the proceedings with his customary brilliance , introducing each finalist in turn with a brief spotlit conversation before the microphones. Then the great moment came when Lord Oaksey brought a sealed envelope from the judges' table and handed it to Victor Matthews (Chairman of Cunard) who, following a fanfare, made the long-awaited announcement that Miss St. John 1977 was the 29-year-old Mrs. Joanne Kingdon, Divisional Officer of the Barnstaple Nursing Cadet Division in Devon. Nothing became Joanne so much as the combination of modest amazement and enraptured delight that suffused her face as she heard this news and moved to the centre of the stage to be 'sashed' and saluted by Henry Cooper and

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.149)

to receive gifts in token or in kind - the former including, in addition to the previously announced J?rize of the Malta holiday from Johnson & Johnson, a generous additional prize from the Cunard Company of a week's cruise on the QE2. It was then the turn of the bevy of eleven other finalists to receive their gifts, each being given a Centenary Halcyon Days enamel box presented by the Order of St. John, a bottle of champagne presented by Laurent Perrier and a handsomely engrossed scroll signed by the Superintendent-in-Chief and bearin g the seal of St. John Ambulance to certify that they were national finalists in the Miss St. John 1977 Competition. The formal proceedings ended with words of inimitably profound and well camouflaged wisdom from Ernie Wise in tribute to the work of St. John Ambulance, and a speech of thanks from Lord Westbury to all those who had worked so hard to make the whole event the tremendous success that it so eviden'tly was; after which, competitors," producers, judges and guests enjoyed another hour of informal and relaxed conversation and refreshment before going their several ways.

I hope that despite the inevitable tension of being finalists, the girls genuinely and thoroughly enjoyed their day, and I honestly believe that they did. They were an absolutely grand crowd, and though eleven of them no doubt felt a twinge of sadness that she could not herself be the winner, I'm sure there was not one of them who begrudged Joanne Kingdon the welldeserved honour of presenting so splendid an image of 'Miss St. John' to the public at the outset of our second century.

Joanne has a busy year ahead of her; may it also be a supremely happy one, not merely in her further involvement in the service of manking but in memories that will bring her and her husband and their two small children - yes, and her cadets as well - great happiness for many years to come.

Have a go

As we reach the climax not merely of Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee year in which so many St. John members are heavily and actively involved in our public and other duties throughout th.e country and indeed throughout the Commonwealth, but also in the special events and activities connected with our own centenary year, I feel it would be invidious to pick out for special mention those events that I myself happen to have witnessed. But we all hope to have our personal and individual mementoes of this glorious year to keep its memory fresh and to stimulate us to even greater endeavours in the years to come. Among such mementoes few can be more worth-while than our own personal photographs of St. John in action,

As you'll have seen on the back page of the May Review, the Kodak Company have generously sponsored a photographic competitIOn open to all amateur photographers who are members of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade, including cadets. There will be four separate groups according to the age of the competitors and according to whether they submit black-and-white or The winner in each of these four groups can choose between receiving a Kodak EK6 instant camera or iSO-worth of Kodak goods, and two runners-up in each group will receive £1 a-worth of Kodak goods. There will also be a special Kodak Trophy for the overall winner, to be presented by HRH The Grand Prior at the Hilton Hotel on Thursday, December 1.

Each picture must reflect St. John in ACTION, and the closing date for entries is 30th September. Any number of photographs (taken during 1977) may be submitted by each competitor, but every print must be accompanied by a separate entry form, of which a further supply of copies has been sent to all County Offices.

So all you have to do is to get out your camera and take lots of pictures of St. John in Action to build up your personal photographic record of centenary year; then select the best of these, fill in an entry form for each and send them in by September 30.

I've just dug out the album of photographs that I took during the Silver Jubilee of HM King George V in 1935, and they've brought back wonderful memories of 42 years ago as well as giving, I believe, some enjoyment to my friends. If only I'd, been in the Brigade then (I didn't join till 4 years later) they would have brought back even happier memories. So do have a go; and even if you don't win one of those splendid prizes (and who knows what luck you might have?), I can assure you that you'll have something really worth while to look at and show your friends - 'forty years on'!

Compere Dickie Davies introducing the twelve regional finalists at the national final in London

MISS ST. JOHN 1977

The announcement of the winner - Mrs, Joanne Kingdon , Divisional Officer of Barnstaple Nursing Cadet Division , being congratulated by Victor Matthews Chairman of Cunard, (Left) Lord Oaksey who brought the sea ed envelope from the judges table (below) The judges were (L to R) Lord Oaksey , Deputy C- in-C Watkin W , Williams , Lady Moyra Browne Supt - in - Chief Miss Rosemary Bailey Chief Nursing Officer and Mr Peter Farror, of Johnson and Johnson

(Above) The delighted winner is sashed and given flowers by Henry Cooper and (below) with Cunard s Chairman Victor Matthews , who sprang a surprise by offering Joanne a week s cruise for two on the QE2 in addition to the previously announced Malta holiday from Johnson and Johnson

I WAS sitting in the lounge of a guest house one evening last week, and apart from my fiancee the only other occupants were a rather reserved, middle-aged couple who were reading. We had left them there after dinner, reading, and returned about two hours later to find them in the same position, still reading. This appeared to be their main occupation, and, when they were so engrossed in their books, the silence was such that one was almost afraid to clear one's throat for fear of the echo. Nevertheless, our second visit to that room was for a purpose, so taking heart in hand I made the expected courteous noises and turned the television on.

Documentary

The programme I wanted to see was a short documentary of the human body. It consisted of film of the workings and interior of the body, mainly of the type made possi ble by the new science of fi bre-optics. A probe is inserted into, say, the trachea, which enables cameras to photograph the probe's journey down the trachea, past the fork into one of the two bronchi, and then into the bronchioles. film of the gaseous in the alveoli was shown, together with the processes, such as ovum fertilisation and growth and the balance mechanism of the inner ear.

I glanced sideways several times during the programme, and found that the other two occupants had not moved or spoken, but that their eyes were now focussed over the tops of their books, gazing at the television.

It is strange but true that one of the few things which seems to fascinate all social spheres is the working and structure of the human body. Strange because few people would sit down and read a book on anatomy and physiology. Reading appears to have taken a back seat to television in many ways these days, but there does seem to be an ever wider audience for programmes on the human form.

It is sad that this fascinating subject seems to play second fiddle to so many other topics in first aid. After all, before treating a casualty it is necessary to arrive at a diagnosis, and if a diagnosis is finding out what is wrong with a patient's anatomy or physiology, it is obviously desirable to know what the body is like when it is in working order.

Useful

In some cases an understanding of anatomy may not make a lot of difference, but at other times a little more than bookknowledge' can be useful. Only a few days ago I read in an old journal an article on injuries to the trunk. There it stated that the contents of the bowel are extremely irritant to the peritoneum (the lining of the

TALKING POINT

The human body is

a

fantastic machine ...

by N. R. TUCKER

abdominal cavity), and because of this, abdominal injury involving damage to the bowel is likely to produce a severe, gripping pain. The abdomen becomes so tender that the casualty is audibly frightened of being touched or badly handled, and hence increases and he rapidly becomes , pale. In addition, since the least movement of the abdominal wall is agony, the muscles become as hard as a board through a protective reflex which throws them into spasm. As the diaphragm and abdominal muscles are used in breathing, the hardening of the muscles due to the agonising pain reduces the efficiency of respiration, and affects the breathing rate.

Different

The situation involving internal bleeding from the liver or spleen is different. Since blood is sterile it is not such an irritant to the peritoneum, and there is not the same involuntary hardening of the abdomen nor the same tenderness. Kidney damage is different again, as bleeding from this organ is nearly always behind the peritoneum and is therefore in a confined area. This can cause visible swelling with local tenderness over the area.

The above symptoms and their causes are interesting, and also useful. Understanding the cause of symptoms is a great help in realising which symptoms will accompany a particular injury. It also enables one to work out how differing symptoms can be produced by apparently similar injuiries, and whether this difference is an indication of

something important. The only qualification is that it requires a knowledge of anatomy and physiology. The article went into more detail than 1 have given, and of course there are other examples, but is it that important? After all, as first-aiders we can only really treat for 'inte rnal abdominal injuries' as a comprehensive ailment, and try to alleviate the accompanying shock.

As important

With minor injuries it can be just as important to have an idea of what lies underneath the skin. A relatively small cut on the finger, for instance, may not appear to be bad enough for suturing. If the finger is a strange shape, however, and a joint can only be moved actively in a restricted way, it might be deduced that a tendon has been severed. This may need suturing even though the external wound may not, and this sort of realisation distinguishes the better first -aider from the less experienced. I have seen a similar wound on the inside of the knee, one which appeared to need nothing more than a plaster. The casualty commented that he thought some clear fluid had come out, however , in addition to slight bleeding. This reminded me of the anatomy of the knee joint , and in fact he later attended hospital to have the synovial sac stitched up.

The First Aid Manual has a chapter on structure and functions of the body, but for those of us who have been in St. John for some time this should be considered suitable for the public attending their first course of Association classes. If we are aiming to be really good first-aiders we should hope for more; yet there are some people wearing our uniform who would not know where or what the spleen is.

In Guernsey we are lucky to possess an anatomical model , which most Divisions have probably seen. This is a really excellent teaching aid, and can be used to produce some novel and interesting training sessions on anatomy. certainly recommend it to anyone who hasn't yet met it, but it can be rather alarming when used to illustrate how little most of us know about the structure of the body!

Ask ourselves

The human body is a fantastic machine, the study of which is itself interesting, but also to us as first -aiders. It is worth asking ourselves individually if our knowledge is all it should be. There is a great deal of satisfaction in having made a good diagnosis through a sound knowledge of anatomy, and that diagnosis will decide the best treatment and indicate the better first-aider. Would we claim to be motor mechanics if we did not know what lay under the bonnet?

Reprinted from the Guernsey St. John quarterly bulletin

LONDON DISTRICT'S ANNUAL COMPETITIONS

LONDON (Prince of Wales s) District held its annual competitions on Saturday May 7 and there were two unusual features about it. The first was that the oil company Shell had put the basement of Shell Centre, including the swimming pool , at the disposal of St.

Lord Elworthy (left), PreSident of London's St John Council speaking before presenting the awards. (Above) with the first group of (Right) Deputy Assist Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police John Gerrard. presenting the Poirce Trophy to Sup!. Rudge of St Pancras Combined Division winners, and (right) presenting one of the several awards won by St. Pancras Combined Division

John; the second was the realism of the accidents staged, for many of the casualties were literally dragged out of the swimming pool!

Some had dived in and crashed their head on the bottom, others had been running and slipped or were pushed from the slippery edge of the pool to sustain broken ribs wounds to the arms and lacerations of the forehead , fractures to the left clavicleanything in fact that could easily be met with today had been realistically staged with the help of Casualties Union.

When the Metropolitan Police trophy was awarded to the St. Pancras Combined Division by Deputy Asst. Commissioner of Police John Gerrard he too was full of praise for St. John saying: 'Speaking for all my colleagues in the Metropolitan police we are very grateful for all you do.' Then he handed over the 'Silver Bobby', a replica of which the Queen appeared to have received when she visited the Police College at Hendon earlier in the week.

It was a very satisfying day for the competitors and observers.

W.A.H.

N.B. Lord Elworthy is President of London's St. John Council and John Gerrard Area President of S.W. Area.

When the prizes were presented there was another pleasant surprise. Making the presentation was none other than the newly created Knight of the Garter , Marshall of the Royal Air Force and Lord Lieutenant of London, Lord Elworthy GCB. In making the presentations he said: 'The country owes all of you a great debt of gratitude. You are setting an example and if this country is going to recover from its economic plight, as it will , it will be because people like you are doing something to set it to rights'. Echoing a wish of many, he continued, 'I wish there was more publicity for those who, like you, do good rather than for the malefactors who seem to get all the publicity.'

THERE is no doubt that a matter of great concern to every division, which is an eminently - suitable subject for full discussion in the forum which our Review presents, is the provision of Brigade uniform. Whether the candidate is a promoted cadet, someone whose enthusiasm has been fired by attendance at the last course for the Adult First Aid Certificate, or a divisional member who needs a replacement uniform because, for example, his present one has been spoiled on Public Duty (such as, shall we say, by blood, mud, or - far worse, since completely eradicable, vomit!), there is the question of cost.

At present-day prices, to quote the list of the Supplies Department, to equip an ambulance member completely costs £60, assuming the subj eet provides his own black shoes and socks, which, it is almost certain he has already. (The nursing members will not object to the arguments being stated as for ambulance member; exactly the same factors apply, except prices).

G eoeral case

There is nothing to stop a new recruit providing his own uniform, if he can afford it - there is nothing to stop him donating a new ambulance! - but let us consider the general One cannot ask a teenage cadet to produce £60 out of his pocket, nor is it likely that a member of the last first aid course can find such an amount, so here is a very real deterrent and possibly, the main reason why recruitment is never as brisk as we could wish. What is the alternative? 'To provide the uniform out of Divisional funds' is too glib an answer. In most divisions it is necessary to try to recruit at least two or three new members annually just to maintain divisional strength at the same level and so compensate for age-wastage, transfer to other towns, etc; authority is often eloquent at AGM or annual inspection on the desirability of recruitment on a far-moreambitious scale than this, sometimes suggesting that the target we should aim at is for each of us to bring along a friend or colleague. But very few divisions have an uncommitted amount in their annual income which can be devoted to uniforms at the rate of one, two or three multiples of £60; small divisions, especially in rural areas, could not buy a new uniform even by devoting ALL the divisional income for a couple of years to this purpose, and town divisions, although more able to raise substantial funds, often lack a divisional HQ, or they need to obtain or replace expensive ambulances or other equipment.

A solution MUST be found and we should pool our ideas and proposals for mutual advantage. Personally, I don't see how we can sell ball-point pens or run jumble-sales for such a we would just be taking

Brigade Uniforms

A problem faced by most divisions is discussed by JACK

money out of one pocket to put into another.

I am all in favour of any reputable fundraising scheme although I have a personal dislike to collecting in uniform on House-toHous e or Flag Day occasions - it dims our voluntary image and we ourselves would not like to think that the offerings of a generous, but really not very interested, public were wholly used to deck us out. It makes us feel less e mbarrased when we rattle the tin if we can say, in effect, 'It's for a new ambulance for YOU to ride in!' How much better it would be if a large number of 'Friends of St. John' went around from door-to-door saying 'Help us to further all the voluntary work these good citizens are doing so unobtrusively'

I have given a good deal of thought to this matter. I purchased my original uniform (it was much cheaper then!) and, when after very long use, it was utterly spoiled - by being thoroughly 'sicked over' in an ambulance trip - I bought a replacement which I wore for many years until it, too, was ruined in the same way, upon which I bought yet another which I still wear for rough jobs like autocrosses and motor cycle. scrambles. When all the 'effective members' were kitted out during 1967-1969 on divisional funds it would have been quixotic not to have accepted my present suit. B eeause of these circumstances I consider I deserve a hearing for a scheme which I submitted to the Review many years ago and which I still think is feasible.

Out of cupboard

Supposing we had a universal arrangement, applicable to all divisions, that the first uniform offered to a newcomer is, so far as practicable, 'out of the cupboard'. (My division is still able to turn out caps and reasonable jackets of the 'pre-cloth belt' style and, until recently - when a 'new broom' Storekeeper tidied up the cupboard and got rid of the 'Moths' Breakfasts' we had cloth haversacs, waterbottles, greatcoats, etc., available, not in abundant quantity, of course). It is only ethical and common-sense that such second-hand uniforms are throughly dry-cleaned and, where necessary , mended before they go into the cupboard. (It is only encouraging the moths to put soiled garments aside). After a reasonable time, when it is apparent that the newcomer is going to stay (say, after two years 'efficient

service') the new recruit should be supplied with a brand - new uniform for which he should be measured by a tailor or dressmaker, preferably a divisional member or a wife who is an experienced dressmaker (it is a mistake to expect the Divisional Secretary or Storekeeper to be able to do this, especially as it is advisable to allow for an amount of growth for a youngster, or an obviously-expanding waistline for a mature adult). The discarded uniform, after cleaning, etc., would go back into the cupboard. A figure can be reached by discussion and experience as to how long such a new uniform should be expected to last (barring accidents, of course) before it is replaced and, itself, goes into the 'ava ilable cupboard. Let us consider this aspect for a while. If we bought a new civilian suit we would wear it on our social, business, commercial ,occasions (not for work if this is on the factory floor - we'd use an old suit for that!) - eked out on occasion by other suits more suitable for specific purposes, for, say two or three years before we considerd replacing it by a new suit for the better occasions, still retaining it as our 'second best' suit. The circumstances are not quite the same but, for critical assessment, let us say we would consider it smart enough for most events during 150 weeks or 7,500 hours of wearing. Our paradox is that we need to have a suit smart enough for annual inspection or competitions although we have used it harshly on Public Duties. However, as a debating point, suppose we agree that a suit is worthy of replacement after 5 years or 10,000 hours of wear on Public Duty, being still capable of re-issue, after thorough drycleaning, etc., for a short period of not-sointensive service. In this way we would recognise that those who wear their uniforms oftenest deserve replacement all the quicker.

I think all such replacements should be at the expense of divisional funds but I submit, and here is a very debatable point, that central authority, now in process of arranging a nation-wide recruitment, should, as part of it, the financial burden, in total or in part, of putting the newcomers into uniform. It is not feasible to arrange an ambitious programme nationally of Emergency Aid tuition, 4-day Motorists' Courses, etc., or imagine that new Regulations covering pop festivals, etc., will not produce an influx of new recruits, for

whom the decking -out will be a problem which cannot be ignored. How central authority finds the money for this ancillary purpose to an expansion programme is a separate consideration about which I have my own views (no doubt, equally controversial!). But it would be a once -only severe financial commitment and could be geared to a dated recruitment programme. r would like to see the following points considered and discussed along with these proposals :-

(1) Supplies Department should buy in bulk such items as caps, jackets, trousers, haversacs, etc. Don't tell me they do so already; they cannot - since they have no reserve of funds. The long delay in achieving fulfilment of orders indicates that they buy for current need with no large stock in reserve.

(2) Every means should be taken to keep uniform prices to a minimum, even accepting some lowering of standards providing this does not shorten the expected life. For example, pockets of jackets and trousers do not currently outlast the associated garment. (Let anyone consider their old suit now reduced to be gardening clothes; it probably has intact pockets, whereas even the very good suits obtainable these days through St. John 's have very flimsy pockets. How much dearer would the garments be, one wonders, if replaceable pocket-linings were incorporat.ed ?).

(3) We must forgo the luxury of made-tomeasure suits. As was done with service uniforms, CD battle dress, etc., garments must be made in a considerable variation of chest, waist, length of leg, etc, so that practically everybody can be accommodated

with a suit 'off the sheW. Supplies must 'shop around' and find, by competitive tenders, the cheapest way to create an adequate stock.

(4) It is porposed that this 'initial free issue' scheme be applied at divisional level. Anyone promoted to Divisional Officer would get a free issue suit in exchange for his discarded AIM suit relegated to the 'available for re-issue' stock As a general principle the policy would only apply at divisional level; those worthy individuals who come straight in the Area, County, etc., level would continue - as at present - to provide their own uniforms and the expensive badges on shoulder-straps and lapels, but anyone who moved out of the division on promotion to such status would take his (officer's) uniform with him, since he has earned it in divisional service but presumab'ly as customary, buy hi; ne; badges.

Helpful

(5) It would be very helpful if the large number of divisional members who are also professional ambulance men, police, fire brigade, bus and rail services etc., gave us the benefit of their knowledge and experience of the factors governing the issue of uniform, frequency of periodical replacement, etc., of their work-day uniforms.

(6) For uniform items (as well as other stores) we must find a way of avoiding the astronomical charges for postage or other carriage. Very often these charges are almost as much as the price of the article. We must find public-spirited types, under the aegis of' St. John Ambulance I imagine, who will consent to act as regional sub-stores depots holding stocks of heavy and bulky stores

AFTE R ·3 YEARS ..

items for the benefit of the area served. Such stocks to be replenished by sensible longsight whenever an ambulance has a transport duty from, say Bristol to S.E. England and can, by previous arrangement, collect at the Gate parcels of stores which can be dropped off at Regional Stores depots at, say, Reading, Swindown, Chippenham and Bristol. If we, who order stores, only used a bit of foresight and did not leave it to the last minute and then expect the Gate to supply our needs at once, there could well be parcels stowed away at Priory House marked 'For Regional Stores' and awaiting the occasion when an ambulance (or, for that matter, a private car) can call in and ask 'anything for us to take on our homeward journey?' Of course, this would need a lot of organising - but something will have to be done or stores ordering will diminish to a trickle of dire essentials. Applying this method to uniforms, the Gate could collect van loads of jackets, trousers, caps, etc., from the manufactory, instead of, as now, arranging for a single item to be despatched from the maker to the ultimate recipient by very expensive post or rail carriage. As part of such a plan we could well copy com merci al concerns (such as manufacturing chemists supplying pharmacies) and have standard polystyrene containers preformed for, say, 40 No. First Aid Manuals, returnable to the Gate against a deposit. It may eventually be worth-while for Supplies to have a delivery van serving as Regional Stores/HQ courier. No one of us, with or without decorated shoulder-straps, can solve all the related problems but everyone of us can, probably, add something to the plan which will have to be evolved eventually.

After three years of fundraising , Grays (Essex ) Divisions commissioned their new £5,600 ambulance during May , Half the funds were raised by the Divisions the rest came from contributions The County Commander Dr Nicholls Palmer (right) hands the keys of the new ambulance to Div Supt. J A. Brownfield. (Photo: Thurrock Gazette)

CAFE CORONARY

from Assistant Chief Medical Officer, Association

Reference the letter (May Review) on the above subject, the Heimlich manoeuvre, although much publicised in the U.S.A., has not found favour with British first aid societies because its effectiveness has not been probed. The figures quoted are based presumably on instantaneous flows and pressures, which are not sustained long enough to dislodge anything impacted in the larynx or trachea sufficient to cause asphyxia. In any event most cases of choking are due to spasm of the vocal cords, not mechanical blockage. For such spasm the Heimlich manoeuvre would be valueless.

Bernard Lucas

NEW LIFE FOR •..

from Mrs. D. E. Fallows, Divisional Superintendent

During holidays I have come across many interesting places which have old associations with St. John, which has led me to wonder wheiher some effort could be made to co-ordinate the interest and experience of the Brigade's older members who, having spent many years teaching and serving St. John, might be willing to find 'new pastures' in publicity work when they hand over to younger people on the active list.

Surely here we have a reservoir of keen and experienced people who, with some guidance, might be able to form teams for gathering history and general stories that would be invaluable for informing the general public about the work carried on through the years by St. John? Such groups might even be willing (having retired and find that Brigade work has to some extent pushed aside other social activities) to visit schools, clubs and other meeting places with the approval and blessing of SJA. Talks could be vetted, and equipment, slides, etc, loaned by HQ, and so ensure that these older peoples' presentation is up-to-date and gives the right impression.

It is so. sad to find that one-time keen members, like old soldiers, 'just fade away' when their lives have been given to the training and work of an active division - but whose age, in the natural process of things, requires them to hand over willingly to younger members if they can be found.

London, N.I3 Dorothy E. Fallows

UNIFORM from W. Ashcroft

As the Brigade uniform is still being discussed in Readers Views the following suggestions, the result of many years experience, may be of interest.

The uniform should be smart for formal parades and for the psychological effect on casualties. It should be easily cleaned if soiled, suitable for any temperature, be reasonably cheap to produce and the wearer should be readily picked out from amongst a crowd. The St. John man should also be able to put it on in a few moments in an emergency call out.

I believe overalls, such as were issued to A.R.P. members, meet all those requirements. Altered to fit by a friendly tailor they looked neat and workmanlike. They should have one, or preferably two inside pockets in addition to the breast and trouser pockets. There would, of course, be no hip pockets. Brigade buttons should be used where necessary but they should be passed through the material and held with clips or split rings, as bachelor buttons, for easy removal when the garment needs cleaning.

The overalls should normally be worn with the white shirt and black tie, but in extremely cold weather (at the superintendent's discretion) the men should be allowed to button them up to the throat to help retain body heat. The first-aider would wear such clothing under the overalls as suits the weather conditions. In an emergency, he should be allowed to wear them over whatever he happens to be wearing when he receives the call.

I would keep the haversack not only to carry the wearer's personal first-aid kit but because, together with the hat, it makes it easy to recognise a St. John man at a distance. I have heard it suggested that a

READERS VIEWS

Readers' views and opinions which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

beret would be more comfortable, bur it would not keep rain off the wearer's face nor shield his eyes from the sun. Moreover even if it had a white band this would be hidden to the right hand side.

Finally I sugg est that the greatcoat should be replaced by a black mackintosh with a warm detachable lining.

Hertford W. Ashcro/l

I'D LIKE TO from D. L. Young

I'd like to comment on articles in April Review.

First the use of trained casualties in first aid training. I think this must be a good thing if it does improve the standard of efficiency. I feel this is very important, as I see this from a Brigade ambulance member's stand point as well as a professional ambulanceman's.

Sometimes the activities of members on first aid duties invoke sarcastic comments from my professional colleagues, most of which I think are bitter and unjustified but some are painfully all too true. I think the Brigade member must train, and train well if he or she is to be taken seriously.

In my exercises,' one thing about the actions of first -aiders which always strikes me is the lack of talking to the patient. Even if the patient is unconscious, or apparently so, he may hear you. Remember, hearing is the last sense to be lost.

I also found much interest in the article on snakes by Richard Webber, as I love walking; but more S0 because, as a Christian, I was struck by his scripture quotes. His quote from John 3: 14, 15 is one of the most fantastic promises in the bible, the promise of Eternal Life with God! I do hope the writer's faith is firmly anchored in these words of Jesus our Saviour, as mine is.

I feel a faith in Him is urgent today, as events in the world are even now fulfilling prophesies regarding our Lord's second coming.

Slough

1890 from D. Bouchard, Divisional Superintendent

D. L. Young

Reference the letter Challenge! (April Review) from Jack Smith of Caterham Division - Hackney Division was formed in 1890 and has served continuously since. Why the challenge?

Hackney Combined Division D. Bouchard

OLDEST CERTIFICATE?

from S. C. Bishop, Area PR 0

Enclosed is a copy of the oldest first aid certificate in existence, issued by Coventry Centre in May 1882, just 95 years ago.

John H. Dale was in fact the founder and first chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital Saturday Fund, an organisation which is still very much alive and active in Coventry and Warwickshire. This Saturday Fund started the first ambulance service in the area for its members, which was operated by the Brigade up to

aid c ertificate issued by Coventry Centre in 1882 and throughout the 39-45 war, until the ambulance service was later re -organised.

Coventry

IDEAS FROM

from R. S. Gurcharan Singh, Deputy State Commander

S. C. Bishop

I have been a regular reader of the St. John Review for the last 25 years and have watched with pride the growth of the magazine from its earlier format to its present appearance. I have not had much time to write to congratulate you for producing such an excellent magazine and I need not have to tell you how eagerly I look forward each month to receiving the latest issue, although it takes two months to get here by seam ail.

Badges: Could the powers-that-be design a more attractive badge for the cadet three-year efficiency? The present badge with a four

pointed star does not look beautiful enough to present to a cadet who has rendered three years of efficient service to the Brigade. I am also wondering why some of the badges only consist of the Maltese Cross (eg. Cadet Proficiency Badge, Home Nursing Badge, etc) while the other badges ha ve the lions and unicorns added to the Maltese Cross. I feel that the lions and unicorns added to the Maltese Cross make the badges look more attractive. Lastly, on the point of badges, I do nol like the idea of words like 'Secretary' or letters like 'SK' appearing on our badges for the simple reason that although such words or letters could be easily understood in English -speaking countries, this is not the case where the English language is not the national language, as in the case of Malaysia.

Radio Ham: I am a very keen Radio Ham and am sure that there must be many more St. John personnel throughout the world who operate amateur radio stations. What about having our own J amboree -on -the -Air' on the weekend nearest St. John's Day every year, as the Scouts do? In this way, we could give tremendous publicity to the Order and its Foundations.

Venture Training: I am glad that venture training is now being introduced into the Brigade. This was one of my proposals during the last Overseas Conference held in London which I was fortunate enough to attend as a representative of Malaysia. Penang, Malaysia R. S. Gurcharan Singh

Headquarters replies:

The Cadet Advisory Committee did not consider that the three year Efficiency Star for Cadets required any alteration.

The question of more self-explanatory badges, such as for 'Secretary'. will be considered.

The suggestion on uniting Brigade Radio Hams throughout the world for a day is a good idea.

1200 Merseyside members on parade

Brigade provides a wonderful service which is an example to all Liverpool Daily

THERE were over 1200 members on parade at Merseyside's Centenary Year County Review on May 9 in the grounds of Liverpool University.

the rest of us. These days we do not find too many people doing voluntary work.'

Photo left: The result of the time taken to inspect such a large turnout. The Area Transport Officer, who had seven vehicles on parade, resorts to transport method number one - the cradle lift. (Photos: Lord Pilkington, after inspecting the parade, said: 'The

Post).

ST. JOHN flags are greatly in demand during the Jubilee celebrations. In May one was paraded before the Queen by the St. John cadets during her visit to Stirling; another is hanging in the Glasgow Art Gallery; and yet another is included in the decorations of Princes Street Edinburgh.

Galloway

A new branch of the Association has been formed jn Galloway under the presidency of the Countess of Stair and the chairmanship of Mr. W. A. P. Milne. It has not yet undertaken any active public work, but plans to make considerable progress during 1977.

East Kilbride and Lanarkshire

The Committee sponsored the televised Scotland v. Wales Boxing International Match held in East Kilbride on May 18.

The Association have recently bought a fine collection of St. John stamps issued by the Sovereign and Military Order of Malta and belonging to the late Norman Smith. The committee most generously presented the stamps to priory for display in Edinburgh.

J. R-S

WALES

Chief Superintendent's Conference Lady Crawshay, Chief Superintendent for Wales, held conferences in North and South Wales recently.

In North Wales the venue was the historical Ruthin Castle, when Dr. Bruce Jackson, Director of Area Public Health Laboratory, Conwy, spoke on 'Agues and antibacterials', in which members were very interested. Mr. Ridgeway, training officer for Marks and Spencer, spoke on training methods, which included creative thinking. The session proved most rewarding.

The conference in South Wales was held at Nevill Hall Hospital Abergavenny, when the subject of Nursing the Elderly was the main topic. The course was arranged by Mr. A. Giles, Area Nursing Officer, Gwent.

The course administrator was the Chief Tr aining Officer for Wales, Peter Harries, who reported a good attendance at both events.

Gwynedd cadet NCO course

35 Cadet NCOs drawn from all over the county met at the Ambulance Hall, Blaenau Ffestiniog, for their annual training day.

Among the speakers were the Chief Training Officer for Wales Peter Harries; County

TOGETHER ...

Cadet Officer E. Williams; and County Training Officer O P. Jones. The Commissioner, Lt. Col. W. E. C. Nash, presided over the open forum, which developed into a lively discussion.

Arrangements for the course were in the hands of the county Cadet Officer and County Training Officer. ,vrexham

At the recent Wrexham Divisions ' annual dance the cabaret was provided by two newly -formed groups.

One group, the 'Little People', are staff

The day Mrs Ada Manley celebrated her 1OOth birthday in Cardiff Royal Infirmary, SJA member Nicola Lewis, Catherine Long and AIM Jonathon Ashbridge were there to see that she wanted for nothing - naturally, as SJA, of course , is also celebrat ng its 100th birthday Like peas in a pod

members of Littlewood Stores Ltd who are always ready to help raise funds for the Division.

The other group, impersonators Don Estelle ard Windsor Davies, are members of Clwyd Fire Service stationed at Wrexham who entertain at various hospitals in the area. It was a very enjoyable evening and two long serving members David Walker and Miss Glenys Roberts who recently married were presented with a gift on behalf of the members by Div. Supt. T. J. Hughes. Div. Officer Derek Jones acted as compere and organised a very successful evening.

Solihull Area Nursing Cadet D. of E. Group

FORMED by Area Staff Officer Mrs. Watts in 1973, the aim of this group was to fulfil the needs of cadets in the Area over the age of 14 years who had been awarded their Grand Prior Badg,e or had nearly completed it. It was realised that there could be a few cadets in a division who wanted to join the scheme but 'not enough to warrant any special training. Therefore the group was set up on an area basis, with all divisions invited to send members.

This year has seen the group's first Gold Award - N/M Leslie Watts, who was No. 9 Region's Miss St. John finalist. Four cadets and ex-cadets have won their Silver and are now working for their Gold; four have won their Bronze and are working for their Silver; two have almost completed their Bronze ; and nine are working for their Bronze.

The group has been a great mixing pot. Cadets from different divisions have been able to meet each other and carry out their

expeditions together. Cadets who transfer to adult divisions still come back to the Duk e of Edinburgh group, so keeping in contact with the cadets.

There are four sections to the award Cadets enter having completed a quarter, the service section. Interests have been wide and varied. We have had the co-operation of the local Youth Officer and through him the cadets have been able to use the facilities at the Youth Workshops. One cadet made a canoe, others have attended the pottery and soft toy making. Other interests include amateur dramatics, corn dolly making, ice skating, Scottish country dancing, yoga, squash, cookery, and being members of various musical groups. On the Design for Living, courses have been run on flower arranging and good grooming, although one cadet went it alone and renovated a garden shed so that it could be used to sleep in.

The last section is one of the most enjoyable. The girls work in small groups to complete their Bronze walk, which is only 7 miles. When it comes to the Silver walk, however, that takes a little more organising. The first walk took place around Ludlow

and Leominster. It was snowing heavily when the cadets left Birmingham but had stoppe d when they got to Ludlow. They walked to Eye Manor, where Mr. and Mrs. Sandford made them very welcome, even clearing a beautiful antique table so that the cadets could use it for their sandwiches and pop. Afterwards they were shown around Eye Manor and the special display of corn dollies. The cadets then continued on their way to Leominster and the Scout hut where they were to stay the night. One of their evening activities was swimming. In the morning, after viewing the town, the cadets set off to walk to Dinsmore Manor, one of the old Commanderies of the Knights Hospitaller.

The second walk took place around Stratford, and the cadets slept in the Stratford St. John HQ. The main aim of the walk was to carry out brass rubbings at the local brass rubbing centre.

It is most gratifying to find so many people outside S1. John Ambulance who are ready to help with these expeditions. All in all, nothing but good can come from an organised D of E group.

Cabaret at SJA Wrexham's annual dinner: impersonators Don and Windsor; and the Little People

Superintendent Mrs. A. Pennant with Presidents at the North Wales conference Enrolment and presentation at Bro Dyfi Cadet Division the only Welsh speaking division in Wales (Photo: Alan Martin , Machynlleth)

Lesley Watts receives her Gold Award from County Borough Youth Officer, Mr. R Jackson, with other Solihull award winner and ASO(C) Mrs E. Watts. (Photo Solihull News)

News from Divisions/Centres

SLJlrey A Hersham Dlvision's annual Inspeclion (L 10 R) new recruit Mrs. Sheila Feal Martinez. and promoted from cadets RDsemary Sharp and Lynda Elderton, who had lust received her Grand Pnor's Award. (Photo J Plckenng)

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.7 (77)

Compiled by W. A Po"er

Across:

3. Obstruction often presenting a surgical emergency. (10). 8. Plexus giving rise to the great sciatic nerve. (6). 9. Culture medium and laxative when repeated. (4). 10. Does this technique for drainage of th e pleural cavity require a diver? (10). 11. Doctor returning for fish (3 ). 13. Flower girl. (4). 14. Naturally occurring barium sulphat e conc ea ls best ray. (7). 15. Parasites left with ice. (4). 18. Sufferer contagious disease had a window in the old church (5 ). 2 J FrUIt IS part of a fastening device. (3). 22. Sterilised sets of instrum ent s a nd materials for surgical and nursing procedures (5). 24 On e o f th e

Stock Exchange animals (4). 26 Undergarment tingles in an unu s ual way. (7). 27. Doctor begins to behave in an unhappy , dispirit ed manner. (4). 29. Tug back the intestines. (3). 30. Proc e dur e en SUrIn g a good airway during anaesthesia and sev e re he ad injur y ( 10 ). 3.1 Second-hand editor is following us. (4). 32. Inflammator y ophthalmI c condition. (6). 33. More or less attractive and in good he alth (6 .4 ).

Down:

1. Discolouration of skin and sclera due to bile pigm e nts in blood ( 8)

2. Try ear for blood vessel. (6) 3. Malice of sick (3 -4 ). 4. Buds in the tongue. (5). 5. Geographical featur e remIndIng on e of a n old injury. (4). 6 Addictive drug such as morphine, pethidin e, o r Physeptone. (8). 7. Abnormal curvatur e of lum?ar spme hollow back. (8). 12. How nurse may refer to th e Intrav enou s mfu s lOn (4). 14. Wager with a Greek letter. (4) . 16. In str ee t th e month. (4). 17. Canal injury (3). 18 Taken on re a c hIn g th e lImIt o f one's endurance? (4.4 ) 19. The sort of wound lik ely to d e la y th e motorist? (8). 20. Respiratory sound h e ard on auscultati o n of a bronchitic pati e nt. (4). 23. Hump -back d e formity . (8 ) D e nt a l abscess at the adhesive's factory? (7 ). 27. Womb r es ultIng from a strange art in J009. (6) 28. Fomentation put back in d ir e ction. ( 5). 30 In a lazy, slothful manner. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.6 (77)

Across:

1. Hyphaema; 8. Relapsed; 9. Apoplexy ; 11. Potat o; 12 Li e n ; 13. Fuss' 15. Caramel; 17 Ease; 20 In.gl e; 21. Rad ; 22 Sm. e ar ; 23. 25. Eutocia ; 27. Ca.in 29 Trip ; 30 Sple e n ; 32 Irrit a n t; 34. Drilling; 35. Hypnotic.

Down: 1. Head office; 2 Hip ; 3. Eserine; 4. Ary.an ; 5. Flap ; 6 Opht h alml c; 7. Nettle; 10. On. us ; 14 Salmon ella ; 15. Ced e; 16 L a ryn g.ltl s; 18. A.rea; 19. Say ; 24. Stirrup 26. Ump ire; 28 Aur a; 29. T.hl g h ; 3 1. Nail ; 33. Two.

YOUTH If l

Essex: The Mayor of South end, with Div. Supt Eric Whybrew, of Southend Ambulance Division, before starting a sponsored walk which raised £ 1500 for the Dlvlsion's new mobile unit to be delivered soon

(Above) Gloucestershlre: (L to R) Mrs. E. N. Lillington. Cty. Sec: Miss J. Ash. CSO(C); H. G Beard, Commissioner. H. L. St. G Carey, Commander Miss D. M. Trimmer, Deputy Cty. Supt and Miss M Baird, CNO. (Photo: Gloucestershire Echo)

(Above) S & W Yorks: Cadet Cpl. Harvey Sutcliffe. 15, of Hebden Bridge Cadet DIVISion. is hoisted alott by his pals when he became County Ambulance Cadet of the Year. The trophy was presented by CSO(AC) Ben Jarman (Photo· Halifax Evening Couner)

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SIR ROBERT MARK said:

SOMEONE SHOULD TELL YOU

THERE ARE some occasions on which a speaker at an event of this kind assures his audience of his gratitude for the implied complim ent or privilege of being invited to speak when in fact he doesn't mean a word of it. He has too often only accepted because it flatters his ego and he enjoys performing in public. There are sometimes additional factors. If the speaker is an actor, he wants your applause. If he is a politician he wants your vote. Well, in my case, none of thes e conditions apply. I do not want votes. As a policeman I have long been indifferent to cheers, boos or hisses and it could scarcely have b ee n more inconvenient to come here today, since I am supposed to be in Hythe this afternoon and have a busy period ahead of me.

So when I tell you, as I now do, that there is no plac e I would rather be this morning than with you in this hall you may feel surprise and perhaps a little curiosity. It isn't because you are all either handsom e or beautiful (though of course you are!) or to extract anything from you, either applause or money. It is just that I am probably in a bett er position than most to tell you simply and truthfully of your valu e a s individuals and as an organisation to this country. My motives can hardly be said to renect self interest, since I am now retired and a private citizen and would not respond to an invitation of this kind for material gain. I have come because I have long memories of the servic e you and your forebears have given to the public and in particular to the police, sometimes in circumstances of danger and discomfort and always of inconvenience. Policemen with memories of Grosvenor Square, Red Lion Square and Notting Hill cannot help but fee l a strong sense of obligation not just to you and your organisation but to the ideal you represent.

Only a week or two ago I accepted an invitation to propose th e toa s t to England on St. George s Day. I said then, and make no apology for repeating now, that for me the philosophy of England is not that of Bismarck, of blood and iron, of might is right , but rather that of Nurs e Cavell, who said before her execution in the grey light of a winter dawn by the very people she had nursed 'Patriotism is not enough. 1 mu st have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone'. It is the philosophy of the captain of the Arandora Star who, on the high seas in 1940, gav e his lifejacket to an alien internee just before his ship sank following a U -boat attack. Of the Royal Air Force officer who, after the war, gav e an air "Cadet the only parachute and threw him out of the plane befor e crashing to his own quite certain death. It is the philosophy of Constable Stephen TibbIe and Captain Roger Goad who gave th e ir lives in protecting London from terrorists. It was perhaps demonstrated at its best not so long ago by Mrs Jane Ewart Biggs, whose sublime reaction on television to her husband's brutal and senseless murder by the IRA awoke an all too rare sense of universal shame and revulsion throughout the whole of Ireland. That is what Britain at its be s t is all about, that is what some of those I have mentioned gave their lives for; that we, as a nation should value some ideals above life itself, that man should live in a world that puts justice before force, logic before emotion. and humanity and compassion above all.

Fortunately, not many people are called upon to pay so high a price in pursuance of those ideals. For most of us the cost is less, a willingness to serve our fellowmen, not for money but for th e enrichment of their lives and ours. The cumulative effect of that willingness displayed by so many paople is the truest indication of the quality of a nation and of the standards it represents. Dedication to ones fellowmen cannot be commanded. It must be given voluntarily, though happily it can sometimes be inspired by example. How very fortunate and appropriate, that your Centenary should coincide with the Silver Jubilee of the most dedicated public servant we possess. And

how considerable a part you as an organisation have play ed in contributing to the celebration of the Jubilee

I doubt whether any nation in the world relies more on voluntar y se rvic e, or receives more str ength and support from it than do es thi s country. The Royal Navy , the Army , the Royal Air Force all hav e th eir voluntary auxiliaries. The police , the nursing servic es, th e WR VS. Th e incomparable lifeboatmen the mountain rescue t eams , th e blood donor s And no less valuable in the crisis of war or th e strain s and str esses of peac e, th e St. John Ambulance Brigade. How can on e measur e the value of voluntary service which gives so much in mat eri a l term s and in the promotion of idealism ? We are told that man do es not liv e by bread alone. Indeed, he would probably find it rath er boring if he did. H e is inevitably one of many part of a whol e, and hi s be haviour and standards are heavily iniluenc ed by oth er s.

According to St. John in th e 13th verse of th e 15th chapt er of hi s ve rsion of the gospel 'Greater lov e hath no man than thi s. That a m an la y down his life for his fri ends '. I hav e neve r doubt ed th e truth of thos e words or ceas ed to admire those who hav e mad e s uch a sac rific e. But som etim es 1 wonder wh ether sacrific e mad e in th e heat o f th e moment und er unbearabl e emotional ten sion , perhap s und er th e innuenc e of dedication to a cause or a per son , s hould be allow ed t o ob scure too much th e seIness , endless labour s of those who d evo t edl y se rv e their fellowmen da y after day in a much less dramati c but om etime s infinitely more wearisome way

I served in th e police of thr ee citi es for 40 ye ars and I hav e o ft e n thought with gratitude of th e St. ] ohn Ambulanc e Brigad e throu gho ut that long period Most of you will hav e see n thos e W es tern film s in which vultures hov e ring in a desert sky indicat e th e pr ese nce of a bo d y o r som eone about to die W ell , in a rath e r happier way th e s ight o f a

St. John Ambulance post in London quickens th e polic eman' s se nses

To him it mean s either trouble , a demo , a di s pute or a celebration. o r something of that kind. But that is not th e reaction of th e man in th e street. So much are you taken for grant ed by the public that you have become like G K. Chesterton ' s postman It is pe rhap s th e hi ghes t complim e nt you could be paid , the automatic assumption that c o me rain or shin e, in times of crisis or public ne ed , you will alway s be th ere.

But, perhaps once a year, and certainly not so infrequently as once every hundred years, someone should tell you, without embarrassing you, that your contribution to our way of life, both in practical terms and by example, does not go unnoticed. Perhaps the most dramatic demonstration of your worth would be the temporary loss of your services. That, I know, will never happen, because you will not allow it. Just as well, because over the years you have matured from the helpful to the essential.

Policemen are not given to emotion or eulogy. We s ee too much of the harsh reality of life to have much time for empty words or in sinc ere praise. I am therefore unlikely to be thought insincere when I tell you that as an organisation you demonstrate one of the most nobl e and unselfish attributes of the British way of life and that as individual s your d evotion to St. ] ohn enriche s not just your lives but tho se of your fellow countrymen.

Ther e will not be a single policeman in Gr eat Britain who would not echo my words and when you consider what an argumentativ e lot we are, that is an impressive tribute.

It is my gr eat privilege to have been allowed to addres s you on be half of them all. May you go from strength to strength sustained not so much by a chorus of unwanted praise and thanks , but by th e certainty that you are essential to the wellbeing of your fellowm en and an example to us all.

TH E JO U RNA L OF S T JO

Contents

Som

At R an dom by Wa t k n W. W ill iams p. 173

Cen ena

Winc h ester welcomes St. Joh

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner - in - Chief

Readers'

NO HONOUR could possibly have given greater pleasure to a larger number or wider circle of St. John members throughout the world than that of the DBE awarded to our Sup e ri nt e ndent-in -Chief, Lady Moyra Browne, in Her Majesty s Jubilee and Birthday List. Lady Moyra is a profe ssionally trained nurse and a practical first aider who throughout her 27 years active service in the Brigade ha s never lost touch with the realities of work at ' ground level ' or hesitiated to use her skill and experience as a first aider in any emergency. To give but two examples: a couple of years ago , when a terrorist bomb exploded a short distance from the house where she was dining one evening in London , she went straight out and gave first aid to some of the seriously injured casualties, including one man who had facial injuries and obstructed br-eathing , and she mo ved the obstruction by extracting from his throat a piece of metal which was afterwards identified as the mangl e d remains of a dinner -fork; more recently , when arriving at the scene of a serious accident on a country road , when it was thought that all occupants of the cars had been accounted for and their injuries treated, she walked down the road , searching in the ditch and behind the hedge , and discovered and treated another unsuspected casualty who might otherwise have been left indefinitely to his uncertain fate. Such is the quality of our Superintend e nt -in-Chief whom , to our immense joy , The Que e n has been pleased to honour.

Lad y Moyra Ponsonby joined the Brigade as a Nursing M ember (then called Ambulance Sister) in the Craigs Conti nued on p.184

ANNUAL SERVICE AT ST PAUL'S

Tile Duke of Gloucester, the Grand Prior, and Commancier Sir Robll1 Gillett, Bt, Lord Mayor of London, St CCltheclral entering Paul s Lonciol) District

leacis

bearers f,am other counties For the first time all Counties were Invited to send one co our bearer

THE annual service of commemoration and re -dedication of the Order of St John in St Paul's Cathedral on Saturday, June 25 , was particularly impressive this centenary year.

850 uniformed members from throughout England and Wales marched through the City with the Brigade bands of St Audries Cadet Division, Somerset, and the West Midlands Cadets, and for the first time the colours of 46 counties were on parade.

For the service, which was attended by the Grand Prior, the Duke of Gloucester, the Lord Prior , Lord Caccia, and the Lord Mayor of London, the Cathedral was packed with members of the Order and the Brigad e, including about lOO represent.:ttives from 35 overseas countries The Preach e r was the Bi shop of Worcester The Rt. R ev. Robert Woods.

A centenary service to remember.

Following a servi c e of dedication In the Cathedral on May 28 to celebrate SJA s centenary , 900 members marched through the streets of Winchester and past two saluting bases, one In the Cathedral grounds and the other (above) at the Guildhall, where the Earl of Malmsbury, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and President of the Order for the county took the salute

WINCHESTER

WELCOMES ST JOHN

Many Knights and other members of the Order processed in their clistinctlve robes ancl inSignia to the Catheclral Service at which th ere were 1500 people

With lovely weather, the people of Winchester turned au in their thousands to watch the parade

CENTENARY EVENTS

IN GOOD COMPANY

DEPUTY Commissioner -in -Chief Major

General Peter Leuchars planted a Lawson

tr ee on behalf of St John Ambulance

Centenary Year in the famous gard e n of tr ees at the Woodford Green home of Sir Stuart Mallinson during June

One tree in the garden is over SOO years old and others have been planted by th e Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Gloucester, President Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill, Earl Mountbatten and a host of other famous names.

Arrangements for the planting were made by London's Eastern Area Commissioner Robert Bax, in whose area Sir Stuart lives.

LONDON RECEPTION

AS PART of their centenary celebrations, the Council of the Order of St. John for London arranged a reception at one of London's great Livery Halls It was held on Friday July 1 in the famous Haberdashers Hall, almost in the shadow of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Chairman of th e Council Gp Capt G. H. Pirie and the D e puty Chairman, Col. H. A Lewi s, received the guests in the absence of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Elworthy KG who at the last moment had been prevented from attending.

Among thos e pres e nt w e re the Master of th e Worshipful Company of Haberdash e rs ; the Commissioner and senior officers of th e Brigad e and their ladi es; the Director of London's Association; and th e 36 - stone man

attested by th e Guiness book of Records as 'the fatt es t man in the UK ', George Macaree, President of London 's West Ham Combined Division.

The success of the evening was very greatly due to the arrangements by David Inglefield, hims e lf a member of th e Haberdashers Company and th e Council of the Ord e r in London.

W.A H.

LONDON SPORTS

ON A sunny Saturday , July 2 , London District held its C e ntenary Op e n Sports Meeting for Cadets at Hurlingham Sports Arena.

Competing against the London teams were teams from Essex, Berkshire and Buckinghamshir e - all with their own supporters who left no doubt vocally as to whom they wanted to win! Among the seventeen events were running events from 100 to IS00 metres , long jump and tug -o fwar (for boys only!),

At the end of the day when the cups and prizes were pres e nted by Mrs Iris Fenton , wife of the Commissioner, it was very evident that London Northern Area was the overall winner. The two major trophies

Through the ages

Darllllgton Nursing Division members put on a

(e normou s c up s) were pre se nted by Commissioner Derek Fenton to Northern Ar ea Supt. Mrs Mulligan for the girls teams, and to Ar e a Commr. Mr Mulligan for th e boys.

Among those watching the events were the Brigad e S ec retary of Kenya, Mr J. Mav s i, and Mrs Doris Hoadley, London District's Sup e rintendent.

Any doubt s about the family spirit' existing within St John would soon be disp e ll e d by the enthusiasm shown by the cadets - and Mr Willis and the many other organising officers present - on a day such as thi s. It was a real tonic

W.A.H.

ISLE OF MAN

SJA Isle of Man has been presented with a motorcycle by th e Honda Motor Cycle Co which is to be th e first prize in a tam bola run during the holiday season, The winning tick e t - tickets are 2Sp each - will be drawn on September 8.

Th e island's St John Ambulance centenary stamps are still available as Se rvic ed Covers at 70p each from Mr G Crosby, Lynton, The Crescent , BaJdrine , Douglas.

The colours being marched out of Roches ter Cathedral after the Centenary Service on June 26

(Photo Mirway Ltd Ashfor d)

WIMBLEDON

Once again the services of London District were in great demand at the centenary of Wimbledon fortnight. During the two weeks of play St. John Ambulance dealt with 1,885 casualties. It is interesting to note that as the temperature of the weather and excitement of the games progressed so the number of cases to be dealt with increased accordingly.

WINEAND

During June, following the Trooping of the Colour, I hear that London District staff met at their HQ for a glass of wine and a few words from Deputy Commissioner Lt Col R. Payne congratulating Commissioner Derek Fenton and District Superintendent Mrs. Doris Hoadley on their awards in the Queen's Jubilee Honours.

'Both awards', said Bob Payne, 'are firsts for London. The Queen's personal award of the MVO 5th class to the Commissioner and the OBE to the District Superintendent.

Col. Payne also announced four Jubilee medals to personnel of London: to the Commander , Col. H. Lewis, Doris FuUjames, Harrow Div. Supt , W. W. (Bill) Packe, Northern Area Supt, and Mabel Young, Assist. Western Area Nursing Officer.

Derek Fenton said that during the eight days of Jubilee celebrations London District

Victoria District of SJA Australia is experimenting with a scheme called Interlink which it hopes will help to btidge the gap between cadet and adult membership. For as many divisions know, it is between the ages of 14 and 20 years that membership of SJA needs strengthening, needs careful nurturing, if continued young adult anthusiasm is to be the result.

Here is a report on Interlink:

An objective analysis of the aims of the Cadet movement within the St. John Ambulance Brigade shows three separate but complimentary objectives.

1. The teaching of first aid and home nursing to young members of the community.

2. The introduction to broader interests as members of a youth organisation.

3, The recruitment to the adult d iv isions.

It is no secret that those respom ible for the running of Cadet Divisions can be proud of their achievements in the first two of these aims, but the loss of cadets before their transfer to adult divisions has been a

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

had given 40,000 public duty hours

Congratulations, everyone!

DILEMMA

How's this for team spirit? Steven Hancock, of Kington Combined Cadet Division , Herefordshire, was chosen as a reserve in one of his division's teams which reached the No.9 Regional Finals to be held on May 21.

What was also to be held on May 21? -

The Cup Final. And what's more Steven had a ticket for the Big Match. His dilemma : which team should he support - his favourite footballers or his division's?

He returned the Cup Final ticket and turned up at the Regional Finals in case his first aid team needed him. His team didn't win. But he was there.

I hope he gets a ticket for next year's Cup Final.

14 TO 20 YEAR OLD GAP

constant problem to which there is no easy solution, for at the time when cadets should be transferring they are frequently under considerable pressure from other interests and limitations of time and other 'factors create priorities. School, studies, examinations, other organisations, girls, boys all take their toll and the adult divisions of St. John can so easily fail to provide sufficient attraction for the interest of the cadets. Herein lies a major challenge for the Brigade senior sections to provide such an interesting programme that cadets cannot fail to be attracted.

However, even an improvement in this field will not necessarily retain all the cadets in the Brigade. In Victoria an attempt has been made to retain the interest of the younger members of the Brigade in the age group 14 to 20 years whether they are cadets or members of adult divisions by the development of Interlink.

Membership of Interlink is complimentary to active membership of the Brigade in a division and not in any wayan alternative. It gives the younger member an opportunity of meeting others of the

HOT NEWS

Worcester County Pool officer Ivor Dalgleish, who is at pr ese nt working in Abu Dhabi in the Middle East writes:

You may be interested to know that I am in the middl e of two first aid courses: one for Arab apprentices of the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Co. and the other for wives and employees of the company. The enclosed photograph (above right) was taken at th e presentation of certificates to the senior staff of the company who attended th e course last year. We believe it is the first ever in this part of the Middle East.

After completing the present course we should be in a position to start a monthly meeting, which in time may spark ofT a Division, or whatever it can be called locally.

We have recruited a doctor, Dr. Kerr (Scottish, of course!) , who has shown great opposit e sex to discuss and participate in activities of mutual interest. It is under the supervision and guidance of a stafT officer who is attached to District.

Its objecti ves are:

1) to assist in th e building of character

2) to develop independence and the ability to work in a group

3) to develop social contacts, to guide and direct recr eat ional energies

4) to assist when possible in training in a variety of spheres

5) to collect information on various services

6) and basically to assist the young person to achieve satisfactory citizenship

Int e rlink is still in its infancy and its success will depend upon the enthusiasm of the young peopl e who join. This in turn will r eflect the leadership the section receives from the officers who are entrusted with this responsibility.

The Brigade is not short of enthusiasm and therefore hopefully Interlink will be a success.

BY THE EDITOR

MIND BENDI:.RS

Find the first aid word o r words in the clu e. The number of en er s In th e answer is given.

I. Pie cru mixture! (8)

2. H alf a summer includes a bird (7)

J. Ro tat es ro und th e Ro yal Artill er y. painfully (7)

4 W et roads. apparently! (7)

Answers: U pside down - are at the bottom of page 184. No cheating.

interest in our activities. Also Dr. Heslop of Abu Dhabi Marine Areas, the offshore oil company.

COUNTRY COUSINS

Margar e t Hanks, % of Oxfordshire' s Shriv e n ham Combined Division, tells us

Princess Helena Moutaflan MBE, one of the most generous and active PreSidents of SJA London District and an Ofiicer of the Order, was reccntly awarded the Grand Medaille de Vf>rmell by the city of Paris for the great service rendered by her family for the freedom of France and for her own many years of service to humanity The Princess has also received the Etoile CivlQue, an honour for gcneral service to humanity (Photo Harllp, London W1)

(Above) First aid course in Abu Dhabi organised by Ivor Dalgleish (5th from right) See story HOT NEWS

Princess Anne II1spectlng members during a recent visit to the Youth Eclucatlonal anel Sports Centre at Aston Clinton, Bucb (Photo Roy Palmer Bucks Aclv()rtlser)

15,000 PLANTS

(Below) About 15.000 plants of five varieties were used In thiS superb reproduction of the St. John Cross in the public gardens by Mill Hili Circus, Barnet as a centenary display. 56-year-old flower expert Bill Smith. here at work, created the layout (Photo Hendon Times)

a bout a day in th e country : I am quit e sure h at all the big city divisions wer e very busy over the Ju bilee bank holiday, bu t we country divisions were busy too.

On Monday, June 6, we started work e arly in th e morning wh e n several member s e r ect ed two t e nts at the Faringdon carnival.

W e then all m e t at I pm to man th e a mbulanc e in th e procession, run a publicity s tand and to provide first aid cover. As soon as w e w e r e ab le to leav e, we had a very quick e a and then climbed into the ambulance to att e nd the lighting of the beacon on Whit e Horse Hi ll. We tr e ated several casualties at th e be acon and left at 12.30 am. We were travelling hom e in the ambulance , all singing happily, when we came upon an elderly ge ntl e man , who was rather intoxicated, lying Oat on his fac e under his bicycle in the middle of the road. We stopped , c leaned up his bloody face, loaded him and his bicycle into th e ambulance, turned around, and took him back fiv e miles to his home.

W e arrived hom e just before 2 am. So it wa s a 17 hour day for several of our division, and 12 hours for most. W e had a gr e at day , drank lot s of coffe e, and enjoyed ours e lv e s.

MORE LIGHT NEEDED

An e xtract from the operation ord e rs for SJ A Hampshir e attending th e Fleet Revi e w in th e Solent r e ads: ' ILLUMINATIONS Accord ing to th e R e vi e w programm e, the Fleet will b e illuminat ed on June 25, 26 and 27 until 235 9 hour s on June 28 until 0230 hours th e following morning. Torches will be r e quir e d :

WOOL WANTED

Many of th e elderly people rec e iving r e gular v is it s from memb e rs of the Skelmersdal e Quadrilateral Division wer e cold last wint e r for lack of a s hawl or knee blanket. Th e

Division is hoping to provide th e m with shawls before n e xt wint e r , but ha s run out of oddm e nts of wool. Gifts of wool, e v e n small quantites, would be most gratefully received by th e Divisional Superintendent Mi ss J. M Go t ch 272 Birl e ywood, Digmoor , Sk e lmer s dale, Lancashire.

ANON

Th e r e was a young girl did First

She was n e ver much good on Parade But oft I hav e bless ed her And even caressed her

When on a s ick bed [ was laid

SAME STORY

In its annual report for 1975, the chairman of St John Ambulance, Sind Province, Pakistan, voiced a familiar cry about first aid training, Commenting on the annual total who took first aid and nursing training with SJ A in the Province - 1440 people (1076 qualified) - he said these figures were nothing to feel proud about ' Peopl e do not take much interest in this training during normal tim es" During calamities we ar e tax ed to our maximum capacity.'

The universal problem of first aid training

JUST AS WELL

P e terborough , of the Daily Telegraph, carri ed this story during May:

A Kent read e r has drawn my attention to on e of th e country ' s local Jubil ee cel e bration programm es which states: 'Local Public House open all day. St John Ambulanc e Brigade in attendance.

LARYNGECTOMY GROUP

Laryngectomy - The operation to remo ve th e larynx (voice box)

Laryngectomee - A person who has had the laryng ectomy operation.

After a patient has had the laryngectomy operation they may have to be taught to speak again. Some of you may remember the actor Jack Hawkins. H e was a laryngectomee and he made a comeback into films after his operation. Most people who have this operation do not have the worry of being in the public eye as he d id, but th e y do

(Above) Bristol and North Avon members, depicting uniforms through the ages, courses available and services rendered by the Brigade, in the Jubilee procession dUring June (Photo John Long, Bristol)

SJA Guernsey recently held an open day on Saturday, but it was so successful they had to extend it throughout the Sunday. Some of the disp ay (be)ow eft) an inshore rescue boat complete with dummy helmsman, and (right) a Simulated tractor accident. (Photos William Sllmm)

A StJohn family day

have to continue with their own life and employment.

Many areas have started their own clubs for laryngectomy patients which have been most successful. The London Group is known as 'The Jack Hawkins Club'. Members of these clubs carry a special card giving their name and address and on the reverse the following information:

EMERGENCY

I AM ALAR YNGECTOMEE (I have no vocal chords)

1 breathe through an opening in my neck, Not through the mouth or nose.

If ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION is necessary

I. Keep neck opening clear of all matter

2. Do not turn head sideways

3, Apply oxygen only to neck opening

4. Do not throw water over head or neck

5. Mouth-to-opening treatment is effective

Hearing of these other groups it was realised by Mrs. Larkin, speech therapist at

AT RANDOM

Court Nursing Division, London District , in 1938. Two years later she moved to Sussex and became County S.O. for Cadets (N) as well as doing full-time nursing in the Civil Nursing Reserve at the Royal West Sussex Hospital. In 1943 she returned to London and became a student nurse at the Westminster Hospital, and in 1945 she achieved the greatest and most lasting happiness of her life when she married Mr (afterwards Sir) Denis Browne the eminent paediatric surgeon, a widower some years her senior in age. They had a son and a daughter, both now married, and today

Lady Moyra has an additional happiness of two grandchildren.

After qualifying as SEN in 1946 , she became HQ Staff Officer to the Chief Officer for Cadets (N) until in 1952 her family commitments made it neccesary for her to resign from active membership of the Brigade. During the next 12 years she made

Coventry and Warwickshire and Walsgrave Hospitals, and myself that there was a need for a similar group in Coventry. The specialists in Coventry cover Rugby, Nuneaton and the many villages of the area, so there are quite a number of laryngectomees locally. As many as possible were contacted and invited to a meeting to discuss the starting of a group in Coventry. It was felt that those people who had learned to talk could help those who were finding it difficult to master the new way of talking.

The wives and husbands of laryngectomee patients also came along so that they could learn about problems encountered since their partners' operation.

Now that the group is well established the laryngectomees visit others in hospital prior to and after the operation.

The next thing to think about was fund raising, so that we could invite guest speakers to meetings. The Coventry Hospital Sports and Social Club was approached about the possibility of the group having a stall at their fete held at Walsgrave Hospital. They agreed and after a most successful day we now have some funds.

The group now meets once a month at Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital, in the evening, so that members do not have to take time off work.

DNO Miss G. A. Coutts, SRN. MIODip.

(Reprinted/rom SJA COI'entry A rea News)

MIND BENDERS (answers)

SUI!]J IS'r SU! IlJ dS £ wn UJ;ll S L snlld;)J,) '1

Mrs Doris Hoadley, OBE, District Superintendent, London (Prince of Wales's) District, joined the Brigade as a N/M in 1941, and for the next 3 1 / 2 years whe devoted all her spare time to working as a Nursing Auxiliary in the Middlesex Hospital, supervising shelter casualties and dealing with their transfer from the deep shelter in Clapham to the hospital. After the war she became still more widely involved in Brigade duties; she was appointed a Divisional Officer in J 949, and so inspiring was her leadership and dedication to first aid and nursing that she was progressively given greater responsibilities until in 1963 she was appointed District Superintendent, and for the past 14 years she has been directly responsible for the training and efficiency of the Brigade's 6,000 nursing personnel (both adult and cadet) in the Greater London area, setting them a personal example of service and devotion to duty which has been an inspiration to them all.

She has also served for several years on the Executive Committee for Age Concern (City of Westminster), the Greater London Association for the Disabled, the Greater London Council for Voluntary Welfare Organisations and the London Council of Social Service.

Supplies Department and St. John customers in almost 50 countries across the world - a task which she has fulfilled with a spirit of dedication and efficiency which has now been most deservedly rewarded.

(cont. from p.113)

frequent tours abroad with her husband, to whom she acted as nursing assistant and secretary, and she also found time to work for the Victoria League, becoming in due course vice -chairman of its Central Council. For her services to Commonwealth friendship she was made an OBE in 1962. Returning to Brigade HQ in ] 964 as Staff Officer to the Superintendent-in-Chief, she was a few months later appointed Deputy Superintendent-in-Chief and succeeded Lady Brecknock as Superintendent-in-Chief in 1970, in which year she also became VicePresident of the Royal College of Nursing.

Since her husband's death in 1967 she has travelled extensively in the cause of St. John, not only in this country but overseas to Canada, Cyprus and Service Hospitals in Germany, as well as five St. John tours in Northern Ireland, during which she visited hospitals, encouraged training and helped to sustain the magnificent morale of St. John

members in the Commandery of Ards.

Apart from this, she is normally in her office at Grosvenor Crescent for five full working days every week. But no mere catalogue of the activities of her very busy life, freely given in the service of mankind, can adequately describe all that she does for, and means to, her many friends throughout the Sl. John family; that is something that we continue to learn daily from an experience that is more eloquent than words.

More awards

We also most warmly congratulate the nine other St. John members in the United Kingdom who in this centenary year have been honoured in The Queen's Jubilee and Birthday List in recognition of their St. John service. These comprise two awards of the OBE, one of the MVO, four of the MBE, and two of the BEM.

Mr John Pickford, OBE, Director of Association, Priory for Wales, had for many years been a member of the Priory's Association Committee before being appointed its Director of Association some ten years ago. A man of infectious energy and enthusiasm - as one would expect of a former Welsh hockey international! - he has been mainly responsible for the extensive development of Association training throughout Wales in recent years. He is also a member of Chapter - General of the Order, and represents the Priory for Wales on the Association Committee of the Foundation.

Mr Derek Fenton, Commissioner, London (Prince of Wales's) District, who received the MBE in 1973 for his St. John services during the Ugandan Asian refugees' air lift in the previous autumn, has received the signal honour of being awarded the MVO in recognition of his personal responsibility for, and organisation of, Brigade public duties on countless Royal and State occcasions in London over many years. This is believed to be the first occasion On which such an award, which is in the personal gift of The Sovereign, has been made to a member of St. John Ambulance in recognition of voluntary services performed in that capacity.

Miss D. I. Fuller, MBE, Head of the Overseas Supplies Department at Priory House, has given a lifetime of service to what was formerly known as 'The Stores" where she is in charge of all overseas orders and Supplies. This involves her in maintalOlOg Contact and good relationships between the

Mr David Hallard, MBE, Competitions Manager at St. John Ambulance HQ, first joined the National Dock Labour Board Ambulance Centre 39 years ago, and for the first 29 of those years he spent every spare moment of his time in voluntary service in the fields of training and competitions (including the making of training films, the development of visual aids and the use of casualty simulation) and in establishing a St. John exhibition service. During the past 10 years he has worked full-time at St. John HQ with overall responsibility for the programme of the 15 National First Aid competitions held under St. John auspices for the Statutory se rvic es and industry, culminating in the Grand Prior's Trophy competitions held annually in December between the winning teams in each of the national competitions held earlier in the year. So widely known and respected has he become as the national expert in this field that he is much in demand as a judge and adviser in many other competitions, and devotes much of his leisure time voluntarily to these additional tasks.

Miss Ivy North, MBE, Personal Assistant to the Commissioner -in-Chief, joined the clerical staff of the St. John and Red Cross Joint War Organisation in 1940, and six years later transferred to Brigade HQ where for 26 years she held series of important secretarial posts before becoming Personal Assistant to General Gordon when he was appointed Commissioner-in-Chief in 1973. She has also been secretary to the Brigade Committee for 30 years, and has given countless hours of voluntary service - often working late at night and during weekends - in the organisation of Brigade competitions, conferences and training conventions.

Miss Greta Whittaker, MBE, County Secretary for Lancashire, has been a member of the small secretarial staff of St. John in Lancashire for the past 31 years, the first 28 of them covering the former' Duke of Lancaster's District' which had a total St. John strength second only to that of Greater London. Starting as a shorthand - typist, she quickly developed a flair for St. John work, to which she dedicated herself to a degree far beyond the normal call of duty. Throughout these years she has been a tower of strength to the many Association Directors and Brigade Commissioners with whom she has worked.

Mr E. C. Elmer, BEM, Staff Sergeant, No 99 (Lambeth) Ambulance Division, London (Prince of Wales's) District, has an outstanding record of 36 years Brigade including, besides normal public

duties, voluntary ward duties in St. Thomas's Hospital and the transport of multiple-sclerosis patients and other handicapped persons to meetings, outings and on seaside holidays. As an Association lay instructor he regularly trains members of the Scout Association and the Boy s Brigade for their St. John first aid certificates.

Mr R. C. Pennock, BEM, Ambulance Member, Weybridge Ambulance & Nursing Division, Surrey, has been an exceptionally active member of the Weybridge Division 's mobile unit for the past 16 years, attending many State functions and witnessing many political demonstrations. During the Notting Hill Carnival on August 30-31 last year he was on duty for over 13 hours on each day , and when on the afternoon of the second day serious disturbances occurred, despite physical danger and the fact that his post was inundated with casualties, his devotion to duty, calm disposition and quiet sense of humour were a steadying influence on all who worked with him in such testing circumstances.

And more

The names of the following St. John members also appeared in the Honours List for se rvic es rendered partly or entirely in other fields:

CBE: Brig. - Gen. E. R. Diro (Chairman of St. John Council, Papua New Guinea), for services to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

Mr P. A Lingard (recently appointed Deputy Director-General), for services as chairman of the East Midlands Electricity Board.

OBE: Mr L. W. Slater (CStJA, Barbados) for services as Commandant of the Regional Police Training College, Barbados.

MBE: Mrs M. E. Salt (Lecturer in first aid and nursing to St. John and Red Cross, Malawi, and widow of Mr Leslie Salt, until recently Commissioner for Malawi), for nursing services to the community, Malawi.

Mr S. C. Scholar (Brigade Commissioner, St. Lucia), for services as Commissioner of Police , St. Lucia.

BEM: Mr H. W. Kemp (StafT Officer to the Surgeon-in-Chief), for services to British Rail.

Mr L. J. Pringle (Div. Supt., Kettering HQ Ambulance Division. Northants), for services to the British Steel Corporation.

To all the above, as well as to all those members of the Order and its Foundations who have been honoured by the award of The Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, we offer' our most sincere congratulations.

RESULTS

Ambulance

1st: Bolsovcr Colliery (Dcrbys) Marks (Max. 400) 321 Dewar Shield, Hing ston Ro se Bo wl (ti ed), Tnmbl e Shi e d

2nd: National Dock Labour Board (London)

Sy m o n s Ecc es Cup Hin gs ton R ose Bowl (ti ed

3rd: Pentremawr Colliery (Wales)

Hon g Kong Shi eld

Redruth (Cornwall). Elli s Cu p Hampshire Constabulary. Copland Griffith s C up

Nursing

st: North Bournemouth (Dorset)

Perrott Shi eld. Golding Troph y, Cha m e s Shi eld Mountg arr ct C up (ti ed)

2nd: Glynneath (Wales)

3rd: etherton (West Midlands)

BRIGADE FINALS

(Abov

1st: Chaddesden & Spondon (Derbys)

2nd: Newton Abbot (Dcvon)

D ER B YS HIR E's Bolsover Colliery Ambulance Division confirmed their reputation for competition consistency at the Brigade Finals at Croydon on July 9 when their team finished first (321 points) for the third year running. But it was Guernsey's formidable Rohais Cadet team (2nd last y ear) which scored the highest total of the day - 325 points.

Th e first aid quiz for cadets, started last ye ar, was repeated at this competition with Suffolk ousting the holders, Greater Manchester.

Th e trophies we re presented by the newlyappointed chairman of SJA's Medical Board, Philip H. Newman, CSE, DSO, MC, FRCS, a former consultant orthopaedic s urg eon to th e Middlesex Hospital.

ORDER ARMS AND BADGE

from Director of Supplies

The Royal Charters (1955 and 1974) Statutes and Regulations of the Order have been published after extensive revision and the approval of Her Majesty the Queen. Special attention should be drawn to Appendix II, which relates to the Arms of the Order and the Badg e of the Order and more especially to the method and usag e of these two items.

During Jubilee year a number of examples of totally incorrect printing and use of the Badge have been noticed and it becomes necessary to reiterate that any representation of the Badg e of the Order must be strictly in accordance with pages 47 and 48 of the publication referred to above.

The .exa mples which have been shown to me include the use of a black eight pointed cross, the lion and the unicorn incorrectl y drawn and the eight points of the cross being drawn in s uch a fashion that the angle between adjacent points is not a right angle.

The circumstances in which the Badge may be used are also set out on page 48 of the Royal Charters , Statutes and R egulatio n s of The Order.

Sl John's Gale John Webb

CADET CURFEW

from G. P. Huntingford, Divisional Superintendent

As an officer in the Brigade, I attend most Corps and Area meetings in my Area and frequently hear how we should look to the future. I heartily agree with this but a question I would like to ask, especially in London District, is:

Why do cadets in London District have to terminate their duties at 9 pm, and then be seen home by a responsible person (usually the person on duty with them)? I agree that cadets should be seen home at the completion of a duty, but the 9 pm ruling cuts the number of hours a cadet can do on duty, and also the hours the adult can put into the duty. Do we need this curfew on cadets?

I am not suggesting that cadets be on duty all hours of the night, but feel the going home time should be left to th e discretion of the officer in charge and the cadet's parents.

If this ruling is necessary, why is it not in Brigade Regulation s and adopted at a national level? Could somebody please enlighten me as to why the 9 pm curfew is imposed on cadets in London District ? Cheam, C.89 G. P. Huntin gford

The Deputy Commissioner, London District, Lt. Col. R. A. Payne, JP, writes:

London District took a very conscious decision some years ago about this matter, after consultation at all levels , and we are firmly of the opinion that it takes cadets approximately one hour to get hom e from a duty and 10 o'clock at night, particularly in winter time, is quite late enough for young people, particularly girl cadets, to be out alone. Although the matter has occasionally been raised we are still of the same opinion as then that it would be dangerous to extend this period for reasons which I am sure must be obvious

Having said that, we do know that when cadets go on duty with a parent they may stay on duty (unofficially) after 9 pm on the understanding that they are taken home to the door , but in order to ensure uniformity and fairness we insist that they sign ofT officially at 9 pm so that their fellows are not penalised.

Both the Commissioner and I feel that Mr Huntingford would have served his purpose better had he written through his Ar ea Commissioner to us but this is of course a matter for him

I would also point out that there are ample opportunities in London District for cadets to undertake as many hours of duty as they wish, and we have never before had the suggestion made that by placing a curfew on their duties at 9 pm was in any way restricting their ability to carry out duty hours.

READERS VIEWS

Readers views and opiniOnS which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

BRIGADE RANKS

from An Ex-L/Cpl.

Although a non-member reader of the Review (but related to an active A I M) I found the debate on ranks most interesting. Could I add a comment as a member of the public?

Mr. Jarman says that Mr. Buckmaster seems influenced by police and fire service ranks in his suggestions. With respect, hasn't the SJAB been unduly influenced by military ranks at the lower end of the scale?

It just seems odd to me - as an ex - Serviceman - that they are apparently referred to officially as warrant officers and NCOs despite the fact - as I understand it - that even officers are not themselves commissioned but are appointed by warrant! Sorry to poke my nose in, but I wondered if any other reader had ever spotted this inconsistency.

Glos.

VADs

Ex -L / Cpl.

from W. J. L. Gotch, Divisional Superintendent and PRO (rtd.)

I found the story of the MH HR and VAD's (June Review) very interesting. When I joined the Brigade during the First World War I was automatically made a V AD (despite the general idea of them being charming damsels to minister to the sick and wounded) and I became No. 22544 in No. 5 Detachment in the County of Northampton. 1 and my colleagues were part timers.

Having dealt with that subject, what about an article on the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve?

Wellingbrough W. J. L. GOlch

Editor: Would be most interested in an article on the RN Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve if someone knowledgeable on the subject would care to write it.

OFFICERS'RANKS

from R. G. Fordham, Divisional Superintendent

There have been several letters of interest in the Review recently concerning the recognition and confusion of officer ranks.

On a very provocativ e point, I would suggest that maybe the task could be made easier if our organisation was not quite so top - heavy in this particular area. Having eliminated to the bare minimum, maybe we would not come across the confusion.

In many areas I get the impression that once people have acquired officer status they feel they have risen to a position where their days of work are few. I would suggest, however, that if their Divisional or other responsibilities are to succeed, then this is when their work - load and involvement should start to increase.

In this day and age when many people have the opportunity to obtain academic skills, and should we be fortunate enough to have one join our ranks , we would be foolish not to exploit the skills to our

advantage rather than to decry 'the little upstart' or 'know -all' as. although their ideas may be revolutionary, there may be some value in what is being said.

I agree that we started many, many years ago, but if we are to succeed we must change with the modern times that we live in and. in this respect, I feel we should cut down on our hierarchy, particularly at Divisional level, and seriously consider combined and, better still. quadrilateral Divisions.

With the correct leadership and a truly competitIve spirit where County officials could remove an inadequate officer from his post, this would not only keep the officers on their toes but would also create motivation for those of officer material.

The quadrilateral Division not only brings members of all ages together for work purposes but could combine cadet and adult activities, thus making the transfer from cadet unit to adult unit Jess of a dramatic change.

I understand that there are already quadrilateral Divisions in parts of the country and I would be pleased to hear from any regarding their view - points relative to the advantages and disadvantages of this particular type of unit.

t 33 Gillingham Road. Gillingham. Kent.

NURSING COMPETITIONS

from R. G. Fordham, Divisional Superintendent

R. G. Fordham

I read with interest a Cadet's letter (April Review) and a Divisional Superintendent's reply (June Review) on the above subject and agree that every encouragement should be given to ambulance cadets to enter into nursing activities.

When boys are members of a Combined Division they tend to accept the nursing activity with more enthusiasm and, as the competitive spirit is developed between boys and girls, the activity is taken far more naturally.

To encourage the need for nursing competitions, the Number I Area in Kent recently organised a bed making competition and, as our anbulance cadets are from a Combined Division, they entered with enthusiasm. I think you will agree that the photograph (below). together with the caption from the local press, is true r eward for entering an activity which does not normally come within the curriculum of ambulance cadets and I would strongly suggest that other Areas establish competitions of this nature

Gillingham

CHALLENGE!

R. G Fordham

from W. J. L. Gotch, Divisional Superintendent and PRO (rtd.) 1 may be anticipated with this but some of the oldest division claimants could well have looked at the history of St. John.

Before the Brigade was instituted the Association formed

MEETTHE CHAMPION BEDMAKERS

They re c hampion bedmakers from left Vincent Jakins 14 John Wise. 13. Martin Whittingham , 15 and Ian Fordham 14 and they have aw ards to prove it. The lads of Gillingham

Ambulance Corps in various parts of the country with the object of people who had qualified to 'render first aid to the injured'. meeting together and continuing their training and improving their knowledge. One such corps was formed at Northampton, regi stered in May 1886. so that when the Brigade was formed there was a ready made' division there and Northampton Headquarters Ambulance Division is still going strong. There are quite likely other divisions that came into being the same way, and are still in existence as several industrial centres were involved.

My former Division Wellingborough Headquarters Ambulance Division could possibly beat the claims made, if only by a short head. It was registered on April 9 1889.

Wellingborough W. J L. Gotch

MARCH 1890

from Mrs J. Thornton, PRO Guildford Corps

Re. Challenge, the oldest Division in the South (April Review). Guildford Corps, formed in March 1890, is four years older than Caterham Division. The Corps is always very active, more so this Jubilee year Is Guildford the 'oldest'?

Guildford

FAREWELL FULL ARM

from S. P. Kelly, Corporal

Joyce Thornton

May I, through the pages of the Review make an appeal on behalf of a once but common visitor to our ranks.

The (now 'lesser spotted') 'full arm salute' was once a dignified and instantly recognisable creature as it made its graceful long sweep, with palm outwards and fingers held together, gently touching the side of the forehead or cap before returning swiftly and precisely from whence it came.

Normally (but not always) seen in pairs but only among the male of the species as its nearest female relative is the embarrassed, timid, rarely seen and never understood 'bow'. It might be that this lack of a strong and obvious female response to its ritual has contributed to its falling numbers but perhaps we should not go into that! Alas the pure blooded 'full arm' is seen less and less and I fear that through some devious genetic engineering (perhaps the flouride in the water?) it has broken into many weaker sub -groups. Their interest is only of a novelty value rather than the historic and universal strength of the 'thorough bred'.

The 'hand quivering full Nelson' whose fingers cover and tremble in front of the right eye before casually falling away is a firm favourite in many quarters.

The 'horizontal full swoop' (an American migrant I believe) where all the movements of the 'full arm' are almost reversed A short sharp

burst to the front of the forehead or cap (sometimes accompanied by the lowering of the head - one assumes to get him there quicker!) with the palm aerodynamically cupped and facing downwards before making a long sweep forwards and away from the body. This final movement is increasingly fading into a casual falling away, perhaps yet again in the interests of speed and aerodynamic efficiency rather than style.

The third of the three main sub-species is a complex mixture of thes e two. It moves with open or closed fingers - sometimes horizontally sometimes vertically but its main characteristic is that it never actually touches cap or flesh. Hovering or skirting just short of actual contact, it appears to have been weakened by interbreeding.

Perhaps there are other mutations even now developing and perhaps there are still colonies of the 'full arm' flourishing outside the flurry and fluster of the big conurbations but I am not optimistic.

The 'full arm does sometimes fight back when it faces the call of ceremonial occasions and it nearly always recognises the National Anthem but alas its lack of freedom and fresh air at other times shows itself in the lack of , edge' like the ice skater who momentarily stumbles. Like the dodo and the dinosaur it appears that evolution has at last decreed that the noble 'lesser spotted full arm has outgrown its usefulness.

Money is not required for this appeal but any donation in the form of encouragement, training and public displays would be welcomed and then perhaps Mother Nature will not have her way without a struggle.

Finchley

MARRED

from P. English, Divisional Superintendent

CENTENARY BADGE

from S. C. Bishop, ASO, Area PRO

In a recent issue of the Review a reader suggested that we should have a special badge to mark our centenary. Of course we have another ten years to decide on that issue, as the Brigade was formed as a uniform ed unit in 1887 The centenary this year is that of the Association. Still it will not be the first time that a special badge has been issued. as I recently have been loaned a Silver Badge issued to those members who served in the First World War. I enclose a sketch of the badge. I wonder how many more of these are about?

Coventry S. C. Bishop

SOLD! from Mrs J. Davey, Divisional Superintendent

Actual size , silver Shaded sections are cut ou s, leaving cross attached by pOints only. Th e fi gure six in 1916 appears to b e dif eren to the other figures. so was probably added according t o length of service

In the May Revi ew's Under £10 Bring and Buy I advertised a very large dress for sale. I'm pleased to tell you that it was sold to an offic e r in Buckinghamshir e before I had even received my copy of the R eview!

Thank you.

Launceston

S. P Kelly

As an officer of the Order, I made a determined effort to attend the Centenary celebrations at St. Paul's Cathedra., as over the years duty calls have prevented me from attending.

This being a special year for us all, and also our Queen's Jubileeplus I have nearly recovered from a serious accident - I felt this was a real way of giving thanks. And what a wonderful inspiration] got from all who attended! People I had never seen before gave me a real sense of belonging, having served in the Brigade for 36 years and hoping to serve for a long time yet.

But the day was marred by a little matter which needs explaining to many who, like me, walked to The Gate only to find the Centenary Exhibition closed. This I could readily accept (as I live on the doorstep, so to speak) but what a disappointment this must have been to many members and especially the vast number of cadets who had travelled far for the one day in London. The poster about the exhibition informed liS that it would be open every day except Sunday. Harpenden Percy English

The Curator of the Library and Museum, St John's Gate, writes: 1 would like to apologise to those people who came to visit the St. John Ambulance Centenary Exhibition in the Crypt of the Grand Priory Church, on the afternoon of 25 June and found it closed.

Miss Moore, the Assistant Curator, and I were in Holland that weekend, at the invitation of the Johanniter Orde in the Netherlands , to see an exhibition at the old Order Corrunandery at Nijmegen, and to attend their St. John's Day Service; we could not be present to staff the Centenary exhibition ourselves, unfortunately. The arragements that we had made for that Saturday obviously went badly astray, with the result that the exhibition was open in the morning, until two o clock. After that time there was no -one available to staff the exhibition, as there should have been.

I am sorry for the disappointment and inconvenience that was caused by this, especially to those St. John members from outside London who took the opportunity of being in London for St. John's Day Service to visit the exhibition. I hope that they might see it as it travels round the country, as I believe some Counties have booked it for display.

Information at a glance

HERTS St John Ambulance Association, who market the Sign & Symptomometer and At-aglance Treatment of Fractures, Sprains and Dislocations aidememoires , have launched another entitled Basic Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty.

Like its forerunners , it comprises an outer sleeve and an inner slider card, On the front of the sleeve is a drawing of the human body, and a number of cut outs. These windows, number ed 1-20, are headed breathing, bleeding, skin, eyes, etc. With two exceptions leader lines link them with the appropriate parts of the body. As the slider is withdrawn the instructions in the windows are revealed. For added emphasis the copy is printed on a red background.

Herts St John anticipate that the new aide - memoire will prove extremely popular with new and experienced first - aiders, because examining an unconscious casualty is one of the aspects of first aid which many of them have difficulty in mastering, They retail at 28p each but there are discounts to St John Divisions. etc. The minimum order is 25 units , but the Association will supply a 'mix' of any two units - or all three - provided the total is not les s than the minimum quantity. Postage and packing is extra on quantitie s up to 100 units and free of charge over that figure.

Since the launch of the Sign & Symptomometer two years ago, sales of it and the Fractures unit have reached will into five figures and it is hoped that the new unit will follow suit.

Further information from: S. G. Douglas King, Deputy Director Herts SJA, 105 Wymondley Road , Hitchin, Herts, SG4 9PX. Hitchin (0462) 2877.

PRINCIPLES FOR FIRST AID FOR THE INJURED

by H. Proctor and P. S. London

Third Edition. Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd. 1977 £6.25 284 pp.

The late st edition of this source book for all teachers of first aid is in the fine tradition of its predecessor. It maintains the breadth of vision and sure grasp of essentials of its progenitor, the late Ruscoe Clarke, and continues to stress the lesson of applying existi ng technique earlier after injury, The authors have the Authorised Manual of the combined Voluntary First Aid Societies clearly in mind and where they advise treatment which differs from the current teaching in the Third Edition 1972, the reasons are explained carefully. This is perhaps to be ex pected , since Mr. Peter London is a member of the St. John Medical Board.

The simple lessons on blood loss and its effect, which the authors have done so much to propagate, are well described. Throughout all the chapters of the book is the insistence on the early recognition of the priorities dealing with them simply and eliminating frills As an example, the authors recommend the practice of providing comfortable support in the treatment of fractures rather than elaborate splintage. The chapt e rs on head injuries and injuries of the chest and abdomen are particularly helpful.

Ther e is a n e w chapter on Trends in First Aid and Other Emergency Care which discusses the extension to specific industrial training for first aiders to special hazards at work, advanced training in the ambulance services, special emergencyy services involving General Practitioners, Police and Fir e services, and f1ying squads from hospitals There is also a section on transport with some interesting historical pictures. Another innovation is a list of books and articles for further reading. It would have been interesting to enlarge on the original references on craniocerebral injuries but the problem of selection of the scope of the reading list is understandable. After each subject, a short summary of the essential points is given which is most helpful.

The typescript of the book is smaller than in the Second Edition but it is easy to read on good quality art paper. The price has gone up from £2 to £6.25 and to those who posses s copies of the Second Edition, replacement is not recommended,

More than a hundred illustrations are well selected and reinforce the text. Only five trivial misprints were found in the book.

This book is referred to as an invaluable referenc; manual for casualty officers, nurses , ambulance officials and first aid workers in industry , educa tion and indeed everywhere that personnel safety is involved Certainly it is essential reading for St. John

BOOKS

surgeons and lecturers in the theoretical teaching of first aid. In addition, although it will be hard work in parts , where medical terminology is inevitably used, it is strongly recommended to experienced first aid lay instructors who are required to increase their teaching effic iency and for whom the repeated insistence in the book on simplicity in diagnosis and treatment will be an insight.

C C. Molloy Deputy Chief

Medical Officer

MEDICAL CALCULATIONS FOR NURSES by G. W. Watchorn, Faber 95p

A real pocket sized edition about 5 Y4 X 3 34 inches, this little book has been written to assist the nurse with the complicated task of administering medicines today. Chapter I introduces the concept of S I units ( Systeme International d'Unites). Chapter II deals simply and with practical examples of the method of calculating doses. Later chapters deal with more complex term s such as millimoles, electrolytes and pH values, temperature conversion, kilo joules and pascals, the latter units of heat and pressure. Some useful conversion tables complete the contents.

I would recommend this book to all pupil and stude nt nurses and medical students who must have an adequate knowledge of the subject. It is reasonably priced, will go into the pocket and serves as an easy reference. One fault I have found, pages are already separating from the binding of my copy, I would not recommend this to firstaiders - the information is beyond the scope of their work and of little use to them,

Chief Nursing Officer

A COMPANION TO MEDICAL STUDIES (2nd edition)

Editors in Chief: R. Passmore and J. S. Robson.

215 x 274 mm., pp. 1227 plus Ixiv illustrated 1976, Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publications. Paperback, £ 12.50

In a special note to reviewers the publisher makes an appeal that the increase in price of this edition should not be over emphasised

because they state that the increase is considerably less than the increases in the retail price index and the cost of paper and printing They need not have bothered, This book is what they say it is. Namely, a companion to medical studies Volume I , and includes inside one cover all that is best and up to date of preclinical science which should be remembered by the average doctor as well as a great many other subjects related to medicine, such as man and his e nvironment measurements and statistics and control theory. The second volume will contain pharmacology, microbilogy and general pathology, and the third on medicine, surgery, systemic pathology, obstetrics, psychiatry, paediatrics and community medicine, The first volume, complete in itself, ought to be in eve r y library and in the hands of every thinking doctor who needs to brush up his knowledge. One cannot entirely recommend it to first aid organisations , not bec ause the quality of the book does not merit , but because such a short encylopaedic treatise on medicine and life must not be read by itself. It is, and was in the previous edition, a magnificent reference book, B. G. L.

COOKING FOR

YOUR HEART'S CONTENT

Published for The British Heart Foundation by Hutchinson & Company, 3 Fitzroy Squre, London WI. £3.50 net

This, the official cookery book of the British Heart Foundation, offers a wide range of low saturated fat recipes prepared and approved under medical supervision at Addenbroke's Hospital. With a medical introduction by Dr. Wainwright Evans and details of a suitable diet by Meta Greenfield, Senior Dietician the book contains (including an index) 128 pages, shows colour examples of 48 dishes and has 15 line drawings. The book is edited by Kati e Dyson.

This cookery book is beautifully produced - it is a model of what such a book should be ; although the dishes have been designed for those who have to lower blood cholestrol levels, recipes most useful to slimmers are clearly marked and a chart provides a quick guide to suitable foods.

This book can be recommended to all who delight in maximum enjoyment with minimum risk. from SJAs new Leadership Manual, the book to read if you want to get ahead and cope With the problems of responSibility Available from the

desire for a change of

Jean M. Dapey

NEWS from SCOTLAND

Rob e rt son , Jam es Tulli s, Maj o Ram sey BA. JP DL Whitt e t. Jam es, BIM, JP

Denny

A barn danc e held on Jun

a Silv e r Jubil e e Youth Rally and Reception at Stirling Castle on 6 June , H.M. the Queen had a long conversation with Robert MacAlpine of the Denny St. John Cadets (see photograph) and showed gr e at int

in th e cadets ' work.

Northern Ireland

NORTHERN Ireland District's cent e nary review wa s held on June 19 at Antrim Forum (a central place for all members) to mark the Queen's Jubilee The parade, of ov e r 1600 m e mb e rs , 12 ambulanc e s and th e band of th e Royal Ulster Constabulary , wa s reviewed by the Knight Command e ry of Ards - Th e Duk e of Westminst e r - and insp e ct e d by the Li e utenant of Ards , Brigadier Sir Ian Fraser , accompanied b y the Commander, Mr D e nis Stephens (Above) Comm issione r Davi d Kingan repo rt s the Nort h ern reland Dis ric centena ry parade ready for review by the Knigh t Comma n de , the Duke o f Westminste r (Rig ht ) T he n specting o fficer Br igad ier Sir Ian Fr azer, acco mp anied by the Commissioner and the Commander D S Stephens , ak ing to St John juniors (Photos' B elfast Te egrap h )

OVERSEAS

Gibraltar

AT a recent meeting of the St. John Council for Gibraltar th e Chairman, Mr Charles G Gaggero, announced with regr e t that h e would be retiring from this post on St. John s Day 1977 Mr Gagg e ro has s e rved on the Council for 14 years and has been Chairman for II years.

The President, His Excellency the Governor, has been pleas ed to inform Council that His Royal Highness The Grand Prior ha s approved the appointment of Mr Lou is J Vasquez JP to s ucc e ed Mr Gaggero as Chairman. Mr Vasquez has serv e d on th e St. John Council for four years and is currently th e Hon. Tr e a s ur e r.

Also retiring on the same date is Colonel Charles Norton, who ha s been a member of the St. John Council for II years and sinc e 1973 Commission e r of St. John Ambulance as well as Vice -Ch a irman of the Council.

Col. Norton will be succeeded as Commissioner St. John Ambulance by Superintendent Hector Pay as, who is at pr ese nt Deputy Commissioner as well as a member of the St. John Council.

New Zealand

Th e Chapter of the Priory in New Zealand has authoris ed the s triking of a m edallion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of th e first Division of St. John Cadets in New Zealand in Wanganui on Ma y 2 1927 . This is the first tim e that the Priory has authoris e d th e is s u e of a commemorativ e medallion Any profits from the sal e of th e m edallion will be devoted to the St. John Cadet movement in ew Z e aland.

Th e medallion (illustrated below) , which measures 42mm in diamet e r, will be issued in st e rling silver and copper. The copper costs 5 New Z ealand dollars and silver 22 New Zealand dollars. Orders. with r e mittanc e should be sent to The Chief Secretar y , Order of St. John, P.O. Box 10043, W e ll ington, New Zealand

ILeft) The obverse of the medallion anci rlghl) the reverse

DUring the Queen s Jubilee reception at S t irling Cas le (Photo: Why er Photos. Stirling)

News from Divisions/Centres

DERBYSHIRE - The Stanton Divisions celebrated their own St. John's Day with a Special Service held in the church of St. Michael and All Angels on Sunday, June 26, when members of the Stanton and I1keston Divisions attended together with South Area StafT and the Boys Scouts Association. Not only did this service mark the occasion of the Divisions' 50 Jubilee Year but also SJA 's Centenary Year.

Lessons were read by the Deputy County President, Mrs A. W. Hilton, and the County Commander/ Commissioner Col. P. Hilton, who after the service took the salute at the' March Past' supported by the South Area Superintendent H. Franks, Staff Officers S. Knighton, K. Cokayne, T. Haines and Area StafTOfficer V. Quimby

LINCS - At Spalding Tulip Festival, which an estimated half million people attended, Spalding Divisions entered a float depicting 100 years of St. John Ambulance. 170 members were on duty for the day.

S & W YORKSHIRE - Park - Hill Division of Sheffield Corps held a dinner to celebrate St. John's Day and to mark centenary year. Members of the Division attended in uniform at almost full strength, the new Divisional President Dennis Cooper acting as host.

Guests includ e d the Secretary of Hallamshire Area and the Vice -President of Sheffield Corps. During the evening a telegram of loyal greetings was sent to the Queen and members were delighted to receive a reply which was read out at the dinner by Mr Cooper.

O B IT U A R Y

Sargeant W. Bull, member of Retford Division , Notts, for 46 years until his retirement aged 72 . Serving Brother.

Dr. Arnold Lanson - Roberts, 76, of Bristol, with Brigade for 41 years, latterly as county surgeon. Commander of the Order.

Mrs Maud Ellen Walker, 82, after long Brigade service. Retired Div. Supt. Finedon Nursing Division, Northants Serving Sister.

member A.

receives his Certificate o f Commendation for his action in saving a work co ll eague's life from the Mayor and Mayoress of MaCClesfield.

Two Englefleld Green and Egh am Combined Cadet DiVISion members treat a young patient at Runnymede Gr.ound

Macclesfield Ambulance DiVISion

Walwyn

(Right) Welcome 23 cadets recently enrolled Into Weston super-Mare Corps by Major W. Greener. Commander Avon. (photo· Weston Mercury)

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.8 (77)

Compiled by W A. Potter

Across:

I. Disease produced by smallpox immunisation. (8). 5. Dermatitis, often due to allergy. (6). 10. Lift up rear. (5). 1 I. Naturally, it is the sinuatrial node in the heart. (9). 12. Essential constituent of haemoglobin. (4). 13. He reaches the top notes. (4). 14. Alarming syndrome of dyspnoea, cough, and stridor in young children. (5). 17. What 2 Down wrote on the case sheet? (8). 19. It returns tan to giant. (5). 21. The present one began in 1952. (5) 22. A day of the future. (8). 24. Acquire disease by infection or contagion. (5). 26. Misfortunes and troubles which make one sick? (4). 28. Father in acute physical discomfort. (4). 30. Grievance of one who is not well? (9). 32. Complexion suggesting that the patient is not anaemic. (5). 33. Oedema produced by short operations in dry surroundings. (6). 34. Select it for a gland of reproductory system. (8).

Down:

I. Noxious animals often carrying disease. (6). 2. Footman? (11). 3. Chilled from splenic edge. (4). 4. Drive on with a bad lie about a politician. (5). 6. Strip for amusement. (5). 7. The kind of deer found in Melksham. (3). 8. Mydriatic drug given pre-operatively. (8). 9. Embryonic germinal iayer derived from red comet. (8). 15. Surgeon dealing with injuries and diseases of the skeletal system. (I I). 16. Produce partial loss of consciousness by a blow on the head. (4). 18. Inflammation of bone - it is sequel to fracture of toes. (8). 19. Become fatigued and weary by a strange rite. (4). 20. Waste product of protein metabolism formed in excess in gout. (4.4.). 23. Digestive ferment. (6). 25. Gives aid. (5). 27. Supple and graceful in movements of body. (5). 29. Distress oneself by worry about the decorative woodwork? (4) 31. Prefix signifying a muscular association. (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.7 (77)

Across:

3. Intestinal ; 8. Sacral; 9. Agar; lO. Underwater; 11. Cod; 13. Lily; 14. Barytes 15. L.ice; 18. Leper; 21. Nut; 22. Packs; 24. Stag; 26. Singlet; 27. Mo.pe; 29. Gut; 30. Intubation; 31. Us.ed; 32. Iritis; 33. Pretty Well.

Down:

I. Jaundice; 2. Artery; 3. III-will; 4. Taste; 5. Scar; 6. Narcotic; 7. Lordosis; 12. Drip; 14. Bet.a ; 16. In.st; 17. Cut; 18. Last gasp; 19. Puncture; 20. Rale; 23. Kyphosis; 25. Gumboil; 27. M.atr.ix; 28. S.tup.e; 30. Idly.

•

• Nursing officer's uniform. Great -coat, costume, blouses, gloves, etc. 38 bust. Very good condition. £10 o.n.o. Miss Amor, 19 Dawes Close. E. Worthing, Sussex Tel: 090337618.

• Wanted suit for Supt. nursing division. Size J 4. Tall. Mrs J. Davey, 3 J St. Johns Rd, Launceston, Cornwall.

• Wanted nursing cadet capes. Mrs M. Smailes, I A Wingat e Rd. Folkestone Kent.

• Three old -style nursing cadet capes As new. £3 each. Mrs Fry , Tonbridg e 356759.

A NEW Review service which we feel might be of value to readers and divisions is a column for the sale or exchange of items of equipment, uniforms, books etc.

The conditions of the Under £ 10 Bring and Buy are: I. Submissions free of charge but limited to sixteen words, which must include price, address and/or phone number.

2. Each submission must be made on the form provided in the Review, typed or in block capitals. Only one advertisement to each form. 3. The TOTAL PRICE of goods oITered not to exceed TEN POUNDS. 4 The Bring ·and - Buy is specifically intended for used or secondhand items, and no goods or services by way of trade or commerce can be offered. 5. Goods for exchange can be of any value. 6. Submissions are subject to the usual publishing conditions, including the right to refuse publication. 7. If goods are sold before publication, the Review should be informed. 8. This a service to readers and the publishers of the St. John Review will not deal with any complaints or disagreements arising between individuals in negotiations which follow publication.

Cut this form out and send it to St. John Review , Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP 12 3QF. BLOCK LETTERS please

HISTORIC MALTA VIEWS

:Fantastic:

Pilchers world wide reputation for building Ambulances and specialist

vehicles began in 1925

ST. JOHN REVIEW

A t Random by Watki n W W ll iams p 1 97

Centenary ev ents p, 198

Stand by for soccer p,2 0 1

What is sports medicine? by Frank d'Abreu p ,202

Around and About by the Editor p.204

Order investiture July 2 1 p 20

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief

TEACHING FIRST AID

d o n SW 1 X 7EF

return it to, CAMERA TALKS LIMITED 31 North Row London W1 R 2EN , Tel: - 493 - 2761 Name Address Telephone , Position Date

COVER:

For the first t me , SJA covered the O ympic yach t ing trials at Weymouth May 21 to 27 Weymouth Di v ision's shore - based first aid facil i ties w ere extended by two rescue boats brough for

ACCIDENTALLY leaving my radio switched on one morning recently when the Toda y programme was over , I found myself listening to the first instalment of an abridged reading of Rud y ard Kiplings Kim. This reminded me that too many years had passed since I had last followed Kim and the Lama in their search for the Red Bull and the Sacred River - of which proof was provided when I took down my worn and thumbed copy of Kim from the bookshelf and found at the very end an unused airenvelope of the Hotel Shanker in Kathmandu which had served as a bookmark when I last read it there in 1970. For the next ten days Kim was my constant companion on tube journeys and during solitary meals ; I also enjoyed the readings on Radio 4 whenever I was free to listen, though no rendering of a story on radio (and still less an abridgment of one that I know weU) can ever give me quite the same richness of enjoyment as reading it myself. There are a number of life -long friends of whose adventures , both fictional and authentic, I love to refresh my memory at fairly regular intervals of five years or so; and some of them , such as Kim, I've probably re -read at least a dozen times. Some, too , have provided me with an easily adaptable setting for adventurous training exercises for both senior scouts and St. John members (adults as well as cadets). If any of those taking part have read the story it may well add to their enjoyment of the exercise; but it doesn't really matter if they haven't, for there's a dormant love of make -believe not very far below the surface in all of us , and incidents adapted from a reaUy good adventure story can often add zest to an exercise designed to develop leadership, initiative, team -work and technical expertise.

(c ontinu ed on p.20 7)

At London

CENTENARY EVENTS

At Buckingham Palace

LONDON D is tri ct's S

t o r y on Wednesday,

and

s

July 27, when it played in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace immediately after the changing of the guard. This was the first time that a civilian youth band had been granted this privilege.

The Southwark Corps Band, formed in 1952, has 30 members and practises twice week ly under its bandmaster David Minney. The band also appeared at the Royal Tourname n t, Earls Court, on July 27, at the special St. J ohn evening which was attended by the Grand Prior, the Duke of Gloucester.

London Exhibition

London District staged a centenary exhibition at The Guildhall during the first week of August which was opened by comedian Ernie Wise.

Comprising three main groups of St. John exhibits - How it all began, As it was, and As it is - more than 500 people a day visited the exhibition.

London District's over 8,000 members, who carried out more than Ikmillion hours of voluntary service last year, are to be congratulated on finding time to organise an exhibition when they are busier than ever this Jubilee year.

Gloucestershire

The 1977 Annual Inspection for Divisions in Gloucestershire took the form of a County Review followed by a Service of Rededication in Gloucester Cathedral.

His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, Lord Lieutenant of in addition to carrying out the inspection and takmg the salute in the march past also presented 32 members with their Service Bars and Medals.

Among the dignitaries present at the review and service was Col. N. H. M. Colyer, Commissioner Western Australia, who extended to all concerned his congratulations for such a splendid and impressive parade - a parade at which, he said, the standard of discipline and smartness could not be equalled in Australia.

Photo (right). During the inspection the Duke of Beaufort chats with Cadet David Lewis of Cheltenham Town Division.

(Photo: T. R. Beckett, Gloucester Photographic Agency).

Derb yshire

A centenary event of a different kind - the formation this year of a mounted division, which is believed to be the first formed in the history of SJ A. The new division, registered on April 15, has 23 personnel, including a president, veterinary surgeon, 12 nursing members and three nursing cadets The division's HQ is at Kirk Ireton, near Derby, and the Divisional Superintendent is Mrs. Judith Yeomans.

The photo shows the division on its first annual inspection, taken by the County President, The Duke of Devonshire, at the County Rally at Chatsworth House on June 19. (Photo: Derbyshire Times, Chesterfield).

Distrlct

e xhibition (Above) Mr.

Mrs Ernie Wise flank District Supt Mrs Doris Hoadley (centre!. and Commissioner Derek and Mrs Fenton (Right) Ernie Wise who opened the exhibition , gets plenty of attention from London District girls (Photo s: N C Coomer West Drayton)

Cambridgeshire

After a centenary service of Thanksgiving and R e-dedication at Ely Cathedral on June 19, members from throughout the county were inspected by the Lord Lieutenant, Lt. Col. the Hon. P. E. Brassey, and then marched past the saluting base.

The photo shows (L to R) Lord Fairhaven, Chairman of the St. John Council, County Commander Dr. H. M. Weaver , County Commissioner R Mills, and the inspecting officer, the Hon. P. E. Brassey. (Photo: Ely Evening Standard).

Kent a local community says 'Thanks'

The long and close association of St. Alphege Church, Whitstable, with the local St. John Ambulance Division was further demonstrated on 8 - 11 June when through the kindness of the vicar and churchwardens an exhibition was staged in the church and narthex depicting the history and work of the movement during the past seventy years. Under the able direction of George and Kathleen Fisk, a most impressive display was arranged of photos, documents , newspaper cuttings, and relics, which gave a graphic description of the valuable service the movement has given to the town. Of particular interest to St. Alphege was a photo of the reconstituted Division in 1907.

The vicar of that day, Rev. Thomas Pitman had found that three of his sidesmen were the only survivers of the 1895 Division and the commendable energy he recruited a further fourteen men of the church and founded the company which has served the town so well to the present day. A series of tableau was arranged in the church by Miss Pickford, SSStJ. By means of beautifully dressed scale figure's, this depicted the growth of the Order

from its foundation in 600 AD to the present time. The ambulance which was stationed outside the church and the varied equipment on display inside attracted much attention.

It is not generally known that the Brigade relies entirely on voluntary contributions to enable it to carryon its service to the community. It was therefore a privilege to be able to have stalls which were manned by the nursing members and which together with the coffee mornings and donations produced the sum of £90 after all expenses were paid.

On the following Sunday the Division, headed by th e band of the Church Lads Brigade, marched from the Ambulance Station to the church for the Centenary service. The parade was under the command of Mr. Douglas Horne, and the service which was also attended by the Area officers was conducted by the vicar. The lessons were read by Mr. Wallace Harvey, President, and Mr. Frank C. Rolfe , Area Commissioner , and the Centenary preacher was Rev R. D. Meredith, BD, AKC, who was until recently chaplain of the Whitstable Division.

Humberside

On June 12 a party of 22 ambulance cadets went out to the new Coastguard Station at Spurn Point at the mouth of the Riv e r Humber. This new building, situated behind the Lifeboat Station, controls shipping, river pilots and rescue operations around the East Coast and Humber ports. The cadets were s hown the working of the coast guard and pilot services and had chance to see the Humber lifeboat in operation taking an inj ur ed seaman ofT his ship to hospital at Grimsby. On the lifeboat ' s return the cadets were shown round the Lifeboat Station and allowed to inspect the lifeboat. The highlight of the centenary celebrations for Humberside Cadets was a Grand Charity Cabaret Dance at TifTanys (Mecca) Hull. The management gave us the venue free and all the artistes donated their services. The star of the show was singer David Whitfield, who lives on the outskirts of the city. His scheduled 25 -minute spot was stretched to well over an hour in response to demands from the audience Later he was presented with a Centenary Goblet, which I am very pleased to report he is delight ed with He has been invited to become a Cadet President and we hope he will accept this appointment in the near future. A repeat performance for 1978 has already been promised.

David Whitfieldnew SJA Cadet President?

STAND BY FOR SOCCER

photographs were taken earlier this year at the civic reception for Liverpool Football Club on their return from Rome with the European Cup. A crowd reported to be three quarters of a million turned out in triumphant mood to welcome their heros.

SJA provided first aid cover at Liverpool Airport and in the city centre, with members of BRCS , where one hundred thousand fans Press reports indicated 1400 injured but the official Brigade estunate IS about 500, of which only 30 required transfer to hospital.

was by County Ambulance service , as Brigade vehicles utIlised as first aid posts. Seven vehicles were parked around the penmeter of the crowd area, but most of the casualties were dealt with by the members inside the crush barriers.

Within this the Area 'Campavan' first aid unit was set up as a casualty cleanng post under the supervision of an Area Surgeon. Groups of ambulance members were up as rescue first aid teams,

And the c asu a lt ies

The crowds backed up by groups of nursing members led by Surgeons and SRNs

The. photo above shows part of the crowd gathered outside the receptJon area. The Campavan can be seen discreetly parked beneath the tree top right of picture. This had been bodily lifted over the barrier and four feet-high, as the barrier had been extended from prevIOus slmtlar occasions. Right hand centre of the picture shows where most of the casualties were rescued. The stretcher cases were most of the time by speedy diagnosis, treatment and disposal, which generally meant a cold sponge and chasing via a special escape route to the rear of the crowd . Photos below show A / M H. O'Neill Combmed Division , in the process of rescue work. Photo (below also shows other members rescuing patients from over the barner. A frequent comment heard at the end of duty was 'Ne A I' B ver gam. ut I know we ll be there next time, ready and willing

H umberslde cadets visit th e lifeboat station on Spurn Point

(PhOIOS uverpool POSI and Echo)

TOO OFTEN in recent years at important, even international sporting events in this country, spectators have heard from the public address system 'Is there a doctor on the ground'. Quite apart from the fact that this shows that proper medical attendance has not been arranged, the doctor who may have to respond to the call for help may be quite an inappropriate one for what is needed. There are of course explanations for these appeals, but they all indicate that proper medical help in the person of an expert in sports medicine has not been appointed to the event by the organisers, and this is an example of how we differ from other countries.

A sports medicine specialist in other countries is one who has undertaken postgraduate studies and obtained a diploma or degree in his subject, and is recognised by his colleagues and para -medical workers such as sports scientists, physiologists, and psychologists, as an overall specialist. In this capacity he has the authority to call for the findings of preliminary screening of would be participants in a sport, for the results of the findings in physical and psychological assessment, and most important of all perhaps, statistics of the injuries occurring in the sport to which he is attached, particularly those which can be deemed unacceptable. These include traumatic encephalopathy (punch drunkenness), paraplegia, and lastly, the most sombre of all, the risk of death.

For aLI these it is his duty, in consultation with the para-medical experts mentioned above, to lay down rules, including advice to the administrators of the sport, one obvious example of this being instructions to referees. The author can only speak personally, from his experience as Consultant Surgeon to the Jockey Club for many years. The Jockey club has performed for racing an important role in preventive The St. John Ambulance Brigade supply tramed first aid men at each fence in National Hunt races. Every accident has to be reported, and statistics of injuries are therefore easy to obtain. The Turf authorities have made the wearing of the British helmet obligatory in racing and riding, have encouraged the use of a Plastazote back protector, and have changed the lay-out of fences and rails to cut down accidents. This has impressively reduced the number of serious cases of head

WHAT IS SPORTS MEDICINE?

by FRANK D'ABREU, ER 0,

ChM, FRCS, Member of Board of Management, Institute of Sports Medicine, Consultant Surgeon to the Jockey Club

and back injuries, and this trend is continuing (see tables 1 and 2).

Mr. John Gleave, neurosurgeon to the United Cambridge Hospitals, gave a paper at a symposium on Violence in Sport arranged by the Institute of Sports Medicine in London in 1975. At this symposium Mr. Gleave spoke on hospital admissions in his area during the previous 12 years, of all head injuries due to sport, and the following tables were taken from his records. (Tables 3 and 4). It is clear from these tables that the professional jockey to whom preventive rules apply is at less risk than the amateur who is not so protected. There were 4 deaths in Mr. Gleaves' series, all amateurs. The next most dangerous sport for producing head injury is rugby. It is here , and in the emerging sports of judo and karate , that medical is lacking, including stipulations, as m racmg and boxing , that anyone who is knocked ?ut should not resume the sport for a speCific period. It is, in my view, essential that there should be properly trained doctors in sports medicine, with the authority to preventive measures for unacceptable nsks in every branch of modern sport.

When we look for reasons for our being so much behind other countries in the matter of sports medicine we have to examine in general the British attitude to sport.

H is perhaps fair to say that in Great Britain, where we invented most of the sports which have become international and have spread all over the world, we have been among the last to realise that these sports are now more than mere games. Governments have come to believe that national excellence is of political importance. International contests have happily taken the place of wars and battles. In war, the importance of trained army doctors was recognised by all the great generals from Napoleon to Montgomery, who are both credited with the observation that an army is as good as its medical services. The psychological advantage to a team, particularly in international events, of knowing that expert medical help is immediately available in case of serious injury should be obvious.

In every member country of the Council of Europe sports medicine is now an established speciality, and in the Eastern Communist countries it is even more highly valued and organised. Only in Great Britain is this specialised form of medicine largely ignored The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, concerning the establishment of sports medicine centres in member countries, resolved on October 26 1974 inter alia, that:

Functions of sports medicine centres

Sports medicine centres should be staffed and equipped in order to discharge:

l. Preventive medical functions

a) In assessing the state of health of the individual in order to establish his capacity and direct him to suitable activities (sports for the more gifted, courses of appropriate instruction or treatment for the others).

b) In medical supervision and training of people engaged in sports or other physical activities, particularly children and those taking part in high-level competitive sport, to enable them to attain the desired performance without endangering their health.

c) In medical use of physical activities to gain, conserve, and improve health at the level of 'sport for all', and to guard against possible hazards.

TABLE 2

Analysis of racing accidents over 2 periods of 20 months. SPINAL INJURIES

Ilford)

d) In partICipating in the planning and control of hygiene and safety precautions for all types of sports installations, these functions being performed in conjunction with other experts and responsible authorities.

2. Therapeutic functions

a) By employing techniques in the field of traumatology and internal and physical medicine for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of athletes, to enable them to resume training as soon as appropriate.

b) By contributing to the adjustment and rehabilitation of the physically and mentally handicapped.

3. Instruction and health education functions

a) Through the training of sports doctors.

b) Through the information of doctors in general.

TABLE 3 HORSE RIDING

4. Further, there should be at least one (national) sports medicine centre in every member state. In organising national and/or regional sports medicine centres, consideration should be given to attaching new institutions to colleges and universities, where there will be access to laboratories, specialists, and hospital facilities. Likewise, in using and regrouping existing resources, functional units working as sports medicine centres could be envisaged.

5. The functions of national sports medicine centres could be seen as: the provision of medical services in the broadest sense for the purposes of sport. teaching. research.

All countries have Ministers of Sport, and more attention is being paid by doctors to the effects of sport on health and the quality of life. As in all forms of medicine, prevention is clearly better than cure. In the matter of prevention of injuries in sport it is naturally important to have proper statistics , and these are very difficult to obtain on a national level in any free and democratic country.

There is evidence that in the absence of recognition by the medical profession in this country of the growing world - wide acceptance of sports medicine , para -medical organisations and institutions are entering the subject area with a view to offering specialist training, and are awarding qualifications in sports medicine. Among the professions which are already involved in this way in varying degrees are: Physiotherapists; physical educationists; sports scientists; physiologists; osteopaths; sports coaches.

The first BSc course in sports medicine has been devised at the Liverpool Polytechnic, and other courses have been run at the Human Performance Laboratory at Salford University, at Loughborough College of Education, and at St. Mary's College, Strawberry Hill. At the University of Stirling, in Scotland, the Department of Psychology is currently investigating many of Scotland's top athletes from a psychological standpoint. It is clear that if the UK is not to fall behind other countries in the development of sports medicine, and equally important, if the concern for this aspect of the physical welfare of a community increasingly exorted to active participation in leisure sports, is not to be controlled by non-medical personnel, the medical profession's own governing bodies need to accept their responsibilities in relation to defining objectives, setting standards, and training doctors for practice in this field.

The Institute of Sports Medicine, which has established a reference centre, would be only too glad to assist in any such development believing that it is for the professional medical bodies to make decisions in this matter, decisions which will be binding for the British Isles as a whole. TABLE 4

At a fete - a RAF parachutist who plummeted to the ground when his 'chute failed. (Photo : Ilford and Redbridge Pictorial

At football - Malcolm Allison is helped off the field with an injury Photo: Daily Mirror)

(Photo : Evening Mail , Slough)

FROM THE PALACE

The following letter to t h e Lord Prior from Philip Morri s, Bu c kingham P al ac e, w as rec eived recently:

Thank you ver y much for you r let t e r o f 23rd June to Martin Chart eri s e nclo sin g a letter recording th e voluntar y se r vice provid ed by the S1. John Ambulan ce Bri g ad e in London during th e Silver Jubil ee Cel e brations

' I have shown thi s letter to Th e Qu ee n who is most interested to s ee the full exte nt of the remarkable voluntar y contribut ion made by the S1. John Ambulance durin g Silver Jubilee W ee k in London. Th ey certa inly did a spl e ndid job .'

OUR HOSPITAL

The Ladies Guild of th e Ord e r

and increasing problem n rais

funds for the S1. John Ophthalmic Ho s p

in Jerusalem.

In the

The Hospital i s our contribution wi th in S1. John to the ne eds of the Third World This was th e reason it was first e

AROUND and

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST JOHN

BY THE EDITOR

e cost of t he Hos p ital has risen in one yea r fro m £234, 000 to £362,000

Th e r e w as a d e ficit las yea r of £166,000.

This t he O rd er had to make good from ts very limi t ed reserves

Whether contributions are made to the Ladies Gui ld or to the main account of the Hospital is la r ge ly immateria l. But we would not ike to t hink that the very serious need, nor t h e val ue of t he wor k the O rder is doing he re, was not known to eve r yone.

HELPING HANDS

Ten Deck Cadets of the Cunard Line volunteered to come ashore for the day and collect money for St. John at a recent Sandown Park race meeting promoted by their parent company, Trafa lgar House.

The cadets - J. M. Braint, 1. K. Bourne, J. A. Clark, M D. Martin, B. A. Palmer , A D. Honeyborne , S. A. F. Clayton, P. R. Phibbs, P. W. Sutton, C J. Parvincollected £162 Thanks fellows. Bon voyage!

COURSE

Members in the Slough area holding a hom e nursing certificat e who want to obtain th e ir advanced certificate can enrol for a course to be held on six cons e cutive Thursday evenings (8 to lOpm), starting Octob er 6, at St. Andrews Church Hall, Elmshott Lan e, Cippenham Gunction 7 on M4). Th e fee is £1.75. Enrol with course secretary Mrs J F lower, 7 Marina Way, Cippenham, Slough ( B u r nham, Bucks, 63952).

NAVAL FIRST AID

At the r equest of the Naval autho r ities, the C hi ef Med ica O fficer has concl uded an exa min ation of the sy ll ab u s and m ethods of in s tru ctio n a n d exa m inatio n of the N a val

When people know what SJA is doingthey help (Above) Brighton Div sion needed money to renovate their ambulance the South East branch of the Trustee Savings Bank stepped forward and their District Manager Mr A. K Boyd handed the Division a cheque for £445 (Photo : David Packham , Brighton ). (Left) In Lan c a's hire County Motors Sto c kport agreed to donate £ 1 5 to the Brigade for every car sold n one week. The score was 16 - so a cheque for £25 0 was ha n ded by the h e lpful company's managing director Roy Lo c kwood t o Area Supt (R) Mrs D T Bomford , NComm A. Walmesley, ASO W Jones and A/Se

intensive ship's first aid course.

The Director- General has accepted the CMO's view that the certificate is in all respects equivalent to the statutory First Aid Certificate of St. John Ambulance, and shou ld be acco r ded recognition.

To avoid unnecessa r ily complicated registration arrangements, it is proposed t h at the Naval ce r tificate shall bear a n endorsement, suitably wo r ded to indicate it s acceptability to S1. John Am b ulance

N. Warwicks Atherstone Division was presented with a new recruit at their recent presentation of awards (above) - this skeleton given to them by Duncan Flockhart Ltd , one of whose founders was Sir John Simpson who discovered chloroform. (L to R) Div'/Supt. A. Screaton, Div Pres. Mr. J G. Warner , and Div. Surg Dr. K T Farn (Right) Later Duncan (as the recruit was named) was kitted out and looked aher by Leamington Spa Nursing Division member Miss Susan Barnett while on display at the Royal Show's SJA pavilion, which featured 100 years of SI. John, and was visited by the Duke of Gloucester. (Photos: Coventry Evening Telegraph)

WHO'SWHO?

USA. recently (L to R) Mrs Olive Clark. of Harlow. Essex : Mrs Cecille Keshishian of New Hampshire and Mrs Jean Southgate. of Kent - to chat about what has happened since they were cadets together (Photo right) In 1953 , the girls, with a companion, met when they a tt ended the SJA camp for Oueen Elizabeth 's coronation. Cecil Ie from Cyprus (right), stayed for 10 days at the home of Olive (next to her); Jean is behind the fo urth girl. The three have corresponded during the 25 years. Are there any other cade pen pa s of such duration")

A FIRST?

North Wilts ASO (Cadets) David Rob erts (left) is presented with the Papua New Guinea In dependence Medal by Commissioner Graham Keake during his recent visit to the UK. A former Div ./ Supt. In Nottingham David worked voluntarily in Papua New Guinea during 1974 75 and was appointed ASO (HOI there The country was granted independence fro m Australia In 1975 David is possibly the only holder of the medal in th e UK.

(Photo: Wiltshire Newspapers)

provide for its r egis tration and, if necessary its exchange for a conventional type certificate.

These arrangements will operate through a Special Centre of the Association, set up in conjunction with the Command Medical Officer of th e Commander in -C hief, Naval Hom e Command, HM Naval Bas e, Portsmouth, PO L 3LR. Nominal rolls of Certificates granted to successful candidates will be furnished by the Centre, which will be r es ponsible also for th e paym e nt of reg istration fe es in respect of eac h certificate g rant ed.

In th e initial s tag es, these procedur es 'are lik ely to apply to 10 % of eac h s hip' s company a nd shore es tabli s hm ent amounting to , say, some 8,000 certificates.

SJ COOK BOOK

York s hir e is of course the hom e of good, se ns ibl e, down -to ea rth food a t reaso nab le pri ces - so m ething we're all looking for nowada ys (and not only in food) - so it isn't surprising that a cookery book Th e York s hir e Kitch en, publish ed b y the St. John Council for South and W est York shire has so ld 20,000 copies.

Th e book, which is full of reci pes of the best English cooking, all collected by St. John members, has just bee n r e print ed and is available pric e 75p (plus postag e) from Th e Council Secr etary, St. John H al l Killin g hall. Harrogate, York s. Proc eeds from th e book go to County funds, of course.

GOLF

I hear that the PRO AM Golf Tournam e nt at Cambridge on Jun e 26 proved very popular and raised £8 ,000 for St. John. And that the Jimmy Tarbuck Celebrity Golfin g Event in Edinburgh was eq ually successful. It is hop ed that both th ese events will be rep eated next ·year. MIND

(answers)

10hn Buchan has been my favourite author for adapting in this way, and I'm sure I'm not alone in having vivid memories of a 24 - hour 'wide game' (i.e. adventurous training exercise) for senior scouts (aged 16 to 18) in camp on the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire, based on the theme of John Macnab. Baroness Orczy's novels in the Scarlet Pimpernel series are among others that have come in useful too. And once when I was staging a night training exercise for about 40 senior scouts from the whole of South Bucks, the participants had been told in advance to Listen to Friday evening's Dick Barton broadcast, and when they assembled on the Saturday evening they were sent out in smaIJ groups, with cycles, on an exercise of which the theme bridged the gap between the Friday's and the Monday's broadcasts, of which the BBC had generously entrusted me with confidential copies. Setting out from Eton at about 7pm they ended up some time after midnight at the church hall in Gerrards Cross , where they had cocoa and buns and dossed down for the rest of the night. Though some of them were side-tracked for a while on false trails, their main course led them through the centre of Slough and on by way of the Trading Estate, through Farnham Royal and Hedgerley to Gerrards Cross There were several 'incidents' on the way, one of which was in a shed in a back street in Slough where they found a 'c asualty requiring treatment and an unconscious baby (doll) reeking of chloroform: an 'accidentally dropped ' St. 10hn medallion had provided an essential clue to the identity and possible whereabouts of th e person they were trying to rescue.

Fact as well as fiction provided material for these exercises, and in the former category Bernard Fergusson's Beyond the Chindwin and The Wild Green Earth were favourites in the early post -w ar years. But from whatever source you derive your inspiration, I do most strongly commend this kind of imaginative approach to the adventurous training of our younger (and indeed of our not -quite-so -yo ung) members in leadership and initiative, and you can always introduce incidents which provide opportunity for practising first aid in unusual and challenging conditions.

One final word of warning. There are three golden rules that must be kept when planning an exercise of this kind: (1) make sure that the conditions are not such as might involve any of those taking part in any form of law -breaking activity, and make sure that they realise this from the start. (2) If the exercise is at all likely to involve them in even seeming to act suspiciously in the eyes of the guardians of the law, inform and consult the police in advance about your plans. (3) If the staging of any first aid or other incident is not on private property (and then only with the owner's permission) , take

AT RANDOM

(cant. from p.197)

both the police and any nearby residents into your confidence, and be prepared to adapt your plans if necessary. Having always done my bes t to keep these three rules, I can honestly say that though I've occasionally modified a plan in consequence, I've never received anything but the most ready cooperation and good will both from residents (w ho have sometimes been willing to provide additional realism by taking an active part) and from the local police.

Disguised

My reference to the Scarlet Pimpernel reminds me that Sir John Furley - a Knight of the Order of St. 10hn, originator of the famous Furley stretcher, founder of the St. 10hn Ambulance Association and the first Commissioner (as then designated) of the British Red Cross Society - was sent to study and report on the treatment and transport of the wounded at the siege of Paris during the Franco -Prussian War of 1870- 71. Disguising himself as a coachman, he was able to pass unchallenged in and out of the besieged city and gain first - hand experience of the conditions of field ambulance work among both the besiegers and the besieged.

As a direct result of this, an 'ambulance service' was formed at Burslem in the Potteries in 1872, which in turn may be said to be the forerunner of what we now know as the Brigade. And it all started from the exploits of Sir John Furley in that very same city of Paris where , some 80 years before, the fictional exploits of Sir Percy Blakeney were set, though another 35 years had still to pass before the first {)f the Scarlet Pimpernel novels was published in 1905.

Straight aim

Myoid friend lack's contributions to the Review on a wide variety of subjects - his identity thinly veiled by almost as wide a

va riety of pen-names - always contain plenty of good food for thought, seasoned with humour and often with sauce piquante. But among the interesting and challenging suggestions that he puts forward in his July article on Brigade Uniforms' is one which I feel bound to shoot down with the straightest possible aim.

Our Brigade ambulances are licensed and insured solely for the transport of sick and injured persons, though this of course includes their use for authorised training exercises and for conveyng the appropriate Brigade personnel and equipment to the scene of public and other duties where such transport may be required. They are NOT licensed or insured as delivery vans, and to use them for such a purpose would not merely be breaking the law but invalidating their insurance cover, and we must certainly not encourage our members to do this. Individuals may of course collect parcels from the Supplies Department by private car or in any Brigade vehicle which is covered by a normal road fund licence - but not in an ambulance.

As regards 1 ack s other suggestions, some of them are already in operation in various parts of the country, and those that depend for their success on local initiative may well become more widespread as a result of the stimulus of his article, But he may not be aware that the Commissioner -in-Chief is most anxious to introduce an all-purpose ambulance uniform (for both officers and other ranks) which will be more serviceable and economical than what we wear at present. After consultation with many experts on uniform design, five alternative types have been modelled on two occasions last year - first, to the widely representative gathering of 500 Brigade members attending the Leadership Training Convention at Sandhurst in October, and secondly at a conference of all County Commissioners held in London in November.

On each occasion a questionnaire was distributed to all those present, on which they expressed their personal preferences, and from the replies it was clear that two of the five alternatives were far more papillar than the rest. Specimen sets of these two preferred designs have been subjected to extensive 'user trials' in 23 counties during the past few months, and detailed reports on them by each individual user are now coming in for analysis.

It is perhaps worth adding that our present style of close -fitting uniform is not well suited to 'otT the peg' supply, as it has been found that a stock range of 12 sizes will provide a good fit for no more than 10% of the customers , the remaining 90% having to be supplied with uniforms made to measure; but if either of the proposed new designs is accepted, this problem will be greatly reduced.

ORDER INVESTITURE

London, July 21

Mrs Margaret Walker Div Supt. (Res ) South Shields Nursing Division with 26 years service. becomes a Serving Sister

Chaplain

The Rt. Rev. C. Bardsley, CBE, DO (G loueestershire).

The Rt. Rev. 1. Biekersteth, Bishop of Bath & Wells (Somerset).

Commander (Brother)

Anthony Raynor Harvey Hicks, MA, MB, B.Chir (Surrey).

Stanley Frank Aylott (Kent).

Eric Dawson Lindsay, MB, B.Ch, BAO (Devon).

lohn Cecil Gray (Glos.).

Surgeon Commander Peter lames Roylance, RD, MB, ChB., Ml Bioi RNR (Herts).

Officer (Brother)

Sir John Revans, CBE (Hants).

Peter Thomas Radmore (Beds).

Major Ian Maddison Calder, TO, MB, Ch.B., DMJ, FRMS (Cambridge).

Canon D. Webster, MA, DO (London).

Maurice Elliott Mavir (Gt. Manchester).

Joseph McDermett (Cleveland).

Gilbert Ashton, FACCAM, FICS (Cumbria).

Brigadier Norman George Kirby, OBE, MB, ChB, FRCS (W. Mids.).

Peter Edgar Arscott (Surrey).

Denis Bailey (Cheshire).

Frederick Cox (Gloucester).

Major William Robert Short, MB, ChB (Hants).

Two

Bickersteth Bishop of Bath and Wells; and the Rt. Rev. C Bardsley. CBE DO formerly Bishop of Coventry

John Nicholas Bateman Champain, BA (Surrey).

Robert Wallace Nevin, TD, MA, MB, B.Chir, FRCS, LRCP (Hants).

Edward George Holden (Surrey).

George Hamlett (Cheshire).

Lieut. Col.lohn Taylor Coull, MB, Ch.B., FRCS (London).

Denis Reginald Brooks (Ormskirk).

lohn Robert Burton (Cheshire).

Invicta Rex Cogbill, MBE (Staffs).

John WaJton Cronin (Kent).

Rupert Shelton Corbett, MA, M.Chir, FRCS (1 ersey).

Paul Jeremy Burton (Cheshire).

Lieut-Col. Michael Litster Fisher, TD, MB, BS, MRCGP, D.Obst. (Northumberland).

Major Peter Jackson Mortimer, TO, MA (W. Yorks).

Officer (Sister)

Brenda Lilian, Mrs. Sea bourne (Hereford/W orcs).

Eileen Emily, Miss HoUidge (Isle of Wight).

Rose, Mrs. Cole (London).

Aerona, Mrs. Bodie, SRN, OHNC (Bristol).

Brenda Mary, Miss Slaney, SRN, ON, OHNC (Herts).

Brigadier loan Olivia Elsie Moriarty, RRC, QHNS, SRN (London).

Serving (Brother)

George Coates (Devon).

William 1ames Shipcott (Lanes).

John Colgate Holman, MD, MRCOG (N orthants).

Frederick Charles Roworth (London).

Joseph Pearson (Leicester).

Fred Chapman (Humberside).

John Thomas WaJker (Staffs).

Frederick Martineau Cottier, MB, ChB (Preston).

Henry Robert Dearman (Essex).

William George Pocock (Northants).

Dennis Clement Beck (Leics).

Percy Thomas Walter Groves (Herts).

Kevin Francis McGuane, MB, Ch.B (Sth. Humberside).

Kenneth Roy Chillingworth (Notts).

Frank Hall (Lanes).

William St. George Myles (Northampton).

Arthur Fazakerley (Slough).

Raymond Dennis England (Oxon).

Ernest Morgan (Lanes).

RaJph Traviss (Humberside).

Charles Richard Dipple (London).

George Smith, SEN (Tyne & Wear).

Thomas Samuel Hayes (Sheffield).

Robert William Hunt (Lines).

Walter Wilson (Lanes).

Roy Albert Kidley (Kent).

George Edwin Larman (Humberside).

John Creasey (Kent).

Bernard Michael Byrne (Staffs).

Frank Alfred Isaacs (London).

John Bennett Martin (Lancs).

Kenneth Lesley Wheadon (Somerset).

William Henry Hitchcock (Leicester).

Anthony Thomas (Oxford).

Alexander Applebee (London).

Charles Thomas loseph Pepper (Peterborough).

George William Wells (Sth. Yorks).

Raymond Derek Holland (Notts).

lohn Philip Wyndham Hughes, TD, MRCS, LRCP, MB, BS, MD, DPH (London).

Reginald Poole, FRICS, FR TPI (Liverpool).

George William Starling (Tyne & Wear).

W. Gulliford, SRN (Lancs).

Derrick Frederick William Snowden (Middlesex).

William Henry larvis (Kent).

Leonard Edward Davidge (London).

George Walter Slade (Northants).

Serving Sister

Marjorie Irene, Mrs. Wood (Bridgewater).

Ida Eileen, Mrs. Thomas (Sussex).

loyce May, Miss Lines (London).

Florence Mary, Mrs. Mann (Norfolk).

Winifred lean, Mrs. Henderson (1arrow).

Barbara, Mrs. Rogers (Worcs).

Emmeline Beatrice, Mrs. Thomas (London).

Marion Hilda, Mrs. Benson (Burton on Trent).

Marjorie Irene, Mrs. Sutherland (Norfolk).

Brenda Mary, Miss Kn!ght, GRSM, SRCO,

Our Jack.

LRAM,

Elizabeth,

Kathleen,

Joyce Bertha, Mrs. Martin (London).

Adelaide Rebecca, Mrs. Lewis (Norfolk).

Frances Helen, Mrs. Jordon (Somerset).

Audrey loan, Mrs. McGuane (Sth. Humberside).

Ann Marjorie, Mrs. Griffiths (Surrey).

Suie May, Mrs. Rands (Northampton).

Margaret, Mrs. Booker (Oxon).

Johannah Mary, Mrs. Whisker, SRN (Sussex).

Edna loyce, Mrs. Barret. (Suffolk).

Margaret Annabell, Mrs. Walker (Tyne & Wear).

Diane Eveline, Mrs. Reed (Kent).

Emily, Mrs. Greatrex (Birmingham).

Patricia, Mrs. Day (Surrey).

Sandra Glynis, Mrs. WaJker, SRN (Staffs).

Dorothy Agnes Mary, Mrs. Beard (London).

Patricia Margaret, Miss Bailey (Notts).

Lilian Maude, Mrs. lacks (SaJop).

Joan Lilian Johnston, Mrs. Martin (Sussex). Bernice, Miss Scott (Halifax).

Noreen Winifred Mary, Miss Granger, SRN (Notts).

Dorothy Eileen, Miss Mortimore (London).

Marjorie Kathleen, Miss Tiney (North ants). lean Mary, Mrs. Higgs, SRN (Middx). Yvonne Hotham, Mrs. Fox, MCSP (Somerset). Esquire

Mr. H. B. Bream presented to the Bailiff of Egle his personal Esquire, Alexander Robert McNidder.

(Above) Kenneth Roy Chillingworth. Area Staff Officer (Training).

Brother

(Right) Mrs. Yvonne Fox. Vice - President of Somerset's Wellington Nursing Division Serving Sister

new Chaplains of the Order. (L) The Rt. Rev. J

Norman Lindsay (left). of Greater Manchester Police unfortunately could not attend the investiture in London so received his Serving Brother insignia from the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (right). who is Gt. Manchester's SJA County Director

ARCM (Taunton).

Marily Ann, Mrs. Mitchell (East Sussex).

Mrs. Young (Tyne & Wear).

Mrs. Jenner (W. Mids.).

On June 14, Amesbury SJA's Divisional Superintendent David Nobbs received a phone call from county headquarters in Salisbury enquiring if his division could supply a 24-hour cover for the 10 -day Stonehenge Free Festival. David accepted the duty on behalf of the division and found himself with just .three days to organise the duty before the festival was due to burst into life.

David contacted Divisional Officers Pat and Joyce Shepard to inform them what had been taken on and that evening the divisional members were told of what was to come. Stimulated by the challenge, the members responded enthusiastically and threw themselves into organising duty rotas, equipment and vehicles. The provisional rota showed that Amesbury division could just cover the duty without calling on other local divisions.

The rota was based on three shifts: early, late and night. The aim was to provide a 24hour cover of a qualified nurse or doctor plus four first-aiders by day and two by night. The qualified cover was provided by the trained nurses in the division, with medical duties supplied by the divisional surgeon, Dr. Baruah, who worked closely with the doctors from Release, the national alternative legal and welfare organisation involved in the festival. On the few occasions when qualified cover was not available on site there was always a trained nurse or doctor on call by phone.

The first aid post consisted of a mobile unit and two ambulances. While on duty personnel were supplied with free meals and sleeping accomodation was available for the night cover.

The festivaL-goers showed some initial apprehension in approaching David and his colleagues, which they later disclosed as due to their uniforms. They said SJA's uniform was similar to that of the police, with whom their relationship, they claimed, was not always harmonious. But by the end of the first day a positive rapport was developing between the St. John members and their customers. David is convinced that it was the members' non-judgemental approach to the festival fans that was the basis of this relationship. David said, '1 believe one of the most important aspects of our work is our attitude to patients. We were not there to judge, we were there to give a service. The motto of our order is "For the service of mankind", and it is towards this that we work. We never had any trouble from the fans, only appreciation and thanks.'

What exactly was the appreciation and thanks for? David's brief description of what the division did more than answers the

during the 10 days, there were also amusing, poignant ones. David remembers one in particular: 'One of the Release doctors and I were on night cover and were both sleeping peacefully, when suddenly the door burst open and in leapt a man banging two pieces of wood together and yelling "Gee man I'm going crazy". The chap had had too much LSD and was having a rough trip. Some effective psychiatric first aid helped him through his ordeal.'

Relating

David was at pains to point out the importance of relating to people from other organisations involved in the festival. 'Our relationship with Release was great,' he explained. 'They were a pleasure to work with. I'd never met them before, but we found them very understanding We had an agreement to help each other with any problems. The police developed a constructive attitude towards us and made use of our relationship with the fans. But, of course, it was our working relationship with the fans that was central to the whole issue.'

The ten days of cover involved 784 St. John man-hours and 600 ambulance miles. Could anything else have been done to improve what had obviously been effective

STONEHENGE POP FESTIVAL

by NICK MOUNSEY

Without

this cover

...

• • • at least one would have died and many would have suffered .

question. 'We treated 370 patients, 23 of whom were admitted to hospital. With doctors and trained nurses on the site, we were able to do our own suturing to 11 --patients and we gave 15 injections. The other cases were, by and large, the normal run-ofthe-mill first aid problems, such as cuts and bruises, headaches, diarrohea and vomiting, dog bites , and the removal of foreign bodies from eyes.

Unusual

'There were however some unusual incidents. For example, one chap needed anti -rabies injections. He had been bitten by a dog in Pakistan and luckily had the course of injections with him. A maternity case who arrived at our post was got to hospital just in

time, where she gave birth to a little girl. There was a dramatic moment when a young man who had taken an overdose of intravenous heroin had a complete respiratory coUapse. We gave him mouth-tomouth resuscitation before rushing him to the intensive care unit in Salisbury. Later, we were told our action saved his life. One of the many campers' tents went up in flames and presented us with a case of severe burns. There were a number of people with broken legs or arms. And on the final night a hitand-run accident just outside the site resulted in a deeply unconscious youth; we treated him and then took him to the casualty department and subsequently to the intensive care unit.'

As well as serious and dramatic moments

SJA service? 'More planning time would have been useful,' said David. 'Time to arrange more sleeping accommodation; time to work out a more inclusive range of drugs with the medical officers; and to have covered every shift with a trained nurse or doctor. The help of anybody with experience in working with drug problems or psychiatric first aid would be a valuable asset.'

However, at the end of the day - or rather the tenth day - David was delighted with the outcome. 'I'm proud and really impressed at the way our members applied themselves to this unusual duty. It was a great experience which we would happily repeat.'

Not alone

David wasn't alone in his views. Thanks for Amesbury Division's work came in from Release, local GPs whose other work hadn't been interrupted by a single festival patient, the police, the ambulance service, the Community Health Physician, and above all from the fans - who on the final afternoon collected over £60 for the division.

A final word from David , whose phone number is Winterbourne Gunner 625: 'If any divisions likely to embark on such a duty as

Air/Sea exercise

off Guernsey

Stonehenge would care to contact me, before or after the event, we could offer advice, share experiences and generally compare notes.'

A letter

A letter from Bob Nightingale, director of Release, sent to Wing Commander Tom Fazan at St. John HQ in London reads: 'I feel obliged to write to you about the Amesbury division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, with whom we were working at the Stonehenge Free Festival. They were not only professionally very capable, but they also showed great sympathy and understanding towards the people they treated. This gained the trust and respect of festival-goers, whose natural reaction to anyone wearing uniform is unually one of antipathy.

'Mr. Nobbs and his staff were also most helpful to work with, and showed their calibre by arranging 24-hour cover for a 10day festival at 3 days' notice. Without this cover, at least one person would almost certainly have died, and many would have suffered needlessly,

Please pass on our thanks and congratulations to Mr. Nobbs and all his staff. They are a credit to your organisation.'

EARLY July two of SJA Guernsey's rescue boats - the ambulance launch Flying Christine II and the fast 17ft. dory Marietta - took part in an off-shore exercise with a Royal Naval helicopter and the island's RNLI lifeboat which involved transferring a 'casualty' from the helicopter to the boats while under way.

SJA Guernsey's staff photographer Transport Member A. Jelley was on the scene and came back with this fine shot (above) of the dory receiving its cargo amid spray created by the chopper. (Left) Flying Christine II holds a steady course at speed while the chopper pilot eases the 'casualty' towards the launch's spacious cockpit and waiting hands (photo: Guernsey Press)

David Nobbs (left). Amesbury Div Supt, and Release doctor see a casualty into an ambulance for hospital treatment.

(Photo: Nick Mounsey)

SECURITY CHECKS

from A. Divisional Superintendent

I have been worried for some time about those of our colleagues (mostly men) who voice objections to security checks, or allow themselves to be waved through as privileged persons.

Could it not be made clear to all personnel , from the top to the bottom , that where security checks are in operation we are no ditTerent from anyone else, in spite of our uniform. We should politely submit to checks, or insist on checks when waved through. It is a nic e compliment to us, but the general public sometimes resents the exception, and the fact remains that it would be easy to infiltrate the Brigade and use the uniform as a means of creating havoc. And in any case, if we have nothing to hide why object ?

A. Di visional Superintendent

BRIGADE UNIFORM

from Thomas H. Hollingworth, Divisional Secretary

I read Jack s article on Brigade uniforms (July Review) with great interest as I had been on the point of writing to the Review about the Supplies department and costs. I now appreciate that the department is not as I imagined, and as one who is in the front line myself when charges go up, I hate to criticise those who have to face the same problem.

But there are two points I would like to make:

1) The splitting of orders when some items are not in stock adds considerably to postal or rail charges. Unless there is to be a long delay in completing the order, I suggest the order be held until it can be completed.

2) The splitting of orders can also cause considerable embarrassment to those placing the order , especially if it is for a cadet division.

1 do not think I shall ever forget the disappointment shown by one cadet when others were getting their new uniform but her's had not arrived.

Finally, I would suggest to those ordering uniforms or stores in these days of inflation to add a percentage to the cost of the items being ordered. Should they still be at the price shown in Supplies list, the extra can be returned to the purchaser. Where the price has increased, the additional money sent may cover this, but even if it do es not, the extra charge required from the purchaser will not be so large. My wife, a superintendent of a nursing cadet division , has faced problems when she had to ask for more money from a cadet for a dress, and the cadet then had to go to her parents for the extra cash.

Newark Thos. H. Hollingworth

from N. Sandall, Divisional Secretary

May I point out that the recent unifonns I have seen from the Supplies Department are obviously made for cheapness and not practicability

One of our more devoted members received a new tunic some six months ago and already it is literally falling to pieces. Surely it would pay to get better quality tunics that last longer? As a complete uniform now costs £50 they should have a longer life than six months. Also is it not time (or a review of the ambulance member's uniform , which is bulky and uncomfortable? The new special duty anorak should be made available for all duties, including church parades and ceremonials. Cadets now wear the anorak for all types of duties so why not adults? Just think of the saving a division can make purchasing six anoraks as against six complete unifonns.

As for the white haversack, why do we still use it? It was, I believe , originally for personal rations If our County Surgeon found sandwiches in a haversack he would not be amused!

The haversack serves no purpose whatsoever, and only causes problems on such duties as grass track car racing when if you are trying to remove someone from a car you tend to get caught up by your haversack.

I suggest we get rid of it and if a white stripe or band is needed for

READERS VIEWS

Readers ' views and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

recognition, give us a white fluorescent or reflective belt, or something similar to the German one.

Lincoln

N. Sandall

Editor: It sounds as though the Lincoln Imp has been at work! Joking apart, if an item of uniform , or anything else for that matter, falls to pieces in six months do send the gory remains back to Supplies Department. Only if they have the otTending article can they etTectively rub the manufacturer's nose in it.

Support for the inexpensive anorak-type uniform now on trial appears to be growing. Do let us have your views on it.

Whether or not to split an order is always a problem. You may need some items more desperately than others; if a delay is likely, Supplies send at once what they can from stock. If it is all equally urgent - or equally non-urgent - just add a note asking for the order not to be split but to be held back until all items are available

UNIFORM IDEAS

Miss Hilary Keyes, Nursing Member

my experience I wish readers to consider the following points , again to provoke discussion, which can do nothing but improve our overall efficiency. I shall answer point by point the ideas put forward by the author of the article.

1. In the well organised team the leader is only the leader as far as he/she makes the decisions with regard to the major needs at the time, eg which casualty is to be transported first and by what method, and delegation of work, etc . As these vital decisions are the ones that count, not only with regard to the gaining of points but also (and most importantly) with regard to the safety and well being of the casualty , it is only natural that the most experienced member of the team, who is more often than not the most active, commanding, etc, be appointed the leader (not commander).

As to the reason for the quartet arrangement of teams - the majority of the marks in most competitions are on the individual section, incidentally - we in the Brigade are usually called upon in situations where members are together (public duties, etc) and training in this way affords us the opportunity of increasing our efficiency and confidence both individually and as a whole (group). Added to this is the fact that it can be nothing but beneficial that the whole division can participate in the training - which is easier if team training is carried out rather than if purely individual training is undertaken. No's 1, 2, 3 and 4 have specific tasks and each compliments the other. In any good team no member will stand idle until given a specific task to do . That method went out with the ark. 2. I cannot agree that two people (2 & 4) should be 'tucked-up' doing the job of one The No.4 should - after rapid assessmentcall for the ambulance, etc, and collect the first - aid kit, etc. The No.2 can assist where needed 'on set', as it were, and in some competitions even has a casualty to himself. No.4 can arrange for further messages later, as required.

However, having said that, 1 will stand corrected if anyone who has more than my meagre knowledge of the dreaded vehicle or electronics informs me that I have been unwise to argue this point. 5. I agree in principle with what the author says with regard to stretchers and disposal. However, the basis of all competition work is training. We as a Brigade should consistently be updating our methods, so that we can cope with situations with which we may be called upon to deal. Many members live in remote areas (not only in the UK) where, of necessity, they may be called upon to rescue or transport a person in an 'un usual situation. We should at least have the knowledge of how to do this efficiently.

Taking this point to the extreme, if some civil emergency (eg a major train disaster) occurred, where the ambulance service (professional) was stretched beyond its limit, it would be organisations such as ours which would be called upon to assist. Therefore it is better to make the mistakes in training than in the 'real McCoy.'

I am sorry for droning on and I would like to emphasise that I am in no way trying to be critical of an excellent article, but the idea was to provoke discussion and, as I said at the beginning, my conscience dictated that I place myself in the firing line.

I hope that, whatever the reader may feel, it has made him thinkfor only by continually thinking can any advance be made.

London W4

AMBULANCE TRAINING

from G. F. Brown, Divisional Superintendent (C)

Daniel Heany

On June 25 St. Ives & District Div . held a training day specifically for training personnel in ambulance driving techniques and procedures, also how equipment should be used by the attendant, ie. Entonox scoop stretcher, etc.

The need for a concentrated all day programme was brought about by the recent acquisition of another ambulance which has been equipped with more up to date and ditTerent types of equipment. Also the division has a number of newly qualified members. The training was conducted by Mr. John Wicks, Station Officer at St. Neots Ambulance Station, Cambs. A.H.A. (Teaching).

As a new reader of the St. John Review, the subject of uniform seems to be mentioned in nearly every edition. It is understandable that members should look smart, but how can we look smart especially when we have hot weather. I am sure that other nursing members would agree that for summer duties a short sleeved dress would be greatly appreciated. This idea I am sure would be much more practical and comfortable than trying to move in tight rolled up sleeves; it would also look much neater. I have been in SJA for 112 years and last year with the hot summer weather indoor duties as well as outdoor duties were unbearable. Do you not think that a winter dress and a summer dress (with short sleeves) would be a sensible idea? London E5

I agree that a basic information label is needed but it should be basic. I feel that the label illustrated would have far too much information and would involve the first -ai der (not just the competitor) writing too much and taking too long to do so. The only information necessary is name, address, time of incident, short history, diagnosis, pulse and respiration rates and times, and whether conscious or unconscious. Plus the name, address and telephone number of the person treating. The other items are superfluous. (Property, although one has to be careful, will usually be taken charge of by the police if not sent with the casualty). Of course a miscellaneous section could be included for other notes the writer wishes to add.

Hilary Keyes

Headquarters replies: The summer of 1976 was unique. 1977 is proving more normal so far and would hardly justify the production of a special summer nursing dress with short sleeves. Moreover, Miss Keyes may well find with experience that the existing dress is quite adequate for hot weather. Nursing personnel who took part in the Holy Year duty in Rome in 1975 found it very comfortable in a day temperature of 95 0, with or without rolled up sleeves. It is also unlikely that many members would be prepared to buy additional dresses for the summer, so that the introduction of a second uniform would not be an economic proposition.

COMPETITIONS

from Daniel Heany, Ambulance Member

Having just read the article Relating Procedure to Reality (March Review) for about the six or seventh time, and having finally succumbed to conscience, I feel compelled to write and express some counter-views.

I have been a competitor for some II years, in St. John, Police and other competitions of one form or another (cadet and adult), and from

3. With regard to the 999 procedure, if the incident is likely to be a major one (eg plane crash, multiple pile - up, etc) the people who are generally in overall control are the Fire Brigade (chief fire officer). In less serious cases I would categorically state that, if there are persons injured, phone the ambulance service first, they will then inform the police where necessary. The only incidents I can think of where the fire service should be called first are 1) fires or 2) incidents involving hazardous chemicals. So: major incidents, fires, incidents involving chemicals - Fire Brigade first. Others - Ambulance Service first. We in the public services have a 'mutual appreciation society' - we love each other and we will inform each other when we have to. Remember , as a guiding rule - time is the essence. The most urgently required service should be called first. (I don't care that senior officers like to feel that they are the top dog - common sense prevails).

The other point under this heading was that of the incidents where police officers have over-ridden requests for ambulances, etc. If you think you need an ambulance - call one.

4. On the subject of safety in and around the vehicle, I should point out that, although the masterly inactivity sounds a wise idea, for those that have the knowledge it is safer to adhere to the ideas of turning otT the engine (usually turn the key anti-clockwise) and disconnecting the battery where possible than to leave the electrical system 'live'. By turning off the engine, I mean of course the ignition switch (as stated, the engine will probably have stopped), there is less risk than by leaving it on.

Mr. Wicks was very impressed at the standards of expertise and enthusiasm displayed. He pointed out that St. John Ambulance had a very real role to play in today's society and that they were an important support wing to the full time service, especially in the case of major disasters. But he emphasised that to fulfil that role the voluntary societies had to maintain as high a standard as the full time service. But if St. Ives Division was anything to go by, the patient had nothing to fear. Mr. Wicks did appreciate the difficulties some areas had in creating a working relationship between the voluntary societies and the Area Health Authority service, but that he was delighted to be invited to assist in the training of St. John' Ambulance Aiders', and to him go

A break at St. Ives training day - (L to R) AMs S Cattermole and R Willis , D Supt. F Brown (C). Station Officer J Wicks and NM D Cattermole

the division's grateful thanks for a very stimulating and e nlight e nin g day.

There has always been a good relationship in this area between St. John and the 'Co.unty' Service, and St. John must be grateful for people such as Mr. Wicks who assist a great deal in maintaining this liaison. The division's thanks must also go to the Chief Ambulance Officer, Cambridge, for allowing the use of the 'fast transfer' vehicle which was loaned for the day.

The division would also like to make known its appreciation for the co -operation of Chester s Div. Supt. Mr. Ken Rogers , and the police in getting a patient to Bury St. Edmunds at short notice recently when our vehicle holed a piston on the motorway. St. lves & District Division G. F. Brown

THE CADS!

from N. C. Ingle, Hon. Sec.

It seems a little unfair on the ladies that General Regulations do not require ambulance members to hold nursing certificates.

I don't know how much of a distinction it is, but at the time of writing ;Ul members of this division, both nursing and ambulance members, hold (or are awaiting) nursing certificates .

Since there is Little point in possessing a skill unless you put it to work, our members regularly help at a local hospital where they have built up a good relationship with the full time statT as well as attending to people at home when the occasion requires.

Portslade Division N. C. Ingle

CADET AWARDS

from Mrs. C. A. Everard, Executive Officer

In the April Review which we have just received I note a letter from S. Wastell on the presentation of the Grand Prior 's Badge. I quite agree with him that a formal presentation is an excellent idea to emphasise the value of the award.

Here in Kenya these awards are presented at State House, by His Excellency, The President of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, CGH, at a formal investiture together with other awards of the Order.

The first Kenya girl to win the Grand Prior's Badge, Miss Agnes G. Odonde, will receive her's later this year.

Nairobi C. A Everard

CAN YOU HELP US?

from Dr. E. L. Edmonds, Provincial Commissioner

My Deputy Commis sioner, Chief Superintendent Hugh Feagan of the R.C.M.P., has been collecting police medals for a centenary exhibition in the near future. One of them, however, which has been handed in is not a police medal, but a St. John Ambulance medal, the inscription on which reads: Magnus Priortatus Ordinis Hospitalis Sancti Johannis Jerusalem in Anglia 1901

The award was made to Pte. R. Tantrum 427, Met. Corps. Clearly it is an award made in England on behalf of Grand Priory , but it would be interesting to know how the medal came to be in a Canadian collection, e.g. did Pte. R. Tantrum emigrate to Canada?

If you have anyone who could help us, we should be very pleased to hear from them,

Order of St. John, 118 Nassau Street, Charlottetown

Prince Edward Island E. L. Edmonds

Editor: Dr. Edmonds is referring to an early issue of the Order's Service Medal (1901), which was first issued in 1898. Can any reader help him with information about Private Tantrum or his family?

I MUST RECORD

from Miss Carolyn Williamson, Divisional Officer

I feel must put on record the valuable and enjoyable weekend that approximately 50 St. John personnel recently attended at Pendrell Hall , Nr Wolverhampton. The event was the now annual 'Leadership Course' run jointly by StatTordshire and West Midlands. It was my first on the course, but I sincerely hope it won't be my last. The joining instructions warned us not to take uniform and that old clothes were advisable, together with stout footwear and 'clothing suitable for inclement weather'. Colleagues who had attended the previous year 's course claimed that they had been doing some fitness training, so it was with great trepidation that I reported to Pendrell Hall College of Residential Adult Education at 6 p.m. on Friday July 15. The first surprise was that I had a room to myself - luck of the draw as most were in small dormitories.

Following dinner there was an amusing introduction from the Principal to the various administrative details followed by a general explanation from Roy Meller about the aims and format of the course. We were split into syndicates for the various exercises and were immediately put to work planning our various entries for exercise 'New Faces the following evening. This was to arrange a light -hearted act of about ten minutes to present to the rest of the course, using what talents and materials were immediately available. Each of the 6 groups produced totally ditTerent interpretations, varying from an inside look at a small village, introduced by Frosty Whicker -Chair, to a dramatised version of the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade ', though of course everything was top secret. The panel (three of the staff) was an act in itself, with Kay saying everyone was marvellous and giving them 9 out of 10.

Saturday morning and afternoon were devoted to exercise 'Seek and Find' which involved us in walking many miles (hence the stout footwear!) in search of clues to enable us as foreign agents to find the whereabouts of a crashed secret aeroplane. By virtue of making less mistakes than anyone else , or by sheer brilliance, depending on whose talking, my syndicate succeeded in the first phase, but retribution was swift as we failed dismally in the second. This entailed searching a sand quarry for a 'flight recorder' - a brick painted in our syndicate's colour. In the end, we traded intelligence with another group, but were still last to report back. The final phase involved carrying an 'unconscious' patient back through the quarry and over a gate, during which most of us learned for the first time how to rope a patient to a stretcher, but it gave many of us a stitT back!

The peace of Sunday morning was shattered by the fire alarm at 7.30, and on assembling in the car park we were told that one of the instructors was missing and that she was not in the buildings. As she was a senior member of Casualties Union, we weren't quite sure what we would find, but in the event she was found sitting in the middle of a rhododendron bush sutTering from amnesia - for which we gave her 9 marks.

When the official working day began each syndicate was given a ditTerent method of raising funds - from flag -day to a gala dinnerand just under an hour to arrange it! We then reported back to the other groups and some interesting ideas were raised and possible pitfalls, both legal and practical, brought to light. We then had a very short but illuminating casualty simulation demonstration and were left to stage various incidents in the grounds after lunch. These covered all the main types of accidents and each was treated by a team of four from another syndicate.

After tea came the closing session, with the organisers asking for criticisms and ideas for the future. There were not many of the former as, despite the aching limbs, blisters, and broken sleep we had had a thoroughly worthwhile weekend. Not only had we found that the 'Gaffers' were human, we had made friends from across the border. and been left with our heads full of ideas. As far as I am concerned it has already produced some positive results. I am arranging a casualty simulation course for my cadets, am seriously considering joining C .U. myself and have iust organised a 'Seek and Find' type activity for the

cadets. My thanks, and I'm sure those of the rest of the course members, go to Joe Durham (CSO Training for StatTs), Roy Meller (CSO Training for West Midlands), Kay Harris (Dep Cty. Supt, StatTs) and Gordon Jenner (ASO Trg, Dudley) for their hard work in producing such an interesting and enjoyable weekend. We believe s uch inter -County co -operation is unique. Perhaps this will stir others into action.

Cannock Carolyn Williamson

1889 from M. Priscott

After reading R. S. Ashman's letter CHALLENGE! (June Review), ) would like to say that we of the Wellingborough Headquarters Division can equal Bath Division's record .

The St. John Ambulance Brigade Wellingborough Corr s was formed and registered on April 9 1889. Its strength was 68 men and 18 women. We also would be interested to hear of any divisions older than ourselves.

Welfingbo ro ugh M. Priscol/

THE REVIEW

from W. E. Street, Divisional Officer

I hope that the one-copy-to-each -division campaign for increasing the readership of the St. John Review has proved successful after its first year of operation. But I would venture to suggest to keep the Review's existence continually before the forgetful members' eyes, that a rubber stamp should be in every County office which could be used to stamp County Orders when issued with a slogan such as: ' Where do the Chiefs write their views? - In St. John 's monthly Review' or 'What would St. John do without The Review?'

Once the initial cost of these rubber stamps was paid , they would last for years and be a continual reminder before members' eyes. be old hands or new recruits, as everyone reads County Orders

Exmouth W. E. Street

WRONGI

from C. McDowie, Divisional Superintendent

The solution to Crossword No.6 (77) I feel is wrong. 16 Down is LARYNGITIS and 35 Across (the answer given is HYPNOTIC) I make HYPNOSIS.

Leicester C. McDolvie

Editor: A number of readers pointed out this error. Our apologies.

of the Peterborough Area of Ontario with a statuette of Sir Thomas Docwra, who was Grand Prior from 1501 to 1527, from his Division in Gwent.

Andrew's Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Keith Dunn said: 'We were very pleased with the reception that Andrew and his parents received. We took the opportunity to foster better relations with the Priory for Canada in this centenary year. As a result, cadets from our Division will now be able to take part in St. John International friendship, and if possible we may take a party of cadets to Canada in the future.'

NEWS from SCOTLAND

ON a gloriously hot and sunny July 3, 150 members of the Order helped to run the Jimmy Tarbuck Pro-A m Golf Classic at Dalmahoy. Confreres were to be found manning the car park, selling programmes, carrying name boards with each tie, working the score boards, operating the radio network and checking tickets. The Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team displayed their equipment and the St. John Pipe Band paraded at the end of the competition. Also on show was the van which the Torphichen branch has presented to a local children's home.

At the Open Golf Championship at Turnberry, a detachment of the Glenshee Ski Rescue Service was in attendance with its

medical superintendent (P. A. P. Mackenzie, O.St.J.) and co-operated with the Red Cross manning the first aid post.

Mrs. Ramsey of Laggan, a Dame of the Order since 1926, has just died in her 10 1st year. We deeply regret losing the oldest member of the Priory.

Fife

On July 10 a garden party was held at Captain Shiffner's house, the proceeds amounting to nearly £200.

Glasgow

The committee held a coffee morning at the Langside home and a 20-mile sponsored cycle race, organised by Mrs. Leggat Smith. These two events netted over £800. The committee are planning to start a 'nearly new' shop, and in the autumn they will organise a dress show and a music hall

(Above and left) The Priory for Wales camp at Brean Somerset.

In charge of the camp was Chief Training Officer J. P. Harries It included cadets from the City of Dublin Division and a young adult, Miss lynda Morris, from Canada performance.

Mrs. G, T. Robertson has just resigned as secretary of the Glasgow committee. She was on the staff of the Priory from 1955 and Priory-Secretary from 1963 to 1970, when the priory headquarters were in Glasgow.

As priory-secretary she put in a tremendous amount of work, being at the heart of the organisation and in charge of the day-to-day running of the Order at the time when, under Sir Andrew Murray as Chancellor, it began to expand. Sincere, knowledgeable and full of common-sence, she was a tremendous help to all the officers and members of council and chapter, who could be sure of getting from her sound and frank advice. Great fun to be with, she was always at the centre of the celebrations at the annual festival. She will be sadly missed by the Glasgow committee.

J. R -S

OVERSEAS

Cyprus

The island's new St. John HQ is in St. John Street (recently renamed), a side street ofT Nicosia's main street, Prodromos, and behind the main Post Office building. There is a sign in Prodomos indicating the HQ.

Malta

WALES

A 14-year-old Cadet Corporal has just returned to Newport in Gwent after a month's visit to relatives in Ontario, Canada.

Andrew McCarthy, Cadet Corporal in the Gwent Area Health Authority Hospitals Division made a special presentation to his Cadet Division of various training aids, firstaid manuals' and special badges which the Priory for Canada had given him.

During his stay in Canada, Andrew took part in various St. John activities, and with his parents attended a reception given in his honour by the Brigade's chief surgeon. In return Andrew presented the cadets and

The Brigade in Malta has now obtained on lease from the Malta Government part of the old building of the Gran Castellania in Valletta.

The building is only a few yards from the magnificent conventual church of St. John.

The Gran Castellania was built on the site - Merchants Street and St. John Streetpurchased by Grand Master Jean Levesque de La Cassiere (1572-1582), who built the first palace of Justice which was considered sumptuous for its time. Later, in 1757, Grand Master Emanuel Pinto (1741 - 1773) demolished the old building, and rebuilt it in the style of his period to the plan of the Maltese archhect Giuseppe Bonnici, The Gran Castellania complex consisted of five tribunals: the Criminal Court, the Civil Court, the Court of Administration of Public Property, the Commercial Court also known as Consolato di Mare, and the Supreme Tribunal of Appea\. These

Gibraltar functioned until 1814.

The jurisdiction of the Criminal Court of the Gran Castellania was confined to cases occurring in Valletta and the Three Cities.

After the Maitland reform of June 4, 1814, its jurisdiction extended to the entire island, as well as Gozo, which up to that date had its own court of law, the Corte Capitanale.

The President of the Court who was called Castellan, hence Castellania, was appointed by the Grand Master for two years, and chosen from the senior members of the langues which constituted the Order.

In 1840 the Law Courts were transferred from the Castellania to the Auberge d'Auvergne. In 1941 this building was badly damaged and demolished by enemy action, but was rebuilt and still houses the Law Courts.

The new great hall of the Brigade also incorporates what was the chapel for the spiritual needs of the prisoners. The altarpiece is simple, the white cross over a

Browsing round the long history of crime committed in Malta prior to the advent of the Reform Laws introduced by Governor Maitland (1813-1824), one is apt to think of the long and varied pageantry of numerous knights, scoundrels, adventurers, rogues and innocent scapegoats, who spent some time behind bars in this building. Blended together, they yield an aura of mystery and adventure. Here the Piracy Court held its tribunal, often presided by the poet Samuel Taylor Coleriqge.

On the walls of the HQ is also the reputed book of fame: glorious recollections associated with the British Navy.

All members of St. John visiting the island of the Knights are most welcome to: St. John Ambulance HQ, 24 St. John Street, Valletta, Malta, telephone 625740.

(left) Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Pendir. of the Torphichen ladies Committee, with the van donated to the children's home. (Right) The Chancellor Col. Macleod, with team leader R. Duckworth at the Aberdeen Mountain Rescue display at the Pro - Am golf classic

Cadet Cpl. Andrew McCarthy presents his Division with various training aids and badges given by the Priory for Canada. to Officer-i n - Charge Keith Dunn (Photo: South Wales Argus )

Presentat on of awards in the lovely setting of SJA Gibraltar s HQ - made by HE the Governor and Cin - C Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Grandy President St. John Council for Gibraltar. When Mr C. G Gaggero ret red as Chairman of the Council during June , he was presented with a oxygen cylinder set as a donation to SJA (Photo: Shephard Photos , Gibraltar) red background, and has survived the ravages of time; three rooms in the building are the prison cells, still with their heavy and massive gates.

News from Divisions/Centres

LEICS - Winners of the Leicestershire SJA centenary poster competition were Mrs. Joyce Wright, Barwell Combined Division, first in the open section, with Kim Hartopp, Leicester Partridge Nursing Division runnerup.

Keeping an eye on what's happening in the world that's the attitude of { members on Weybridge and l\ \. H ersham Divisions' float in the local Jubilee parade. 'i ImM1tr (Photo: J. Pickering)

Kent: Ann Fairbrother. of Ashford Town Division shows delight in receiving her Grand Prior 's Badge Janine De Voil. of South Ashford Division also received her GP's badge recently. (Photo: Mirway Ltd Ashford)

District Staff Officer

I. L. Robinson is shown the 25 trophies won over the last few months by Coulsdon and Purley Nursing Cadet Division by Sue Lover and Debby Whittingham. (Photo: The Advertiser. S. Croydon)

In the section for 16 - 17 years-old; I, Glenn Jones, Southfields Library Combined Division; 2, Susan Bird, Melton Mowbray Nursing Cadet Division.

11 -l5 years: I, Susan Jones, Melton Mowbray Nursing Cadet Division; 2, Joanne Corkett, Thurmaston Combined Cadet Division.

8-10 years: I, Jane Sutton, Southfields Nursing Cadet Division; 2, Karen Louisa Pope, Thurmaston Combined Cadet Division.

More than 40 entries were received.

LONDON - In this year of the Queen's Silver Jubil ee and St. John Ambulance Centenary, Finchley Combined Division celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

357 Finchley was formed from 93A Division, founded 29.3.'27 and 133N Division, founded 1.1 '42. By 1972, owing to various removals from the district, retirements and resignations, also the tendency of nursing members to become fulltime nurses, the number of members in the two Divisions had dwindled to 7 A and 6N members, hardly viable as separate divisions.

Since combining, the division has gone from strength to strength and now, very much a family concern, has 11 A/M and 22 N/M, including 4 married couples and the grown-up sons of two of them. The other two hope to produce prospective St. John cadets later in the year!

357 Finchley DiviSlon's Supt. Mrs. E. Martin speaking at division's recent Golden Jubilee dinner. (L to R) Corps. Pres. Mrs. Ena Constable. the Mayoress of Barnet, Lt. Col. & Mrs. R. A. Payne. and Mr. Martin

The Golden Jubilee celebration dinner was attended by most of the members and their wives, and several ex-members. Corps President, Mrs. Ena Constable, was in the chair, and Deputy Commissioner of London District, Lt. Col. R. A. Payne, JP, himself once a member of Finchley, presented the Golden Jubilee certificate to Divisional Superintendent Mrs. E. Martin. Also present were the Mayor and Mayoress of Barnet, Andrew Pears and Mrs. Pears, as well as Area Commissioner H. Mulligan, Area Superintendent (N) Mrs. Mulligan, Area Superintendent (A) Mr. Packe and Area Surgeon, Dr. T. Evans.

At their annual dillner Weston super · Mare Corps 100 adult members and 130 cadets were praised by the Town Mayor for completing 18.000 hours of public duties last year

(Above) Busy at Work,ngton Division s coffee evening. which raised over (100 towards the E 1500 needed to repair their

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.9 (77)

Compiled by W. A. Potter

Across:

1. Save diet given to calm the patient. (8). 5. Be a farm worker at the back. (6). 10. Part of the autonomic nervous system. (1S). II. Poisonous sap of tree from Pennsylvania in United States. (4). 12. For administration by mouth (4). l3. Characteristic of the countryside. (S). 15. Eats away by chemica l action. (8). 18. Divisions of brain , liv e r and lungs. (S). 21. Affected by disease. (3). 22. A small departm e nt provides a skilled person. (5). 23. Make angry after a month without fever. (8). 2S. Emblem of Indian tribe. (5). 28. A good mark for a blood-sucking parasite. (4). 30. West provides a nourishing dish. (4). 32. Sugar in the urine due to kidney malfunction. (S.IO). 33. Tough. elastic vessel of the circulatory system. (6). 34. Use scalp for digestibl e drug containers. (8).

Down:

1. Structure of the heart and nose. (6). 2. Strange dream with book used for skin-grafting. (9). 3. Trial examination (4) 4. Incorrectly mo ve right for a facial bone. (5). 6. Three for anaesthetic (5). 7. Bury between. (S). 8. Glands whose secretions pass directly into the blood stream. (8). 9. Care about strange ills in English city. (8). 14 Small stones for courage. (4). 16. The resting phase of the cardiac cycle. (8). 17. Fairy in Belfast. (3). 18. Bird for a frolic. (4). 19. Affecting both sides of the body. (9). 20. Cause of boils, tuberculosis, cholera, and tetanus, for examples. (8). 24. How the skin normally responds to increased body temperature. (6). 26. Palindromic principle (S). 27. Analytical chemist's standard solution for a tooth. (S). 29. Nourishing beverage. (S). 31. Invites requests. (4), SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.8 (77)

Across: 1. Vaccinia; 5. Eczema; 10. Raise; 11. Pacemaker; 12. Iron; 13. Alto; 14. Croup; 17. Footnote; 19. Ti.tan; 21. Reign; 22. Tomorrow; 24. Catch; 26. Ills; 28. Pa.in; 30. Complaint; 32. Ruddy; 33. Dr.ops.y; 34. Testicle.

Down: 1. Vermin; 2. Chiropodist; 3. Ic.ed; 4. Lmp.el; 6. comic; 7. Elk; 8. Atropine; 9. Ectoderm; IS. Orthopaedic; 16. Stun; 18. Oste.iLis; 19 Tire; 20. Uric acid; 23. Enzyme; 25. Helps; 27. Lithe; 29. Fret; 31. Myo.

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ST. JOHN

REVIEW

ST. JOHN HOUSE CLUB

Contents

A t Random by Watkin W. Williams p.22 1

Lewisham and Notting Hill by Major Gen. D esmond Gordon p.222

Centenary Events p.224

On being a competition mum by Thelma A Parke r p.226

B rigade Finals 1 977, comments by t he S u r geon-inChief p.227

Around and About by the Editor p.228

Oxfordshire's Enterprise Unit by Sally Hardacre p.232

AUDIO VISUAL AIDS

LIMITED 31 North Row , London , W1 R 2EN. Tel : - 493 - 2761

Name Position

Address

Telephone Date

Quickie X-word (1) p.234

At Mytchett '77 p.235

Readers'Views p.236

News from Division/Centres p.2 4 2

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Edited and produced or the Order of St. John by Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, H igh Corner, Butley, Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3 QF.

Phone: Orford (Std 039 45) 54 8 Editor: Frank D riscoll.

Advertising, display and classified, rates on request from Driscoll Productions.

Price 26p monthly. £3.60 per annum, including postage, from Review Sales, St. John Ambu ance, 1 Grosvenor Crescent. London SW 1X 7EF.

COVER :

The role of St. John in any situation where people may need help, attention or compassion has a humanising effect on the prevailing atmosphere. Providing. that is. St. John members are instantly recognised as such It's flO good if people think 'Is that a St. John man} They have to know it is. Instantly. Without any doubt. Such recognition is vital to our day-to-day affairs. (Photo: Sharman Photographic 10 Church St Peterborough)

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Com missioner-in - Chief

WE NORMALLY take a pretty dim view of anonymous letters , but thi s one was an exception. Received on August 16 , it contained a £5 note and read as follows: ' 1 shall be glad if you will accept this very small contribution to your funds. It is a rather belated but none the less sincere appreciation of much kindness and skilled attention wh ich I re cei ved at the St. John Ambulance Brigade hospital at Etapl e s wher e 1 was fortunate to have been admitted on 17 August 1917 and where I remained until the following October. Whilst I seem to remember that the doctors and possibly the orderlies were RAMC personnel , the hospital must hav e been provided by St. John Ambulanc e or adm inist e r ed by them, and no words of mine could expr ess my admiration for the nurses and the care they gave us. I wish this could be mor e. No acknowledgment is necessary , h e nce I sign myself with all good wishes - Anonymous. Thank you , Mr. Anonymous, for the generosity of heart that prompt e d you to make this kind gift to St. John Ambulance on the 60th anniversary of your admission to th e hospital at Etaples. And may I also on behalf of St. John , thank the many others who , like yourself and St. Nicholas , love to do their acts of kindness by stealth and 's corn to blot them with a name '.

Royal Tournament

I took a party of ten (mostly St. John) members of my parish youth club to the Royal Tournament at Earls Court on the e ve ning of July 27 when HRH the Grand Prior was tak ing the salute. Sitting in the ' gods almost exactly oppo si te th e Royal Box , we had a spl e ndid view of all th e e ve nts in th e arena and sat spellbound by the music and c ounte r·- marching of the massed bands of the Royal Marin e s , by the bands from Australia and British Columbia , by the excitem e nt of th e Royal Navy fi e ld gun

(continued on p.23l)

MEMBERS of the Brigade scarcely need reminding these days about the outbreaks of violence, hooliganism and vandalism which regrettably occur in many areas of the country at events such as football matches, pop festivals and political demonstrations. It is inevitable that in undertaking public duties of this kind our members become involved to the extent of dealing with the casualties that occur and some of these casualties can be of a very unpleasant and serious nature. The important fact that must be remembered is that whatever the circumstances we must always be ready to act, and always with complete impartiality, regardless of who the casualty is and how it happened.

Two of the most serious incidents that occurred recently, in August, were at Lewisham and Notting Hill, both areas which are the responsibility of London District.

Lewisham

The Lewisham riots, which took place on August 13, were of an extremely unpleasant nature resulting from a much publicised political demonstration which attracted a group of dissidents from outside the area whose sole motive was to create trouble. The Police were on duty in considerable numbers and their object was to endeavour to keep the various rival factions apart. Since trouble had been anticipated, London District had been alerted by the Police and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and asked to assist. A total of 3 Mobile First Aid Posts (MF AP), each with a Brigade Surgeon in attendance, were deployed together with some 12 ambulances and about 75 personnel. The whole group being under the control of the LAS Mobile Control Centre set up for the purpose.

Running battles

The day developed into a series of running battles of considerable intensity, with the mob attempting to break through the Police cordons. The technique employed by the Commissioner London District was to position parties of stretcher bearers on foot behind the Police cordon; when a casualty occurred the stretcher bearers would go through the cordon, bring out the casualty and carry it to the MF AP for treatment. When necessary the casualty would be transferred to an attendant ambulance for transportation to hospital. As the marchers progressed along their route and fighting continued, the stretcher bearers, MF APs and ambula nces were leap -frogged forward to maintain contact with the Police cordon. There were a considerable number of casualties throughout the whole of the afternoon and these were handled by the stretcher parties and subsequently moved to hospital in LAS or Brigade ambulances, wruchever were most readily available. At

The C-in-C, Major Gen. Desmond Gordon, was at

LEWISHAM & NOTTING HILL

times there was considerable confusion, with smoke bombs, bricks and other missiles flying around, so that sometimes casualties were put into ambulances and sent to hospitals even for minor treatment, since the MF APs were already fully occupied.

The significant features of this eventful day were firstly the high degree of co operation with the LAS, and secondly the fact that all Brigade officers on foot were equipped with radio, as were all the MF APs and ambulances. This radio network, linked to the LAS Control Centre played a vital part and enabled changes of deployment and the calling forward of ambulances to take place with the minimum of delay.

A total of 211 casualties were dealt with by the LAS and the Brigade during 6 hours of continual rioting, although of course our personnel were deployed in the area for ve ry much longer.

Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival took place on Sunday and Monday, August 30 and 3 I and after the experiences of last year the Brigade deployed a total of 6 MFA Ps, 16 ambulances and some 120 personnel; a large number of LAS vehicles were also available and once again a LAS control Centre was established to control the whole operation.

In the event, on both days the Carnival itself took place comparatively peacefully with only a small number of casualties occurring. On the Bank Holiday Monday Police estimated that there were upwards of 250,000 people in the area. It was a lovely day and the processions were good humoured with many people dancing in the streets. The Brigade, under the direction of the LAS, set up a series of MF APs to cover the Carnival route and, unlike at Lewisham , they remained static throughout both days. Unfortunately the Carnival atmosphere turned sour in the evening and the Police had to move in, in increasing numbers, as reports of muggings and stabbings were received on

th e radio network. As darkness fell a series of violent clash e s took place between the various groups which had undoubtedly mov ed in from outside the area with the express purpose of creating trouble, and casualties began to occur among the Police, demonstrators and spectators . Brigade personnel, who had alre ady been on duty for some 8 hours, we re soon involved finding casualties in th e dark and evacuating them to MF APs and ambulance s.

During the two days of this event , Commissioner London District estimates that some 249 minor cases were given treatment in the MF APs and some 90 persons were taken to hospital in Brigade ambulances and a similar number by the LAS

Reasons

The main reasons for publishing this re port are firstly that unfortunate incidents of this sort, involving violence to the Police and th e public, may occur in other areas as well as London, and inde ed they are becoming an all too familiar scene after football matches. The second reason s to pay tribute to all the Brigade personnel who took part in these very demanding duties over ve ry long hours In addition to the MF APs and ambulances from London District , the MF APs from the Ash Vale and Weybridge Divisions of Surrey rend e r ed magnificent service at Lewisham and Notting Hill. Also at Notting Hill we re d e tachments from Hertfordshir e, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire , who cheerfully and willingly did duties over long hours on both days.

It is important that we should learn from these experiences because when we become involved in these violent scenes they call for a high degree of leadership and self-discipline on the part of everyone, besides demanding the ability to carry out first aid treatment under difficult conditions.

Co-operation

I am sure the successful handling of these arduous duties by London District is ve ry largely due to the high degree of co · operation and understanding that has been steadily built up with both the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service and I commend this initiative to all Commissioners in their respective Counties.

Every Officer, Ambulance Member and Nursing Member who took part at either Lewisham or Notting Hill has every right to be proud of what they did under extremely difficult conditions. They proved that as a voluntary organisation we are efficient and adaptable to any set of circumstances and they lived up to our tradition of dealing impartially with everyone, regardless (as we say) of class colour or creed.

, incidents of this sort, involving violence to the police and the pUblic, may occur in other areas as well as London

(Above & b elow eft) At Lewi sham two views of the s ame po iceman belllg led o safety by two SJA members (Below right) At Nolting Hill another

Lnnd,,' in ured pO/I c eman 111 t he hands of St John

Centenary events

Cornwall

The Grand Prior, the Duke of Gloucester, visited St. Michael's Mount on May 26. Accompanied by the County Commissioner, Major General E. M. Hall, he met and chatted to cadets and members, including Divisional Officer M. Tangye, who had just been made a Serving Brother of the Order.

As part of their Silver Jubilee tour of the county, on August 6 the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Falmouth, Truro, the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, Bodmin and St. Austell- our members providing first aid cover along the route and at the Royal Cornwall Showground.

Dorset

Weymouth sand modeller Fred Darrington produced an interesting SJ A centenary display (photo below left) on the beach from sand, sea-water and water colour paint. The display was officially opened on St. John 's Day by the Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr. C. Price, who then presented Mr. Darrington with a book. Photo below (L to R) Mr. P. Cotton, Hon Sec CSO (Cadets) Mrs. 1. Beavan, Mr. Darrington, Div. President Mrs. A. Earle, the Mayor, Diy. Officer J. Cotton, Div. Officer Miss. 1. Lowman, and Nursing Member Mrs. A. Ellis.

SAND DISPLAY

(Left) A SJA centenary display in sand on the beach at Weymouth by sand-modeller Fred Darrington with the Mayor of Weymouth. who opened the display. (Below) Later. Mr. Darrington was presented with a book by the Mayor as a Thanks'. (Photos: Dorset Evening Echo)

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire's county review, the first for some years, was successfully held on the Broad Walk of Christ Church, Oxford, on Sunday July 17.

In spite of holidays and numerous duties, some 850 members attended the parade, making six companies, one for juniors. The new Brigade Colour, recently pr ese nted and dedicated by the Council of the Order of St. John, Oxfords hire, was on parade for the first time.

The review was carried out by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Sir John Thomson K.stJ, and the Bailiff of Egle, Lord Grey of Naunton, in the presence of civic dignitaries and friends of St. John.

During the ceremony Lord Grey presented 28 Long Service Awards, which amounted to a service total of 870 years (one bar for 45 years and 13 Long Service Medals at the other end of the scale).

The review and march past was followed by a service of re dedication in Christchurch Cathedral, at which the Dean preached on the text of the Good Samaritan. Music for the service was provided by the Kidlington (youth) Silver Band, and first aid coyer and Cathedral stewards by the B.R.C.S. After the event tea was served by the WR VS supported by their husbands.

(Above) There was a shower of rain as Oxfordshire Cadets were reviewed by the Lord Lieutenant and the Bailiff of Egle (Right) Oxfordshire s Colour being paraded for the first time with the Banbury Cadet Band complete with mascot. in foreground.

(Photos. Oxford Mail & Times)

Suffolk

(Photo left) Cadet Leader Susan Stearn, 16, was chosen to represent the county's nursing cadets at a reception for 250 guests on board HMS Britannia on July II during the Silver Jubilee visit of the Queen and Prince Philip.

Susan, a Grand Prior's Badge holder and leader of the successful Framlingham nursing cadet team for four years, had the honour of being introduced to Her Majesty.

(Photo above) FramUngham adult and cadet divisions held a centenary service at St. Michael's Church on May 25, during which six nursing cadets (one absent in photo) were presented with their Grand Prior's Badges - making a total of 44 to the Division since it was reformed in 1954.

Among those at the service were the County Commissioner, Lt. Col. and Mrs. P. St. G. Maxwell, and County Supt. Mrs. M. F. B. Bell. (Photos: East Anglian Daily Times)

The Duke of Gloucester. the Grand Prior accompanied by Major-General E. M. Hall Commissioner Cornwall durin g his visit to St Mlchael 's Mount

The Queen. who was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh on their Silver Jubilee tour of Cornwall inspects nursing members. (Photo G. Ellis Bodmin)

Centenary events (cont.)

Surrey

For the fifth time over the last 18 years, S1 A Surrey went to Guernsey for a fortnight's camp. 105 cadets and adults (including a party from Patcham Division, Sussex) met in London to go by train to Weymouth and then by sea (in fine weather) to Guernsey.

From the camp, parties went out every day in a hired minibus to places of interest, including the entire camp to the islands of Herm and Sark.

Over 50 Guernsey cadets came to the camp concert, and on another evening 30 Guernsey nursing members stayed for supper after judging the camp 's fancy dress competition.

A first aid competition was held in the camp field between Guernsey and Surrey teams for the Sarnia Cup (which was specially donated for such occasions). As visitors, Guernsey kindly did not use their Rohais competition winning team, but still they finished first.

Visits were also made to the island's Brigade Transport HQ, and everyone was very impressed

S1A Surrey has for many years offered hospitality to visiting Guernsey competition teams, which accounts for the many visitors to the camp.

One of the highlights of the fortnight was a disco arranged by SJ A Guernsey in their HQ.

Surrey's camping programme hopes for next year include a trip to Luxembourg with the firm of Camptours Ltd.

North Yorkshire

Four hundred Brigade members and friends of the Coastal Area of North Yorkshire were the guests of their Area President the Marchioness of Normanby, when they attended a garden party in the grounds of Mulgrave Castle, near Whitby, on Sunday August 7.

After viewing the gardens the guests were entertained to tea in a large marquee to the accompaniment of a local R.A.F. Association band. After a demonstration by a local sword dance group, the Area

Commissioner, Mr. J. D. Morley, thanked Lady Normanby for her hospitality and presented her with a small inscribed silver dish as a souvenir of the occasion.

To complete the afternoon cadets took part in some organised games, which included 'throwing the welly', the winning team receiving sticks of St. John seaside rock which has been on sale in North Yorkshire during the centenary year.

on being a competition mum

by THElMA M. PARKER

And then they had finished. Nothing to do now but have lunch and wait for the results.

At last it was time and we took our seats ready for the priz e giving.

With the winter training season just beginning, take note of the Surgeon-in-Chief's comments on First, of course, the speeches and the thanks to the judges and all those responsible for the successful day.

BRIGADE FINALS 1977

r CHECKED for the th ird time that the gas taps were turned off and that fiv e packed lunches were ready on the table.

r glanced at my son. 'Are you sure you've got everything?' r said. 'Tie, beret , belt.

What about the cloths brush and duster?

Oh, and don't forget your comb.'

His face had a look of patient resignation.

'Don't worry,' he said, 'I've got everything.'

At last we were ready and piled into the car for the short drive to HQ. As we turned the corner I could see the coach waiting.

I do hope we're not last, I said. 'Why not,' replied the children, 'We usually are!'

As it happened we weren't. Another family with their son, his uniform on a hanger covered with the inevitable plastic bag, was just arriving.

It was still only 6.45am. The date July 9.

The day of the National Finals.

As we got into the coach I looked around at the team. They all seemed a bit tense.

What an ordeal for them, I thought. Easy for us. the supporters.

This was the culmination for them of months of training. Of coping with homework and 0' levels, of rushing home from school to study, then going to competition practice and returning home to work again until bedtime

They had started the first round of competitions in February and now, at last, they had made it for the second time in three years to the Finals.

My son had brought along the cards and messages of goodwill, sent to them from so many kind and thoughtful people. Even our President, Lady Whitmore busy as she was organising a St. John garden party that day, had found time to send them a telegram of

good luck.

And so we arrived at Croydon. The team went ofT to the isolation room and we were left with a feeling of tense anticipation to enjoy our day.

There is something very special about the atmosphere of the Finals. Meeting old friends, seeing the people who have come from overseas looking so smart in their white uniforms. And how nice to see teams from Northern Ireland.

So many people from so many walks of life and from so many different places. But all with one common purpose; the furtherance of the aims of St. John, and wearing with pride their white cross.

We watched the different competitors and I wondered at the competence and calmness of the teams who worked so effectively, always aware of the relentless passing of the minutes.

Then at last it was time for our cadet team. The set was given a final check. I closed my eyes and said a quick prayer. I wanted to say, 'Please God, let them win', but it hardly seemed fair to the other teams who had worked so hard. So I just said, 'Please let them do their best '.

We willed them to find the fracture, to phone for the ambulance, and fretted when they didn't do everything as quickly as we thought they should have done. Easy for us just watching and having seen it done several times already.

Then the quick dash down to see the individuals. How well it was organised. A hush fell on the room as the competitors filed in and read their cards. Then the signal was given and 'Lie still, I'm a first -aider' was heard as they went into action

We sat with our programme ready and pen poised. I looked at my husband. All our married life, before going onto Area Staff, he had trained cadets for competitions. Many of the adult members of Grays Division, including two of its officers, are his ex· cadets. Now he has watched his own son lead a team in the Finals.

The speeches were over and now finally, the results. There was a hard , tight feeling in my stomach and my throat felt dry. Until the last mark was given they were second, but the last team beat them by four marks. They had come third and, in addition, had won the cup for the highest Individuals. We were delighted and very proud.

The presentation of the trophies gave us all a chance to let off steam. We clapped and cheered as the teams marched onto the platform. What a moment for them all to remember, and how well deserved. The cadets, I thought, marched particularly well. So back to the coach and more congratulations as the trophies were passed round.

Then a close inspection of the marking sheets and the inevitable 'Well I definitely said that and he hasn't given me a mark for it' was heard.

Someone at the back of the coach started to sing and everyone joined in. The atmosphere now was happy and relaxed, the tensions of the morning forgotten. We arrived home in high spirits, tired but excited, and ready to go through it all again next year.

TH E following is a summary of what the Brigade Surgeon in Chief, Dr. J. Claverhouse Graham, said prior to the prize giving at the Brigade Finals in 1 uly.

'The very fact that teams have entered the Brigade Finals first aid and nursing competitions shows a keenness that is admirable; it is no easy task to appear before a host of spectators and render appropriate first aid or nonetheless I must say unequivocally that the standard of first aid shown, although in some cases quite good, still could be noticeably improved. What did strike me forcibly, and indeed the majority of my judges, was that the care and handling of patients leaves much to be desired; more training IS needed in the use of padding material when supporting injured limbs with splints and bandages.

Comments in respect of Team Tests are:

Ambulance: Dewar Shield

Priorities were well established but many teams failed to diagnose the head injury.

Nursing: Perrott Shield

The first aid displayed was quite good but a dislocated shoulder was sometimes e rmed 'fractured'.

Ambulance Cadets: White Knox Cup

The cadet teams did quite well but were slow to give priority to that casualty with a heart attack, and thereafter inclined to move that casualty overmuch.

Nursing Cadets: Dunbar Nasmith Cup

In this tes t cadets had predetermined prionties in some cases and failed to cond uct a rea l examination of the patient; it is insufficient just to go through the motions. from Nelson Lancashire, at a

First Aid: Individual Tests

Adults

Questions addressed to casualties took on the pace of a race track commentary at times - the treatment of an overdose of insulin was incorrect inasmuch as insufficient sugar was given to the casualty.

One competitor obtained a marking maximum!

Cadets

In a test involving a smoke filled night watchman's hut several competitors failed to remove the casualty from th e scene of the danger. The rates of artificial respiration varied from 8 - 28 per minute.

Nursing: Individual Tests

Adults

The lack of care in handling patients was noticeable and more thought might have been given to the safety both of the patient and the competitor.

Cadets

The standard of competitors was high and some were excellent. Competitors established an easy rapport with the patient but not so easy with the the youngsters tended in cases of an unwilling assistant to appear officious. Manual dexterity for tasks required on the whole was very good.

In general I think many faults of omis ion may have been occasioned by nervousness and I would like to say to all competitors 'well done'.

I also must give a vote of thanks to the splendid people of Casualties Union who throughout a long and tiring day gave excellent performances.'

Our team (Grays Ambulance Cadets) Back row. Robert Price (reserve). Cpl Keith Connor, Stephen Brooks. Front: Sgt Nigel Parker (leader) and Andrew Basker (Photo. Thurrock Gazette)

ON THE SPOT

The protection of St. John Ambulance members who volunteer to give first aid cover at public demonstrations (as they do at so many other public events, of course) has been highlighted by national press coverage of street violence in London and Birmingham. This is a delicate, many sided problem which has arisen in England only as a result of very recent developments in small sections of our national way of life, and as would be expected members are concerned about how they should or should not protect themselves in violent civil situations (see Readers Views).

With an unerring instinct for being on the scene where controversial issues could develop - as of course he should be as the man who heads the Brigade - our C -in 'C was with the Brigade units at Lewisham and Notting Hill (his report is on page 222), not only as an observer but bandaging casualties at a first aid post and acting as a stretcher bearer.

I simply want to point out that he has been actively involved in the situations which have produced questions about SJ A's future policy. His decisions are based on first -hand experience.

AVON'S ROYAL DAY

Eight visiting Brigade members from Malta were given VIP seats at Weston -s uper -Mare during the Queen's jubilee visit to the Avon area.

The Maltese party, guests of St. John Ambulance personnel in A von, saw the Queen and Prince Philip take a close interest in Brigade displays of bedmaking, transport of patients, resuscitation and a first -aid

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

treatment following a mock cycle accident - while real life situations were being dealt with by about 200 Brigade members on duty throughout the county.

In Bath, 31 casualties were treated, while in Weston -s uper ·Mare 11 first ·aid posts were set up, backed by 8 ambulances. A total of 123 personnel from Avon and Somerset, including 44 Red Cross members, coped with 108 casualties from a crowd of 250,000, most of which were minor with only six needing hospital treatment.

Throughout th e day the Queen and Prince Philip were accompanied by Sir John Wills the Lord Lieutenant of A von, and Lady Jan e Wills, St. John Ambulance country president.

SIGNED 'ANNE'

The following tel eg ram was sent from the Gate to the Priory in New Zealand during August:

'Grateful you convey to cadets at Wanganui the following telegram from the Princess Anne "As your Commandant in

Chief I send to you all my warmest greetings on the occasion of your Golden Jubilee Cadet Camp. Your progress since 1927 when the first cadet Division in New Zealand was formed at Wanganui must be a source of great pride to all members of the Brigade. I offer you my heartiest congratulations on your great achievements over the last fifty years and send to each one of you my best wishes for your success in the future." Signed "ANNE".'

BIG PARADE

I hear that Greater Manchester N.W. Area Superintendent (N) Miss Irene Redford took th e salute at Wigan's St. George's Day parade when 4,000 Guides, Scouts, Cubs and Brownies marched past.

CAMP LIFE

Linda Mace, an NCO with Mildenhall Division, gives her version of SJA Suffolk's cadet camp at Glenham Hall during August: 'It rained most of Saturday, so I stayed inside the tent with the other four girls from

WITH OUR CADETS

During the Queen's jubilee visit to

Marie Hawkins (Photos: Bristol Evening Post). See story AVON 's ROYAL DAY

BY THE EDITOR

MIND BENDERS

Find the first aid word or words in th e clue. The number of letters in the answer is given.

I. Confused bal with two singles, requires a leg glance (5).

2. There's fur around Emma (5).

3. Some of the bicarb is taken in by a relation (9).

4. The treatment is adrift (5.3).

Answers: Upside down - arc at the bottom of page 230. No cheating.

Mildenhall. Just before tea at 6pm, a meeting was held in the large dinner tent to tell us about activities and who everyone was. All our tents were named after countries where S1. John is based; ours was 'Holland'.

'Breakfas t was at 8am, dinner at 1pm, and tea at 6pm. At 9.15 there was 'flag', when messag es and the code of chivalry were read out, and post was given out. After 'flag' there was a tent inspection, marks going toward a cup.

'At 11 am the courses started - camping, cooking, map reading and natural history. Each tent had chores to do such as 1) health, making sure that toilet areas were clean, etc, 2) spuds, 3) washing up , 4) orderlies, clearing up camp site.

'There was a tuck shop and a souvenir shop. On Thursday afternoon we all went on a trip to RAF Woodbridge, and on Friday evening th ere was a concert and presentations, at which tent 'Hong Kong' won the entertainment cup and 'Scotland' the tent tidiness cup. Patrick Hunt, from Mildenhall Division, was in this tent with Nigel Scarlott and William Little.

On Wednesday Colonel Maxwell and Mr. Bell came to inspect the camp and stayed to lunch, and in the afternoon parents were allowed to visit from 2 to 8.30pm.

'I would've liked more activities going on , because we had a bit too much free time. Also to be allowed out later than 8.30pm, if there was a group of us. Apart from that I enjoyed myself and am grateful to Mrs. Scarlott and Mr. Coleman for having taken the trouble to organise the camp with the help of other officers. Also thanks to Roger

As With all diVISions at coas tal resorts, SJA Poole/Parkstone is heavily committed during the summer months Last year they treated 1600 patients So they've now opened a new beach first iJid post here's the Mayor of Poole , Cllr John Norman, the Mayoress County Supt. Mrs. Joyce Horsey , and members at the official opening. (Photo: Times Herald New spapers, Poole)

You re never too old 80-year-old Mrs. F. Sharp, of Hendo n, gleefully shows her SJ certificate after completing her first FA course with flying colours. DeSCribed by the examiner as 'a wonderful example to us all, Mrs Sharp's course was organised by Div. Sup!. Mrs. Sylvia Evans, of Hendon Combined Division (Photo Peter Beal, NW11)

Cadets from five Derbyshire DivisionsStanton, llk es ton , and Chaddesdon and Spondon - stopped at SJ A Desborough (above) for a breather and a night's stay during their 100 -m il e stretcher - carrying marathon in August. They had left Derby at 7.30 that morning. with the D ep uty Mayor seeing them off with messages for the C -in -C and the Chief Commander, and covered 50 miles (averaging 6 mph) that day. BBC Radio D e rby broadcast reports of their progress, which produc ed much car·hooting and waving along th e route - as well as money tossed into the stretcher (a lightweight model loaned by F. W. Equipment of Bradford).

S] A D es borough, as well as putting them up for th e night , laid on a disco for the cadets

while th e officers on the big walk bathed their sore feet.

The next day , Sunday, was very hot and the pace slackened, covering 30 miles. In St. Albans, the waIkers attended a man in an epile ptic fit before going on to Hatfield Combined Division's HQ where they stayed th e second night (with another disco)

A 9am start on th e Monday completed the 100 miles - one mile for every year of SJ A - by 2.15, when they arrived at St. John's Gate to be met by Col. H A. Lewis, Commander London District.

It was a great centenary effort by the cadets - with much encouragement from public and SJ A divisions along the route. Thanks, everyone.

the cook - without him we would've gone hungry.'

So there you are, SJ A camp organisersperhaps some thoughts for 1978.

WEEKEND

51 cadets and 8 adult members of SJ A Northumbria arrived at Kirkley Hall Farm on Friday, August 12, for a training weekend which began at 8pm when County Commander R. L. Bellwood gave a talk abou t SJ A and the Order.

After breakfast the next morning, the cadets were formed into two groups for proficiency training. This covered accident prevention and animal care, so at 1.30 the cadets were shown around the farm by one of the stafT. Then followed a football match, with sixteen cadets on each side, and a disco in the evening.

Sunday began with a short church service in the main hall, followed by examination of proficiency subjects. At midday the weekenders were joined by Lady Victoria

HANTS:

Cuthbert, President Nursing Members, County Commissioner Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Smith, County Supt. Miss M Jackson , and President cadets Mrs. M. C. Baker. After lunch the Airwing film was shown and Mr. Smith answered questions on the subject, as he and his wife are pilots with the Airwing for this area. Profici ency certificates were presen ted by Lady Victoria, and Mr. Smith closed the weekend of training by thanking everyone for making the venture so successful.

CHEERS

SJA's hard -working Visual Aids Committee - they sit through all those films and slide programmes to report on their value to our organisation - met late July at HQ to give a visual and tasty appreciation to their recently retired chairman, Mr. F. G. Thomas: a decanter and a bottle of the 'foine old stuff to put into it. Cheers, sir! The committee's new chairman is Philip Newman, CBE, DSO, MC, FRCS, who will be looked after with equal elan, we're sure.

ST JOH N-I N-ACTION PHOTO COMPETITION

The closing date for entries to arrive at Headquarters has been extended to October 26.

FOR TH E DIARY

Surrey's Mole Valley SJ A is holding a centenary year first aid competition, open to pairs (holders of first aid certificates), on Saturday Dec. 6, at Dorking. For further details send a SAE to Miss J. Bent, 3 Glenfield Road , Brockham, Bletchworth , Surrey

WALL CHARTS

The Seton Group, Tubiton House, Medlock Street, Oldham OLl 3HS, is distributing free of charge three coloured wall charts: Tubigrip - size 30ins. x 20ins.; Techniques with Seton Tubular Bandages - Size 20ins. x 30ins.; and Setonet - size 24ins. x 35ins. The posters are well designed, in good colour and will make an attractive embellishment to any training area.

MIND BENDERS (answers)

(Left) Off to campl 22 Reading cadets. who were later joined by another 5 1 cadets and 17 officers and adults from Berkshire. about to depart for their cam p at Hort on on the Gower Peninsular, Wales. (Photo: Reading Evening Po st)

competItIOn, the hair -raising display by the Royal Signals motor cyclists, the fascinating musical drive of the King's Troop Royal Artillery, the mounted competitions and the RAF police dogs, the re -creation of the heroic storming of the mole at Zeebruggeand of course the Grand Finale.

But for us, a specially proud moment in an evening to be long remembered came when, half way through th e programme, th e announcer paid a moving tribute to the members of St. John Ambulance who had annually performed voluntary first aid duties a t every matinee and evening performance of the Royal Tournament for the greater part of a cen tur y, and then introduced an unscheduled item on the programme - the Southwark SUA Corps of Drums with bugle and glockenspiel accompaniment. The backdrop lifted and in they came, smart in their uniforms and bearing, perfect in the precision of their marching and counter marching, and filling - yes, jilling - the Earls Court arena with th e sound of their faultless playing. One felt they must have had some nerve to take the stage after the massed bands of the Royal Marines; but in their own very different field they put up a really first class performance which was a credit to St. John; they had the very great wisdom to keep it short and, while the audience would still have gladly heard them a little longer, marched off to a resounding burst of well deserved applause.

March pasts

r suppose it's undeniable that the best way to enhance the public image of St. John is by the high quality of our prompt, efficient and compassionate first aid rendered freely and selflessly to all who are in need, totally irrespective of whether or not we know them, like th em, or sympathise with the motives that caused them to sutTer illness or injury, and by maintaining our high reputation for treating each fellow human in distress as an individual 'person' and not as a 'case'.

I should be th e very last to challenge the truth of that view, but I think you'll agree that by the very self-effacement of our ministrations we tend to become 'invisible' like th e postman in one of Chesterton's Father Brown stories - or, to put it another way, that the public would only become aware of us if we ceased to be th ere.

But there are, from time to time, other and more formal occasions when we are very much in the public eye and quite definitely no! invisible - paradoxically, perhaps, because on these occasions we are not doing first aid but taking part in some kind of ceremonial with which we may be unfamiliar and for which we have received very little training. At thes e times we need to be very acutely conscious of our public image because, for once, the public is really looking

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.221)

at us and judging us by whether or not we present the smart appearance that th ey hav e come to expect of a uniformed body taking part in public ceremonial. 1 have in mind especially County and Area R eviews. Church Parades and March Pasts.

During our centenary year we have not only been more heavily involved than usual in public duties resu lting from Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee, but have also taken part in a far higher proportion of ceremonial occa ions. In many of these the smart turn out. bearing and marching of Brigade members has been highly commended by those best qualified to judge, and this has always been a joy and pride to hear. But th ere have also, alas, been far too many times when maybe through embarrassment, lack of training, or sheer ignorance of what is involved - th e poor standard of our marching and drill and the slovenliness of our bearing has presented an image of St. John which is very far short of what we would wish the public to receive, and thi s can change in a brief half-hour of 'vis ibili ty' the good image that we have built up through countless hours of sterling ervice during our periods of'invisibility'.

Let's face it, we are not a para -military organisation, and we only learn the necessary minimum of military drill to enable us to move smartly and efficiently on the fairly rare occasions when we assemble in large bodies. On such occasions it's almost always quite unnecessary to hold a march past, yet many of our members seem to regard a march past as essential. But if we are going to have a march past we really must make it absolutely first class and that inv olves not merely practice but the quality of leadership which will make all th e members on parade really want to make an outstanding success of an admittedly unfamiliar job. If they're not prepared to do that, then better no march past at all. Apart from the now dwindling proportion of our

(mainly ambulance) personnel who have had past experience of drill in th e Services, our smar tes t marchers are very often the adult nursing members, while our shoddiest tend to be the ambulance cadets - perhaps because they're at an age when they feel embarrassed by the apparent absurdity of dOIng some thing which seems exaggerated as well as unfamiliar. But once we've got their good will, a couple of half-hours on the 'barrack square' can produce a miracle of transformation.

There are three essentials which must be present if a march past is to be aHem pted: (I) Good hard level ground to march on, and certainly not grass. (2) A really good band (not recorded music piped into a loudspeaker) which, after leading the column past th e saluting base, will wheel and halt and continue playing close to the saluting base until th e whole of the column has passed. (3) A body of marchers who are reasonably uniform in stature and length of pace - ie to put it bluntly, excluding St. John Junior s and the smallest cadets. To attempt a march past in which these essentials are absent is to present ourselves with a situa tion which might challenge the expertise of th e Brigade of Guards!

Assuming that the march past is 'on', the following very simple rules should be drilled into the marchers during their two half-hours of practice (and it needn't take longer than that):

1. Feel the strong 'beat' of the band all the time, and keep your left foot in step with it.

2. Hold your shoulders back, your head up, and both your chin and your tummy well in.

3. Swing your arms from the shoulders (ie without bending the elbows) straight in front of you (ie not across the body), and keep pushing th e arms forward really hard - never mind about swinging them back; they'll do that of themselves.

4. When you get th e command 'Eyes right' (or left), turn your head and eyes smartly to th e right (or left) and keep them fixed in that position until you get the command 'Eyes front'.

5. Look th e Inspec ting Officer straight in the eye when passing.

6. Try to look happy and not as though you were in acute pain (even if you are!).

7_ Try to feel proud of being really smart (including uniform and hair, as well as gene ral bearing), and show it.

If we can do that during our rare moments of 'visibility' we shall earn admiration and great respect. If we can't, then we'd much better not attempt ceremonial marching at all - and remember that I did start by saying that march pasts are very seldom really necessary!

: Kimroy Photos Alton)

(Above) Over 50 cadets of Northumbria who recently went on a training weekend which included a tour of a farm. as subjects covered were accident prevention and animal

'THERE WILL be a new committee,' said my boss one morning as he dashed into the office. 'It shall consist of people such as yourself, Robin, Liz and Tony.' I expected him, like Moses, to throw the tablets on my desk - he'd obviously been thinking, if not actually upon a mountain. 'We must do letters asking them to a meeting here at HQ.' The gist of the letter was that a young members' advisory committee 'should be formed. Dr. Ryan, County Commissioner, would attend a meeting and make a few introductory remarks, after which he would expect us to elect a chairman, approve or change the name of the committee and evolve plans for the interests, recruitment, development and progress of young members in Oxfordshire, with particular emphasis on the 15 to 20 year olds. The committee was to be provided with funds to be used as we saw fit; we could hire and fire as the occasion demanded; and we would be answerable only to him.

We have since made use of these funds rather lavishly; we have hired but not fired; and so far we have not had to answer to the Commissioner.

First meeting

Invited to attend that first meeting were Liz Stewart, Robin Bosher, Lewis Beadle, Ian Simpson, David Tee, Tony Maisey and 1.* All accepted and arrived, with some doubts, at HQ in answer to the summons of our leader. So it was that last year the Enterprise Unit of SJA Oxfordshire was launched in an attempt to provide a more comfortable passage over the stormy waters often encountered by teenagers on leaving cadet divisions to join adult divisions. From being one week a king-pin of the cadet division, having reached the top of the tree, to the next week being practically a nonentity in an adult division and at the bottom again. One week involved in night walks, camps and adventure training, the next in an adult division in which any concept of adventure training is probably foreign.

Agreement

Once the Commissioner had left us, and after telling ourselves that it would never work, we in turn interpreted our idea of what the Commissioner expected of us and found that, basically, we were in agreement. We then looked up Brigade General Regulations II Brigade Objects and Membership, 8a St. John Ambulance Cadets e) 'to encourage among young people a full and enterprising use of leisure by proyiding all the facilities of a National Youth Organisation f) to lay the foundation for membership of the Ambulance and Nursing divisions of the

*We have since been joined by Carol Epton, Greg Lowe and Charles Haynes.

ENTERPRISE UNIT

by SALLY HARDACRE, Hon. Sec.

Its aim: To retain the interest of 15 to 20 year olds in the Brigade and to produce future leaders

Brigade.' Exactly what the Commissioner req uired of us. N ow we could begin.

First it was thought that we should try to achieve some kind of rapport with our subjects and so avoid a 'them' and 'us' situation. So we decided to be known by our Christian names. Actually, we all preferred this approach - and possibly this was one of the reasons for our being asked to take part in the experiment. We also decided to be known as the Enterprise Unit. From time to time attempts have been made by members to produce a badge for our anoraks or rucksacs and at present we are investigating the possibility of badges being produced. We also agreed that there should be no chairman, secretary or treasurer. But as information had to be passed to members, it was agreed that as I had access to a typewriter I should become Hon. Sec. A simple 'petty cash' type of account is kept, two of three signatures being required before money may be withdrawn. We hoped that all along the line, from planning to the end of the expedition or exercise, informality would be total.

Write to

We asked the Commissioner, and he agreed, to write to divisional superintendents asking for the names and addresses of a boy and a girl from combined divisions, and the name and address of a boy or girl from other divisions. In some cases the response was slow but several superintendents expressed their approval of the scheme with their reply to the Commissioner. Now, however, our activities are becoming known and we have a representative in almost every division. Those whose names have been given to us

We had arranged for a local Folk Group Lo come along to the Scout Hut for the evening, and everyone - Enterprise Unit members, Scouts and Bishops Waltham members - thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

We are very grateful to Mike Willis, of the Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, to Arthur Ferris, of the Ambulance Training School, and to memb ers of the Bishops Waltham Divi s ion for their he lp and kindness over the weekend.

At a post mortem of our first activity, two points were obvious: the need for our own transport and camping eq uipment. We investigated the possibilities of acquiring our own vehicle but at pr esen this is beyond our means. But we are keeping this very much in mind and hope to obtain a minibus, perhaps next year.

Teenagers' duties

were invited to a meeting at HQ to say what part, if any, they saw themselves taking in the scheme. The response was not as good as we had hoped - only 9 divisions being represented. The ideas were many and varied, most of them having been gleaned from conversations within divisions. Some wanted to provide motor cycle escorts and/or delivery of kidneys. Others saw themselves effecting cliff top rescues. But all wanted camping to be part of the programme.

Nucleus

Having been told what was expected of us, we set about our task by arranging at short notice a weekend camping/training exercise at the Bishops Waltham Ambulance Training School, which 18 members attended. The majority of these were to become the nucleus of our future activities.

A coach was hired and after frantic efforts, much charm, cheek and flattery we managed to obtain the use of camping equipment and in a flurry of disorganisation we left County HQ one Friday evening in September. Members attended a brieting session the next morning and by lunchtime were making rescues from the sewers and delapidated buildings that are part of the school's training area. Members of the local SJA division joined us in these activities as well as acting as 'casualties'. Next we moved on to the 'c rashed cars' section, where we learned how to extract casualties from inside as well as from under cars, together with the use of the spinal board. Hot showers were followed by supper, when we saw Paul's trousers drying alongside the baking apple crumble!

Not having our own camping eq uipment , we become increasingly agitated as the time for departure to camp approaches and we have still not been able to borrow enough dixies or whatever. Even worse is the panic when we learn that firm promises of equipment have been broken - perhaps within 12 hours of camp! So our departures from HQ are usually traumatic and we reckon we average three new white hairs per event.

Our next activity was an attempt at the Lyke Wake Walk , a 40 mile journey in November across the North Yorkshire moors to be completed in 24 hours. We failed at this, but our members enjoyed the experience. Som e of our walkers now know what it feels like to reach the point of exhaustion after a long day on the Fells. We also learned like th e Scouts, to grin and bear it when our ten ts were blown down, and in two cases ripp ed during a howling November gale. After this expedition it was unanimously decided that no matter what the cost, Liz and must be sent on a cookery course!

Having recovered from the November expedition, our next venture was a weekend of hospital work. Groups of four members worked 'shifts' at two cottage hospitals, a maternity unit and an old people's home, and we also visited a psychiatric unit. Although it was a busy and tiring weekend, members were wildly e nthusiastic about it all and the insight they gained into nursing problems was immense. The exercise began with lectures on th e Friday evening, practical work during the Saturday, and ended with lectures on the Sunday morning. Members clamoured for a repeat, so we are arranging a similar exercise this October.

Accommodation for the weekend, in the Princes Risborough Youth Centre, was of the type we usually resort to in an effort to keep down costs. We took sleeping bags and slept on the floor, making use of the Centre's washing and cooking facilities.

Enterprise Unit (cont.)

The joint Enterprise Unit/Youth Centre disco throbbed on until almost midnight. while we 'oldies' swapped yarns and made more noise, so we were told, than those at the disco.

Last February we held our first conference, with over 50 members applying for a place. It emerged that they wished events to continue as previously, with adventure ·type training predominating. They also asked that the number of such events be increased. This we felt was financially, as well as physically, impossible from our point of view. Their willingness to be 'organised' surprised us, but this, we felt, was because initially their imagination had been fired. It was agreed that a charge of about £3 was their limit for a weekend. This was especially so in the case of younger members, whose parents are often quite strict about allowances. Some of the members still at school have Saturday jobs, not as an addition to pocket money, but for buying their own clothes.

Knowing that Enterprise Unit members want to meet members from other divisions and areas, and also members of other youth organisations, we try to invite a local Scout Group or Youth Club as well as other SJA divisions to our events. Through an Association committee member we have a contact with the police so we invited police cadets to a disco we held last June, and we are hoping that a boy and a girl police cadet will be able to join us at an exercise planned for August.

At the end of July we attended a Police Family Day at the Police County Training College, Sulhamstead, near Reading. We camped in the college grounds over the weekend and gave a demonstration of basic St. John Ambulance skills during the afternoon of the open day. Berkshire's Theale Division joined in the demonstration by kindly providing the transport.

Our August event centres around an incident during which long term nursing will be practised. We have arranged with Radio Oxford to issue a 'call·out' to members of the Enterprise Unit concerned with Operation Vulcan. If the Police are able to send along the two young people invited, the experience should be interesting as well as authentic.

Looking to the future, in October we are making plans for a joint Fell Rescue/Enterprise Unit exercise in my beloved Yorkshire Dales, as well as another 'hospital' weekend as previously mentioned. We are at present corresponding with the West Yorkshire Police in the hope of fixing a date. Our plan is to stay at a youth hostel

and hold the exerci e on the Saturday, to be followed by a post mortem on the Sunday morning.

November should see our second conference at which we hope to plan our 1978 programme and during the afternoon hold a fund raising event. We have been given permission to use London District Western Area 's Ealing HQ in December, when we hope to visit Guy's Hospital and take in a show. We are most grateful to Ealing for their help.

Very ambitiously, we are trying to arrange a visit to Paris over the Easter holiday in 1978. The cost of such a visit has almost stunned us but, undaunted. we are still trying. If we reach Paris we shall visit the Hopital Mondor, as well as the better known tourist traps of the city! The way things are at the moment it is likely that the Enterprise Unit will break new ground by actually using a prison as accommodation negotiations are in hand!

We have been amazed at the kindness, interest and helpfulness shown whenever we have asked for help We have never received a 'no' - indeed most people and organisations have responded with far more time and effort than we would dream of asking for. Without such help and interest our task would be well nigh impossible - if only from a financial point of view - and

we are mo t grateful to the numerous people who have helped. We feel that this generosity is probably a tok en of the esteem in which St. John Ambulance is held by the public and a pointer to th e fact that people are always prepared to help a venture that benefits teenagers.

When Mr. Watkin Williams asked me to write this article for the Review we were more than a little alarmed about exposing our ideas. Discipline in the Enterprise Unit, apart from self discipline, is nil. We decided, rightly or wrongly, that members should be tr ea ted as adults and fr iends - one doesn't discipline one's friends. We have not as yet had any problems on this point. (Well, to be honest, we had one, which we all found gloriously funny). And we don't expect any. It' s all very amicable - we tell them what to do and they ignore us!

If you have a similar scheme in your County we'd be pleased to hear how you are tackling your problems and to receiv e any advice you may be able to offer. Perhaps we could even arrange a joi nt exercise?

The Enterprise Unit of Oxfordshire is · proving to be quite a costly experiment. But if measured in terms of enjoyment, it is a huge success. Whether it will help to prevent the lo ss of younger members and produce Brigade leaders for the future - remains, excitedly, to be proved.

GETTING TOGETHER

At Mytchett '77

THE THIRD International Training Convention, held at Mytchett during August, was this year truly international as 14 countries were represented. For the first time an invitation was sent to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John - our counterparts of the Catholic faith _ and they responded with great en thusiasm, sending delegates from Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Eire.

The Republic of Ireland was also represented by a number of Brigad e members, a memorable occasion as active contact with our mem bers 'south of the border' has been lost for some years. They were joined by a party from Northern Ireland.

It is not easy to devise a programme which will satisfy th e needs of a large number of people from many countries. Some prefer longer and more profound studies, while others wish to take advantage of the opportunity of seeing as much as possible of the host country. This year's programme of first aid, visits to places of interest and social occasions was quite extensive, and at the end 186 tired but happy young delegates went their various ways. There is no doubt that thi was a highly successful get together, with many new friends made and a number of reciprocal visits planned.

QUICKIE

X-WORD (1

Compiled by Kenneth F Townsend

ACROSS:

I and 4. St. John activities (6.6). 7. Ambulances provide il (9). 9. She has our Queen at heart! (4). 10. Use ensures clean handling (4). 11. A 'loverJy' pump! (5). 13. Orten make skIlrul 'figures of eight' (6).

14. It' s a giggle! (6).

15. One does for th e' Review' subscription! (6). 17. With thes e one doesn't have to look at a blank wall (6).

19. A 'noater' making 'loops'! (5).

20. Cut to cover cuts (4).

22. Climb up one's tibia (4).

23. Has no engagemen t ring? (9).

24. Little more than a Rally! (6).

25. Resolve to do bell er next time (6).

I. You couldn't stand thiS being broken (6).

2. Spent in Italy (4).

3. For lone paddlers perhaps (6).

Conduct onesc1r(well in St. John!) (6).

Dartmoor's high spots (4).

A very bad state to get in (6).

Dealing with injuries (9).

Indicates

Not being 'Observant'! (6).

She's Mum to you! (6).

lB. Maybe one of Shakespeare's poems (6).

21. Swiss hero and patriot, so they say, Wliham by name (4).

22. X ray ora rractur e? (4).

Cabaret time Young from Cyprus ill a SWinging mood

(Above) UK ·s Rosemary Little flanked by Gen Gordon (right) and his deputy Gen Leuchars. and from Western Australia. Keith Tritton and Ian Jac()bs

(Below) Miss Joy Ash and Mrs Sayers (right) of the Instructing staff, With Merseyside D O McBride. three members from Cyprus and MISS Toh from Singapore

From SWitzerland. Sabllle von VIVIS Marie There se von Merey and Bernard von Wurstemberger

Tiw III C Major Gel! Desmond Gordon. wllh Miss Mara Asprou of Cyprus (the dancing gal - lehl. and two divisional officers from Singapore

(Above) The group of Sovereign Military Order members from Eire Brigade members from Eire also came to Mytchett thiS year

(Above) Gen. Gordon tries out hiS French with the SMOM girls from Luxembourg

from Thos. H. Hollingworth

On Sunday August 21, members of the Newark Divisions and their families visited Egle Church.

The Vicar of Egle, the Rev. E. G. Close, SBSU and a sub chaplain of the Order, met the party and gave a talk on the Church and its importance in and to the Order.

Visitors enter the churchyard through the Memorial Arch, a memorial to the Fallen of the Great war.

The arch, decorated with small crosses of the Order, and th e two supporting pillars, with a statue of a Knight Templar on one and a Knight of St. John on the other, make a befitting entrance to the churchyard. It is deplorable that once again the vandals have damaged one of the statues, spoiling the beauty of the arch. At the end of the tree lined drive one finds the small church nes .1ing in the Lincolnshire wolds. According to history at least three churches have stood on the site occupied by the present one, and of these only the tower, which has been repaired, remains. The main body of the church was pulled down at the beginning of the century, and rebuilt between 1903 and 1904 by the Order.

One of the first things which catches the eye is the Cross of th e Order on the end of the roof, and a second cross arouses one's curiosity. The Rev Close explained that this second cross was the coal of arms of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, and consists of one large cross with four smaller ones inside it, the five crosses depicting the five wounds of Christ.

Inside the church, which is used by the Order for special Services and here the Banner of the late Bailiff of Egle is laid up for safe keeping, is a beautiful pulpit. The pulpit, with its intricate carvings, is the work of a master craftsman. It has a large Cross of the Order decorating the front and smaller crosses surrounding it. The various shields on the walls are a reminder that the Order is a religious foundation, and it was here, if not actually within these walls, that th e knights met. We are also reminded by these shields that the Order was also one of the bulwarks of Christianity in the Crusades.

Although the Newark Divisions are not many miles away from the village of Egle, only one member present had ever visited the church, and that was when the Newark Ambulance Division held an annual field day there before the Second World War. Before leaving the members signed the visitors' book, and everyone expressed their pleasure at being allowed the privilige the church, especially as the Vicar had literally risen from hiS Sickbed to meet the party.

I am sure I speak for all members of our party when I say that during our visit there was a feeling which cannot be put into wordsa sense of being part of a wonderful organisation, started nearly a thousand years ago, and its work of tending the sick and suffering still going on; a sense of rededicating ourselves to the ,:"ork we do ] am sure that any Division that makes the effort to VISit thiS church. wlll come away with a new spirit of venture, having trod where the KnIghts of St. John had gone and having communed with them in spirit. Newark Thos. H. Hollingworth

THE ANSWER - INTER-LINK from A. J. Collington, Divisional Superintendent

How nice to see that SJ A Derbyshire is leading the way yet again! I refer to the subject of InterLink (August Review).

Since our County Conference last year we have been working towards an active inter -Link system in the County. This is under the direction of CiSlO Mr. D. Myers, who is an Australian Staff Officer on an exchange visit to Britain.

So far six divisions are actively involved in the scheme - five In the South Area, the other in Matlock - and problems seem to be those usually associatect" with new ideas. We are slowly persuading divisional supe rintendents that the scheme will enrich their divisional programmes, provide further activities for their older members and

READERS VIEWS

Readers views and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor. although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation Although readers may sign published letters with a pen -na me , writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

thereby keep th ese people within th e Brigade as valuable members of their divisions.

The scheme, which is now off the ground in Derbyshire, is obviously an important one which could provide th e answer to this oft discussed problem of loss of the 14 to 21 age range.

With a County Staff Officer to 'r un the I nter -link scheme tn the county and with localised area co -o rdinator s to assist, th en that age old problem can soon be a thing of the past. Actions speak louder than words

IIkeslon Andrew 1. Collingloll

LET'S CHANGE ..•

from A. H. Beckett, Corporal Letter Brigade Ranks (August Review), I too noted the inconsistency of having NCOs when our officers hold no commission. The whole military tone of SJ A, r feel, should be dropped; sargeants shoul.d become, say, senior leaders and corporals junior leaders. And all thi S marching about with flags should be forgotten. Let's get on with the rea l job of saving lives and down to -earth, good first aid. I with the present price of uniforms , that a new outfit, say a boiler SUit type and beret, should be introduced. Then staff officers won't ha:, e. t o waste time checking that buttons are worn th e right way up. giVIng more time for good first aid.

A. H. Bedell

London

UNIFORMS

from S. P. Kelly, Corporal

Following the article Brigade Uniforms by 'Jack' and W. Ashcroft' s letter (July Review) I should like to make the following observations i) Uniform supply: I have belonged to two divisions in my nIne years' adult service and have known members from many others, and I am certain that there are very few divisions that do not supply all the main items of uniform for their members. Because of this I have known very few members to have considered any alternative to this. for them obvious, arrangement. I call it an obvious arrangement because I believe that if, as a fundamental understanding of Brigad e membership, each person gives of his or her time, effort and enthusiasm, then the Brigade has an obligation to supply the means by which this can be done.

As a public charity we are required by the economic realitie s of thi s world (and by the need to be independent of national , or local government control) to raise our own funds by 'house -to hou se', flag days or what eve r means at each division 's disposal. If these funds (however hard come -by) are to be used to further the objects of the Association and Brigade they will, under th e terms of Bngade Regulation 7(iii) be used for 'The organisation, training and of men women and young persons to undertake First Aid, NurSing and allied activities '. Under the same Regulation the Brigade's specific responsibilities are defined as 'T he provision of a voluntary

uniformed se rvic e to the public'. Surely, therefore, equipment and uniform become part of one and th e same? I cannot see how any fund raising can be seen to 'dim our voluntary image' and equally cannot see why we should be ashamed to use s uch funds to 'deck' ourselves out. Whether we raise the money ourselves or enlis t th e help of 'Friends of Sl. John' (whatever happened to your Auxiliary or retired members, Jack?) is immaterial and should be dictated by local circumstances. Uniforms for new members should also be a matter of local discretion. Some divisions will have resources to supply new or to keep stocks of smaller items for immediate issue, others will almost certainly be operating a system of exchange much as 'Jack' suggests. (Jack, your averages for uniform wear are for people doing 40 50 hours of public duty a week!) New members of any age are too much of an unknown quantity to set too rigid a system of uniform supply. Perhaps others can think of something?

2) Supplies Department: I have not had sufficient personal dealings with Supplies Department to be able to offer subjective support t o th e regular criticisms or ideas for improvement. I often suspect that like the Post Office and British Rail there is much public noise made about the small percentage of delays or mistakes compared to the deafening si lence for the normal routine service which supplies what is asked of it. Perhaps not, but whoever hears a possible silent majority?

J do know that the idea of 'regional sub s tore s' is not a new one. as such an office in Wales has closed not long ago because it was uneconomic to run. I also find it very difficult to believe that any system of pick-up points with a volunteer Pony Express to collect and deliver would in any way improve the situation. Perhaps lessons could be learnt from the cairns in the Canadian North West Territorie as article in the October 1976 Review. I suspect that some of our stores would wait for their collection for much the same length of time.

3) New uniform: I agree very much with the sentiments about new uniforms being smart, easily cleaned, reasonably cheap and recognisable to the public. We must certainly keep our 'trademarks' of white hat band and haversack with strap. They are the focus for

Support for ...

cartoonists and th e flashing beacon of the' Man in every crowd' as one of our older publicity posters once proclaimed.

I have my reservations about the battledress or overall principles suggested. I can see the advantages but I am not s ure I r eally want to look like a r ejec t from the Royal Marine s. The bold bra sh image sugges ted by such garments would not be in k ee ping with th e general tone of th e majority of our public duties. Many divisions now have th e rough wear overall uniform for their motor cycle scrambles and th e like but would it be as credible at a church fete or in a th eatre or concert hall?

The R eview has told us that several designs have been shor t listed for final approval as a new uniform and that th ese hav e been shown to Commissioners and other senior officers at conferences. I s i too late to ask that photographs or drawings of th e po ssi bles be published for us all to see. 1 am not suggesting a referendum to pick th e winner but if th ey were seen in every division it might provoke sufficient reaction to ensure that blatant rejects were not finally approved. We have to wear them, all shapes, sizes and ages of us and if publi shed no -one could ultimately say that he did not have a chance to voice an objection if one was appropriate.

At th e 1975 Nottingham Leadership conference a repr ese ntative of the British clothing industry said in open forum that he did not see why a uniform could not be produced to cover all the smart, easily cleaned. hard wearing, reasonably cheap, requirement s demanded by th e Brigade. Was this offer ever taken up or looked into further?

4) Uniform wearing: Regardless of how good, bad or indifferent any uniform ultimately is, even if it is waterproof, shockproof, anti magnetic and luminous in the dark it will never serve as a uniform unless it is worn as a uniform.

The idea of having any group or organisation alike and of uniform appearance is as old as history itself. The modern complexities of colour, style, buttons badges , frills and decoration that can be seen in everything from the Royal Horse Artillery through to the St. John and your local football team are not simply the outcome of numerous

lunatic chiefs indulging their ceremonial fancy. Uniforms have been used to serve three main purposes :

a) Protection and comfort of wearer during his prescribed activities or duties.

b) Immediate identification of groups and individuals to each other and to outsiders.

c) A focal point for individual identification with the ideals and identity of the group that the uniform distinguishes

The first two purposes are obvious and have already been generally covered earlier in this letter. the third however needs expansion.

A man that takes care and attention with the appearance and wearing of a uniform, because that uniform means something to him. more than a glorified 'coverall', is surely a man that will take care and attention in all his dealings with the group that that uniform repre sen t s. Why therefore do we continue to see such sloppy disr egard for uniform regulations? Haversacks askew, or mi ssing altogether; caps misshapen or perched on the back of the head. Badge out of place and buttons undone; pockets bulging and tie s poorly knotted or at half mast. I am not just talking about the end of a long hot session of stock car or motor cycle racing but all regular duty situations as well as inspection and ceremonial ones.

An ever growing percentage of St. John members will now have no experience of service life and thus the instincts of spit and polish are no longer automatic.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Public are surely going to have more confidence in the ability of someone to take care of them if it is obvious that th ey can take care of themselves.

A little extra care when dressing: just a couple of moments to check yourself and your colleague when you sign on or finish your tea break. Instruction and example from officers , NCOs and older hands to groom and encourage the younger or newer members It will soon become habit and our uniforms of whatever size, shape. age or design will continue to be something worth identifying with.

Now if you will excuse me I must go and iron my T shirt and jeans. Finch ley S. P. Kelly

Director of Supplies writes in reply to the last paragraph of section 3 of Mr. Kelly's letter:

We took the opportunity of visiting Mr. Fry at his knitwear factory with representatives of Marks & Spencer's clothing division. From these and subsequent discussions we had with Marks & Spencer and the top uniform designer, prototype uniforms were prepar ed. samples of which have been sent out to many Counties The result s of th e e trials are being collated by the chief staff officer to the Commissioner in Chief.

Editor: On the question of publishing designs of a possibl e new uniform, Headquarters assures the Review that ther e is no liklihood of any decision being made on a new uniform in the near future. As Director of Supplies says, various ideas for uniforms are at present undergoing user trials in various parts of the country and Headquarters will be studying the report s of thes e trials.

USEFUL OLD TIGHTS

from Geoffrey Hunter, Lay Instructor

As a single (male) parent with a grown up daughter, I have for some time recognised the remaining potential of a pair of old, discard ed tights. They are an excellent standby in the home when, following an accident, the means of providing a sling is required.

I had considered supplying diagrams illustrating this (l am a professional artist by trade) but, quite honestly , a pair of tights lend themselves so readily as a sling that I consider diagrams s uperfluou s. They lend themselves superbly as a triangular sling but, as an arm sling, whilst possessing the necessary strength, I feel a folded newspaper or such, underneath the fore arm, would provide the stability required.

Most accidents happen in the home; I believe this is a valuable tip for our 'family' to remember.

Macclesfield Geoffrey Hunter

STOP THAT SLIP

from E. J. Baker -....

I have often noticed - both on parad e and in photographs in the Review - that the sling of the white haversack tends to slip toward s th e neck and cut awkwardly across the lapel.

(See photo page 13 Review. October 1972 , or bottom photo page 95 April 1977).

The situation can be improved by sewing on to th e shoulder of the jacket a clip, from the waist band of a discarded pair of self supporting trousers, to keep th e sling where it belongs. The shoulder strap can be held down upon it by a press stud or Velcro.

This proposal has more point now that everyone wears a white bag since older members (including officers) often have enough medal for it to be a nuisance - and a possibility of knocking one off - if th e haversack sling rubs across them.

Bath

AMBULANCES AND THEIR

USE

from M. V. Moring, ASO Training and Public Duties

E. J.

Baker

The cutbacks in N HS spending perhaps should give us reason to revi ew our position as a voluntary aid society in the community. Particularly, I think, in the realms of ambulance work.

Prior to the National Health Service many Brigade diviSions provided local ambulance services; some free, some for token charge. some financed locally by ambulance associations, donations or th e like. In many areas there were also in existence municipal or polic e emergency ambulance services - the Brigade service usually dealing with invalids, illness or long journeys, while the local ambulance service provided an accident service.

This system seemed to work well in most areas, the Brigade using voluntary labour and just meeting running ex penses. In fact several such services flourished to the point that when the N HS Ambulanc e Service was brought into being by the National Health Act, 1946, they were in the best position to form the statutory ambulance service in their areas, having vehicles, equipment, premises and experienced men.

The reorganisation of the Health Service under the 1973 Act saw the absorption of these services into the larger Area Health Authority Ambulance Services.

During the last decade tremendous strides have been taken with the training and equipping of professional ambulance personnel.

The Brigade, which, as stated, was often the leader in ambulanc e work has, sadly, lagged behind. There are neither special training standards nor requirements for vehicles and equipment, and no age restrictions - particularly at the lower end of the scale.

Local finance often forces divisions to buy second hand Authority vehicles, which though old can still perform a useful vo lunt ary function, but they lack modern equipment and are outmoded. Many divisions are now acquiring ambulances but have little knowledge of ambulance work. There is also an increase in the number of cadet divisions purchasing ambulances which are invariably used more as minibuses rather than ambulances, avoiding the £50 Road Fund Tax.

As a training aid they are surely a rather expensive acquisition and as ambulances they are of little use to cadet divisions.

I feel th e tim e has come for the St. John Ambulance Medical Board to draw up a list of minimum requirements for Brigade ambulances to strive for (or perhaps the voluntary aid societies should form their own

Ambulance Advisory Cummittee to do this), and the Association branch should create a new course in Ambulance Aid. complete with its own certificate, syllabus and a training manual based on the syllabi of the professional ambulance training schools. The public do not make allowances for the lower standards of voluntary services.

Is there any point in upgrading the ambulance service provid e d by the Brigade? I believe that there is.

Firstly, St. John Ambulance often provides a service, particularly at sporting events, that would otherwise have to be hired from the A.H.A. services.

Secondly, the Brigade is often working with and alongside the professional ambulance services - at political demonstrations, major incidents (bombings in particular) and State occasions.

Thirdly, the general public expect, and have every right to do so, th e high standard of care and facilities that they pay for as contributors to the NHS scheme.

Fourthly, there is scope, and I believe this to be of paramount importance in view of the cuts in Health Service spending mentioned at the beginning. to expand the service given by St. John.

There are strong indications that the future will see an increase in private health facilities, including private ambulance services, financed by health insurance funds. Indeed, several such facilities already exist.

The Brigade, as prior to the NHS, could if ready be once again in the position to provide these additional ambulance services. They have the vehicles, the premises and the personnel. All that is required are the right standards.

Much can also be done to assist the overburdened AHA ambulance services. There are many cases which fall on the borderline of the of the 1973 Act of being classed as am bulance journeys, eg

cases transported for social rather than medical reasons. those to and from private nursing homes or clinics, the hospital outpatient who requires that little ex tra help that th e hospital car driver cannot give (or is incapable of giving).

The NHS ambulance service is obligated to give the best possible service to th e general public as a whole. This may not always be in th e best interests of an individual patient and is often measured in economic terms. Many journeys are made with several patients, who though not seriously ill nevertheless feel unwell, and a round trip can last an hour or more. One recent instance that I know of. a detour and stop was made to change personnel to avoid overtime payment.

The Brigade se rvic e, if up to standard, could relieve some of thi s work load on a similar basis to hospital car work, by using ambulances for an agreed r eimburseme nt based on mileage. This would greatly reduce health authority spending (no wages, uniform. premises, etc. to pay for), provide a better service for the less severely ill. and so release th e professional ambulancemen for the work for which they were trained : Emergencies.

No amount of theoretical or practical training can replace experience. Some practical experience must come, however. from an increase in th e use of St. John ambulances.

Whenever th e public see an ambulance they should be confident that the crew are competent to render assistance and that th e vehicle is sufficien tl y equipped to save life, promote recovery and prevent the condition worsening, whether it be professionally or voluntarily manned. The aim of the ambulanceman, whoever he is. should be t o get his patient to hospital in a better condition than when he started th e journey.

Southern Area, Essex M. V. Moring

Progress

LONDON District's 386 Southall Norwood Combined Division is having a good year. They've acquired an ambulance and a vice president, actress Hayley Mills, who now lives in th e Norwood Green area of Southall. Miss Mills, who was appointed in March and in August received her warrant from the Division 's President, Mr. Arthur Grigg, is

familiar with the work of the Brigade as one of her relatives had previously been a long serving member of a London division. Informed of the work of the Division, Miss Mills commented on the great achievement in raising the money for the ambulance, which came from local public donations, also on the amount of work put in by members on public duties. This year the Division hopes to double last year's record duty hours. The 32 members of the Division are sure Hayley will be a great asset to 386 Southall, especially in fund raising. Their next target? - Radio equipment.

PRESS COVERAGE

from I. A. Hollick, Sargeant

Can anyone enlighten me and many St. John p e rsonn e l throughout th e country why the national media does not think it fit to cov e r our national competitions?

A small coverage by the national press or regional TV new s would be beneficial to cadets (eg recruitment) and to adult m e mbers. with th e prospect of more divisions entering teams in future.

The jackets, of guardsman type with dog collar s a nd whit e pipin g and piping to the epaulette s, have 9 large butlon s down th e ce ntr e a nd 6 small buttons on each cufT; there is also a white d es ign on e ach c uff and on the centre vent. The trousers hav e plain bottom s and

inch white stripe down the sides We have 27 full uniforms and v ariou s coats and trousers of other sizes. Anyone interested should contact us as s oon a s po ss ible a s our HQ is soon to be redeveloped and all e quipm e nt will have to b e r e mo ve d until the job is finish e d.

6 LisNng Drive, Litfle/own , Dal 'id L ee LilJersedge W Yorks. H eckmondwike 40 7843

I A. Holli c k

One explanation is probably that the public would sooner he ar about darts, dominoes, conkers, marbles, etc. Some of the mo s t important trophies in the country are won at first aid competition e g 'Miners National' and 'Dewar Shield'. Leics.

John Lockett, the Order's PRO, writes:

The fullest information about all St. John national first aid competitions is invariably sent in advance of the event to national daily papers, news agencies, radio, TV, and the big provincial newspaper groups. This information always includes an invitation to attend and send a photographer. After the event the results are supplied within hour to the Press Association and this action frequently leads to bnef news items in the local papers concerned.

However highly Mr. Hollick may rate the news value of our first aid competitions, I fear it is true that, set against the background of w?rld news, they are, in the eyes of news editors and editors. of mInor importance.

It should be added that the press, radio and TV ar e immen e ly generous to St. John in the coverage they give us - and Centenar: Year has been particularly notable in this respect. There can be few If any charities that get better all round coverage than we do.

MRH BARS

from William Dodds, Divisional Superintendent

After reading the interesting article by C. W. Tozer I would like to ask if the Military Hospitals Reserve Bars are still available to members who completed over six years' war service with the MHR and to where I could apply for one?

Newcastle upon Tyne Wilfiam Dodds

Mr. Tozer writes: With reference to Mr. Dodds about the Military Hospitals Reserve, I have made some enquiries and the result is as follows. Application was made by the member through usual channels to the Chief Commissioner. If he was satisfied he forwarded the MHR bar to the unit concerned for presentation. The bars were, presumably provided by the War Office. A similar procedure applies to the V AD bars, application being made to the Chief Commissioner or to National HQ of the British Red Cross Society. As the MHR was disbanded shortly after the last war I very much doubt whether an application would be considered at this stage.

CAN YOU HELP?

from Mrs. Diana Savage, Area Nursing Officer

On July 9 a medallion was found in Eastcheap, Letchworth , A 75146 Dora E. Curryer. We have been informed by the RegIstrar that all records of engraved awards no longer exist and they cannot help us trace the owner. Is it possible a Review reader may be able to help. The medallion is approximately 30 years old. 36 Spring Road, Diana Savage Letchworth, Herts.

BAND UNIFORMS

from D. Lee, Divisional Officer

To any division, area or county that has a band and is having difficulty in purchasing uniforms - our divisional band was cl.osed down recently and we are left with a surplus of speclally made UnIforms They are mainly for 12 to 18 -year -old boys and cover a fair range ?f sizes. We would like to sell them to a SJA unit rather than have to strIP them of badges, etc, for some other organisation. 240

GREEN SHIELD ST AMPS? from M. Gibbons, Ambulance Member

Can any Review readers help us (196 Watneys Mortlake Combin e d Division) with our Green Shield trading st a mp s c ommunit y savin gs plan appeal target of a new ambulanc e ? W e will ne e d around I books, so any contribution larg e or small would b e grate full y re c

Ive d 5 Oakworlh Road, M Gibb o ns London W106DG.

PEN PAL from Miss L. H. Lee

I am a SJ A m e mber in Sarawak and am ve ry inte re s te d to le arn how our activities compare with those in a division in th e UK -so I'd like to find a pen pal SJA member in th e UK I a m a Chin ese

and am still studying in Form 5 (0 le ve l) in a mi ss ion

Looking forward to hearing from you!

P.O. Box 1482 Kuching, Sarawak, Eas/ Mala y sia.

ANY HELP?

from Mrs. V. L. Rubie, Divisional Officer

L. H. L ee

Safety helmets and SJA

Recently I was looking at some 1967 SJA Australia Whit e Cr?ss magazines and came across the following verse. Now that the R eV Ie w is read by more members it might give their consciences a prick.

Do You Belong?

Are you an active member, the kind that would be missed Or are you quite content that your name is on th e list.

Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock, Or do you stay at home to critize and knock.

Do you take an active part to help the work along Or are you quite well satisfied to only just belong.

Do you ever take a stand for things you think ar e right, Or leave the work to just a few and talk instead of fight.

Think it over members , you know what s right or wrong

Are you an active member or do you just belong? Aldershot

SAFETY HELMETS

from W. H. Goodall, Ambulance Member

V. L. Rubie

In the Daily Express of August 22 there was a very good action s ho of a St. John Ambulance man who was carrying an injur ed girl to safety. Carefully, compassionately and confidently - doing hi s dut y to all mankind you might think. But look - underneath th e s ub headline reads 'Brigade Chief slams men dress e d for a riot'.

There then follow two comments by Brigade Officers: I don t approve of these helmets but we hav e had members injured and th e second by 'The Area Commissioner ' .- 'Th e se officer s improperly dressed, w e aring that sort of headgear is inviting troubl e (sic).

There, Sir, is the snag These men (there is some doubt from th e photographs whether officer or member) were what the paper said were riot helmets but more correctly descnbed, I feel. a s protective helmets as worn by law in areas such as building sit e s to protect the wearer fromJalling objects

In the First Aid Manual , p.12, you will find 'The First Aid e r mu s t first r e duc e to a minimum any danger to th e casualt y or him se lf .'. Ther e are thos e who would doubtle s s say that th e be s t way to do just that would be not to go on any duty that might de velop into a mi s sile lobbing exercis e - such a s a football match procession or whate ve r. In any of these you might be trying to help an innoce nt or not so innoc e nt bystand e r in nee d. But a s we ARE membe r s of St. John Ambulanc e we will not dodg e the duty. (Fellow Salvationist s will know th e quot e -' Where duty calls or dang e r be never wanting ther e' !).

So just what s hould we do? Surel y, if it is found in th is day th a t we ne ed to be prote cte d from thos e who know no be tter, th e n we ou g ht o have suitabl e ge ar around ready for our better e fficienc y to get to and d e al with thos e in nee d.

A cap e ve n with a chin strap in position , is too easily dislodg e d and will give littl e or no protection when aid is being given - s ay on th e football pitch - and we then have our supplementary ca s ualty I agree with those who say our uniform is recogn ised and r es pect e d by most people May I suggest that, on duties that might we ll d e ve lop into such missile -lobbing engagements, all personn e l be in the correct dress but that suitable protective equipment be readil y a v ailabl e. (I note from today s TV that some officers do just not like to we ar their bags and straps over shoulder , through epaulet and under be lt - I understand that the idea is so that they may also be recognised a s fir s t aiders rather than police - but if they won t , how can we e xp e ct th e rest of us to wear them properly?)

May I say that, if it had been one of my daughters being carried to safety , I would be better pleased to see him arrive safely with a he lm e t than not arrive at all with his cap.

Might I also suggest, with due deference and courtesy to th e peop le likely to be concerned, that no pronounc e ments be made on or ofT th e cufT' which, with the best reporting and editing, can still ju s t no portray what was meant tQ be said in the name oj/he Brigade.

A final note. Thank you BBC Radio for the report on th e Bri ga d e and the interviews at Lewisham - Thank you to the ambulanceman for his comment: 'I have a job to do and I'll do it - just a s he wa s off with his stretcher to retrieve a casualty without a thought a s to who it was. For ALL Mankind indeed.

London N2 W. H. G o odall

from S. Medlicott, Divisional Officer

I should like to enquire about the wearing of safety helmets whil e on duty at football matches. As you may know, there have been c e rtain Comments in the press (Birmingham Post & Mail) about Brigade personnel wearing safety helmets while on duty.

A s this is not a part of Brigade uniform and again s Brigade Regulations , can it be made clear what personnel should we ar to protect themselves while on duty? I feel very strongly about this as we are now faced with a difficult situation in Birmingham (as in other major cities) owing to recent events.

Please can we have some ruling on this question, as I think it is an urgent matter for the Brigade?

Birmingham S Medlicoll

Editor: These two letters express the views of a number of letters received on this subject, and limitations on space prevent the publication of all of them.

The Commissioner-in-Chief writes:

I It would be impossible to devise either General Regulations or Dress Regulations to cover every conceivable contingency, and Brigade members are therefore relied on to use discretion and common sense in adapting where necessary the published Regulations provided that they (a) first obtain their Commissioner's permission to do so and (b) abide by the general principles laid down.

2. I understand that the two members depicted in the photograph had not obtained permission to wear ' bump guard' helmets. their Area Commissioner (who is also an experienced Police Officer) considering that it would be both unnecessary and provocative to do so.

3 From my own personal experience I am convinced that St. John uniform is widely respected even in riot situations, and that any attempt to we ar defensive armour' would weaken that respect and risk provoking aggression which at present we are spared because it is known that our presenc e is solely to render first aid without discrimination.

ABU DHABI

from F. R. Johnston

I was pleased to read in the Review (August '77) that Worcester County Pool Officer Ivor Dalgleish is conducting first aid courses in Abu Dhabi. May his good work continue for a long time.

However may I draw your attention to an artkle in the Review (August 1965) pages 30 & 31 , which carries a report (illustrated by my photographs) of a first aid course at Sharjah, conducted by Captain M. F. Kirkman, RAMC assisted by Mr. Jawdat (a schoolmaster) and myself The pupils were 'boys of the Trucial Oman Scouts' and our te xt book was the Arabic edition of the Preliminary First Aid Man ual. I hope that Mr. Dalgleish s pupils are as apt and as quick to assimilat e knowledge as ours were. I wonder if any of them are now te aching First Aid ?

Bat1sl ead

F. R. Johns/on

News from Divisions/Centres

(Above) SUFFOLK C

HANTS -

e Di vis ion th a t thi s was th e fir s tim e he h ad

d th e pl e a s ur e o f pr ese ntin g s u c h ce rti fica tes and as fa r as he kn e w thi s wa s th e fir s t tim e that th ey had bee n pr ese nt ed to a mbul a nc e and nur s ing di visi on s in th e sa me ye ar

SUFFOLK - Mr s E. M Kitch e n , 67, r etir ed as s up e rint e nd e nt o f Framlingham &

Di s tri ct Nur sin g Cad e D iv ision on August 31 , aft er 24 yea r s runnin g th e Di vision Th e new s up e r int e nd e nt is th e e xD / O Mr s. R Le ec h

O BITUARY

Fr ed. L. Richards, OB E, KStJ MBChB , o f W a ls all , re tir ed Count y Commis si on e r and me mb e r of Chapt e r G e ne ral. Join e d Brigad e as Count y Sur geo n in e arl y '30 s. Di ed ag ed 8 1 on Au g u st 10

REVIEW

CROSSWORD No. 10 (77)

Compiled by W A. Potter

Across:

1. Thus a part of the sphenoid bone is planting seed. (6). 4. Sign s and stigmata of excessive blood volume in other pal. (8). 10. Active and nimble age about 49. (S). 11. Function of the mammary glands. (9). 12. Crimson sheet of water. (4). 13. Pain produced by e ach manipulation. (4). 14. Exalt strangely a primary product of .rubber plantations. (5). 16. Corpulent recipients of Honours take a pOint. (5). 17. Distribute as the pharmacist does. (8). 21. Ascorbic acid. (7.1). 25. Half a dollar or pain. (S). 28. Flower which can be lit up. (S) 30. Painful foot lesion of Commanding Officer, Royal Navy. (4). 31. A short distance from chin. (4). 33. A somewhat unpleasant, but enlightening event provided by levator palpebra superioris? (3.6). 34. Expel the foetus early in pregnancy having blood groups right. (5). 35. 22 Down in confusion. (8). 36. Mad artists in India. (6).

Down:

1. Highly -infectious, disfiguring disease. (8). 2. Idea which shows one is ageing? (7). 3. Requirement by editor from north -east. (4). 5. Skin diseases from parasitic fungi? (7). 6. Lag behind on the track. (5). 7. A poet is converted to addictive drugs (7) 8. ax e and appendages of an organ. (6). ? Wild pal With crime Illvestlgators becomes calm. (6) IS. Antitoxic drugs prepared from blood. (4) 18. Hostelry in north (3) 19. Terminations. (4). 20. A complication of mumps in the male. (8). 22. Pathological condition. (7). 23. Perfumes used in religious rites enrage. (7). 24. Copper with rare muscle relaxing drug. (6). 26. Listlessness or a lung upset. (7). 27. Be present to giv e heed. (6). 29. Presentation to a learned society. (5). 32. Two forms of anaesthesia for a fete. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.9 (77)

Across: 1. Sedative; 5. Be.hind; 10. Parasympathetic; 11. U.pa.s; 12. Oral; 13. Rural; 15. Corrodes; 18. Lobes; 21. Ill; 22. A.dept; 23 . A.feb.rile; 25. Totem; 28. Tick; 30. Stew; 32. Renal glycosuria ; 33. Artery : 34. Capsules.

Down: 1. Septum; 2. Derma.tome; 3. Test; 4. Vome.r; 6. Ether ; 7. Inter 8 Ductless; 9. Car.1isl.e; 14. Grit; 16. Diastole; 17. Elf ; 18. Lark: 19 Bilateral; 20. Bacteria; 24. Sweats; 26. Tenet; 27. Molar; 29. Cocoa ; 31. Asks.

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REVIEW

T H E JOURNAL OF ST JOHN

Volume 50 No. 11 November 1977

Contents

At Random by Watkin W Williams p 245

National Industrial First Aid Competition p 246

Centenary Events p 248

Nott ing ham 1977 - Awards p.251

Around and About by the Editor p.252

To Lourdes by Mrs. Jean Cramp p.256

Miss Letitia Overend p 257

Order Investiture, Sept 29 p 258

Readers Views p 260

News from Scotland - Wales p 264

Overseas News p.265

AUDIO VISUALAIDS

an d Lea rn 1 - 8 0

Trea m e nt o f M i n o r Inju rie s 1 -2 0

Th e Packa ge D ea l is avai ab le on app r oval 0 pu r c h ase 0

Mar k t his an d re

Nam e Add re ss T ele phon e Po s o n Dat e

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. W illi a ms Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief

IT GIVES ME the very greatest pleasure to welcome and introduce to you Mr. Geral d H. Easton who has recently joined Headquarters as Assistant Commissioner-in-Chief.

As a boy, Mr. Easton was concurrently both a St. John Cadet and a Scout in New Zealand in the 1930s, and though his later career made it impossible for him to continue active membership of either Scouting or St. John, the spirit of service which is fundamental to both of them has remained with him throughout his life. So it's not surprising - but very' much our good fortune - that on his retirement a year a go he should have wanted to renew active involvement in one of the organisations in which he first experienced the adventure of voluntary service to others.

Joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in June 1940 , he was soon sent to Lossiemouth for officer training and in due course joined 40 Squadron Bomber Command at

News from Divisions Centres p 266

Quickie X-word (2) p 267

Books p.268

EDITORIA L an d ADVERTISEMENTS

Edited and produced for the Order of St. John by Driscoll Produ ctions , Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley , Nr Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3QF Phone : Orford (Std 039 45 548 Ed itor: Frank Driscoll.

Advertising display and classified, rates on request from Driscoll Produ ctions.

Price 26p monthly £3.60 per annum, including postage, from Review Sales, St. John Ambulance 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1 X 7 EF. COV

Malta where, when in command of a Wellington bomber, he successfully completed a mine-laying mission against Italian shipping in Benghazi harbour; but his aircraft was too badly damaged to get back to Malta, so he headed for Tobruk where he managed to belly-land on an airstrip. Meanwhile he and the 5 other members of his crew were posted as 'missing believed killed', and the full story of their return to Malta via Cairo is one of the many epics of the North African campaign - too long, alas, to tell here. but you can read it in Tales of Two Air Wars by Norman Macmillan (G. Bell & Sons, 1963). Just to whet your appetite for your visit to the library, while Gerald Easton and his crew were being ferried back in a Sunderland Flying Boat which was on a reconnaissance patrol from (collfinued on p254)

The Ho n. Paul Bradbury chairman of the Health and Safety Committee of the Confederation of Br itish Industry. presented the awards

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL FIRST AID COMPETITION

IN PRESENTING the trophies to the winners of the St. John Ambulance National Industrial First Aid Competition in London on September 21, the Hon. Paul Bradbury, Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee of the Confederation of British Industry, said that he had been much impressed by the brilliant display of skill and efficiency by the contestants. The hard work done by them in the field of first aid in the service of mankind was very commendable

The ordinary man in the street had little idea of the amount of training needed to keep both first-aiders in industry and the volunteer members of St. John Ambulance Brigade 'up to concert pitch'.

Perhaps less publicised than the work of the Brigade members was that of those RESULTS

trained in first aid in industry, but their value to society was no less great.

With the growing complexity of modern industry, it was a problem to cope with the increasing risk and incidence of accidents. It was heartening to know that so many in industry today were prepared to give the necessary time and efTort to becoming competent in first aid.

Congratulations were due, continued Mr. Bradbury, not only to the winners but also to those who had not achieved awards for the great fund of knowledge they had acquired would be of value to their in their hour of need.

Presiding at the competitIOn was Mr. p, A. Lingard , CBE, Deputy Director General St. John Ambulance, Association.

Devon

AS P ART of their centenary year celebrations, St. John Ambulance Association in Devon were offered the last day of the South Western Show Jumping Club's final 3-day show of 1977 on September 4.

This was a particularly important day as it featured, for the first time, the Bicton Derby, a cross-country show jumping event and the largest of its kind ever held in the West Country. It will now become a permanent feature of this important and increasingly popular club's calendar.

The County Director, Major M. Malcolm, who organised the day, received wholehearted co-operation from the Brigade.

There was a splendid turn-out of fully

manned ambulances and caravans from all parts of the county. During the interval at lunchtime, the vehicles paraded in the main event ring and immediately afterwards there was a blanket collection which produced considerable revenue. This money, along with rider entrance fees, donations from local sponsors and spectator gate money added up to a successful day and thanks go to the club for this generous offer.

During the day, catering arrangements for over a hundred VIPs, judges and officials were organised by area nursing superintendents and members of many nursing divisions. Ambulance and nursing cadets turned out in force and sold programmes and acted as runners for the club.

It was a perfect example of St. John cooperation and organisation and the publicity and public relations aspects could not have been better.

CENTENARY EVENTS

Derbyshire

To mark centenary year, the Tideswell Combined Division, Peak Area, held a recruiting drive.

In the local carnival in July, they took second prize with their decorated lorry depicting nursing members' costumes from 1430. The Division's Vice-President loaned a shop window in the village centre where the Division staged a display of nursing and first aid material and literature, backed by recruiting posters.

On September 11 the Division held a cadet enrolment ceremony in the Parish Church, which was attended by visitors from Area staff and parents.

These activities resulted in four new nursing members, three nursing and three ambulance cadets.

Tideswell Combined Division members' float helped by Buxton members after Winning 2nd prize

It is a happy matter to relate that there were no accidents or serious mishaps during the day although, with the excellent Brigade turnout, St. John would have been able to guarantee a trained member for each of the riders from the unusually large entry list but still leave sufficient first -aiders for the many spectators!

This was accomplished while still maintaining staff and ambulances to handle other county commitments and requirements on the day. Truly a superb achievement.

Thanks go to all club officials, Lord Clinton on whose estate the Bicton Arena is situated, to all Brigade members and to Laurie Quayle of Westward TV who, as usual, supported St. John in Devon, by a personal appearance and an eloquent and inspiring commentary.

Kent

Last autumn an approach was made to Canterbury City Council asking them to arrange for the St. John Emblem to be displayed in flowers at a suitable site in Canterbury and in the gardens on the sea front at Herne Bay. The request was refused but an appeal was lodged against the Council's decision. Although the appeal was not fully successful, the Herne Bay Combined Division was given a site on the sea front on which to display the emblem provided there was no cost to the Council. This set the Division a problem owing to the heavy cost likely to be incurred. A local Councillor, Cllr. D. Peard, was approached and the position explained. He immediately set the ball rolling and approached many local people for donations towards the cost and contacted local allotment and nurserymen asking them to raise the required plants. The efforts were wholly

successful and late July the emblem was ablaze with colour and surrounding it was 'St. John Ambulance Centenary 1877 - 1977'. The emblem, of over 3,500 plants, has been seen by thousands of visitors (photo right).

Herne Bay s St. John emblem in lowers ablaze with colour

London

Five Divisions joined together to bring to the Wood Green Shopping City 100 years of the St. John Ambulance. They were members of the Wood Green Combined Division, and Bowes Park, East Barnet, Enfield, and Southgate Cadet Divisions. Static displays showed St. John Ambulance throughout its first centenary, 'Royal' relationships, duties undertaken and the differing aspects of the '70s St. John (all culled from the Review!).

Continuous displays with accompanying 'chat' were given of bedmaking, bathing the baby, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and first aid. The latter incidents, which were staged on the landing of the first few steps outside the entrance, caused shoppers to stop and stare; some being so realistic that members of the public acted with natural kindness and helpfulness before realising the casualty was only acting!

The good acting of two cadetsRamona Mason and Graham Bundle of Southgate Divisions - brought the attendance of the police, the Sergeant just being restrained from calling an ambulance

The equipment on show included some of the latest - Anne-baby and Automic-Anne, both from E. Barnet cadets, while a comprehensive display of home aids was staged by Wood Green nursing members who run a comforts depot.

The aim of the display was to bring our Centenary to the attention of the publicwith possible recruitment as the secondary part. Names and addresses were taken of

people interested in courses or active participation: six adults (one definite recruit for Wood Green) and 24 youngsters for the cadets (actual numbers not being known until resumption of Divisional meetings in \ September). Interest was shown for Divisions in other areas, for Hackney Ambulance, Highgate, Palmers Green and Stoke Newington Cadets.

The idea for the display came from and was organised by Div. Officer Mrs. Healey of Southgate CN, liaising with the shopping City manager, who was pleased to have the entrance area used. D!Supt. Mrs. Lines of Wood Green provided the bed and home comforts. D!Supt. Mrs Bundle of East Barnet organised and transported display boards and the N. Area publicity booth. It was a long (9 -hour) day, after a busy Friday evening transporting and arranging the static displays .

Considered opinion by all: enjoyable and worthwhile. even if no recruits result!

Merseyside

SOUTHPORT Corps' centenary plans for a grand carnival procession through the town on June 25 started nearly a year earlier when Corps S upt. J. E. Hesketh called a' social committee meeting and the idea was accepted with gusto. Then followed ten months of organising. There had not been a carnival in Southport for many years and support, both from the authorities and everyone locally, was tremendous. A fete, to be held in Victoria Park (home of Southport's famous flower show) after the procession, · was added to the programme. Committee PRO Mrs. Wyn Hesketh sent out hundreds of letters. The idea soon snowballed into what was obviously going to be a Big Day for Southport.

And, although the day itself started off wet, Old Man Weather soon intervened; the skies cleared and the procession set off in great style, the 60 entries led by Accrington St. John Pipe Band two 'Knights of St.

SJA Devon 's ambulances parade at the South - Western Show Jumping Club's event. (Photo: Judy Meakin)

Team work of 5 Divisions in Wood Green, London. (Left) Miss 1887 (Cadet Gina Bennett) and Miss 1922 (Cade t Rosemary Humphrey) - don t these lovelies make you want to go back in time? - both from CN25 Southgate , hand out leaflets.

the first time the Area had organised a camp for longer than a weekend.

A site was chosen at Rempstone in Dorset and was attended by fifty members. Cadets were given the choice of four proficiency ubjects and for the first time many 'town' cadets were given the opportunity to take 'Knowledge and Care of Animals' in realistic surround ings.

Much of the accent during the week was on adventure and leadership training. Besides the usual 'wide-games' cadets were able to take part in transporting 'casualties' over an obstacle course · on improvised stretchers and also take part in two orienteering exercises on Newton Heath. The courses were laid out by Area Staff Officer, David Roberts, an ex -international runner.

THE BRIGADE Leadership Course, held at Nottingham University from September 23 to 25, was 'sold out' by the end of July, and by the end of August there was a substantial waiting list of members hoping that someone would drop out - despite the increased charge.

NOTTINGHAM 1977

5UU[llPUIt O'",s,on:; float letting everyone know that 5JA is here and busy

June 25 was a great day in Southport. everyone agreed. And Southport Corps had really brought home its message to the town's folk: SJ A is here and very active. But the message won't last for only a day. Ambulance member Hope recorded everything on film. And now his finished film will be used to raise more funds for SJ A Southport.

Wiltshire

As part of the North Wiltshire Area centenary celebrations, it was decided to hold a week's camp for cadets from August 6 to 13. Although County camps had been held by Wiltshire for many years, this was

John' on horseback, and members in costumes dating back to the early days of the Order. The carnival queen was Nursing Cadet Rosemary Dubroisson, riding in an open landau and accompanied by her six attendants. Four St. John floats were entered. The Ambulance Division's was a model of Sl. John's Gate, beautifully staged by Ambulance Member Blatchford, who is a scenic artist. The Nursing Division"s depicted a first aid hut, a nursing incident and casualties. Formby Quadrilateral Division showed St. John in Sport. And the Cadet float depicted the Queen 's Jubilee. Other members joined in the spirit of the carnival by walking in fancy dress. After the procession there was the fete. and after the fete the day ended with a fancy dress dance at the St. John Hall, which was packed with revellers in every imaginable outfit.

The site was close to the sea, and besides having safe swimming the cadets were able to help with the beach first aid duty at Studland. On the Sunday a church service was held at Corfe Castle and the officers and cadets paraded through the main street of the village The salute was taken by Lt. Col.. R. E. W. Johnson, Commander for Wiltshire and Mr. J. Bonham -Carter, Commissioner of Dorset. On the Sunday afternoon a five -aside football tournament was held and Col. Johnson proved to be a star goalkeeper. His team won the final match and he is now thinking of signing-up as a professional!

Many friendships were made around the camp fire and it is hoped to run several weekend leadership courses for older cadets and younger adult members during the winter.

A good time was had by everyone and already plans are being made for next year.

Our grateful thanks to the County of Dorset for all the help they gave in loaning us equipment.

There was a record attendance from Headquarters, who obviously find Nottingham an excellent opportunity to meet members to discuss problems in an informal atmosphere. We were delighted to have with us Sir Maurice Dorman, the Chief Commander, as well as General Gordon, General Leuchars, Miss Romilly, Dr. Roy Archibald and Brigadier Peter Body - not to mention many others. We were also pleased that the Association was represented - by Captain Tony Bland, who has recently taken over as the Deputy Secretary. Among the delegates were representatives from Australia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria and the Johanniter Unfall Hilfe. There were, perhaps, more 'first-timers' than ever before - and young ones at thatwhich is a very healthy sign.

Sir Maurice was, of course, required to 'sing for his supper' and gave an inspiring talk on 'Looking Ahead', giving us many ideas to think about for the future. Dr. Tudor Jones, an old favourite with the delegates, once again gave a very instructive and, as usual, amusing talk on the 'State of Education'. His Welsh lilt never fails to enthuse the audience - even if occasionally they cannot understand it!

The ability to 'speak' and 'communicate' seems to come naturally to the people from Wales, for yet another speaker (who claims to be half Welsh) gave a brilliant talk entitled 'Speaking is Communicating'. The speaker, Bryn Williams, is one of Britain's best known and most impressive toastmasters and ha s probably heard more speeches than anyone.

Professor R. W. Revans, who has held many high posts in the field of education, put over his most interesting concept of management training known as 'Action Learning'.

Another very interesting and humorous talk was given by the Reverend Basil Pratt, who accompanied Lt. Col. Blashford -Snell on the Zaire River Expedition because of his ability to navigate through turbulent waters, being an Olympic canoeist.

Not forgetting our main purpose in life, one session was devoted to 'Modern Developments in the Ambulance Service' which was admirably put over by our own

ORDER AWARDS life Saving Medal in Bronze

Mr. Leonard Henry, Swan Hunter First Aid Corps, Newca tie upon T yne. In recognition of his very gallant action on September 24 1976 in attempting 10 rescue a workman who had fallen from a ship's deck II1to the River Tyne between the ship and the Jetty and had apparently been rendered unconscious by striking noating debri s.

A case of th e 'vapours

(Ieftl as Ann Timson. 01 5t Albans Nursing Division. tencls a victim of VictOrian motoring or perhaps the attentions of the driver (right) on the Brlgacle s cen tenary float in Leicester's Jubilee Day procession. (Rightl MISS 5t John, Lelcs, Hansa Patel, also demonstrated bandaging with tw o nurSing cadets. Hansa tak es charge of a nursing diVISion shortly

Mr. Henry instantly instructed a crane operator to lower him II1to the water while he sat in the loop of the crane's chain and held on with his hands As soon as he had grasped with one free hand the victim's clothing soaked in oily water, intending that the crane s hould gently tow them towards a noating fender. an upward movement of the crane resulted 111 the oily clothing slipping from Mr. Henry's grasp and the victim's body disappeared below the surface. Mr. Henry was again lowered into the water and from his precarious position continued for some time to search for the body but without success. Throughout his attempted rescue operation he was in great personal danger both from the movement of the s hip and from the debris by which he was surrounded.

Ambulance Member Roger Hawley. Pili A.N.A/C and N IC Division County of Avon In recog niti o n of hiS very gallant action on November 29 1976 when he rescued a work-mate who had been knocked on the head by a swinging crane hook and thrown 30 feet down the inside of a s teel caisson In Avonm o uth West Dock A M Hawley. a civil engineer with no special experience of work in docks. and a recently joined member of the Brigade, Immediately supported

Divi sional Superintendent John Gilbert, who brought with him one of our most modern and well-equipped ambulances, which the delegates had a chance of inspecting.

The last speaker was Richard Allcock, who is the Director of Endeavour Training. His talk provided a magnificent climax to the weekend.

Finally, General Gordon wound up the conference with a stirring address to the delegates; but before doing so he received from A / S/ O James Bond a magnificent gavel and plinth presented by the Priory of New Zealand when a group of our young members and cadets visited New Zealand in August. We all send our warmest greetings to New Zealand and thank them most sincerely for this wonderful gift, which will be used at Headquarters for our conferences.

Pat Adams

Note: ext year's 'Nottingham' will be held from September 22 to 24. Delegates are advised to apply as soon as possible after May I and, preferably, not later than Jul y 31. Watch Brigade Orders for the fee.

AWARDS April 1 to September 30 1977

himself In a wire loop attached to the crane hook and was lowered into the caisson where he su pported the victim"s head above water for some time and eventually succeeded in getting him into a lifebelt - a particularly hazardous manoeuvre since the Victim was a non-swimmer and weighed 15 stone - so that he could be hauled to safety. Throughout the whole of this operation A I M H a"ley was working in a very precarious position and at conSiderable personal risk

Divi sional Officer Nahid Moosa, Kenya High School NurSing Cadet Division. Na iro bI. Ambulance Member J. G, Gathuku, Kenya Police (Nairobi Area) Ambulance Division.

In recognition of their very gallant action on the night of April 29 1977 when they volunteered to go to the rescue of a very old man who had been cut ofT by torrential noods resulting from the Athi River bursting Its bank and had managed to climb a tree where he had remained for many hours very frigh tened and very cold. The tree was 150 yarJs from dry land. the water was 15 feet deep and there was a strong cu rrent running.

A50 James Bond handing over the gavel and pllllth, presented by the Priory of New Zealand. to th e C in C, Maj-Gen Desmond Gordon

THANKS

Northampton HQ received the following note from the Editor of the London Counties Association of Motor Clubs newsletter in which it had appeared , together with a donation :

' I would like to abuse my position as editor of this newsletter to convey my thanks for the unforgettable kindness and consideration shown by the St. Johr:t Ambulance people at the John Player Grand Prix this year at Silverstone. My wife injured her back when she fell over backwards. These charming people took her to their medical centre in the ambulance, found the doctor, and later in the afternoon when the pain was getting much worse allowed her to sleep on one of the beds for about an hour , so that we could wait for the Grand Prix to start and the traffic to ebb, thus making our wa y, again in one of their ambulances, to the Northampton General Hospital.

The work done by the St. John Ambulance crews is voluntary, while the equipment is supported by donations. It is they who ferry the injured racing drivers to the hospitals.

Don't think it can't happen to you. And next time you see one of their volunteers at a meeting ; make a contribution.

HOW MANY?

How many certificates can a member gain in the service of mankind? 187 is the number that Vic Helmore MBE , Serving Brother , retired Lancashire Staff Officer of Chorley , has collected during 40 years of service. While Vic is not claiming this as a record , he would be interested to know if it can be beaten.

SUSSEX REVIEW

SJ A Littlehampton, I hear, organised a very

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

successful review late August to celebrate SJA 's centenary year, the 70th anniversary of their Ambulance Division and the 50th anniversary of their Nursing Division. The 270 members on parade, who included personnel invited from other local divi sions , were inspected by the County Commander, Prince Tomislav of Jugoslavia. The newly appointed County Commissioner, Mr. K. W. Bolton , and other senior officers of Sussex , were also there.

8th RESCUE

Congratulations to Ambulance Member Henry Beasley , of Hackney Combined Division, who saved a life for the eighth time last July when he pulled a drowning man from the River Lee.

59-year-old Henry , an assistant supervisor at Hackney 's London Fields swimming pool. has made most of his rescues at the pool. The eighth put an abrupt end to a quiet spell of off-duty fishing.

Well done , Henr y.

FILM

Headquarters has received a print of a 20 minute, l6mm film Knights in White , which was made as a TV film in South Australia, that deals with SJ A's search and rescue services in tAe area.

The film is recommended for general

TRAINING IN KENT

interest showing to members and may be hired, on a first come first served basis, at £ 1 a booking from Visual Aids Section, St. John Ambulance HQ, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW IX 7EF.

SLEEPING HARNESSES

Following a fatal accident last year, the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection has been investigating the use of sleeping harnesses. Product safety and safety in the home are among the Department's responsibilities, and this, of course, involves safety matters relating to young children and the sort of articles offered for sale with which they will come into contact.

D PC P's paediatric advisers are strongly of the view that sleeping harnesses and simi lar restrainers should not be used in cots or bed s except under the strictest medical supervision. In 1966 the then Ministry of Health issued a circular to hospitals and health service residential institutions conveying this view and this advice still prevails. Such restrainers have been on sale for a number of years and may be being used in an unsupervised way. The manufacturers of the Clippa-Safe Sleeper have recently agreed to cease general sale of their product but keep a small stock which they will supply to members of the public or hospitals on receiving a written authorisation to do so

BY THE EDITOR

MIND BENDERS

I. Flower plot

Answers:

The Deputy Cin - C talking to N/ C Debbie Cox of the cadet band (Photos :

Mirway Ashford)

(Above) IIfracombe SJA was recently presented with this first aid caravan by the town's Lions Club - which will be very useful for the many outdoor events the Div sions cover

from a qualified member of the medical profession.

Health visitors are asked to keep a special watch for use of such harnesses. In cases in which they are used on a routine basis or on occasional visits away from home, the practice sho uld be immediately discouraged. If a parent has genuine difficulty with a child and the health visitor is unable to help, the parent should seek the advice of the family practitioner or local medical centre before attempting to restrain a child in a cot or bed.

FAMILY AFFAIR

I hear only two people needed treatment at the centenary concert organised by SJA Newark recently - one was an ambulance cadet, the other the Divisional Officer of the Nursing Cadets. Both are now fully recovered.

PRICES UP

The Medical Recording Service Foundation, P.O. Box 99, Chelmsford, CM 1 5HL, has found it necessary to slightly increase its charges. Prices (excluding VAT) are now: audio tape, £6 per tape; slides, 23p £2.30 for loan of an audio tape/slide presentation.

Glou cs : At the dedi c atio n of three - yes THREE - ambulances fo r Cheltenham Corps (L to R) Corps Sup!. J J Matthews the Rev H J Dobbin broth ers Mr L. J and Mr P E Pender, Cty Comm Lt. Col. H G Beard and Area Comm J L W i lkinson After fund raising efforts. which includ ed the Lions Club and the Pender brothers , two Cornishmen who live in Cheltenham , makin g a sponsored wheelchar push from Oxford to Cheltenham two ambulances were bought fr o m the County Ambulance Service Then because of SJA s centenary year the Pe nder br o thers made another sponsored walk th S time from London to Cheltenham , enabling them to buy the Corps the third ambulance plus a scOop stretcher AND hand them a cheque! Phew THAN KS gentlemen (Photo : Cheltenh a m Newspaper Co)

AWARDS

(Right) Leics: County Commissioner Ernest Hudson presented Meritorious Service Certificates to John Davies of J L. King Division and Graham Waterf eld (right), of English Electric SJA D vision See AWARDS

RESCUE

( Right Essex Richard Dav ies (right), who nearly drowned in the sea off Canvey Island , says the biggest thank - you of his ife to rescuers AIMs Ron Barwood of Walthamstow Division and Barry Wright , of Canvey Island Combined Division with Canvey's Div Sup!. Mrs. Kathleen Coley (Photo' Evening Ec ho , Southend)

PROs

enjoying what I gather was in almost every respect a record 'Nottingham', I attended the first day s programme of the 4th annual seminar of the London District Association of St. John Ambulance Instructors at Whitelands College, Putney. The first of these seminars took palce as an 'act of faith in 1974 to enable lay instructors in Greater London to meet their colleagues in the informal atmosphere of a residential weekend to discuss their problems share their experiences and improve their techniques. About 50 lay instructors attended, the venture was universally hailed as a success and its finance committee could even report a balanced budget!

BRIGADE FINALS - NO DREAM

DIO Mrs. Betty Dane, of Peterborough Headquarters Nursing Division, writes: PEOPLE have many dreams - such as climbing Mt. Everest, becoming a pop star or winning the pools - which alas rarely come true. None of these things was the desire of Peterborough Headquarters Nursing Division members, but they had for several years cherished a fervent ambition - to see their team in the Brigade Finals. On numerous occasions their team had won through to the Regional Competitions, but the final honour seemed to elude them. They were particularly disappointed four years ago when the incredible almost happened. Only one mark separated them from the top team but they tied for second place. After this very close contest, they plodded on saying, 'We know it will be our turn some day!'

That day came at Luton this year. Not only did Peterborough Headquarters Nursing Division achieve its dream but the County of Cambridge was represented in the Finals for the first time for many years.

The team, accompanied by its officers, journeyed to London on Friday, July 8the day before the great realisation. On arrival at Kings Cross we took taxis to our hotel, to ensure the uncreased arrival of the uniform dresses which had been so lovingly laundered, patiently packed and transported from Peterborough.

After booking-in, we went to an eatinghouse for a somewhat hurried meal, seasoned with frivolity, before strolling further along the road to a theatre Nothing is ever straightforward for us, for even there our enjoyment was interrupted by a hoax bomb alert, which led to the theatre being evacuated. But we plucked up the courage to return for the rest of the programme when the police assured us that all was well.

After the performance we ambled back to the hotel where the tired members retired to bed - to dream a little but not to sleep very much. Two nocturnal members decided to walk to Buckingham Palace and back before turning in. The 6.30am calls, which we requested, were rather superfluous, for after a night of fluid intakes and outputs, cramps and daybreak hairdressings, no -one needed calling twice to be in the dining-room at 7am.

A further taxi journey took us to Croydon by soon after 8am We waited in the early morning July cold before being admitted to the Fairfields Hall, only to be marched upstairs, downstairs, and then into the Ashcroft Theatre, where the male members of some of the nursing teams must have thought a strip -show was being put on for their benefit. Our team was then left to it s guide, while we officers joined our supporters who had arrived by coach from Peterborough.

We next saw our team as 'the first one in

for the team test in the Concert H all, and then followed them to the Arnhem Rooms where they were subjected , each in her own little cell, to the individual tests. They all 'kept their cool' and put on creditable performances, to finish eighth overall.

Our team - Mrs. Sheila Gilbert, Mrs Bett y Caswell, Miss Margaret Preston and Mrs Cheryl Berry, with Miss Nancy Smith a s reserve - had made the Finals. And they'll make it again. And one day our team will return to Peterborough with the Perrott Shield For this is no dream, I assure you

AT RANDOM

(cont. from p.245)

Alexandria to Malta they were attacked and damaged by two Messerschmitts (both of which they shot down) and eventually 'ditched' on a reef off the coast of Cyrenaica.

During their subsequent trek across the desert they were taken prisoner by a party of Italian infantry; but they disarmed and turned the tables all their captors and emboldened by this success, eventually collected a 'bag' of over 150 prisoners whom they later handed over to a platoon of the 4th Indian Division which had been sent out to look for them. (How 's that for a tr Je life background s tory for the sort of training exerci se that [ described in September?).

At the end of his tour of duty with Bomber Command, Pilot Officer Easton was seconded to British Overseas Airways in 1942, trained on Empire Flying Boats and

flew on what was known as the Horseshoe Rout e' - South Africa, India, West Africa, Congo, Madagascar, etc. He was one of th e youngest -ever BOAC pilots to be promoted to Captain , and on his retirement 32 years later was the most senior Captain in British Airways Overseas Division (but he prefers to bc known in retirement as plain 'Mr'). He holds The Queen's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air and a Master Pilot s Certificate of the Guild of Airline Pilot s and Navigators, as well as the highly prized membership certificate of the 'Late Arrivals Club' in recognition of his eventual safe return from the Benghazi raid after all hope of his survival had been abandoned.

Competitions

While nearly 500 Brigade members were

In the following year it became so well established that in 1976 London District felt they could invite lay instructors from the Home Counties as well, and in 1977 the invitation was extended to all counties throughout England and Wales. A total attendance of over 150 included some 20 stafT, speakers and helpers, 70 lay instructors from Greater London and more than 60 others from Wales and from 20 English counties including delegates from as far away as Cornwall and North Yorkshire. Incidentally this is yet another example of the splendid way in which both the Association and the Brigade branches in London District open their doors to invite St. John members from further afield to share in worth - while training and operational experiences which are uniquely available in and around our capital city Saturday'S programme , of which 'competitions' was the main theme, included a very interesting demonstration team test carried out by an expert team from the Metropolitan Police, with commentary by Dr. J H. Chambers. All the sessions struck me as being very stimulating, challenging and instructive, but the two which I personally found the most interesting were those on 'Organisation of Competitions' by Mr V. W Phillips (District Staff Officer , Training) and 'Nursing Competitions by Mrs. C. M. Stretton (Deputy District Nursing Officer). I hope that they will both be prevailed upon to write something in the Review on these two subjects during the course of the next few months.

I was interested to note that, though a majority of delegates were in favour of competitions, a sizable minority expressed doubts about their value and there were even some who were against their being held at all. The main objections seemed to be: (a) that the long period of training meant that far too much attention was paid to a tiny percentage of our membership, to the detriment of the remainder; (b) that competitions encouraged pot -hunting and developed an elitist stratum of membership which discouraged the majority who never reached such heights; (c) that far too much

LONDON GET-TOGETHER

time was spent on how to say or do the things that 'scored' on the judge s mark sheet rather than on real compassionate care for the patient or casualty; and (d) that team tests often involved dealing with too many casualties and too many injuries, with too much emphasis on finishing ', which resulted in lowering rather than raising the standards of true first aid.

Surely, in so far as these criticisms are justified, they re not criticisms of the competitive element in first aid training, but of the manner in which teams prepare for competitions and in which the competitions are set and judged. Surely, too , we ve got to decide what is the object of competitions

Naturally, any team entering for a competition does its very best to win. But the real value of a team's success in winning is practically nil unless , right throughout the whole of the competition season from the start of training in a local unit to the finals at Croydon or Seymour Hall, the losers have also gained in experience and have improved the quality of their first aid - and not only the losers but every member of every local unit which entered a team in the very first round

If this is to happen , then ALL members of a division (or other local unit), as well as the actual competition team, must be involved in the training right from the start, acting as s parring partners' or pace makers' for the team that is to go forward to represent them.

r stand four square in total opposition to the view that a competition team can't be trained on the same night as a division meets I admit that this may not be the best way, as at present, to reach the national final s; but it oughtn't to be difficult to modify the manner of setting and judging competitions so that teams thus trained really do stand a fair chance of becoming national finalist s without any lowering (and perhaps even with a raising) of their s tandards of real first aid.

Meanwhile , I'm a firm believer in the value of competitions; but if it's a question of raising standards. I'd far rather that we prepared for competitions in a way which en s ured that the standards of 100% of our member s were raised by 10 % than that those o f 10% of our members were raised by 100 %. I hope the point is clear. M y da y at Whiteiands College was a shot in the arm to my own enthusiasm, and I'm s ure that all those who had travelled far longer distances than myself will have felt their journey fully justified. I was sorry to ha ve to leave a little before the end but I was under promise to get back home in time to take part in a fairy dance (impromptu, since the other three fairies had rehearsed while I was at Putney) in a burlesque of a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream at an entertainment after our parish harvest s upper. The performance brought the house down; but one slightly arthritic and bearded fair y was much relieved that we got away with only one encore!

To Belfast

I've just returned (since writing the above) from a weekend training conference (N) at Bangor on the southern shore of the lovely Belfast Lough. The total attendance was nearly 50 from all parts of the Commandery of Ards, those coming from longer distances s taying overnight. The welcome was wonderful, the programme excellent and the jo y ful spirit utterly undaunted.

It was also a special pleasure for me to present to Nursing Cadet Heather Jamieson the Letter of Commendation awarded to her b y the for a rescue which she carried out at Ballyholme Bay close to the hotel where the conference took place

Thank you, Northern Ireland, for giving me uch a truly inspiring experience. My onl y regret i that I've now neither time nor p ac e to tell our readers more about you

A PHONE call from a fellow nursing officer early in January really started my pilgrim duty - 'Will you come to Lourdes for a week to do a duty with the English Association of the , Knights of Malta?'helping to nurse and look after approximately 20 sick and crippled people .

After a little thought and a lot of discussion with my family of husband and three sons on how they would manage without mother, I phoned to say yes.

The arrangements for the flight and hotel accommodation for all St. John members were made by the Knights of Malta through the Catholic Association agency.

Forms for a passport and a letter to Alan McKay at Headquarters for insurance cover, plus an order to Supplies for more uniform (and hoping it would arrive on time) as orders stated that 'uniforms would be worn at all times', all helped towards the butterflies I had about flying , and doing such a duty out of England.

On April 29 , with everything prepared , my husband drove me to Gatwick Airport. We arrived at 14.20 and soon found the other St. John personnel and the Order of Malta members with the patients who were to make up the pilgrim party The flight was due out at 15.45 so everyone had a little time to greet one another.

Luggage weighed, tickets and passports shown, then through security and on to the runway to board the plane. There was no time now for second thoughts about flying!

The flight proved smooth and enjoyable - why had I been so apprehensive! We landed at Tarbes Airport three hours later , having gained an hour in time during the flight, and after a short coach drive we arrived at the hotel in Lourdes. I was on duty at once; no time to stop and unpack. My room mate took charge of our luggage and off I went with one of the ladies of Malta to the Hospital of St. Bernadette to give supper to our patients and settle them in.

On le aving the hospital, duty finished for , the evening , I could hear hundreds of voices

TO LOURDES

The great annual pilgrimage in which members of all branches of the Order throughout the world play a part.

This year 17 members from the Brigade in the UK went to Lourdes. Among them was Div. Supt. MRS. JEAN CRAMP, from Kent

singing and then witnessed the beautiful sight of the torch light procession: pilgrims from allover the world, with hooded candles and singing the Lourdes Hymn - some walking, others in wheelchairs or on stretchers It was something I will never forget , and although it occurs each evening at dusk , the first time of seeing it is wonderful.

Duties were posted on a board at the hotel and discovered that my room mate, Mrs. Iris Sullivan from Crystal Palace Division and I were to work together in the baths on our first day . Very tired and pleased that I had come to Lourdes, I crawled up to bed and sleep, wondering about tomorrow.

The baths at the Grotto are one of the reasons why the sick both in mind and body , and the fit and well go to Lourdes.

They go to be immersed in the water which comes from the spring which Saint • Bernadette found when she saw and spoke to Our Lady in 1858. Many of the visitors are paralysed , some badly crippled , others with some terminal disease , and some mentally sick Young and not so young , most are Catholic but many are of other religions. They come to either gain strength through faith or as a penance for sin. Everyone appears to derive a peace of mind , which cannot be explained by going into the water.

The ladies of the Order of Malta normally do bath duty and it was good to work alongside them.

Most afternoons we would take our patients into the town to shop weather permitting , and I soon discovered it rains a great deal in Lourdes!

Special services are a daily occurrence.

The blessing of the sick in the great square. The consecration of children at the Grotto. And the service which is held weekly for all pilgrims in the new underground Basilica with a procession of the Knights and Ladie s, Hand Maidens and Dames of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This year members of the St. John party walked with them in homage to Our Lady. This was indeed true unity with the Knights and Hospitallers from

in England, greeted me and said he remembered St. John nurses at the hospital he had been in. Another who had been a Free French airman asked if I knew Manston Aerodrome it made his evening when I told him I came from Ramsgate only a mile' or two from Manston

many c ountries.

Having worked in the hospital and had a day helping at the baths , Iris and I asked if we could have a morning at the train s, helping to unload and wheel patients to the coaches which took them to the hospitals in Lourdes We made a small speech about th e equality of men and women, etc , and won our s elves a morning s hard work We start off at 7am. You'll have to be in the foyer ready b y then, ' we were told The alarm wa s set fo r 6am and next morning we were there French Railways leave a lot to be desired fo r transporting patients. They are very large trains all overhead lines , and the station platforms are never quite the right height for th e c arriage doors Most patients either needed a wheelchair or a stretcher , and s tretcher s have to come through train windows. I got the feeling it was , after all, a man' s job! But Iris and I soon found a Tout ine We blanketed and cushioned the s tretchers ready and lined them up for th e men to handle. We managed most wheelchair cases and pushed them to the coaches much to the amusement and astonishment of some Italians, who were with their own Order waiting for train s. Pilgrims come from many countriesHolland , Belgium , Austria Germany , etcbut with sign language and a smile we did fine and Colonel P. Catt , Dr. Phillips and Chri s topher Monckton were pleased with o ur effort s We learned later that St. John nur s ing members hadn helped at the trains the previous year.

Nearly each country represented gave a r e c e ption on one evening for all the helpers , a nd I met many Ambulance Corps and Order of Malta contingents. All were intere s ted to · know where we came from , what we do, why this lodge and how strong SJA divisions are in England. A lady and a Knight of Malta from Australia, who had been to England during the war asked what Lo ndon was like now, and did I know some o bsc ure town which I didn t. One Poli s h ge ntleman , who had been a prisoner -of-war

From Gibraltar

In

The Irish Ambulance Corps members were very keen to learn about St. John in England and the way our Divisions and Areas work, so I promised to send a Histor y of the Order and other books, including the two latest Reviews. By return they sent back The Founding of their Order and a Regulation book , with a request for the Review to be sent regularly if possible. So now our maga z in e is being read by The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps in Ireland. Our party had picked a good week for the pilgrimage , as one afternoon everyone available was asked to attend a reception in the Conference Rooms , as His Most Eminent Highness the Prince Grand Master wa s to give an address and receive member s of the SMOM and Ambulance Corps from all countrie s who were in Lourdes that week. I went along with other St. John member s of our party and was introduced and shook hand s with the Grand Master. Later he visited the wards of the hospital to see the patient s and give them, and the Lodge s of the Malta Order a medallion of the Order o f Malta 1977 Pilgrimage. He also reque s ted that the St. John personnel s hould al so

Letitia L. A. Overend, LLD OJStJ

MISS Letitia Overend Superintendent-i.nCh e f of the Brigade of Ireland for 35 y ear s and a member since 1912 - on Sept 3 thi s y ear she received her 3rd bar to her Gold Service Medal - died in her 90 s at her home and farm outside Dublin on October 3.

During that remarkably long period of 65 years of dedicated and unbroken service the late Miss Overend was noted and honoured for her kindne ss. gener os it y and munificence to many a worthy cause, for example , her participation in the foundation of the Sunshine Home in Stillorgan which has done so much for children for many years.

It was, however , to St. John Ambulance and its work that she tirele ss ly devoted her abil i ties and innuence These brought her r a pid promotion and she became, successively , Officer Chief Superintendent , Commander in the Order of St. John followed by Dame of Justice in 1955 Then in 196) she received the honorary

accept them with his thanks for helping the Engli s h SMOM in bringing the patients to Lo urde s.

All too soon our final day in Lourdes arrived. La s t minute photos were taken , and the patient s were helped on their last s hopping expedition for presents to take home Cleaning the wards they had oc cupied , and changing the beds in readine s s for the next pilgrims who would a rri ve later that day with their nurses . And then onto the coach, looking back at t he s now - capped mountains, and remembering all the happiness I had seen on the fa c e s of the s ick in Lourdes. No -one be moaned their lot, no -one was bitter about their sickness, always there was someone a lit tle worse than the y were. How lucky we

In 1961 when Trinity College confe rr ed he honorary LL D de g ree on Miss Overend

de g r ee of LL.D from Trinity College.

Mis s Overend who's other great love wa s mot o ring , was the longest continuous o wner o f a Rolls Ro y ce car She bought he r 20 / 25 model in 1927 and went to the Roll s Ro y ce factor y training school to learn to service it, which she did up to a few year s ago. The only concession which Mi s s Overend made to advancing age wa s that she ceased hand -cranking th e c ar to s tart it and had a self-starter in s t a ll e d

Her s is ter Naomi, who owns a ) 934 Au s tin Tourer , said: 'The Rolls Royce certainly won t be for sale .' Miss Overend ' s memory will long be rev e red by all who have had the privilege of knowing her , listening to her as te a cher, demonstrator lecturer and ou ts tanding leader , working beside her , often in difficult situations and conditions, when her courageous, cheerful and gallant presence was an inspir a tion to al l. She made the motto of th e Brigade - Pro Utili tate Hominum - her o w n.

are to be able to help them in this small way.

At Tarbes Airport - tickets and luggage.

E ver y one went to spend their last francs on dut y free - one giving a few francs to another who hadn't quite enough for those 200 cigarettes Then on to the plane , all talking and asking Who s willing to come next year ?'

Two hours later and Gatwick , saying good byes and thank - you ' s to people who a week before I hadn't known , and keeping an eye open for my husband and young son. Shall I go next year and maybe meet again some of the friends I found this year? I hope so.

M y thanks to Colonel Donald Long, Lancashire St. John who led the UK party, and Mr. Gervase Elwes, SMOM.

ORDER I NVESTITU RE

london, September 29

Mr Edward Owen Crosby Deputy Commissioner o f WarWickshire with 3B years Brig ade service. be

C h aplain

The Very Rev. George Clive Handford Wayside, (N. Yorks ).

Co mma nd e r (B r other)

Cornelius Christopher Molley, B.Sc, MB, BS, DIH , FRIC (London).

Harold George Hemmi ng, MIBiol, FRSH (Manchester).

Thomas Kenneth James Leese MB, Ch.B (Lancs).

Harold Cyril Hygate (Surrey).

Edward Owen Crosby (W Midlands).

Lieul. Col. Hubert Blount, MC, TO, DL (Norfolk).

James Westoll, DL (Cumbria).

Joseph Edward Williams (Manchester). Frederick Walter Witch (Surrey).

Com m ander (Sister)

Audrey Caroline, Miss Emerton SRN, SCM, RNT (Kent).

Florence Winifred, Miss Paul (Cornwall).

Ur s ula, Mrs Lloyd Owen (Norfolk).

Patricia, Mr s. Allen (Bucks). Patricia, Miss Gould , RRC WHNS , QARNNS (Hants).

Officer (B rother)

John Bissill Heycock, MC, TO, FRCP (Sunderland).

William Lewis Curd (London), Fred Bannister (Lancs).

S a muel Hall (West Yorks).

The Lord Rootes (Berks).

William Charles Vincent (Cornwall).

Bernard George Budden Lucas, MRCS, LRCP, DA FFARCSCIMechE (London).

Ian Millar Ramsden , MA, MB, ChB, NRCS, LRC P (Surrey).

Julian Lewis Thomas (Devon).

John Perry (Merseyside).

Eric Harold Smith (Wilts).

John Edward Moss CMiddx).

Kenneth Frederick Baker (Somerset).

Harry James Earle CW. Midlands).

Eric Douglas Hunt (Bournemouth).

Leslie Alfred Webb (Essex).

Associa t e Offi cer (Bro th er)

Eric Marcus Stitcher, MBE, JP ( Hendon).

Offi ce r (Sister)

Catherine Mary, Miss Hall, CBE, SRN, SCM (Surrey).

Jennifer Rosemary Anne, Miss Clair (Cornwall).

Doris May, Miss Mountjoy (Birmingham)

Mary, Mrs Douglas, SRN (Surrey).

June Patricia Mrs. Goodson (Sth. Devon)

Ethel, Mr s. Morris (Berks).

Joan Mary , Mrs Leese, SRN (Lancs).

Mabel Abbie, Miss Bedford (Herts),

Margaret Edna, Mrs Leversedge ( Hereford Worcs ).

Barbara, Mrs. Smith (Cheshire).

Peggy Ethel, MIss Smith (Surrey),

Se r ving Brother

The Rev Ronald Duncan d'Esterre Meredith, BD AKC ( Kent).

John Crighton Akehurst (Wirral),

Ronald Fox Lawrence, MD, MRCS, LRCP, FRCOG ( Lincs).

Albert Goodman Wilson (Somerset).

GeofTrey Painter (Hereford).

Alan Frederick Webb (Kent)

Clarence Albert, Devaney (Humberside).

Esquires (Ief t The Bailiff of Egle presents his personal Esquire th e Han. Joylon Grey and (rightl the Hospitaller and Knight of Justice presents his personal Esqu ire A exander

Keith Lyle

(Le ft) Divisional Officer of Harley and Gatwick Combined Division. Miss Joyce Heather who has J i)een an Air Ambulance Attendant for 10 years Serving Sister (Right) John M alco lm Cowan. an Assi stant at the Chancery for 5 years and Divis onal Officer of Pimlico D ivis ion Brother Serving

Bernard Frederick Lancaster (Birmingham).

Anthony Vincent Brookes (Cheshire).

Edward Alfred Pannell (Hereford).

Leonard Johnson, MM (Warks).

Jack Buxton (Staffs).

Kenneth Dale Coggan (Notts).

Michael William Warr (West Sussex).

Joseph Terence Richard Avery (Essex).

Le slie Ronald Cox ( Coventry).

John Joseph Lomax (Lancs).

Walter Gittens ( Hereford)

Michael John Akers (London).

Anthony George Hobhouse Clay (Shrewsbury).

Alan Eric Grigg (W. Midlands).

John Malcolm Weeks (Sussex).

Ronald Alan Davis ( Kent).

Hoshang Mebernosh Masani FRCS (StafTs).

William Joseph George Hall (Avon).

Donald John Graham Macdonald (Kent).

Walter Th omas Simpson, MM (Coventry).

Jack Collins (Glos).

Allan Allday (Cleveland).

Da vid Bianchi ( Harrogate).

Alan Lawrence Coleman (Lowestoft).

Jack Alfred Crathenley (Glos.).

Jame s Walter Bent (Lancs).

Benjamin Birchall BEM (W. Yorks).

Desmond Ernest John Shepherd (Sussex).

George Alexander Firth (London).

John Edwin Charles Stockwell (Surrey).

Henry Lewis Randell (lOW).

John Malcolm Cowan (London).

Serv in g Sis er

Patricia Mrs McCulloch , SRN, SCM ( Mer seys ide).

Mary

J

Evelyn,

Patricia

Jo yce Alvin, Mis s Heather

Mar ga ret Jean Miss Denver (lOM).

Eileen Beatrice, Mrs. Nunney

Doris Alexandra, Mrs Jewson (Norfolk).

Georgi na Winifred, Mrs Billington (North ants).

Maud Mary , Mrs, Francis (South Yorks).

Kathleen Mrs Knipe (Humberside).

Margaret Rose Mrs. Garnham (Salop).

Joan Mariel, Miss Mansell (W. Midlands).

Phylli s Lilian, Mrs. Bicknell

Dorothy Joan, Mrs. Connacher (Herts).

Wendy , Mrs. Robinson (Lancs).

Sheila Margaret, Mrs. Dyke (Sussex).

Sarah, Mi ss McMahon, MBE (Northumberland).

Helen Edith, Miss Gribble, SRN, SCM (London).

Jocelyn, Mrs. Appleyard (Yorks).

Christine Mrs. Holmes (Hants).

Naomi, Miss Sait (Surrey).

Amy, Mrs. Pollitt, MBE (Manchester).

Patricia, Mrs. Urquart (Wilts). Ellathea , Mrs Burnham (Notts).

Glad ys Lillian, Mrs. Cookson (Sth. Yorks).

Esq ui re

The BailifT of Egle presented his personal Esquire

The Han. Joylon Grey of London to the Lord Prior.

The Hospltaller and the Knight of Justice present ed his personal Esquire Alexander Keith Lyle. of London, to the Lord Prior.

Winifred Emily, Miss Parnell (Devon).

Rosemarie, Mrs. Britton SRN SRFN (Bristol).

Patricia, Mrs Hutchinson (Yorks).

oa n Mary, Mrs. Packham (Bucks).

Mrs McCain (Tyne and Wear).

Margaret, Mrs. Ogden (Lancs).

(Surrey).

(A von).

(London).

UNIFORMS

from D. R. Hooper

Rather than design a new uniform, why not look at what most divisions are already wearing. I refer to the white nylon overall or boiler suit. It is universally available, clinically aesthetic, easily laundered, highly visible and, above all, cheap With the simple addition of St. John and county shoulder flashes (and possibly a divisional badge, as approved at county level, worn on the breast pocket) plus a suitable belt and headgear, it becomes a uniform suitable for all but the most ceremonial duties.

The belt could make use of the fittings on the current summer belt (but I would suggest petersham as being more durable than elastic) and by carrying the water bottle on the right hip and a small pouch on the left front would replace the white haversack. D. O. Sandall is not the only one who finds it more suitable for sandwiches than first aid. A white scarf would hide whatever was worn underneath and would double as a broad fold bandage in an emergency. Badges of rank could be worn on suitably coloured epaulettes, and why not bring this into line with the N.H.S., (Green for SEN, Blue for SRN), even the belts could be colour coded for quick identification (how about a white belt for first year members to indicate lack of experience).

The present uniform (or its still expensive replacement) would be used for ceremonial duties only and would not be issued until a member had completed a certain number of duty hours to the satisfaction of his division, thus avoiding the expensive 'Rejects' that occur from time to time. (Why are they always special size?) Such a uniform should last a lifetime.

Before rejecting my 'boiler suit' image, just consider the advantages New members rapidly kitted at low cost with uniformity on duty , no similarity to other uniformed force such as police or fire brigade, the uniform rolls into a very small compass and may be worn over normal clothing, making it possible for members to go on duty straight from work, the white material not only looks right for a first -aider but is a safety factor sadly lacking in the current alternatives , and last but not least it is equally suited to the distaff side of the Brigade although I for one will miss the sight of those shapely calves.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. Let's try and save our cash for the things that really matter, first aid materials and equipment. Incidentally, where do the new mounted division (Sept. Review) carry their water bottles and pocket packs , or sandwiches?

Lincoln CiLY Division David R. Hooper

REGULA nON UNIFORM

from 2248

I would ask, as have some of my colleagues , what constitutes illegal uniform?

The Brigade authorises a limited range of badges to indicate the qualifications of the wearer and the uniform committee is rightly reluctant to agree to additional badges. However its senior officers wear or allow to be worn badges which some of us in the lower ranks think are superfluous.

Three such badges are:

I. the Civil Defence Instructor's badge, when the CD has been disbanded and the qualification presumably redundant;

2. a cloth Motor Transport badge, which is worn in some area s to indicate membership of a Transport Division when there is no such designation in Regulations;

3. the Air Attendants Wing and other badges after expiration of entitling Brigade qualification - which is usually three years.

I and some of my colleagues hold the S1. John Ambulance Lay Instructor's certificate and/or the Ambulance Proficiency Certificate ('Millar') and, in view of the above comment, feel that there is justification for the recognition of these two badges.

The Brigade recognises the professional qualifications of doctors and nurses with a concessionary rank, and one would have thought that, now that ambulance training (' Millar') has probably exceeded the wildest dreams of Furley et al and developed into a profession in its

READERS VIEWS

Readers' views and opinions which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.

The Suppl es Dept s thinking on flag days includes a new type of sticker undergOing t r ials See letter NEW IDEAS

own right, a similar concession could be granted to 'Millar' personnel.

(Incidentally, readers may be interested to know that the title 'Doctor' for many doctors is concessionary - I know of at least one ambulance member who is a Doctor in his own right holding a Ph.D., and a number of surgeons who, having gained qualifications additional to their basic qualification, take great pride in the title Mister' when in professional circles and take offence when addressed by the lesser title 'Dr'). I would hold that there is a need to urgently review the status of this section of Brigade membership which could enrich the training of members in divisions with ambulances, as do doctors and nurses.

If the official line to these suggestions is an emphatic 'No" then L who am not 'Millar' trained, will accept the situation philosophically, but would like to think that senior officers took a closer look at their own uniforms if their criticism of others is to carry conviction.

I sign off with none other than myoid school number , which for some reason I remember.

W. Midlands

LONG SERVICE

from C. D. Wheeler, Centre Chairman

While long service by members to the Brigade is often and rightly presented in the 'Review', one does not often read of long service by non -Brigade members to the Association. Here at the Gosport and Fareham Centre we are justly proud that the Centre President, Mr. E. Crossland, has just completed 25 years of continual service as an active President. We would be interested to know how many Centre Presidents can equal or better this fine record. Gosport / Fareham Centre C. D. Wheeler

LADIES MEN?

from N. Ratcliffe

I see no reason why there should be any further shortage of recruits. To the extent that S1. John Ambulance can advertise - and there are various means of publicising without formally 'placing adverts _ the two photographs at the bottom of Page 201 in the September issue of the St. John Review s hould have all young men (and many not -soyoung) who are capable of compassion and tender concern flocking to sign -on in order to be able to don that confidence-inspiring uniform, the s ight of which is so reassuring to damsels in clistress on occasions such as football matches, and in consequence are ready to entrust themselves uninhibitedly to the skilled ministrations of those male angels arrayed in that warm and virtuous black serge.

Peak A rea (Derbyshire) N. Ratcliffe

Editor: I think we'd better take another look (right) at those pictures

NEW IDEAS

from Colin A. Gale, Divisional Superintendent

The Director of Supplies' letter (August Review) with regard to the correct printing of our eight pointed badge must surely bring one or red faces at Headquarters. A classic example of this printing error IS the leanet 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow' issued by Headquarters The eight pointed cross is coloured black and the angle between adjacent points is not a right angle.

Although, as we are so rightly informed, the printing is incorrect. what a splendid pamphlet this is for advertising our organisation. Could I, through the Review make a suggestion for future such publications The postal list that Headquarters or their agency has must be very extensive, but why not ask divisions to prepare a list of potential subscribers to our cause from well known or prominent local bu.siness people? This would surely help to update the mailing list and bnng the work of St. John Ambulance to potential new friends and subscribers.

May I ask a question of our Supplies Dept. concerning St. John Ambulance flags as used on flag selling weeks up and down the country? When r attended the Nottingham conference in 1970 a member asked, during question time, why we in St. John were not keeping up with other organisations in our modern approach and replacing the faithful old 'pin flags' by the easier 'self-adhesive' type. The answer given was that HQ had considered them, but had heard reports of people being bruised when having flags placed on them.

We have recently completed our flag week in Poole and it was suprising the number of people who asked if we had the self-adhesive type of flag, and one or two parents refused their children having a flag because of the pin.

So come on Headquarters, please let's have a few more modern thoughts, like the centenary envelope stickers. They are excellent and are remarked upon by many people.

By the way, Ed, enjoy the medical articles. Any possibility of one exclusively on 'Entonox'?

Branksome Combined Cadet Division Colin A. Gale

Director of Supplies John Webb writes:

We are not behind in our thinking concerning collections and the use of st ickers on flag days. This matter was considered by the Brigade Committee some years ago, but I had to report that a number of cases had occurred in other charities where stickers had been put on such things as suede coats, ladies' dresses, and men's suits and had caused considerable marking, and the charities involved had been asked to meet the expenses of the damage the stickers had caused. We discussed this matter thoroughly with the people producing the stickers and could be given no assurance that they would meet our req uirements.

This year, with a new type of sticker, an experiment has been conducted in Bedfordshire. A second experiment is being conducted in

Luton in October, if all proves well we shall be recommending to the Brigade Committee the elimination of the pin and the adoption of this sticker.

The photograph (left) which was taken a short time ago indicates the thinking we have on this problem.

Editor: I have asked the Medical Dept. for an article on Entonox.

ST. JOHN DIARIES

from Ben R. Jarman, County Staff Officer (A/C)

The very interesting Supplies Newsletter for Autumn '77 reminds us that the St. John diaries will shortly be available and should be ordered NOW. The code number of this item is given to ensure there is no mistaking what is required. And the cost too - 65p - which I consider most reasonable for these days. However, two word follow the 65p - 'postage extra'. The question arises. How much extra am I to include in my cheque for postage? What size is the diary for next year? If I could obtain a 1978 diary now , I could weigh it and from the leaflet 'Postal Rates (Inland)', obtainable free from The Post Office I would know the exact postal charge.

SJA ange at work the two photos that appeared In the September ReView See letter LADI ES MEN) (Photos : Liverpool Post and Echo)

It occurs to me that our Director Supplies might consider including the weight of the 1978 diary in any further advertising up to. say. February 1978. A lot of time and money must be wasted. in writing and postage, to enquire the cost of posting the item and. on the Supplies side, in writing back to the purchaser requesting more cash. Would you consider this one please , Mr. Webb? And perhaps the idea could be extended to all items when the price-lists are revised - to the benefit of all concerned in any transaction.

S & W Yorkshire Ben R. Jarman

Director Supplies John Webb writes:

Mr. Jarman's comments are most interesting, but of course he will be the first to realise that ordering is basically done by Divisions on their order form, and when they are ordering large numbers of diaries this is placed on the order form usually together with other items. and collectively the postal charge is made on the invoice which is sent to the Division.

Now I take the point about weighing the diaries, and as a matter of interest it produces almost a logarithmic scale if one views it objectively, as you will see from the following list:

These weights were obtained by Avery certified postal scale. but to these of course must be added packaging, etc. There is another way in which postage can be dealt with and that is as it is done by mail order businesses, in which the cost of postage is built into the cost of the item concerned. I well remember visiting a number of mail order houses a short time ago and discussing this point with them, and we decided in the Supplies Department not to do this. as I think it tends to inflate the price of goods and I am a firm believer in the fact that inflation is a vicious enough thing to deal with in Itself and we try not to enter into a rat race of that nature.

Finally, I am grateful to Mr. Jarman for pointing out that the cost of the St. John diary is reasonable. We believe this to be so also, and from the list which is supplied to me by our diary manufacturers I am absolutely certain that at 65p the St. John diary represents an absolutely first-class buy.

MALTA ST. JOHN

from Mrs. E. J. Pigott, County Director

I have just returned from a holiday in Malta where found that the Headquarters had been moved from Archbishop Street, Valletta to No. 24 St. John's Street (an address so much to remember!). It seems very appropriate that S1. John has gone back to the Courts of Justice which were occupied by the Knights. The new Headquarters includes many interesting features such as the dungeons where they used to keep the prisoners, and the actual court itself. The street (right) is a stepped one and those who know Malta will remember that it has the famous 'hook'.

Cambridge E. J. Pigolf

PICKING ROSES

from Dr. E. L. Edmonds, Provincial Commissioner

May I add a tailpiece to my good friend Dr. Robert article The Red Rose of Lancaster, (Review, July 77). There is, of course, a whole history of roses, and one which goes back into mediaeval is 'Rosa Damascena by Biferique.' This is a remarkable rose. for. as its Latin name indicates, it has more than one

which is half red and half white. I often like to think that the famous painting showing the Yorkist and the Lancastrian factions picking roses from ditferent bushes had got it all wrong, and that they picked different coloured roses from the same bush, namely 'Rosa Damascena by It is interesting to note that the first 'Union rose dimidiated', as mentioned in Dr. Ollerenshaw's article. could also have been picked from the same bush (perhaps when Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York were a -courting?).

Prince Edward Island E. L. Edmonds

BRIGADE AMBULANCES

from E. Jemmett, Divisional Officer

As an ambulanceman employed by the Kent area health authority and a divisional officer / lay instructor for St. John, I feel I can give a balanced view of SJA ambulances.

We all know that St. John is looked down upon by some professional ambulancemen, partly because they have the impression that if S1. John did not cover sports meetings they would get paid to do so, not realising that most of these events would not be able to take place if they had to pay full wages for ambulance crews.

This is just one of the small things held against the Brigade. But how guilty are we of the following complaints?

Poorly equipped ambulances: When possible I take the opportunity to look at the equipment in SJA ambulances and have ,been dismayed to find that some contain little more than a stretcher, a couple of blankets and a 15A. This is really taking the name 'ambulance' in vain. Could not a standard of equipment be laid down for our ambulances, as is done for those professionally run?

Some ambulances have the roof emergency beacon fitted in the wrong place. Instead of being on the level surface of the roof it is on the slope at the front of the roof, so that the beam of light is not aimed to the front and rear to warn other road users but at low flying aircraft and little creatures that live underground.

S Jo hn 5 S tre e Va ll e tt a - to where the h eadquar t e rs o Malta S I. J ohn mo ved rec entl y. S e e let er MALTA ST J OHN

I saw one ambulance that had two front grill mounting blue light fitted on the roof facing forward, in place of a beacon, though the law states that the roof light should flash through 360 degree s.

Training of ambulance crews: J have not been able to find a ruling on the crewing of St. John ambulances. If this is so it could be pos s ible for a person to pass a first aid exam, join a division and be on duty as an attendant the next week

If looked at from the angle that during training that per s on wa s told to send for further aid ie , an ambulance, he now find s that he is that further aid and the ambulance crew. It is easy to see how stupid thi s can be.

I would like to see us start by bringing in rules such as these:

The driver must have held a licence for at least three years be at least 21 years of age and satisfy the divisional superintendent in a te s that they can drive the ambulance smoothly and safely

The attendant should have three years active service with St. John in an adult division and hold the nursing certificate as there is more nursing to be done than first aid in the back of an ambulance.

For both posts, the person must be of the type who can think and act caJmly in emergency situations and not be put off by onlooker s . a s du e to the type of duty we cover usuaJly they will be performing before a large crowd of spectators.

Could the advanced first - aid certificate that ha s been dropped be replaced by a course for a certificate of ambulance-aid ?

Sporting events are getting faster and more people are invol\ed in motor sports, so there is more risk of serious injury. feel something like this is needed to bring members up to the standard expected of ambulance crew s

Most members of the public think that an ambulance is an ambulance, and expect the same standard from them all regardle ss of full or part - time crews.

People are always ready to condemn an amateur. If a profes s ional make s a mistake it's Well , nobody is right all the time'; but if a Sl. John member makes a mistake it's 'Those black and white idiots playing again'

A s more and more ambulances are being operated by Sl. John. s the time now approaching when an officer at county level should be made responsible for training crews and seeing that we have ambulances and not just vehicles for carrying people Thi s is not intended to condemn the Brigade in any way. But to make us look at ourselves and see that we give no reason for ad ver s e comment from outside.

Sillingbourne and Milton Combined Division E. Jemm elf

MOUNTED DIVISIONS

from Sir Leslie Monson, Director Overseas

The report on the newly - formed mounted division in Derb y shire (Re view Sept.) included the statement that it was believed to be the first formed in the history of SJA. Without wishing to detract from the initiative shown by SJA in Derbyshire and for the record. I would like to point out that there used to be a mounted division based on the gold mines at Vatukuola in Fiji. It had alas been ' dismounted' b y the time I viSited Fiji la s t year, so Derbyshire may well be unique in SJA today HQ Leslie Mon s on

ANGULAR SPLINTS

from W. E. Street, Divisional Officer

In a recent discussion following a divisional practice with the \.ariou s t y pes of splints now in use, such as the Frac - [mmobilize and the inflated splint, reference was made to a well padded angular splint for the leg and foot formally used on our ambulance years ago (and which we s till ha ve ) It was the opinion of several members. including myself.

that this splint , which is placed under the leg like the patella s plint. gives far more support to a fracture than splints on the side of t he le g and could be fixed more easily and firmly because once the le g is resting on it the splint can be raised otT the ground slightly if neces s ar y as with the Thomas splint, making it more comfortable for the patient and easier to fix the bandages, especially on rough ground.

Finally, it could be tied to the uninjured foot for extension if required by a figure of eight bandage, but with most inj urie s thi s extension causes more pain and shock than any good it doe s It would be interesting to hear other readers views and experienc es on this subject.

Exmouth W. E. Str ee t

CHAIR-LIFTED

from Brenda Cumberland, Nursing Member

Though I have been a member of St. John for about 10 year s , thi s y e a r was the first time I attended Nottingham.

May most sincerely thank all the members who helped me up. and particularly down, all the stairs in the assembly hall? They chair -lift e d' me without question, and I feel it only fair to explain that I had been discharged from hospital only 48 hours before the start of the convention and after almost six weeks in hospital I wa s feelin g a bit weak at the knees!

The weekend was just the tonic I needed , and in thanking memb e r s from other divisions who helped me, would like to thank b y nam e th e Superintendent of my own division Tony Morley, and h is wife Margaret, our Area Training Officer , without whose help an d encouragement I might not have been able to attend.

Maghull Division Brenda Cum ber a n d

NEWS from SCOTLAND

Priory

On August 20 Brigade members of the Greater Manchester Area , who were in Edinburgh to see the tattoo , visited the Chancery. On August 26 the Governor of Antigua and Lady Jacobs were shown round the Chancery by the Priory Secretary. The Prior the Hospitaller and the Chairman of the Edinburgh Committee gave them lunch at Preston field House.

Torphichen

A SJA detachment of twelve adults and thirty -six cadets from Cumbria camped at Craigs Park, Torphichen , for a week On August 24 the camp was inspected by the Chairman of the Council of St. John

Associations, Mr. W. A. P. Jack , and the Chairman of the Committee of the Order in the Central Region Mr. W. Macfarlane Gray.

Stirling

On September 3 the Central Region set up a 'Mini Market and Farm Fayre ' at the combined charities fete in' Stirling The stall was one of the biggest at the fete and cleared over £ 1200. The Central Region members plan to build a holiday home for the blind. J. R -S

CHALLENGE!

from R. E. Pipes, Greater Manchester County PRO

We are sorry to have o disappoint Northampton a nd Guil dfo r d ( Review, August ), but we understand that Oldham Ambulan ce a n d Nur s ing Division , registered on March 9 1885 , is SJ A 's o ld es t d ivi io n They have a thriving , active member s hip Man c h est er R E Pipes

from Mrs Edith H. Gardner, Colne Centre Secretary I have been following Challenge! very clo s el y. In 1885 Barr o wfora Di v isi o n of Lancashire was form e d and in the follow in g ye ar 1886, Cain e Di v is ion The first examination was taken b y a Sur ge on -M ajor Hutton, of Headquarters staff, London on a Saturda y aft e rn oo n in December. We s till h a ve the original r ecord s o f thi s e x a m n at io n Bot h di vis io n s a re still

C

SOME GOING

from George H. Nicholson, Divisional Secretary

So the ne w London di v is ion at Biggin Hill , aft e r o ne y ea r and a bit. h as completed 3 000 ye ars of dut y, and you say t hey' r e a di v s io n th at's going places ? I'd say the y'v e been. This works out at 125 y ear s each ,

Charge

NO

Editor: Ah

WALES

South

OVERSEAS

News from Divisions/Centres

M E RS EYSI DE Speke Combined

D ivision is pleased to announce that Mrs. Jean Ratcliffe has been promoted to Transport Officer - the first time this appointment has been made on the distafT side within the Area. The Division owns an ambulance and has several qualified drivers Mrs. Ratcliffe joined Sefton Nursing Division on the 19.1.67. Sefton Nursing is the second oldest Division in Liverpool. having combined with Speke Ambulance Division in 1974 and now has a very flourishing membership of 36 people Fred Jones is the Supt. / A, with over 40 years service, and the Supt./N is Mrs. Edna Draper, who gained her first F.A. certificate in October 1932 in Ormskirk. Both these members have many hours of public duty to their credit and are also involved with other voluntary causes.

OBITUARY

YORKS: What's thisl

We're told it's after a cadets v. officers football match at Sheffield Corps cadet camp at Bridl ington. Both sides seem to have won the 'cup' - held aloft. But In fact officers won (boo!)

(Left)

of the

(43 years in

Mr. Jan Kowalyk, 50, Superintendent Mildenhall Division, SufTolk. Died June 30. Mr. Arthur Edward Morris , 61 , Superintendent Hastings Milton Ambulance Division. 42 years in Brigade. Died January 16. Mrs. Dorothy Rhodes, President of Kenya No. 1 Nursing Division. Joined Brigade in 1938 in Scarborough. Serving Sister. Died September 2 in Nairobi

QUICKIE X-WORD (2)

Across:

Common name for a type of tablet. (4). 12 Skin colour of a Jaundiced person (6). 13. Prefix to the word, ternal meaning outside the body. (2). 14. One can become addicted to cerlain forms of this. (4). S. Coloured part of the eye. (4). 17. Common name for a toxic substance (6).20. Name given to the shin bone. (5). 22. Breast bone (7). 23 One of the five senses. (5). 24 Strenuous exercise may produce thi s in lhe muscles. (4). 26. Pertaining to the mouth. (4). 27. Name given to massage of the heart. (7). 28. Skin colour often deSCribed as pallor. (4).

Down:

I. FaCial cavity which receives food. (S). 2 Phalanges of the lower limbs (4). 3.

Condition in which the victim is unable to breathe. (8). 4. The central, black part of the eyeball. (5). 8. rhe general name given to the ball and socket Joint, occurring bet\.\een the head of femur and (7) Across (3). 9. General term for a person who is ill (4). II

Loose collon fabric with one smooth side used in dressing (4). 14. Disease resulting from insufficient II1sulin in the blood. (8). 16. Branch of nursing concerning old people and associated diseases. (9). 18 The largest gland of the body situated in the upper abdomen (S ) 19 Feeling of Sickness. (6).21. Prefix to the word meaning the opPo'lte of( 13) Across. (2). 24. A weak solution of hydrochloric is found 111 the stomach. (<1). 2S An important factor of general hygiene. (4).

SOLUTION TO QUICKIE X·WORD (I)

Across: I. Public duties. 7. Transport. 9 Vera. 10. Soap. II. Heart. 13. Skates.

REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 11 (77)

W. A. Patte.

by

Compiled

Across:

1. Carpal bone with cover it consumed. '(8). 5. Cry of terror. (6). 10. Tend the sick and wounded. (5). 11. An enlightening event produced by lid retractor? (3-6). 12. Fifty out for a trou blemaker. (4). 13. Strong and skilful. (4). 14. Make ready for further service concerning a convulsive attack. (5). 17. Systematised knowledge of the nature of the universe. (7). 18. Brings about sounds and lighting for the theatrical production. (7). 20. Food from lime in an insect. (7). 22. Broken glass in indicators. (7). 23. Nine turned right closer to the centre. (5). 25. Mark of wound from a geographical feature. (4). 26. His paste is applied in treatment of varicose ulcers. (4). 29. African chieftain has skin blemish. (9). 31. Roots for the chest and abdomen. (5). 32. Physical or mental pressure applied to influence a person's action. (6). 33. Sudden loss of consciousness due to rupture of a cerebral vessel. (8).

Down:

1. Cut a duct anatomically. (5). 2. Medically speaking, it ends the period of gestation. (11). 3. Secured a change of diet. (4). 4. Shake involuntarily due to muscular twitching. (7). 6. Father in her liver. (5). 7. Charged atomic particle in bionic heart. (3). 8. A stroke disorder is following excessive growth of epidermis. (9). 9. Unadorned grave. (6). 15. Supplies the muscles of expression. (6.5). 16. Formerly a hundred in one. (4). 17. Advice given by doctor to patient with feverish cold. (4.2.3). 19. Toils wearily for cigarettes? (4). 21. Double set back for reproductive organs. (6). 22. Assume the erect (5 -2). 24. Implements for dissolute men. (5). 27. Suffering of magazIne columnists? (5). 28. Cease to apply a dental conservatIon treatment. (4). 30. Respirable mixture of gases. (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.1 0 (77)

Across; 1. So. wing; 4. Plethora; 10. Ag.il.e; 11. Lactation; 12. Lake; 13. Ache; 14. Latex; 16. Obes.e; 17. Dispense; 21. Vitamin C; 25. DoLor; 28. Tulip; 30. Co.rn; 31. Inch; 33. Eye-opener; 34. 35. Disorder: 36. Mad.ras.

Down: 1. Smallpox; 2. Wrinkle; 3. Ne.ed; 5. Lichens; 6. Trail; 7. 8 Adnexa; 9. Pla.cid; 15. Sera; 18. In.n; 19. 20. OrchItIs: 22. Illness; 23. Incense; 24. Cu.rare; 26. Langour; 27. Attend; 29. Paper: 32. Ga.la.

BOOKS

RESCUE EMERGENCY CARE

Edited by Dr. Ken Easton. Heinemann, £9.95 WITH the development of accident flying squads and with the improvement of hospital major accident planning it was only a matter of time before a text book on rescue emergency care was published. Edited by the pioneer of Accident Flying Squads, Dr. Ken Easton, the book together a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of emergency care from rescue and first aid at the site. transport to the hospital and hospital disaster planning.

Too little has been said in the past about planning for emergencies, but as we live in an age when emergencies occur only too often a wealth of experience and knowledge has been gained, and it is only natural to put that knowledge into a well planned and easily read book, which will be of assistance to all who take part in the emergency care field.

It is interesting to see a book published for use world wide and not curtailed for its information for use just in the United Kingdom. As a consequence, sections have been written by people intimately involved with emergency care in countries overseas. Each country has its individual problems due to climate, terrain, distance etc, and methods of dealing with emergencies in such circumstances are dealt with in this "book.

The book does not just deal with the common problems with which one is faced on motorways or in the home, but with such problems as poisoning, mountain rescue, emergencies in and under water. radio communications, as well as how to deal with problems of res'uscitation, head and spinal injuries and chest injuries. Sections on the role of the police, fire and ambulance services are also included as well as some special aspects of voluntary service.

The book will be of the utmost use to all involved in emergency work: first-aiders, doctors, nurses, members of the armed and civil services, teachers of emergency care and the members of the Committee of Hospital Major Accident Planning.

A great deal of the content of the book may be too advanced for some people but yet there is sufficient discussion within each section for everyone who reads the book to gain in knowledge . I strongly recommend this book.

Dr. E. C. Dawson, London District Surgeon

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING COOKERY BOOK

Compiled by The Good Housekeeping Institute and published by Ebury Press, Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW 1. £7.50

The original cookery book was published in 1948; since then it has been revised and reprinted many times, the latest 1976 version of this best -selling classic includes over 2,000 recipes with both metric and imperial measures.

It has a massive 607 pages including index, with 57 colour prints and chapters on homefreezing, entertaining, wines, special diets. kitchen planning, kitchen tools and food storage.

This cookery book is filled with delicious easy -to -follow recipes.

Explanations of both simple and skilled cookery procedures - it is an absolute mine of information. Strongly recommended - indeed no cook can afford to be without it.

FUNDAMENT ALS OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY

Volume 1 Obstetrics, Llewellyn-Jones. Faber and Faber, (limp cover)

£9.75, (hard cover) £12.00

This is the second edition of a very well -known obstetric textbook which has been brought up -to -date in many respects. It is a masterpiece of clarity and information, written by an expert in hi s field. It is one I would highly recommend to any member or prospective member of the nursing or medical profession, but it is not one that would be of great use to the average Brigade member.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTS

CHILDR ENS CH RISTMAS PARTI ES. All requirements supplied INDIVIDUAL WRAPPING SERVICE. TOYS GAMES. NOVELTIES. FANCY GOODS. BALLOONS. CARNIVAL HATS. BRAN TUBS. DECORATIONS FUND RAISERS. PONTOON TICKETS etc. Also Suppliers of TROPHIES. TOMBOLA BOOKS FURNITURE. CARPETS & BEDDING. ALL AT WHOLESALE PRICES. Send for 64 page Catalogue. Save £ £ £'s from SWINN ERTONS LTD Dept. SJR UNION STREET WALSALL.

UNDER £10 Bring-and-Buy

A NEW Review service which we feel might be of value to readers and divisions is a column for the sale or exchange of items of equipment, uniforms, books etc.

.Two cadet grey shirts, £1 each. 113 High St. Chard , Somerset T A20 lQT.

• Officer s costume, size 20, complete with button and silver wire badge, hardly worn, tailor -made, £ 10. Overcoat and mack intosh, s ize 20, nearly new, £5 the two. J. Howell, 35 Redriffe Road, London E 13 OJX Phone 01 - 552 4410.

• WANTED, a resusci -anne model, in working order Cheap. E. Lawton, 21 Kirby Street, Cobridge Stoke, StatTs.

• WANTED a cadet flag with pole in good condition, and any accessories. Div Supt. Mrs. 1. Sheppard , 11 Witham Way, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts. Phone Stratton St. Margaret 3502.

The conditions of the Under £ I 0 Bring -and Buy are: I. Submissions free of charge but limited to sixteen words, which must include price, address and/or phone number.

2. Each submission must be made on the form provided in the Review, typed or in block capitals. Only one advertisement to each form. 3. The TOTAL PRIC E of goods offered not to exceed TEN POUNDS. 4. The Bring-and-Buy is specifically intended for used or secondhand

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• Weighs

Extracts from an address by Dr. COUNT HANS VON LEHNDORFF, the guest of honour at the annual meeting of The Alliance Orders of St. John, held in Berlin, October 1977

A HOSPITAL IS NOT A REPAIR SHOP ...

OUR ORDER has always had to do with sick people. It was indeed founded for the specific purpose of looking after the sick and destitute, for whom nobody was responsible at that time. In taking over responsibility for these people the Knights of St. John were following a trarlition which Jesus had established and of which the New Testar.-lent gives a detailed account. Large numbers of the poor and the sick came to Jesus or were brought to him. He cured them and gave them fresh courage to go on living. He emphasizes over and over again that it is the ones who sutTer to whom God is closest and who are His first charges regardless of what caused their sufferings. Thus he gives suffering a new meaning. While in the view of the people of that time illness was something to do with personal shortcomings and guilt, and while they felt that those amicted were merely receiving their due punishment, Jesus emphasizes that there is no connection between the two ; that illness is no punishment, but serves rather to show the glory of God. This is the attitude towards illness which our Order has adopted The members do not look for metaphysical causes but fulfil the commandment of their Lord by caring for those in need Our Masters, the Sick'. They will not be able to perform miracles because that is God's domain. But by their deeds they can open the eyes of the world to Jesus Christ, to show the world who he is and what they may expect of him.

This attitude towards illness is made more significant by the fact that the Order was founded in the Holy Land. The world's first lar ge hospital was established in Jerusalem on the basis of these beliefs; and the rules of the Order were drafted there. They make the sick person the centre of our endeavours and ensure his claim for care and treatment. Other centres were later established everywhere in the known world at that time and there the needy and the sick were tended in accordance with the same principles. From these centres emerged in the course of the centuries what we call a hospital today.

But if the material conditions under which hospital work is being done now cannot be compared with those of the early days, this does not mean that the spirit which governs them ought to change also. On the contrary : it has to be confirmed and reapplied if hospitals are to serve the purpose for which they are intended The efforts to keep this spirit alive the spirit and the example shown by Jesus, must never cease. It must not be sacrificed to modern technology but must remain at the heart of the work.

There s a st ron g tendency nowadays to abandon this spirit; this is by no means a new development. Our Order , too, has experienced times of decline , of a softening of principles. But it has always taken a hold on itself by recalling its true task and resuming the fight against misery.

I believe that we are now facing threats which call for special alertness on our part. If we look at what is happening in modern hospitals and compare it with the old days , we will find that an insidious process of depersonalisation is under way The com paints of hospital patients that doctors and nurses take no notice of them , in the wards, are becoming more urgent all the time It hurts them

th a t nobod y ta lk s to them, that nobody is prepared to listen when the y want to get things off their chest, and that they are not told wh a t will be done by way of medical treatment. When asked , after they come out of ho s pital, how it had been there the y often say Oh , the y did all sorts of things with me. But I felt like a piece of wood, for there was nobody there with whom one could talk .'

Such complaints are serious warnings which must not be ig nored. Where words are considered superfluous, human relations will die, and the s ick and helpless are so desperately in need of them. After all, the spoken word is the vehicle which links one human being with another; and in places where it is no longer use d the care for the sick will be marred b y indifference and lack of consideration. I am not thinking of idle chatter of which there is enough already in the hospitals. What I mean are the priv a te esse ntial words words which tell the patient: I take an interes t in you, T want to help you.' Sometimes this under sta nding need not even be put into words. £t suffices that the sick person senses it and is satisfied that he or she is in a hospital and not in a repair shop. There are several reasons for this process of deper so nalisation There is the continuing mechanisation in the medico- technical field , the u se of more and more diagnostic and therapeutic devices and method s. This has led to our losing sight of the patient as a n individual. It ha s become more important to s up e rvi se the smooth fun c tionin g of a lot of equipment than to s ta y in touch with he p a ti e nt. It is also becomin g more and more unne cessa r y o inquire after his well -bein g and into his complaints , for the re s ult s of laboratory te s t s, X -rays, etc , produce a much more acc urate picture of hi s condition than time consumin g talks. Thu s the gap is widening between the patient and those who are responsible for his treatment and nur s in g.

Furthermore our modern way of life is becoming such a s to m ake human co ntact s superfluous. We do not ne e d one another. At leas as lon g as we are in good health we can do without help from outside. In the long run this leads to a deterioration of our fa c ult y to maintain proper relation s with other human being s. This affect s the nur ses and others who work in hospitals ; they stop talking to each other. A ga in this is something which must adversely affect the p at ient. For the feeling of security which he need s so desperately cannot develop if he is surrounded by people who, he senses, are not on friendly terms with each other

The style in which hospitals are built these days makes contact s between nursing staff and patients even more difficult. It reflects the craze of our age for gigantic dimension s. One enormous ward re se mbles the other like one egg another ; everything s standardised; all windows look out to the s ame side; it is impo ss ible to differentiate and vary things in the intere s t of the patient. It is very difficult for the nurse in charge of a ward to be able to say thi s is mv ward. However that is a prerequisite if she is to be what the patients expect her to be , the mother of the ward the per so n to whom they can look for every need and in whose care the y feel secure

5T. JOHN REVIEW

THE JOURNAL OF ST JOHN

Volume 50 No 12 December 1977

A very happy CHRISTMAS toyou all!

Contents

A hospital is not a repair shop. Inside front cover

Centenary Events p.270

SJA Southend ' s new mobile first aid unit p 272

London District says: Step forward young members! p.27 5

Around and About, by the Editor p 276

Photographic competition results p.276

At Random by Watkin W. Williams p 279

98.4 - and all that, by Maurice W Harris p.280

Who will guide SJA towards its second centenary? by N R Tucker p 283

Readers Views p.284

News from Wales - Overseas p.288

National First Aid Competitions p.289

News from Divisions/ Centres p 290

Visual Aids p.292

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS

Edited and produced for the Order of St. John by Driscoll Productions Wood Cottage High Corner Butley , Nr Woodbridge. Suffolk IP12 3QF Phone : Orford (Std 039 45) 548 Editor: Frank Driscoll.

Advertising display and class fied

of the Order affectionately known to all of us as The Gate - has also been revitalised this centenary year The mammoth task of cleaning all the exterior stone work repainting the heraldry, and refurbishing the ce ling under the gateway was completed by St. John s Day 1977 (photo: Jeannette Taylor)

AS OUR Centenary Year draws to a close, I send you my congratulations on your recent achievements and my warmest good wishes for Christmas and the year ahead. I am more than satisfied that our aims for 1977 have been achieved. We have celebrated and commemorated our Centenary which has so happily coincided with the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, The Sovereign Head of the Order. We have confirmed morale, consolidated our finances and focused public attention to our cause. As we enter our second century, we must ensure that we continue to build on our great tradition of service and adapt our methods to the needs of the times. A very happy Christmas to y ou all.

ChiejCommander

Hertfordshire

A DECISION was made in 1976 that during Centenary Year, in co-operation with the Brigade in Canada, one nursing and one ambulance cadet would make a fortnight's visit to that country staying as guests of members there.

The nursing cadet was Katherine Whittingham, of the St Francis College Division, Letchworth, who gained first place in an essay competition, open to all cadets in the county, based on any aspect of St. John, past, present or future. She is 16, a cadet

Cheshire

(Above) 350 members of Eastern Area, led by Area Supt. A. Smith. were on church parade at Sandbach earlier in the year. The County'S other church parade was at Chester when 250 members marched past to the music of the recently-formed Lymm Cadet band. Centena ry displays (left at Runcorn) in building society windows and public libraries throughout the county started in March and will finish end of December. There was also a floral display on the Delf Bridge, Runcorn

leader and holds the Grand Prior's Badge.

The ambulance cadet was Jonathan Hunt, of Tring Combined Division, who was selected from nominations made by the three areas of the county. He is aged 14 and a corporal.

The cadets left Heathrow on July 27 and were met at Toronto Airport by Mr. James Albery, Provincial Cadet Superintendent, Ontario Council, who master-minded their visit and joined them on several of the outings as well as acting as driver on some of the journeys.

The full programme left Kate and Jon

CENTENARY EVENTS

rather breathless and took in many aspects of St. John work, .ceremonial, duty and pleasure.

The ceremonial included visits to the St. John HQ in Ottawa, where they handed over a plaq ue from Hertfordshire to commemorate their visit and as a token of thanks. and to the HQs at Toronto and Niagara Falls.

They were taken on public duties to a baseball game, speedway match, American football (which disappointed Jon because it seemed slow compared to ours) and escort duty of an invalid to church.

Their young hosts also saw to it that they visited not only museums and places of historic interest but also the wide variety of leisure centres, swimming, picnicing, nature trails and all the fun of the fair. Their visit to Niagara Falls was one of the highlights. They stayed with various families and in a report of the visit Jon has written, 'I found Canadian people to be very friendly and kind. Everybody seemed to want to cooperate with each other. It was easy for me to fit into their family life because they made me so welcome. I expected the trip to be exciting and worthwhile, but it has been a far greater experience than I could ever have hoped.'

Kate summed it up in her report, 'Leaving a beautiful country and many, many new friends can't ever be easy.'

Jon was particularly interested in Canada's St. John Crusaders, boys and girls over 16 years who are no longer cadets but do not want to go completely into the adult division. By becoming Crusaders they can attend cadet and adult meetings and so the change to the adults is more gradual. Jon felt it encouraged the cadets to stay in the Brigade and eventually become full members of the adult division.

There was a lot of badge 'swopping' and the Canadians were impressed by the smart turn-out of the Hertfordshire pair.

There was a lively report on Jon's visit to Niagara by Cadet Leader Ralph Grant, Division 106c Niagara Falls, We hope these friendships will be main tained and cemented in the future by return visits from Canada to this country.

The project was sponsored by the St. John Council for Hertfordshire which provided funds for it. A generous donation was received from Kodak Ltd and others who gave support were McMullens of Hertford, Granada Publishing Company and Verulam Golf Club. St. Albans.

Lancashire

TO BRING SJA's centenary year to the attention of the public, Preston Corps staged an exhibition of 100 years of St. John at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston. Divisions from all parts of the county helped with items for the exhibition, which was opened by the Mayor of Preston, and ran for a month.

To mark Centenary Year the county held a review and inspection by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Simon Towneley JP, in Avenham Park, Preston, with over 700 members and cadets taking part. Local dignitaries and guests watched the review, which received high praise for smartness and turnout.

West Midlands

BIRMINGHAM: the hub of British industry. But also the shopping centre of the Midlands - for it supports a tremendous number of national retail departmental stores. One of them is Rackhams, a fine store with a fantastic floor area What a fine place to hold a St. John centenary exhibition? But whoever heard of an exhibition at Rackhams!

Nevertheless, Area Superintendent Dennis Smith. of Birmingham Area, was so captivated by the suggestion that he approached the exclusive house. From the Public Relations Department, to Advertising Manager, through to Store Manager and to Director, Mr. Smith pressed his cause and everyone he met was enthusiastic about his project.

Eventually, even our wildest dreams were exceeded, for Messrs. Rackhams (Harrods) Ltd gave their approval and allocated us a large area on their 8th floor to stage our exhibition. It was an absolutely superb location, for next to it is their Lilac Rooma renowned dining room to which hundreds of people flock for morning coffee, lucheon or afternoon tea. Immediately to the right is a suite of cloak and powder rooms and a battery of telephones constantly used by visitors to the store Left is the cafeteriaan equally frequented part of the store, whilst behind the proposed exhibition area are the staff canteens. What better position could we ask for?

During the following weeks, a special exhibition committee spent hours designing the layout, determining the equipment to be displayed, and arranging staffing Special

Guernsey

display features were most kindly loaned to us by The Gate and other sources. All these were expertly mounted to our ideas by Rackham's display unit, who lettered the captions to them. They provided us with dummies for displaying the St. John uniforms, along with numerous glass display cases in which to place special items needing protection and security, whilst their electricians installed special ligh ting to give effect and splendour to the Exhibition Hall. Indeed. no one could have been more helpful or more enthusiastically welcome our members to their store - even to thoughtfully granting us the privilege of using their staff canteens,

Then, for eight days from 9am till 5pm we held the Centenary Exhibition. Displays covered a brief history of the Order to the tremendous scope of St. John work today.

We showed modern ambulance equipment and demonstrated life -saving techniques, and how to treat injuries in the home; whilst a projector continuously showed endless injuries and their treatments.

One display unit gave the address of every adult and cadet division in the county, pinpointing their location on a map.

Throughout the exhibition period there was a continuous flow of people through the

The Order procession mov ng from Chetham s Hospital to th e Cathedra l. Manchester on October 8 , for the Order Service (Photo : Manchester Evening News)

M ore centenary events on p.275

hall. enquiries of many kind were dealt with, and names and address of those expressing an interest in the Brigade were recorded and later passed to the divisions concerned. Personnel selected to staff the exhibition were restricted to one duty only so that as many as possible could participate. Area Supt. D. Smith, who was responsible for its organisation, obtained special leave from his company so as to be present throughout the exhibition period.

The closing Saturday of the exhibition coincided with the County flag day, so collectors outside the store added emphasis to the Anal day. Rackhams also kindly gave us the use of one of their main window display areas, where the store display unit made a special display advertising the exhibition.

The exhibition was a great success. Hundreds of people left the store with a much wider knowledge of the extent of the work that St. John is undertaking. To the directors, senior executives and staff of Rackhams. we record our sincere thanks for all their kindnesses, and especially so for even making us feel that we were a part of the family of the House of Rackham! Without them we would not have had the opportunity of telling Birmingham of the St. John service to mankind Without their help and facilities. all of which were free of charge.

Bernard Thompson, Area Comm.

THE Southend-on-sea Ambulance Division took delivery of a gleaming new mobile first aid unit at the end of July - the culmination of months of research to replace the division's existing vehicle.

The new mobile unit, a Mercedes 508D with bodywork by Bedford Coachworks Ltd, is one of the the most up-to-date of its kind and has already been in action at several duties, being much admired by St. John personnel and the public alike.

Costing £ 13,000, the unit is divided into two sections -a treatment and a communications/staff section.

The overall length is 23ft. height 8ft. 9ins. and width 8ft. There is an interior height of 6ft. lin s. in the rear (treatment area) section.

Access is by rear half-width doors, and a 3ft. jack-knife door to the nearside just forward of the mid-line. Steps are integralthe rear fold up into the vehicle and the nearside slide neatly under the floor, thus allowing the doors to be shut without moving the steps. The nearside cab door is usually kept shut because it forms the backrest of a bench seat. However, it can be used to gain access to under seat storage and electrical mains power input.

The vehicle is finished in white and has

ambulance signs front and rear. Blue beacons could not be used because of the overall height restriction, but blue flashing lights have been fitted at the front just below roof level. There are two additional flashing blue lights mounted on the radiator grill.

The offside of the treatment area is taken up by two Ferno - Washington York IV trolley stretchers which can easily be adjusted to eight different height settings and therefore be used as seating (with wall mounted back and arm rests), as examination couches or as stretchers. They are also interchangeable with the trolley stretchers in the Division's two ambulances. Curtains can be drawn round one or both of the stretcher beds. Above each stretcher is a stowage rack for bedding and soft equipment. Oxygen outlets are situated at the head of each stretcher. Below the stowage racks are brackets holding stretcher canvas and poles for emergency stretchers.

At the head of the forward stretcher (which has been carefully sited between the vehicle's wheelbase to ensure the smoothest possible ride) is a Laerdal aspirator and charging point. There is also a point for auxiliary equipment should this be needed.

SJA Southend's new mobile first aid unit

AN INTENSIVE STUDY PRODUCES A FINE. WELL -EUUIPPED VEHICLE

by THE DIVISION'S TEAM

The three offside windows are fitted with two - position pull up blinds for privacy without unnecessarily obscuring light and the lower half of the windows are of opaque glass. In the roof there are two large opaque fixed panels providing extra daylight.

Interior fittings on the nearside consist of a full height cupboard at the rear which can be used for coats and brooms, etc. It also houses the oxygen supply bottles for the piped oxygen supply and an ambulance carry -chair.

Running forward of this cupboard is a purpose built unit consisting of three sets of three varying depth drawers and bottom cupboard, all with retaining catches. One of the drawers is divided into compartments for 500m I bottles of lotions, galley pots, receivers. etc. Adjoining this is the sink unit with calor gas type water heater. All these cupboards and units completely utilise all space from the rear entrance to the nearside entrance. Over the units is a wire stowage rack and a catalytic heater is fitted at floor level under the sink unit. A catalytic heater is a particularly safe type, being nameless, and will therefore not ignite inflammable vapour such as petrol or hair laquer.

J.

Interior

of the unit, drawn by Sarah Jerman

Photos by Ri c ky MacGregor

The fine new vehicle has already been on several duties

Forward of the side door is a partition and a sliding door which can completely divide the rear treatment area from the forward staff/communications area.

All the interior panelling is white melamine with natural hardwood trim.

Formica type work tops are orange in colour and the industrial quality non-slip floor covering is buff; this covering extends up the walls for 2ins. in a 90° curve to eliminate dust traps Lighting is by four fluorescent fittings which can be either mains or vehicle battery powered. There is also a 13 amp socket available when the vehicle is connected to a mains or generator supply.

Running forward of the side door to the nearside of the cab dashboard is a bench seat providing storage space underneath.

Centrally in the cab area is a foldaway table which can be used both from the bench seat or the driving position. A radio - tuned to the St. John frequency - is situated to the left side of the dashboard.

On the offside between the rear of the staff/ comm unications area and treatment area partition is a unit housing calor gas bottles which is reached from the exterior of the vehicle. The top of this cupboard is used to site a two - ring burner and grill. At floor level is fitted another catalytic heater, the whole surround being protected by a metal lining.

An extensive storage locker is situated above the driving cab area.

Water storage and waste tanks have been fitted under the floor between the chassis for greater stability. An electric gauge indicates water volume, the maximum capacity is 25 gallons, and water is pump fed to the taps.

Two Halogen floodlights are mounted over the rear doors for external illumination There are also reversing lights, high intensity rear lights and hazard warning facility on the indicator lights A six-inch band of red reflective tape, with white centre, traverses each side of the vehicle.

The vehicle is equipped with a siren/loud hailer unit. The sound emitted by the unit is a relatively high pitched warbling tone.

The new mobile unit is a result of a considerable amount of research and planning. Investigations regarding a possible replacement vehicle commenced early in 1976 when it was becoming apparent that the division's existing one was nearing the end of its useful life.

By the end of the summer of 1976 a dossier had been prepared by the then Divisional Secretary (now ASO Mick Moring) on the new venture

This paper outlined the previous history of the current mobile unit (a commercial van converted by members of the Division) and the use to which a new vehicle would be put wa s examined. Limitations in size, weight, etc, were also investigated - so that the

proposed new vehicle could be accommodated in eXlstmg garage space. This latter proved to be very critical: overall height could not exceed 8ft. Wins., the le ngth not more than 23ft. and weight 7.5 metric tonnes.

The dossier also listed the disadvantages of previous mobile units owned by the Division and suggested specifications for a new vehicle eliminating these factors. Several outline floor layouts were submitted, as too was an appendix of possible chassis and suppliers/bodybuilders.

The Commercial Motor Show was visited by the Divisional Secretary, Transport Officer. and Public Duty Officer. Earlier in the day they had been guests of the London Transport Corps' Transport Officer who showed them over the Corps new mobile unit and gave much helpful advice and ideas.

A detailed specification was prepared and sent out to selected companies (mainly wellknown ambulance builders) at the beginning of November, 1976. The chosen companies were asked for quotations and suggestions regarding a suitable body and chassis and also estimated delivery times for both chassis and finished vehicle.

It was, however, the end of February, 1977, before all the replies had been received. Only two firms were willing to quote and one other referred the matter to another company - Bedford Coachworks Ltd.

After contacting Bedford Coachworks, who had given a rough estimate for the

supply of the vehicle, D/O (Transport) Dave Peck visited their works and discussed the project with their managing director, Mr. Leslie Franklin. It was soon apparent that this was the ideal firm to undertake the project. Bedford Coachworks is a small company specialising in one -off units such as mobile dental surgeries and mobile offices.

Mr. Franklin thought that all the criteria could be met in the specification and submitted a quote in due course for £12,677. It was higher than hoped for, but if early acceptance of the quotation was made a chassis, a Mercedes 508D, would be available at the end of March and delivery promised end of June/beginning of July.

The order was placed with Bedford Coachworks and the closest possible liaison between the Division and firm was maintained throughout the construction, including two visits to the works by D/O Peck and a visit to Southend by Mr Franklin. Throughout construction all parts were treated against corrosion.

Just four months after placing the order the finished vehicle was collected at the end of July.

A sponsored walk was held to help raise funds towards the cost of the vehicle. A legacy also contributed to the cost and the local Round Table donated £ 1,500

Any Division or Area interested in the complete specification of this vehicle, or would like to view it, should contact Divisional Officer D. Peck (Tel: Southendon -Sea (0702) 330062).

Step forvvard young members!

LONDON District's annual presentation of Service Medals and awards, held in the Priory Church, Clerkenwell on Friday October 28, included three awards for outstanding service.

A Meritorious Service Certificate was awarded to N/M Linda Tilley of 373 Eltham Combined Division. Linda, who is 25, was on her way to a theatre duty in London during March last year when a Security van was attacked by raiders. Linda stopped to give assistance to two guards who had been shot (the driver had been killed), and while she was rendering first aid the raiders were

still firing guns indiscriminately around her.

Letters of Commendation were awarded to 17-year-old N/M Joanna Wa1sh, of 305 Bromley Combined Division, and AIM Alan Beasley, aged 18. of 399 Biggin Hill Combined Division.

Joanna. who was on her first major public duty at the Biggin Hill Air Show earlier this year. was present when a helicopter crashed causing several serious casualties (some fatal) , and she was called upon to escort a badly injured patient to hospital (he had suffered a severed carotid artery). Joanna stemmed the bleeding while at the same time

CENTENARY EVENTS

gave the patient mouth to mouth resuscitation She was able to keep her patient alive until handing him over to a medical team at the hospital. Although the man later died, doctors at the hospital praised her determination, courage and skill.

Alan Beasley, while on duty at a horse show, had to attend a young girl who had suffered multiple injuries to the face and head following a kick from a horse. Alan's prompt and skilful treatment undoubtedly saved the gir l's life, as she later recovered fully from her injuries and was able to attend the presentation evening.

The Lord Lieutenant for London, Lord Ellworthy, making the presentations on behalf of London District, spoke of the privilege he felt at meeting so many people who had given so much of their lives to others. The citations in particular moved him to say that they must be looked upon as an inspiration to all young people.

(Cambs),

SURREY (left) SJA Commander Lt. Col. Robert Readhead blows out the hundred candles on the centenary cake at a garden party attended by over 100 members at the home of SJ Council member Mr Anthony Wleler (Photo : Surrey Daily Advertiser)

SUSSEX (above) Eastbourne Nursing Cadets entry in the town s carnival. (Photo : Eastbourne Gazette)

TAKE YOUR PARTN ERS

An SJ A centenary dance (the first?), devised by Mrs. J. Ford, % of Bishops Waltham

Quadrilateral Division - see what getting boys and girls together under one roof does?

- proved so successful, I hear, that we thought it might interest all light-footed members now that winter evenings are here.

This is how it goes:

Music: March time (Colonel Bogey, etc).

Numbers: 8 to 10 couples (approx.).

Formation: two long lines, facing each other.

Steps: Ladies join hands in line. Men stand to attention.

1. Ladies and men four steps to the centre and back again. (8).

2. Right hand swing with partner opposite. (8).

3. Left hand swing with partner opposite. (8).

4. Top lady dances down the outside of her line to the bottom and stays there.

At the same time the other ladies join hands in line, and the men link arms and they all take two side-steps to the right and two to the left, moving up to next partner opposite, thus filling space left by the top lady.

REPEAT.

Well, there you are. I haven't tried it yet.

Perhaps we could have some field trials

INTO EUROPE

I hear that the Bolsover Colliery Ambulance

AROUND and ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN

Division's team that won the Brigade Finals recently returned triumphantly from entering a European first aid competition held in Vienna to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arbeiter Samariter Bund. Bolsover won the team event, and Mr. Madin, the team's leader, won the individual event.

REVIEW PRICE

We regret that, after holding the price of the Review for more than two years during which productIOn costs have increased by more than 20% a year, from this issue our price goes up to 30p a copy - a 15 % increase. Bulk orders for six or more copies is now 28p a copy including postage.

IT'S A CERT

How many certificates can a member gain in the service of mankind? asks PRO Jim Reeday of Blackpool. 187 is the number that Vic Helmore, MBE, Serving Brother, retired

Lancs. staff officer of Chorley, h as collected during 40 years of service. Vic is not claiming this to be a record, Jim assures us, but he'd like to know if it can be beaten How 's that for an under -statement?

TO THE MAYOR

I hear that North Bournemouth Nursing Division's competition team, who won the Perrott Shield at the 1977 Brigade Finals, was recently invited to the Town Hall to meet and have cofTee with the Mayor of Bournemouth , Dr. Gabriel Jaffe, who chatted about Brigade work and thanked them for what St. John does for the town.

CAMPING 19787

Are you thinking about going camping in 1978 and still looking for a likely site? If so, Buckinghamshire St. John might be able to help you. They would be pleased to hear from another County interested in following

PHOTO COMPETITION RESULTS

The trophy will be presented by HRH The Duke of Gloucester at the Westminster Ball held at the Hilton Hotel in London, on Thursday, December 1.

PRIZE WINNERS

Group A. Winner - Ambulance Member Malcolm S Hickling of Chester. (B. & W.) Runner Up - Divisional Officer F Bonfield of Feltham , Middlesex

Group B (Colour)

Runner Up - President W. C. Thompson of Erdington, Birmingham

Winner - Ambulance Member Malcolm S. Hickling of Chester

Runner Up - Auxiliary Member L. A Pollard of Sheerness. Kent.

Runner Up - County StafT Officer l. D. Phipps of Lincoln.

Group D Winner - Cadet Sergeant Nicola Scarlott of Ipswich.

(Colour - Runner Up - Ambulance Cadet Gregory Keeling of Clapton, London. under 16 Runner Up - Cadet Leader Helen Wheeler of Poole, Dorset. years old)

BY THE EDITOR

MIND BENDERS

Find the first aid word or words in the clue. The number of letters In the answer S given.

Bad omen, needs looking Into? (7).

2. Al and Ken In a twist. please put them right (5).

3. Thank you comes after a mixed up rower (5)

4 In clude 50 in chorus (5)

An swer s: Upside down - are at the bottom of page 278. No c heating.

them at camp on the Isle of Wight for one week commencing August 6 The site is very pleasant and has been used by Bucks for a number of years for camps of around 250. It is situated at Totland Bay and is within walking distance of the sea and the village. SJA Bucks has tentage and equipment for hire and would negotiate hire of the large canvas for the camp period.

Please contact: CSO Miss M. E. White, Cleveland, 37 Claremont Gardens, Marlow, Bucks.

PUBLIC INVITED

The Southern Area of SJ A Bucks broke new ground when they invited members of the public who are taking first aid courses with them to come along to their annual training exercise held in conjunction with the RAF at Halton on Oct. 30.

Group training sessions were held in the morning, covering subjects such as stretcher loading , lifting, removal of burnt clothing, and there was a lecture by a County Fire

At the Bucks. training exercise to which members of the publiC were Invited

NEW GIRL

L1NCS Boston

Nursing Dlvlsion's new Divisional Surgeon. Mrs Carole Evans. meets the members and receives her warrant of appOintment from County Superintendent Mrs Rita VereKennedy, Welcome, Carolel

The judging of the St. John in Action photographic competition, sponsored by Kodak Ltd, took place on November 3 at Brigade Headquarters. There were approximately 100 entries, and it was significant that by far the majority of photographs submitted were in colour. So much so that in Group C (black and white, by under 16year-olds) there were only three entries and these were considered not to be of sufficiently high quality to justify an award. Consequently the panel reluctantly decided to withdraw the prize for this Group.

THE

KODAK SILVER TROPHY

Winner - Ambulance Member Malcolm S. Hickling for his entry in Group B.

Congratulations to the winners as well as to all those who participated.

The judging panel consisted (photo, L to R) of international photographer Lord Lichfield, Miss Barbara Jackson of Kodak Limited, Colonel P. A. Adams, Mr. Chris Nicholl of Chris Nicholl Design Consultants and Lady Rosula Glyn. Winning entries will be published in the Review.

Should entrants wish to have their photographs returned, please send a suitably sized S.A.E. to Colonel P. A. Adams, Chief Officer Cadets, St. John Ambulance, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SWIX 7EF.

NEW FILM

Miss St John 1977, D O Mrs Joanne Kingdon of Devon. is introducecl to Princess Margaret by Supt in Chief Lady Moyra Browne at the preview of the film New York New York. held a r London s Leicester Square Odeon In aid of St John

Officer. A major disaster was staged in the afternoon with the help of the Casualties Union 30 casualties were rescued and sent to the R.A.F. hospital from an incident in which an explosion was followed by a fire. A second incident, in which a minibus ran into a group of R.A.F. apprentices. was added to test the organisational ability of the St. John personnel.

The help and co-operation of representatives of the Area Health Authority Ambulance Service, the County Fire Service and the WRVS, who provided tea, added to a most successful exercise.

NEW FILMSTRIPS

The St. John Ambulance multi-media appraisal panel is currently reviewing a series of tape/slide programmes on first aid put out by the National Coal Board; at the moment the first ten of fourteen programmes have been completed and are available for purchase. (See page 292, Visual Aids). The appraisal panel tells me that those programmes that they have so far seen are excellent and at £7 a programme these NCB tape / slide sets will be a most valuable adjunct to all engaged in first aid training. A communication is being sent to all

The judges at work

BEAR FACTS

St. John has a rival to Paddington Bear namely Westminster Bear who joined the ranks at this year s Midlands (NCB) Colliery Nursing Divisions camp at the Derbyshire Miners Holiday Centre Rhyl. Westminster Bearhe takes his name from a local hotel - was won in a competition by Miss Rosemary Bailey , Chief Nursing Officer who with her assistant Miss H E. Gribble was guest of honour at the camp. (Photo left Miss Bailey With new friend and Miss Gribble )

I Below) Joint winners of the 9th F A. competition between Merseyside (Wallasey), Canada (Ontario) and Sussex (Southwick) - the ambulance and nursing cadet teams of Wallasey's Liscard Combined Cadet Division. Ontario was overall winner

On Sep t. 11 Notts No.1 Corps held its annual church parade for the rst time in the historic Borough of Newark on Trent and for the i rst time in the 65 years of the Brigade in Newark the Brigade Flag was flown from the Town Hall On the parade which was led by the recently - formed South Notts Area band were 3 generations of one family of he Newark Divisions ; Di Supt P E Smith h is father A M Pip Smith and Supt Smith s elder son. Cadet Martin (Photo. Newark Advertiser)

(Left) Mr. Kenneth Mooring Aldridge (centrel. County PRO for Dorset , who retired recently after 51 years with SJA , receives an inscribed tankard from Cty. Comm. Mr. John Bonham - Carter watched by Assist. Cty Comm for W Dorset, Mr Fred Howe

County Secretaries about them; the address to which to write: National Coal Board, Film Unit, Hobart House, Grosvenor Place, London SW IX 7AE.

WITH THE ARMY

A group of ambulance cadets and two officers from SJA Lancashire spent a very enjoyable trammg weekend with the Territorial Army, 207 (Manchester) General Hospital RAMC(V), at Capel Curig training camp, Wales, during August. Activities included fire-fighting, mapreading on mountain walks, and a visit to RAF Valley, Anglesey, which included a flight in a helicopter.

JERSEY HISTORY

To mark centenary year, the Jersey Centre of SJA has produced a fine book on the history of St. John work on the island since 1901. A Diary of the Jersey Centre, as the book is called, is a very limited edition of 325 copies only, but a few copies will be made available to Review readers at cost price£6.50 a copy - from the County Director, La Turbie, Claremont Rd, St. Helier, Jersey.

MY

SLIP'S

SHOWING

The subject of my paragraph CHEERS (Oct. Review) - presentation of a decanter and a bottle of whiskey to the retiring chairman of the Visual Aids Committeeseems to have got confused somewhat. The Multi-Media Appraisal Panel, which comes under the Visual Aids Committee at Headquarters, views film and slide programmes. Mr. P. H. Newman is chairman of the Medical Board. The new chairman of the Visual Aids Committee, which is a sub-committee of the Medical Board, is Dr. Bernard Lucas. Phew! - where's that bottle

MIND BENDERS (answers)

I HOPE I may be forgiven if, on this last occasion when I shall be writing to you as Deputy C - in-C, my random thoughts are more personal and retrospective than usual. Though a very firm believer in looking forward, I think there are rare occasions when it's forgivable to cast a backward glance; and perhaps you may allow that this is one of them.

I first gained an adult FA certificate in 1926, as part of my training as a member of the Oxford Toc H Rover Scouts, and so as to become better qualified to teach basic first aid to the members of the village Scout Group of which I was, in the terminology of those days, Assistant Scoutmaster in charge. During the next 12 years my St. John involvement was limited to acting as class secretary for Association F A courses for Senior Scouts and Rovers, and helping as instructor/demonstrator in the practical sessions. That was before the days of officially certificated lay instructors.

Finding myself much in demand for emergency FA instruction to ARP workers during the anxious days of the Munich crisis, it gradually dawned on me that it would be a good idea if I joined the Brigade, though I can't remember being ever subjected to any kind of recruitment propaganda. So in the summer of 1939 1 became a 'Private" as ambulance members were then called, in the Royal Windsor Ambulance Division. Four years later I was transferred to become first Superintendent of the Eton & District Ambulance Division, formed primarily for wartime mem bers of the Special Constabulary and the Civil Defence. I spent 19 very happy years as Superintendent of that division until in 1962 was appointed Area Superintendent of the South Bucks (now East Berks) Area. Surviving - often wonder how! - the doldrums of the immediate post-war years, when those who had merely joined 'for the duration' resigned, and response to recruitment for any activity connected with wartime memories was at its lowest ebb, the division eventually took on a new lease of life when we started organising Association classes in nursing as well as first aid, and in due course became a Combined A & N Division with, later on, a closely associated Combined Cadet Division in the nearby village of Eton Wick. These classes, though essentially for the general public, attracted an increasingly large number of senior boys at Eton College, many of them because they wanted to have some first aid knowledge and experience before undertaking a period of VSO or similar work on leaving school, while a few of them actually joined the division as ambulance members during their last couple of years at school, and some of these qualified in nursing as well as first aid. I was always thrilled to receive news of their later

AT RANDOM

by Watkin W. Williams

Deputy C- in - C

activities. One, who went out to do VSO at a school in Belize , became immediately involved in rescue and relief work for victims of a hurricane. Another, teaching at a school in South India, started FA classes and sent me an SOS for a few suitable textbooks which I at once sent out to him by air - and hang the expense! Another, while teaching at a school in J esselton, trained the team which came 2nd in the first -ever St. John FA competItIons in Sabah (Malaysia). Yet another (not unknown to some of you, since he is a junior StafT Officer to the C-in-C at Brigade HQ) found himself the unofficial male 'matron' of a school for refugee Tibetan Lama children in North India. And it is a very special joy to me to know that these Association FA courses are still being sponsored by the Eton & District Division today, with some 50-60 candidates annually, about half of whom are senior boys in the school. When war broke out in 1939 was in the age-group reserved for retention in the teaching profession, but it was only a matter of time before the bottom age for reservation was progressively raised. So, having been a Cadet Officer in my school OTC, and later a member of the mounted signal section of the Oxford University OTC (which I must confess that I joined in order to get free

WATKIN W. WILLIAMS, C.B.E., M.A.

(know with what interest and pleasure so many regular readers of The Review derive from reading Mr. Watkin Williams' column At Random. You will learn from this month's column that he will be retiring as Deputy Commissionerin -Chief at the end of this year having been involved in St. John activities for over 50 years. Throughout this long period he has served the Order and the Brigade in many difTerent capacities. His involvement and zest for voluntary work has been limitless with the result that he has acquired such a wealth of experience and knowledge as to be al mo t unique.

training and experience in horsemanship, not being able to afford it by any other means!), I naturally decided to apply to join the Army; and I'd gone through all the preliminary formalities of doing so when, quite out of the blue, I received a bufT form stating that I was permenantly reserved as an essential worker in my present job Astounding though this seemed to me, I felt that my duty lay in doing what I was told. I also felt that if I was to remain in civilian life the least I could do was to contribute every possible ounce to the war effort. So, as in the case of many thousands of others similarly placed, my life became exceedingly busywhat with being District Commissioner of Scouts for South Bucks, a First Aid Depot Superintendent (and later a Light Rescue Party Leader) in Civil Defence, keeping my own St. John division and Senior Scout troop going, running Association FA courses and exams, and teaching basic first aid to members of Civil Defence and the Home Guard. I often had to teach in school wearing blue CD battledress and bringing my tin hat, gas mask and FA haversack with me, and in my schoolroom there was an electric bell by which I could be summoned to the FA post nearby. Mercifully, despite our proximity both to Windsor Castle and to the Hawker Hurricane factory at Langley, we sufTered less in the blitz than we might well have done, and my personal experiences and kaleidoscopic memories of that time were far less sensational than those of countless other Brigade members serving in other parts of the country, though of course we had our share. Perhaps we were too busy during the war to dwell over-much on the moments of horror or fear, and more easily remembered the wonderful cheerfulness of sufferers, the friendly companionship of fellow -workers, and sometimes even the very real humour of strange situations that might have turned out catastrophically but

(continued on page 287)

Perhaps above all else we shall miss him not only for his wisdom and sound judgment but also for his kindliness, his integrity and his sense of fairness in all the work he has so conscientiously undertaken.

I hope we can prevail upon him to continue at least for the time being with his At Random column. Thank you, Watkin, on behalf of The Brigade for your work and the example you have set for all of us.

Desmond Gordon C ommissioner -in - C hief

A RECENT article by N R

Tucker

in the Review (July 77) suggested that those of us who had been St. John members for some time should have acquired a knowledge of anatomy and physiology which was more comprehensive than that contained in Chapter III of the First Aid Manual. This, he considers, is 'suitable for the public attending their first course of Association classes '. To expand this theme, let us consider, albeit briefly, some aspects concerning the temperature of the human body and try to understand why, and how, we unconsciously try to maintain it at that mystical normal' figure. How normal is 'normal'? Try taking the temperatures of all the members present at your next divisional meeting. Record your findings, and then repeat the process at the next two or three meetings. Of your total number of recordings, how many of the temperatures taken were EXACTLY 98.4 OF? Why do so many vary from the 'normal'?

Now consider a few examples from the First Aid Manual where the temperature of the body is referred to, either as a significant symptom of the casualty's condition, or as an indication of the treatment to be given. and let us see if we can get a clearer understanding of those instances where, at first sight, there appear to be anomalies. How often have you heard the competition candidate telling the judge that the casualty'S face is pale, and then seeking to confirm that the skin is cold and clammy?

As the condition of shock progresses, beads of perspiration appear on the casualty's face and his body feels colder. He is perspiring freely, yet HE IS COLD! Have you ever wondered why? rn the treatment of this condition the Manual tells us to 'protect him when necessary with a blanket or sheet', then adds 'Do not heat the casualty'. Yet he is cold!

Just think about that one for a while. Then there is the case of the casualty who has been exposed to a prolonged period of

or cold

98.4 - AN D ALL THAT

BODY TEMPERATURE: How normal is 'normal'] asks MAURICE W. HARRIS, Area Supt, Sussex

cold. It is imperative (if at all possible) that he should be put into dry clothing and then placed in a sleeping bag, and protected against further rain, sleet or snow and from the cold wet ground under him. This must be done ON THE SITE. Yes, even near the mountain -top, whilst awaiting the arrival of a rescue team. or before returning to base after a suitable period of rest.

In heat stroke we are told to strip the casualty and place him in a wet, cold sheet. The sheet must be kept wet and air currents created over and under the casualty. Yet for heat exhaustion it is sufficient to put him in a cool place and give him cold drinks. Why the difference?

From these few examples it might appear that there is some confusion in the teachings of the Manual, but a closer look into the processes mentioned, particularly the physiology of what is involved, will reveal that it all makes sense.

First of all, let us establish a simple fact.

The temperature of any object depends on two things, (i) the amount of heat it gains, and (ii) the amount of heat it loses. This also

Fig. 2

applies to ourselves, and these points will be discussed in more detail later. Before doing so it is appropriate to think for a moment about the needs of our bodies - do they work best when we are hot or when we are cold? Or is there some in between temperature that suits us best?

We must first understand that we are made up of large groups of different types of cells, formed into tissues and organs such as the heart (muscle cells). brain (nerve cells), liver (glandular cells). There are others, of course. Each t y pe of tissue can carry out its own particular function and each is controlled by complex chemical substances. called enzymes, and they are also specific to a particuiar type of tissue Furthermore. each enzyme has what the biologists call a 'temperature coefficient' and that is the temperature at which it works best (called its optimum temperature). When the temperature of the body rises by a certain amount it might increase the rate of reaction on one enzyme by. say, 50% but the SAME temperature increase could double the reaction rate of a different enzyme.

lowering of body temperature could similarly decrease the rates of enzyme reactions Such variat ion s would lead to an imbalance in the metabolism (the living processes) of the body - it would quickly be thrown all out of gear!

So. you see, we really do need a body temperature that allows ALL the chemical changes to proceed at their most efficient rate. and this state of affairs must be maintained. This, then, is our 'normal' temperature. Animals like ourselves that can do this are called 'homotherms' (homosame: therm - heat) This more or less constant temperature is also called our 'set point' But how do we keep it as steady as we do? (It may be altered for a time, such as by some infection which gives us a 'fever'). It is clear that there cannot be a simple, single factor to control it. In fact, there are a number of mechanisms which help us to adjust to both heat and cold. and these are looked on collectively as the body's 'thermostat' - it does the same job as the thermostat on your gas or electric cooker It maintains a constant temperature within certain limits.

But. you may well ask. how does it do it?

To find the answer let us look at ONE of the processes involved, and with which we are all well acquai nted - sweati ng. (See Fig. 1)

This is a simple and convenient arrangement. Such an arrangement is called a 'negative feedback' mechanism and, with all the other factors in the thermostat behaving in a similar manner. any temperature deviation is quickly restored to 'normal'. When everything is working properly. so that this temperature is being maintained with the minimum of variation we have a state of'homeostasis'. Put another way. the temperature is being maintained on a 'homeostatic plateau'.

There are. of course, limits to the capability of the body's feedback mechanisms to maintain the homeostatic plateau. and when the temperature passes outside these limits there is the danger of the failure of the thermostat. When this occurs the systems get out of control and a condition called 'runaway feedback' takes over. (See Fig. 2)

What then. are our limitations? It has been said that, in some respects, man has evolved too far and this might be considered to be true so far as temperature control is concerned

We have no great difficulty in maintaining our body temperature within the homeostatic plateau so long as the temperature of the environment lies within the range of 63 °90° F. But this is achieved only with the aid of artificial means - clothes. In cases of termperature variations outside this range our lives start to be endangered. When the temperature of the air around us rises above 90° F it starts to put a strain on the thermostat, but it can still cope so long as we can continue to sweat sufficiently. Your First

I FELT VERY PROUD

says Janice Oweon

MY NAME is Janice Owen; I am a cadet leader in the Sprowston No. I Cadet Division, Norfolk. I have been in St. John since 1968 It has been my privilege to be a member of the team which has represented Norfolk in regional competitions for five years and on one occasion we reached the National Finals.

Recently I gained my Grand Prior's Badge and I thought that nothing else could possibly happen in my career as a cadet. I was wrong.

On the morning of June 15 I could hardly believe my eyes when the postman delivered an invitation for me to a reception on board the Royal Yacht 'Britannia'. I read the invitation again. Was I asleep and dreaming?

The reception, the terminating point of the Queen's Jubilee tour of East Anglia. was to be held at Felixstowe. And I discovered that I had the honour of being selected to represent the St. John nursing cadets in Norfolk at the reception. I felt very proud for St. John, for Sprowston No. I. and of course for myself.

The reception, to be held on July 11. was to be quite informal, so I had plenty of time to choose a dress - but that proved to be rather difficult.

As the date approached I became quite nervous and more excited, until I learned that the County Commander Brig F. P. Barclay and his wife were taking me with them.

Having been very kindly picked up at my home, we travelled to Felixstowe by car. As we approached the dock area. the streets were lined with people. I felt very important indeed. Once we arrived at the dock, we were asked to wait in the reception lounge. Cars were to transport us from there to the 'Britannia'. As soon as we arrived on the quayside, we were allowed to board the yacht.

She looked very impressive and larger than I had expected. The upper after-deck was entirely enclosed with a red and white striped awning: that was where the reception was to be held

While we waited on the lower deck, the sight out to sea was something I shall remember for years to come. Surrounding the 'Britannia' were ships large and small: all were dressed overall, even a small

rowing boat and the escort ship.

People then started to go up to the upper deck. and all the nervousness that I had lost in awe of the sight came flooding back.

Before I knew it my name was announced, and I found myself face to face with Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip. After shaking hands and using my much practised curtsy I joined Brigadier and Mrs. Barclav.

We were - well cared for by the ship's staff. We were offered a drink and were fortunate to be able to have champagne. The deck was filling with guests, mainly VIPs from Norfolk and Suffolk. I felt very proud to be part of this great occasion.

Brigadier Barclay introduced me to many people, including a Red Cross cadet who, like me, had been selected to represent Norfolk.

During the evening the Queen and Prince Philip moved about the guests. I was fortunate to speak to both of them. I was talking to the Red Cross cadet and some other people when Her Majesty joined our group. The conversation was about the entertainment that schools from around Norwich had provided. One school had described the part of East Anglia around the Wash as the 'wash basin', Her Majesty exclaimed that now, whenever anyone asked her about her East Anglian residence (Sandringham). she would always remember the playacting of those children.

I was fortunate to speak with Her Majesty on another occasion towards the end of the evening. This time the conversation turned to '0' and 'A' level examinations and when the results would be issued.

Between these two meetings, I spoke to the Prince, who talked about the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

At end of the evening I rejoined the Commander and his wife and we stood on the lower deck to watch the sounding of the 'Retreat'. Crowds had gathered on the quayside to watch. As we descended the gangway. the sun was setting as if to complete the scene and make a wonderful evening perfect.

On the journey homewards I still couldn't believe that the day had come and gone. It i a day I shall cherish all my life.

Fig. I

Body Sweating

How the delicate mechanism of the body reacts to heat

Janice leading her diVision s team In the 1975 regional competitions

READERS' VIEWS (cont.)

mention is the supplementary trammg for Brigade members performing ambulance duties. This is a list of 17 suggested additional subjects to be given to holders of the standard First Aid Certificate which, if implemented, would bring Brigade members to a similar standard to full-time ambulance personnel.

In St. John we have many members with qualifications and experience which could be used for the benefit of the organisation, but unfortunately these people in many instances are ignored and not consulted. (I wonder how many divisions consult their Divisional Surgeon/Nursing Officer regarding training programmes , etc?)

As a matter of interest a member of the St. John Medical Board Mr. P. S. London, MBE, CStJ, MB, BS, FRCS, who is a surgeon at Birmingham Accident Hospital, was a member of the working party on Ambulance Training and Equipment (Millar Report) for the fulltime ambulance service. An article appeared in the September Review regarding a book, Principles for First Aid for the Injured , of which Mr. London is part author. I have a copy and can recommend it.

Although I agree that our standards could be higher , I feel we should not lose sight of the fact that we are first-aiders and that there are many people with us who whilst good at first aid may not have the ability to go too deep or technical in the subject.

Gosport Roy W. Parker

Editor: I too abhor errors and we apologise for some photos printed in reverse in the Review of late. Weare trying to establish a system at our printers to avoid this.

HAZARD from Michaal A. Jay

I wish to bring to the attention of St. John members the requirements of the British Pharmaceutical Codex 1973, concerning the use of diluted antiseptic solutions. This lays down standards to be observed by the medical profession and there is no reason why we should not attempt to attain those standards ourselves, especially in such a vital area as wound in fection.

The extract concerned reads as follows: 'Diluted solutions of antiseptics are liable to become contaminated with resistant micro organisms and the following precautions should be taken.

Solutions should be prepared with freshly distilled or freshly boiled water and transferred to thoroughly cleansed containers (preferably sterile); closures of cork or containing cork liners must not be used; the contents should preferably not be used laler than one week after the container has first been opened.

Solutions of antiseptics for application to broken skin or to the eyes or for introduction into body cavities should be sterilised and supplied in a sterile condition.'

Clearly it is not possible for St. John Divisions to sterilise their own solutions but these are commercially available in single use 25ml sachets (Savlodil from ICI and Medisache from Pharmax). We should strive towards the highest possible standards and techniques in this vital area of wound cleansing and the use of sterile antiseptics is very strongly indicated.

Solihull Michael A. Jay

SAFETY HELMETS

from T. S. Bleasdale, Ambulance Member

I note that once more the subject of SJA personnel wearing bump guard helmets whilst on certain hazardous duties has been brought to C-in-C's attention and that he has chosen to ignore its importance. I would think that it is plainly obvious both to him and anyone else that our personnel are being asked to retrieve casualties from areas where owing to the prevelance of flying missiles it is downright lunacy to enter without some form of personal head protection, or haven't our senior officers been to an all out and free for all missile-lobbing

exercise yet? Because if they have, then I fail to see how they can come to the conclusion that protection isn't necessary.

In a crowd a missile that is thrown cannot fail to hit somebody, be they opposition, supporters, police officers or SJ A personnel. because missile throwing is INDISCRIMINATE And that these idiots who throw the missiles think 'Oh there's a St. John man , we ' d better not hit them as they are only doing their job' - far from it.

At last year's County Conference in B1ackpool I personally was called a 'Congenital Idiot' for wearing a safety helmet at a football match where at least 80 head injuries were treated by SJA personnel , with about 20 requiring further hospital treatment. What the officer didn't know was that in retrieving a patient (with head injuries) I was hit in quick succession by a brick (household variety) and a half milkbottle about the head this treatment successfully smashing my helmet. I seriously doubt that if I had not been wearing that helmet that I would have been attending that conference. Also an order was passed at the conference that SJ A members should not enter a riot area like the ones described without police protection (sic). What is our police protection supposed to do? Catch all missiles that might hit an ambulance member. No sir, the police have enough to do in these situations without playing guardian angel to SJA members.

May I therefore plead to all Divisional, Area , County , Regional and HQ officers: for heaven's sake reconsider the whole situation of our members safety at these duties before someone is very seriously hurt. Or do we need that sort of stimulus before any action is considered or taken?

As a final point, may I put on record that at the County Conference , £he senior officers present were cordially invited by Blackpool Combined Division s superintendent to COple and spend a Saturday afternoon playing 'dodge the missile at Bloomfield Road and to put their no-protection theory to the test. To this day eleven months after the conference, these no -protection people have still not had the guts to put their theories to the test.

Blackpool Combined Division T S Bleasdale

The Commissioner-in-Chief writes:

1. It appears that I was misinformed about the two Brigade members depicted in the October Review (p.241) not having obtained permission to wear 'bump guard helmets , and I apologise for the embarrassment that my remarks must have caused to them and to their Division.

2. A / M Bleasdale can certainly hit straight from the shoulder; but that is what this column is for , provided that his blows land above the belt. May I first remind him that J did say that it is impossible to devise rules to cover every contingency It seems clear that there are occasions when 'bump guard' helmets are an unwelcome necessity for the safeguarding of our members on certain types of duty, and I feel that this is a matter which can only be decided by the officer in charg e of the duty and in the light of local circumstances.

3. But from my personal experience at fairly 'ugly' scenes when on duty at Lewisham (where 211 casualties were treated) and N otting Hill (where about 340, including 90 hospital cases, were treated), I still remain convinced that we shall give ourselves - and our casualtiesgreater protection by NOT wearing helmets. This is the custom invariably followed by London District and I have been greatly impressed by the way in which people have stopped throwing missiles as soon as they saw our first -aid parties approaching a casualty.

4 Since this whole subject has clearly provoked a good deal of interest and concern, I propose to discuss it at my next Commissioners' Conference.

Editor: We received several letters on this subject, the main points of which are dealt with in the C-in -C's reply. Pending the next Commissioners' Conference, correspondence on this subject in the Review is now closed.

AT RANDOM (cont.)

fortunately didn't. Be that as it may , my most traumatic memories have been those of various peace -time road accidents that I've attended when on Brigade duty in response to a 999 call.

I'm sometimes asked what have been my most memorable experiences as a first - aider. Well, it's hard to say, but I should certainly include these four which I give in chronological order: (1) A day during the Thames valley floods of 1947 when , wearing thigh boots, I carried the District Nurse pick -a - back to visit her patients in a badly flooded housing estate , then 'commandeered an Army DUKW (I think the driver mistook me for a police officer) to evacuate some of the more serious of these patients marooned in the upper floor of their homes , and used a kayak to transport an elderly lady from the 4th step of her stairway, floating her in the kayak out of her garden gate and up to the point where she could safely be lifted into the DUKW. (2) Being present as one of the only two male first - aiders on duty inside St. George's Chapel at the funeral of King George VI. (3) Going with a member of my division on duty one Saturday afternoon at Slough football stadium when we were called onto the pitch to treat one of the players , and not a soul in the place was aware that the smartly uniformed young ambulance member accompanying me was the late Prince William of Gloucester who used sometimes also to do Brigade ambulance attendant s duty with the County Ambulance Service. (4) Being called as an ambulance attendant , one summer Sunday afternoon, to an emergency maternity case at Farnham Common ; a doctor was at the house and told us we had plenty of time to reach Taplow hospital, but when we were on the road half way through Burnham Beeches, I called to the driver Pull up, Fred, it's coming', and a few minutes later our Base was astounded to receive a call over the radio 'Please ring CRX to say we shall be , there in about 7 minutes with a fine baby boy on board It was a 7-month baby, and the mother had lost her first. I have never ceased to thank God that it turned out to be a straightforward delivery and that the child survived my inexpert midwifery.

But then St. John is always full of challenges. After 4 years as Area Superintendent and another 4 as a County Staff Officer for Training, when I'd retired from what the tax - man calls 'gainful occupation' and was seriously contemplating retiring from St. John , Sir William Pike summoned me to Grosvenor Crescent and asked me to take over at short notice as CStJA and acting Commissioner for Bucks After trying to carry out this task to the best of my ability for 2 years and finding the

travelling was becoming a bit too much of a strain as I no longer lived within the county , I went to ask his help in finding a successor - or , rather two successors. His consent was coupled with the staggering invitation to come to work at HQ as his Deputy. That was 6 14 years ago , since when St. John has provided me with a fresh lease of life , immense happiness , a truly wonderful collection of friends and colleagues to work with , and many fresh challenges.

Much of my work has inevitably been at my office desk, which I must confess I find less congenial than working with people 'in the field' and sometimes even 'getting down in the ditch ; but everyone at HQ has conspired to make it far more congenial than I could have dared to hope And many of my jobs (including the chairmanship of the Review) have not by any means been part of the official duties of a Deputy C -in - C. And, for good measure, I've had the immense good fortune to visit 34 of the 46 St. John counties in England, as well as the Priory for Wales, the Commandery of Ards and 7 St. John countries in Africa and 3 in Asia. And only last October, when I thought my St. John travels were at an end, I was asked by the Chief Commander to accompany Dr. Molloy at very short notice to New York , where for 6 days we spent an average of 9 12 hours a day supervising the re -editing of a St. John film, generously financed by the Presiding Bishop s Fund of the Episcopal Church in the USA, and designed to encourage safety precautions and teach basic first aid to people in Africa and the Caribbean.

More than a year ago I reached the age after which my continued membership of the Active List could , under BGR 1O(i), 'only be authorised by the Commissioner - in -Chief , and I naturally felt both honoured and delighted when he not merely authorised but insisted that I should continue till the end of centenary year. But , as I've so often reminded others one must resist the temptation to go on too long and I feel it's undoubtedly right that I should now hand

over my official appointment at the end of 1977. I say 'official appointment' because it's clear that St. John isn't going to let me entirely off the hook; nor would I (selfishly) wish this to be so, provided that I can go on doing one or two useful jobs without breathing down the necks of my successors in others. Colonel Pat Adams has already taken over last month the chairmanship of the Regulations and Dress Revision Committee, while Mr. Gerald Easton has begun understudying various of my tasks as Deputy C -in - C, and I shall be handing over to him the chairmanship of the Brigade Investigation Committee at about the end of January when the current batch of recommendations has been fully considered by that committee and forwarded to the Chancery of the Order.

For the past, J have nothing but the most heartfelt thankfulness to all my friends in my former division and my former county, as weJl as at Headquarters and overseas, for making my St. John life so immensely rewarding and enjoyable. I really have been more fortunate in them than I could possibly ever deserve, and I'm more deeply grateful than I can say. As to the future, the Surgeonin -Chief has asked me not to drop my involvement in the Welfare Competition like a hot brick on December 31, and I've been firmly told to carry on for at least a while longer as chairman of the Review Management Board, so I fear that this nnd instalment of' At Random is not the last you will suffer! The Combined Division in my home town of Epping have done me the great honour of inviting me to become their President when I retire. I reminded them that I should first have to spend a year 'out to grass' in accordance with BGR 9(D), but they generously said they could wait. I shan't hold them to that , for they might regret it. But if ever I do qualify to wear a President's gorget patches on my uniform , I give my word that I shall only continue to wear that uniform for so long as r remain the holder of a valid first aid certificate. And so, a happy new century to you all.

NEWS from WALES

Mid Glamorgan

240 cadets and their officers were on parade and attended the church service at the annual Cynon Valley St. John Sunda y at Hirwaun recentl y, which celebra t ed the golden jubilee of Hirwaun Combined Cadet Division.

The salute was taken by Deput y

OVERSEAS

Malaysia

The President of SJA Mala y sia , Sabah , Datuk Harri s Mohd Salleh , who is also t he Chief Minister of Sabah , launched the Malaysian ed i tion of the Essentials of First Aid before a large gathering of members and guests in Kota Kinabalu on October 22. The book was translated and printed in Sabah for distribution throughout Malaysia. There is at present no suitable first a id text book in the Malaysian language and it is hoped that the book will fill the great need in schools and youth organisations as well as within St. John Ambulance itself

The President , in launching the book , announced that he was purchasing 1,000 copies for distribution throughout Sabah to the Village Action Committees in the hope that they would start to learn first aid. He encouraged St. John to go out to the rural areas not only with this book , but also with a simple course and committed us to translate both First Steps in First Aid and a book on the lines of the Digest of First Aid in 1978. This work has been started and we hope to announce these publications next year.

Sabah

Sabah s jubilee celebrations

North Borneo formed the fir s t S t. J o hn Ambulance Centre Committee n Je ss elton

Since that small beginning there ha ve been many changes. The Colony ha s been repla c ed b y the independent state of Sabah within Mala y sia and St. John has spread it s influence widely with more than 5,000 members and a modern HQ at Kota Kinabalu.

The celebration of the jubilee year began when the Pre sident , Datuk Harri s Mohd

RHODESIA

Members on duty at the Rhodesian Agricu tu r al and H orticultura Society Show held in Salisbury September during Salleh , opened a s

the

25 years ago in October 1952 , Sir Ralph Hone , then the Governor of the

of

(Above) CHESHIRE : During the last 18 months the strength of Congleton N C Division has gone from 8 to 35 members under their new officer-in-charge Mrs S Derry SEN. Here , the Mayor of Congleton presents the Division's award at an enrolment ceremony. (Photo: Congleton Chronicle)

News from Divisions/Centres

(Left) NORTHANTS: Thrapston Combined Division s latest members to re ceive their Grand Prior Awards - Lesley Brookes (left) and Margaret Tomascak presented recently by County Commissioner J. Mackaness. (Photo: Cyril Diamond, Thrapston)

(Below) HERTS: Commissioner F. F Chapman presents Grand Prior Badges to two cadets and four ex-cadets of Hoddesdon Combined Division (L to R) Cdt. Sarah Osborne. N M Vivian Needham, Cdt. Denise Hewlett, N/M Mrs. J Dillingham. N/M Kim Ellis, and A,'M Philip Osborne (Photo Stephen Austin Newspapers Ltd)

BUCKS The Leighton-Linslade Combined and Cadet Divisions held a centenary service at All Saints' Church, Leighton Buzzard, on Sunday Sept. 25, with a parade through the town led by the Salvation Army band. The Chancellor of the Order, Sir Gilbert Inglefield, inspected the guard of honour and preached the sermon to a church packed to capacity, including many local dignitaries and county and area officers. The service was followed by a centenary reception and lunch attended by 92 people.

NOTTS - The Newark Divisions staged a concert at the Leisure Centre, Newark, on Sept. 15 at which all the artists gave their services free. Before the concert, Area Supt (A) G. Pepperday presented Div. Supt. P, Crouch (R) with a certificate signed by the Lord Prior to commemorate his 45 years' service to the Order.

OBITUARY

Colonel James Fitzwilliam O'Grady, 87 , Area Commissioner, Duchy of Lancaster. Serving Brother. Died October.

(Below) LONDON: Concentration by some of the 21 ambulance and nursing members who attended a three day advanced nursing course by Eastern Area 9 Corps Nursing officer Mrs E M. Crump at the School of Nursing, Leytonstone , recently

(Above) CO DURHAM Everyone looks happy at Consetl Combined Cadet DiVISion 's 4th enrolment evening The DIVISion, under D/Su pt. Alan Johnson has lust been awarded two Grand Prior's Badges r' t : .1

(Below, left) DORSET Seven cadets of M eyrick N/C Division who received their Grand Prior's Badges from County Commissioner J. Bonham Carter recently

(Below) SJA Wallasey s float, depicting St John througi;l the ages, in the recent Rotary Jubilee carnival. Local millers Spillers French loaned the vehicle, which was driven by one of their SJA member staff

Nons: Celebrating the 50th birthday of Stanton Ambulance Division : (L to R) Vice Pres. D S. Hunt, the C-in-C (chief guest). Pres D. J. AtklllS, Area Comm. Dr J, R, Freeman, and Div Supt. R, Brown

(Righi) N, YORKS: One Slar Div Off Kevin Page.

REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 12 (77)

Compiled by W A Potte

Across:

1. This year chan ged a p sy choneuros is. (8) 8 Confu s io n in illness. (8). 9 Psalm one rendered differentl y for a p at holo g ca l growth (8). 11. Medical practitioner o f h igh degree (6) 12. Ve nt r icle p umping blood into the aorta . (4 ) 13 Rem inder of a n o ld woun d (4). 15. Most handicapped compet i tor h a s a s ligh t wo u n d. (7) 17. Late change in story (4 ). 20 Compound form ed when a n element b u rn s in ai r. (5) 21. State of equality at commen c ement of pa r tur iti o n (3). 22. Guide a young ox (5) 23 Shortened te s t of on e's kno w led ge. (4). 25 Sa livary glands add nothing to 2 1 Across th r ee t ime s a da y (7) 27 Pr ecipitate a skin eruption . (4 ). 29 More than a th ousa nd p recede m e in silent drama. (4) 30 Ligh t- hearted o utbur st of m e rry - m aki n g (6). 32. Peg on the axis (8 ). 34. D e fi c en cy cau si n g ric k ets. (7 1). 35. Winged bone of the skull. (8 ).

Down: 1. Part of renal tubul e pa ss ing in t o medu lla o f kidn ey. (6 .4 ). 2. Op t for the highest point. ( 3 ) 3. Get near upset i n substance u sed in c h emistry. (7). 4 Concede to tak e into ho s pital. ( 5) 5. Sec ond h an d edi tor from United States. (4 ).6. Greater or le ss er pr o tubera nc e o f th e femu r. (10). 7 Having recourse to bo ld o r extrem e m ea s ur es in tr eatme n t of a patient. (6). 10. Mercian ki ng of first aid . ( 4) . 14 . A round rail n joints of the upper limb s. ( 5- 5 ). 15 Arti st fro m s ou t h-e a st gives t h erapeutic preparations from blood. ( 4) 16. Sound un s entimen tal bu siness man is thick -skulled ? (4 -6 ) 18 Imitat ed a m on ke y? (4). 19. Loc al anaesthetic before ten i s negligen t. ( 3) 24. A la rge number wi th in sect follow mother to extinct animal. ( 7) . 26 . Valve pre ve nting regurgi t a tio n of blood into left ventricle during d asto le ( 6 ). 28. A lieu tena nt h as nothing for a male voice. (4) 29. States of mind in Sodom . ( 5) 31. Distorted inch in a facial fe a t ure. (4 ). 3 3. De ve lo p s kin pi g me n t ation by exposure to the s un (3 ).

SOLUTIO N TO CROSSWORD No 11 (77)

Across:

1. Cap.it.ate 5. Shriek ; 10. Nurse ; 11. Ey e -o

VISUAL AIDS

FI RS T A ID: Fi lmstri p s/S lides/Cassetted Ta pes P rodu ced by The Natio n al Co al Boar d T h e National Coal Boa rd is produ c in g a series of filmstrips a nd cassetted tapes unde r t he gene r ic title of 'FIRST

total of 14 short presentations of w h ich eleven are immediate ly avai lable and the remaining three will be ready for distribution during the month of January 1978.

Each filmstr ip is accompanied by a typescript commentary ; half frame slide versions are also avai lable. Prices are: Filmstrip plus typescript only, £3.50 Cassetted tape , £2.50; Slides 2in x 2in (half frame), £4.50.

The programmes available are : Ru nni

1 The nervous system & unconsciousness

2 Treatment of unconsciousness

3 Bones and muscles

4 Int r oduction to fractures

5 In dividua l fractures

6 F r actures

These presentations have been seen by the panel which states: 'This excellent se r ies of presentations will be of great value to all instructors of first aid Their length is such as to allow two screenings and ap p ropriate discussion in one training period; the first aid portrayed is well-nigh faultless, the whole series is well -p r oduced and the general imp r ession is one of excellence. These programmes are also good value for money. Stro n gly Recommen d ed'

Available from: The Film Librarian, Room 34A The National Coal B oard, Hobart House, Grosvenor Place, London SWIX 7AE