Overseas

LO

REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GENERAL.

(2) If suitable medical lecturers are available, lay-lecturers will not be used. (3) Lay-Instructors' Certificates will be specially endorsed" For \Var purposes only", so expressly limiting their scope and function.

INSTRUCTION A D EXAMINATION.

Since the decision of the Enistries referred to above, there has been a pronounced drop in the number of persons coming forward for instruction in First Aid, but in spite of this decline, the figures for the year show aD increase over last year's total thus :-

1943. 1942. First Aid 112,281 First Aid 10 ,18 Home Nursing . 25,728 Home Tursing 21 ,902 Hygiene 1,509 Hygiene 1,016 Sanitation 110 Sanitation 51 Cookery 10 Cookery 9

139,638 131,166

Wales

10,0-1-3 Eire (Irish Centre) 1,361

Total for year 1.51,0-1-2 11 ,969 1,947

1-!5,O 2

The increase in the number of First Aid Certificates is due pal U-' to the number issued to personnel of the National Fire ervice. .Almost simultaneously with the decision of the Ministries of Home ecurity and Health referred to above, the Home Office, on the other hand, decided to arrange for the entire personnel of the National Fire ervice to be instructed on the syllabus of the Preliminary First Aid Cour e of tlw Association .and to be examined under its auspices: at a later date a percentage of the Fire Service will receive instruction and be examined on the syllabus of the standard full course.

It will be seen from the figures above that there are increases in the totals of Certificates issued in each of the subjects taught by the ssociation, which is gratifying.

Reports have not been received from all Centres and Branches Overseas, but figures available reveal a very satisfactory state of affairs. Canad::t, for instance, reports a total of 97,547 certificates issued, as compared with 66,843 the previous year: India increased from 43,482 to 59,773 : in Western Australia there was an increase from 7,351 to 10,788, while Jamaica more than doubled its total, rising from 390 to 813. There is no reason to doubt that the other Dominions and Colonies will be able to boast of equally proud figures.

With the kind interest, and indeed active co-operation of His Excellency, the Governor of Bermuda, a reorganization of the Centre is taking place and our work (which has continued actively in the meanwhile) will be placed on a firm footing.

Figures so far available from Overseas suggest that the total number of Certificates during the year was-

1943. 275,388

1942. 165,074

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION. Cont.

The grand total of Certificates since their inception to date is :--

England Priory and for N. Ireland. Wales. 3,049,716 171,382 Irish Centre. 41 ,654 Grand Overseas. Total. 1,748,943 5,011,695 11

RE-EXAMINATIO AWARDS.

Last year' total relating to the issue of medallions, labels, and pendants was a record, even though the number of labels issued during the year had been surpassed in previous years. This year's total shows an appreciable decline as compared with last year, but the number of pendants issued con titutes a record. The decrease in the total is undoubtedly due to the fact that medallions are now issued in only one type of metal and one size; that labels and pendants are not available in metal, and that the Board of Trade will no longer grant us licences for the export of metal awards.

The figures are as under :-

1943. 1942.

England, England, Ireland, Priory Ireland, Priory and for and for Overseas. Wales. Total. Overseas. Wales. Total. Medallions 22, 9 1,702 2-1-,591 2,194 35,814 Labels 4-!,236 7,870 52,106 46,3 8 7,807 54.195 Pendants 1-1-,890 400 15,290 14,573 364 14,937

82,015 9,972 91,987 94,581 10,365 104,946

PRISONERS OF \V AR.

Classes continne to be held for Prisoners of \Var in Germany and, so far, 320 tudents have passed xaminations in first aid, home nursing, or hygiene. A further quantity of textbooks has also been sent to the Educational Department of the Joint \Var Organization for distribution among the larger amps. A class is also being arranged for civilian internees at Vittel.

COLLABORATIO::-.r WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

During the year the Girls' Life Brigade decided to accept the adult first aid and home nursing certificates of the Association in lieu of the Girls' Life Brigade advanced tests in these subjects. the Association and the British Red Cross Society reciprocally deCIded, as a temporary war measure, to recognize two (instead of one) of the other Organization's certificates towards the award of the St. John medallion and B.R.C.S. Advanced certificate respectively.

It is also gratifying to be able to record an arrangement between the Association and the t. Andrew's Ambulance Association whereby the of .St. John Manuals" A Preliminary Course of First Aid ;, and

A Prehmmary Course of Home ursing ", bound up in the covers of the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association, will be used in Scotland.

CHANGES IN REGULATIONS.

It was decided during the year to recognize Sanitary Inspectors as lecturers on the Hygiene and Sanitation Courses.

12

REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GENERAL.

It has also been decided to raise the qualification for Life Membership of the Association from £5 to £10. l\Iention has already been made of the recognition of two B.R.C. . Certificates as part qualification for the t. oj ohn l\Iedallion.

TEXT-BOOKS A. D 1\IA ·UALS.

The current (39th) Edition of the First Aid textbook brought in 1938 has already in its comparatively short into 31 , each of 100,000, bringing the grand total of FIrst AId dIsposed of since its first publication in 1878 to 7,615,580. .

In addition the book has, through the years, been translated mto twenty-three languages or dialects, and 233,210 copies of these translations have been printed. .

The revision of the Home Tursing textbook was completed dunng the year and will be in shortly. The is .in?ebted to the Sub-Committee which undertook the reVISIOn, consl tmg of Dr. A. C. \Vhite-Knox, Dr. M. M. Scott, Dr. Russell V. teele, l\Iis Reynolds (late Matron of the LQndon Hospital), and Miss Cochrane,. R.R.C. (Matron of the Charing Cross Hospital), presided ov?r by the of Ambulance, the late Sir Joseph Byrne. The reVl eel book contams a supplement on hospital procedure .which will. be .of b nefit to holders of First Aid and Nursing CertIficates servmg m ho pltals.

STORES DEPARDIE)l"T.

During the year approximately 40,000 orders for tores wer'" received from Centres and Branches of the Association, Unit of the t. John Ambulance Brigade (at Home and Civil Fir t Aid Parties Munition and other Factones, RaIlway. and PolIce Forces. They the handling, packing, and despatch of over articles, including 588,047 First Aid and kindred books. prevailing conditions, the Stores has been succe ful III maintaining a stock of most of the artIcles whIch were normally on sale in pre-war days and, in consequence, nearly all reque ts have been met without delay.

INVALID TRANSPORT CORPS.

Three motor ambulances are in commission, though two only are at present in operation. The may onl:y a Certificate is produced certIfymg that the patIent s condItIon n cessItates removal by ambulance. The third ambulance,is in to.be operated when repairs are required to one of the two m serVIce. Dunnf.? the year 840 patients were removed and. the am?ulances a dIstance of 52 019 miles. From commendatIOns receIved there IS no doubt that the se;vice continues to enjoy the confidence of the medical profession of the hospitals which it serves, and that it maintains a high reputatIOn for efficiency.

CONCLUSION.

The Association wishes to record its great gratitude to the members of the medical profession who continue to give their time to the instruction and examination of classes, notwlthstandmg the

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AT HOME. 13

ever increasing other calls upon their services and in spite of continued difficulties of black-out and transport. No less mdebted IS the Association to Trained Turses for their great lJ,elp in the instruction and examination of classes in Home Nursing.

The Committee also wishes to record its thanks to Centre and Class Secretaries for giving up much of their curtailed leisure to the conduct of classes.

T. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AT HOME.

General Sir Clive Liddell, the Chief Commissioner, reports as follows :-

I have the honour to submit the Annual Report of the SL John

Ambulance Brigade at Home for the year ended 31st December, 1943.

I assumed command of the Brigade on 1st April, Major-General ir

John Duncan having resigned his appointment as Chief Commissioner on the 31st 1\Iarch. •

The following resolution of the Brigade Sub-Committee reported to the Chapter-General in lUay la t, expresses the high esteem in which ir john was held :" That the members of the Brigade Sub-Committee have heard with the greate. t regret of the resignation of ir John Duncan a the hief ommi ioner of the t. John Ambulance Brigade. It is dein.: d to place on record the deep appreciation of, and the sincere grtltitude for, the eminent services which ir John Duncan has rendered to the BriO'ade during the tweh'e years in which he has held the position.

During that time ir John Duncan endeared himself to everyone, and his outstanding personality, breadth of vision, and high ideals bore fruit in the rapid increase in the Brigade, not only in personnel but in efficiency and status. The member of the Brigade ub-Committee desire on behalf of the whole Brigade to send to ir John Duncan this simple \ tribute of their affection, their e teem, and their deep regret that they no longer have the pri"ilege of serving under him as Chief Commissioner."

Certain changes in the administration of the Brigade having been found desirable, the Chapter-General approved of the powers of the

Brigade Sub-Committee, as a \Var measure, being not only advisory but decisive on all matters referring to the general organization and administration of the Brigade, subject to the approval of the Chief Commissioner.

This ub-Committee comprises representative Commissioners of all

Civil Defence Regions .who make contact from time to time with the

Commissioner of the Counties within their Region. A Women's Advisory

Committee, of which the Superintendent-in-Chief is Chairman, has also been establi hed on similar lines.

I appointed an Advi ory Staff of four Commissioners and two Representatives of the Tursing Divisions to assist me in taking decisions on urgent matters. \Ve have met frequently and their advice and help has been invaluable to me.

As the appointment of this Advisory Staff practically absorbed the responsibilities of an Assistant Chief Commissioner, Colonel J. A. MccGwire relinquished his appointment and was transferred to the Brigade Reserve.

At the same time he relinquished his appointment as Chief Officer for

Ambulance Cadets. I am glad, however, to state that he has returned

14

REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GENERAL.

to the Active List as my Investigation Staff Officer and in this capacity he has rendered most valuable service. . I much to report that owing to increa ing work of the Superher .Deputy, Lady mith, found it necessary to relinqUIsh her appomtment as ChIef Officer for Tur jng Cadet. The of the Cade.t movement is largely due to her personal and untIrmg efforts and I desIre to place on record my grateful thanks to her.

I to death of Mrs. Regjnald l\IcKenna, the A sistant ?er charm and tact specially fitted her for the Important dutIes wIth whIch she was entrusted and which were so efficiently carried out .. Her death is a sad 10 s to the Brigade. I also regret to record the retIrement of l\lr. H. V. Miller, a ounty Commissioner for Plymouth, South Devon and Ea t Cornwall, who for many years has rendered outstanding s rvice, e pecially since the commencement of the \Var.

PERSO)\NEL. .The in the strength of the adult per onnel is less in comparison wIth prevIOUS \Var years, but this i due to the demand of the ervices and of \Var Industry. It will be seen from the follO\ving table that the strength of the Brigade has increased by 11,098 members (Adult 1,342 ; Cadets, 9,756).

N ew Divisions. Ambulance .

75 Tursing. 143 Cadet Ambulance 215 Cadet l\ursing 336

Men 'Vornen Boys Girls.

Total 769 ( 4<') Net I1'lCl'eaSe in Pel'sonnet.

792 550 2,935 6,821

Adult Units. Men. TVomen. Total.

11,098 (20,064) Adult PersoHnel. lIIen. Women. Total.

England (including

Northern Ireland) 1,947 1.502 3,449 73475 Wales 309 174 9,511 Eire 2..j 31 995

483 55 48,003 3,708 918 120,560 (11 ,927) 13,219 (13,403) 1,913 (2,020)

2,280 1,707 3,987

Cadet Units. Boys. Girls.

England (including ( Iorthern Ireland) 714 972 Vvales 186 98 Eire 1 1 Total.

1,686 284 2 83,981 51,711 135,692 (134,350)

Cadet Personnel. Boys. Girls. Total.

14,588 4,305 37 21,528 2,176 43 36,116 6,481 80

901 1,071 1,972 18,930 23,747 42,677 (32,921) Grand Total. Adult Personnel 135,692 Cadet Personnel 42,677

Note.-The 1942 figures are shown in brackets.

178,369 (167,271)

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AT HOME. Cont. 15

SE·RVICE.

There are 24,405 members serving with H.M. Forces (Navy, 3,807 : Army, 14,925; Air Force, 5,534). In addition a considerable number have enrolled in the Home Guard.

The Civil Defence Services claim over one-third of our personnel, with a total of 60,.513 (41,415 men; 19,098 women) who are employed chiefly at First Aid Posts and in Mobile Units. Of this number 7,424 are full-time and 53,089 part-time. A large number of members are employed in munition and other war factories.

The service in Hospitals, which includes 838 in Service Hospitals as V.A.D.s and over 9,000 enrolled in the Civil ursing Reserve, Clinics, and similar e tablishments, are referred to in the Report of the Superintendent-in- hicf.

the heavy. demands on the Brigade personnel by the :JhllIstnes of Home ecunty and of Health, they are still able to render valuable assi tancc in the work of the Joint \\rar Organization and in their normal Brigade work. . First Aid was rendered to 489,709 persons compared with 363,232

m 1

The number of ca es conveyed in the motor ambulances, of which there arc 13, were including 9,254 road accidents, compared with 124,001 in 1912. These Ambulances are an important branch of Brigade work a!1d out ?- valuable service to the Community. orne Borough and DI'tnct ounClls make grants tov\'ards their upkeep, but most of them arc on a self-supporting ba is. Ambulances have been allotted to. ions by the Joint .\Var Organization primarily for Service and AIr RaId ca es. Great credit reflects upon the Corps and Divisions which maintain and run them.

The activities of the Brigade have been further extended through r's Reconstruction and vVar Relief Committee, particularly m aUXIliary help to Voluntary Hospitals, auxiliary Home Tursing and maintenance of Medical Comforts Depots, Blood TransfuSlOn ervice, and hild \\'elfare. Much of this vlOrk has been carried out for years past, .but special efforts are now being made to expand these Important sen Ices. .

T.he work of Headquarter and County Staffs has greatly increased dunng the m connection with the various Departments of the Joint War OrgalllzatIOn. The change in the administration of the V.A.D.s has also placed work on Commissioners as they now have to carry ?ut the dutIes hItherto allotted to County Controllers. In view of the mcreased amount of work undertaken, and the calls of other Services I consider the Brigade continues to make very satisfactory progress. '

CADETS.

Th: Cadet personnel increased from 27,050 in 1942 to 35,565 (14,.5K8 boys and 21,528 gIrlS). There are in addition over 5,000 Prowho when passing the prescribed examination become Cadets. It IS over 21 years since the Cadet movement was first started and since the of the vVar, the Cadet Personnel has trebled notwIthstanding the attractions of organizations connected with

16

REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GENERAL.

the Services. This increase is principally due to the recognition and encouragement given by the Governmcnt to Youth Organizations and to the special efforts made by the Chief Cadet Officers and thcir County representati\Tes. Officers of Adult Divisions have greatly as isted in raising Cadet Divi ions, and their efforts in this respect havc contributed in no small measure to the succes of the mO\Tement. 99 Cadets have gained the high distinction of the award of Grand Prior's Badge during thc year.

The Brigade Cadets are now represented on the National and Local Standing Conference of ational Voluntary Youth Organizations, the Statutory Youth Committees an(l the entral Council of Ph\T ical Recreation, and are affiliated to the Royal Life a \Ting ocicty.

I consider the Cadet Organization very important and that upon it continued development largely depends the future lIcces of the Brigade. '.Vhen I was appointed .\cting Chief Commi siOller of the Brigade a year ago, I came as a new l\Iember, without previous service in it, and I should like to record my sincere appreciation of, ancl thanks for, the welcome extended to me, and for the loyal co-opcration of all ranks.

I am indebted to Dr. . Corbet-Fletchcr, the llrgeon-in- hicf, for the valuable assistance he has rendered in connection with thc mcdical side of our work. County Corps and Divisional 'urgcon have b\' their efforts enabled the personnel of the Brigade to_maintain a high standard of first-aid knowledge by instruction and examination.

I am indebted also to the nursing profe sion for their instruction in Home Kursing. l\Iany urgeons are serving with H.}I. Forces and the majority are taking an active part in the Civil Defcnce l'l vices. The Surgeon-in-Chiefs'Report is attached.

I am also indebted to Lady Louis l\Iountbattcn, llpcrintenclcnt-inChief, for her continued and successful efforts in conncction with the Nursing Corps and Divisions. Her active co-operation in all al1J.irs in which the service and welfare of the ursing Divi ions arc concerneel has been of outstanding merit. The Superintendent-in-Chiefs Rcport is attached.

Without the loyal and efficient co-operation of Commissioners and thcir staffs, the continued increase in the strength and service of the Brigade could not have been achieved. I fully realize the many difficulties with which they have had to contend in the administration of their Areas. I am grateful to them for their loyal and active co-operation.

To the officers and members of the Brigade r wish also to expres my grateful thanks for the magnificent way in which they have carried out their duties, often in the most trying circumstances, which reflect the greatest credit, not only upon them, but upon the Brigade as a whole.

I wish to express my thanks to the Members of my Headquarters Staff and particularly to the Brigade Secretary, Major Darvil-Smith, for their help to Il1e and for their conscientious devotion to their duties in furthering the interests and work of the Brigade.

CLIVE LIDDELL, General, : Chief Commissioner.

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AT HOME. Cont. 17

REPORT OF THE SURGEO T-IN-CHIEF TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER.

Sir,

I have the honour to submit to you my report for the year ending 31st December, 1913, which was noteworthy in that the Surgeons, retained for civilian practice, successfully covered the Brigade duties of their absent colleagues and themselves.

In its compilation I have been greatly assisted by the helpful reports of the urgcon-in-Chief for '.Vales and the County Surgeons who, in spite of the pressure caused by extra work, have yet found time to send me the up-to-date accounts of the state of medical affairs in their commands.

One pleasing feature in this connection is the fact that several of the latter, who are on active service, wrote to me during the year telling me of thcir doings, and exprcssing the hope that we shall soon meet together in after victory has come to our arms.

MEDICAL STRENGTH.

In spite of the prcvailing shortage of doctors, it is noted with interest that in this, as in each previous report, I have to record an increase in the nu.:nl er of urgeons on the Brigade Roll.

The total now tands at 3,210 as compared with 3,186 at the end of 1942, an(l of thesc are serving in the technical and 104 in the executive section of the Brigade.

To each newly-appointed 'urgeon I have sent my customary letter of and at the urgent request of several County Commissioners I thIS enclosed a copy of the pamphlet, The Dztties of S'ltrgeons, whIch was WIthdrawn in 1940. My letter continues to elicit courteous replies which augur well for the future efficiency and enthusiasm of the senders.

MEETING OF SURGEONS. \Vhile it has not been po ible to hold our '.Veek-end Conference in London, which ",as once 0 succes ful in results and in contacts I hear with p.leasurc that mcetings of urgeons were this year revived in'several CountIes to the undisputed benefit to all concerned.

AND TRAINING.

To the Divisional Surgeon is entrusted the duty of instructina the n:embers of his/her unit. It is pleasing, therefore, to report that gn all Sl?e.s .r am told how efficiently this is being done in the large majority of DIVISIOns: and. r tender my most cordial thanks to the Divisional Surgeons. Bram Trusts and Quiz Parties continue to be a popular and usefu.l method ?f increasing the knowledge of our rank and file.

It IS noted WIth .reg:-et t.hat in ome Divisions there is laxity in keeping the surgeon acquamted WIth the work and activities of the unit. On the contrary, there is abundant proof that, where the surgeon is consulted on general takes a and that the really happy and DIVISIons are those m whIch the surgeons, as the technical and the S,uper.mtendents, as the executive heads, really work hand-in-hand. IS eVIdence ,here and there of increasing difficulty in covering the work. Some relief, however, ?as been effected partly by the deCISIOn to allow a surgeon to be appomted to more than one Division

18 REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GENERAL.

and partly by the fact that so many Brigade personnel, including the surgeons, are also serving in organizations such as Civil Defence and Home Guard whereby contact is maintained and training continued. ANNUAL RE-EXA IINATIONS.

To the County Surgeon falls the duty of conducting the annual reexaminations. In a few counties and area he has been able to visit and officially to test the knowledge of all members of his Divi ion ; but more often, owing to shortage of petrol and other obstacle, he ha had to delegate this task to other surgeons. In the circumstances the r laxation of the ruling that surgeons may not re-examine their own unit has proved most useful and acceptable. Complaints have reached me that some Divisions are still postponing their re-examination till the end of the year; and that, in so doing, they increase the difficulti s of the County Surgeons.

COMPETITIONS.

In spite of the serious difficulties due to war conditions, I am happy in being able to report the resumption of competitions in a number of Counties and Areas. These have the effect of stimulating the knowledge and interest of members and of attracting new recruit to the Brigade.

LAY INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE.

In 194:3, the Lay Instructor Certificate came into force; and the fir t report (from West Sussex) reached me on the last day of February. The popularity of this new feature of Brigade work is proven by the fact that during the year 1,348 of our lay personnel took the examination which tests their ability to instruct classes on the Home Office hort and the Association Preliminary (but not Adult) Course of First Aid. Of this total, 55 per cent qualified as lay instructors and received their certificates.

It was quickly evident that, if uniformity in methods and results wa to be established throughout the Brigade, the examination in Part III (written paper) must be conducted by the same person. In these circumstances, I decided not to delegate this duty, as the regulations allow; and consequently I have personally dealt with the papers of each and every candidate.

By general agreement the standard of the examination was made exceptionally high (75 per cent of marks in each Part); and if in certain instances disappointment arose because an individual was rejected in Part III, I had to point out that inability to set down items of knowledge on paper-whatever the cause, was definite proof of a flaw in the efficiency of the candidate.

WORK IN CIVIL DEFENCE.

From various Counties and Areas I have received reports describing the splendid work in Civil Defence done by the personnel drawn from Brigade units; and I cannot do better than quote from the report of one of my County Surgeons, this being typical of many and reading as follows :" It is difficult to realize what would have happened to the medical side of A.R.P. work, had it not been for the knowledge and experience of the St. John personnel. Where they have any measure of control there THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AT HOME. Cant. 19

is efficiency, and complete confidence in their ability to deal with all likely emergencies."

From an Area in TO . 1 District comes the report that during an air raid of some severity, central control was impossible, but that the C.D. ervice was able to function satisfactorily as separate units under the leadership of men who had been trained by the Brigade. Their experience of being in charge of units under peace-time conditio:1s and of dealing with casualtie tood them in good stead in the hour of need.

The work of the Brigade in Civil Defence had grown since the reduction in paid per onnel, and the recruiting of men and women as part-time workers, because the training of the " directed" part-timers has fallen on the many surgeons who are also associated with the Civil Defence Service.

:'IERITORIOUS FIRST AID.

During the year H.M. The King created M.B.E. Divisional Surgeon H. Glyn Jones, of Lambeth, while Divisional Surgeon H. N. Gregg, of Coventry, was awarded the Gorge Medal for conspicuous first aid service.

The al) ence of serious raids accounted for the fact that no Meritorious Service Certificates (which are given only for distinguished action during air raids) were aVI'arded this year, though Sergeant H. Freeman, of the Beverley Dhri ion, in a civilian emergency rendered efficient assistance which won for him the r.Ieritoriou First Aid Certificate of the Association.

In addition some thirty reports of first aid efficiently rendered in difficult or exceptional circumstances were this year submitted to you. In each ca e you sent a personal letter of congratulations; and twenty of the reports were published in detail in the St. John Ambulance Gazette, in recognition of good work well done. co CLUSIOX. .conclusion, the year has been one of great changes, of constant and untInng efforts and of hard \\'on gains, in which the Brigade Surgeons of all ranks have not failed to play their parts. To each and all I tender my mo t grateful thanks, for \vithout their whole-hearted efforts the work of the Brigade could not continue.

Finally, wi h to place on record my appreciation of the generous support whIch I have received from the Surgeon-in-Chief for Wales and the. County urgeons in England and Ireland, and also of the valuable which my Secretary, District Staff Officer Ernest T. Milburn, has gIven me.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.A., M.B., M.R.C.S., Surgeon-in-C hieJ.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTE DE T-I -CHIEF TO THE CHIEF

Sir,

COM1\lISSIO ER.

I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending 31st December, 1943. . Mrs. McKenna's tragic death has been a great grief to us ail, and an Irreparable loss to St. John. Her kindly understanding and wise counsel