Oral history interview with Matthew Thomas

Title Oral history interview with Matthew Thomas, 2022

Interview date 17/06/2022

Interview location Museum of the Order of St John, London

Interview length 00:54:01

Interview reference ARC2023/011/028

Interview summary

Matthew (MT) talks about working towards his Grand Prior’s Award and undertaking a range of courses for the Award before joining the Royal Navy. MT recalls his Division had a band who went on parade. MT talks about going on Cadet camp and gaining responsibility for camp fires and tents. He goes on to recall attending an international Cadet camp. MT talks about duties and putting first aid training into practice. MT describes being the first Welsh Cadet to receive the Grand Prior’s Award. MT talks about the range of roles and responsibilities he held within the organisation as a Cadet, and also later in life as an adult member. MT describes being a St John Volunteer Vaccinator during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Starting year: 1968

Starting Division/Unit: Shaftesbury Division in Newport, Wales

Accompanying records: Accompanying Matthew’s oral history interview are photocopied records and photographs of Matthew as a Cadet.

Last updated: SD 30/03/2023

Museum of the Order of St John 13