The Challenge Cup awarded by Mrs. Grosvenor for the best collection of books for the Hospital Libraries during 1953 has again been won by the Hove Nursing Cadet Division.
The Hove Cadets collected the magnificent total of 4,074 books and 353 magazines.
Mrs. Grosvenor has sent a letter of congratulation to Mrs. E, Pearson, the Cadet Superintendent of Hove Nursing Cadet Division.
Second place was gained by Weybridge Nursing Cadet Division, and Devonport Nursing Cadet Division was placed third.
Under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, Empire Youth Sunday will be observed on May 30th 1954. Arrangements for the distribution of the Queen s Message and particulars of the special orders of service are given in a leaflet which may be obtained free from the Secretary, Empire Youth Sunday Committee, 44 Rutland Court, Denmark Hill, London S.E. 5 (Telephone Brixton 1524). The leaflet also gives addresses of organizations to consult about speakers, Empire visitors and pen-friendships.
Why not a camping holiday this year ? The St. John Ambulance Brigade Camp is situated at High House Farm Field, Ninfield Road, Sidley, Bexhillon-Sea, Sussex, in a wonderful centre for hiking and expeditions to Battle Abbey, Hurstmonceux Castle, Pevensey Castle, and Hastings all within easy reach.
The area of the Camp is about seven acres and there is ample space for cricket, football and other games on the site itself.
For several weeks between the middle of July and the middle of September the Camp will be available for letting by the week to a County or Area or to a group of Counties or Areas.
When not occupied by Counties or Areas, the Camp will be available for use by Divisions or smaller groups.
Camp fees, under this heading, will be Cadets up to 16 years of age, 35s. per week.
Cadets 16 to 18 years of age 40s. per week.
Over the age of 18 years 45s.
HOW TO APPLY Write to the Staff Officer-in-charge, Mrs. L. Rose, 66 Stanford Avenue, Brighton 6, stating the number of your party and whether they are Ambulance or Nursing Cadets. She will send you copies of the Camp Regulations and Application Form.
74
N jee I introduce myself? have just taken over the editorship of this magazine and I am very glad to have this chance of a few words with you all.
Because don t forget that this is your magazine. My job is to see that it will contain the kind of news, articles, and pictures that you want to read. So will you do something for me? I want you to write and let me know what you think of the Cadet. Tell me what you like about it, what you dislike, and give me any suggestions you have that you think would improve it.
You know, have found since became the Editor that although an enormous number of you read it and enjoy it, there are still many St. John Cadets who have not heard of it.
Now, that is a very disappointing state of affairs, and I am sure that we can improve on it. So when you meet other Cadets, why not tell them about your magazine and show thema copy if they have not seen one before.
* *
That would be an immense help to all of us, because if the demand for copies increases, my idea will be to try and publish a Cadet every month, instead of every three months as at present. That would really be something, but don t forget, it can only happen if a lot of new readers can be found. I m sure we can find them.
I hope to meet many of you on July 24th the lucky ones who will be attending the rally in Hyde Park, London, on that date, when Princess Margaret will be attending. I m sure you're looking forward to the day with great excitement.
x *
But even if we don t meet then, shall always be glad to hear from you at any time.
In this issue you will read some of the prize-winning entries in last year s Poetry and Authors Competitions.
I m sure you'll agree that they are all excellent but I m also sure that lots of you can write stories, articles, and poems that would be well worth printing. So do write I shall be very pleased to hear from you.
The Editor Editorial Offices 10 Grosvenor Crescent, London, $.W.!Here are the names of the Cadets whose splendid efforts in the Arts Competition won them each a prize. Heartiest congratulations to them and to all of you who took part
Ist Prize: Norma Camp, Chingford Nursing Cadet Division, London. 2nd Prize: Mary Tyler, Chertsey Nursing Cadet Division, Surrey. 37d Prize (shared) Irene Killip, Onchan Nursing Cadet Division, Isle of Man Sandra Stockman, Torquay Nursing Cadet Division, Devon Glenda Wilkins, Derby Nursing Cadet Division, Derby.
1st Prize: Jacqueline Bailey, Edmonton Nursing Cadet Division, London. 2nd Prize: Phillipa Newman, Towcester Grammar School Nursing Cadet Division, Northants; James Avery, Borough of Guildford Ambulance Cadet Division, Surrey. 3rd Prize: Diana Bevan, Brecon Nursing Cadet Division, Wales Anthony Parr-Morley, Chingford Ambulance Cadet Division, London.
Ist Prize: Anne Fraser St. Andrew s Nursing Cadet Division. 2nd Prize: Barbara Speakman, Derby Nursing Cadet Division. 3rd Prize: Jill Lesley Harris, Oxford Central Nursing Cadet Division. Special Prize: Brega Bassett, Bath Nursing Cadet Division.
1st Prize: Mervyn Stuartson Bell, Hove Ambulance Cadet Division. 2nd Prize: Margaret Crocker, Derby Nursing Cadet Division. 3rd Prize: Elizabeth Simpson, Arthur Faire Nursing Cadet Division.
And now turn to the middle pages for pictures, prize-winning poems, and short story.
In the senior dress inspection competition at the East and West Riding St. John Ambulance Brigade competition, the Hull Northern team were first. The competitions were held at Hull headquarters, and our picture shows Cadet Leader Denys Abba, captain of Hull Northern, receiving the award from the Lady Mayoress of Hull.
By Area Cadet Officer L. J. EVANS (No. 2 Area, Duke of Lancaster s District).
VERYONE in the St. John Ambulance Brigade Superintendent, Officer, N.C.O. or Cadet knows at least one good Ambulance Division, and it s usually the one he or she belongs to. But how many know the perfect Division ?
Well, I do, I ve seen it, and a famous Division it is, too. It surpasses any or all of the famous crack Divisions, and it s called the Best Town Cadet Division.
I can t tell you just how it happened. All know is that, one night, I found myself outside a door over which was written :
THE St. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE, Best Town Division HEADQUARTERS.
In my hand was a card inviting me to visit the usual Friday night parade. Here s a chance that I ve often dreamt of, said I. And, just taking time to rub up my button-hole badge, I knocked on the door and entered.
Within were the Officers, half a dozen of them, and all of the standard St. John type, that is to say, not Greek gods but very ordinary men.
The Superintendent was the usual type of Superintendent the anxious father of a large family. The Senior Cadet Officer carried a little book and a sheaf of schedules, and looked tremendously efficient. The Officer (bow-legged of course), frowned over a property list of shorts, stockings, ties, shirts and berets, while, in a corner, the Junior Officer consulted a drill manual.
Frankly, I was disappointed, it all looked so ordinary. But, soon, I changed my mind. There was a strong sense of preparedness about this
meeting. Here we are, they seemed to say, ten minutes before starting time, and every man ready. No last minute scramble, no throwing off of coats and caps, no hurried adjusting of Berets and gloves. They waited only for the Command to Fall in . Then again, their uniforms caught the eye. Every Officer was correctly dressed, absolutely so. All wore St. John Uniforms, black socks and (actually) stiff white collars. This was too much, and I ventured a remark to the Superintendent. But, naturally, he reminded me, this is the Best Town Division.
When the parade was lined up, the Supt. invited me to inspect the ranks, and with beating heart, I walked out to face this paragon of parades, this quintessence of Divisions. To my astonishment, my eyes beheld not ranks of super-boys but of ordinary Ambulance Cadets. There were bright faces, sober faces, funny faces, cheeky faces in fact the Best Town Division on parade was to all appearances just like one s own Division.
But important differences soon evinced themselves. These boys like their Officers were fully prepared. It was obvious that they had not just dropped in . They hadn t just rushed up from football, jumped into grey flannels and shirt, shoved on a beret, tightened a belt, and departed with a Cheerio, folks! I m off to the Cadets .
No, there was an air about them which said We re all here and we re all ready . And the cleanliness was impressive. They simply breathed household soap, boot polish, comb and clothes brush. The Parade reminded one of a thorough spring cleaning, for every uniform was as clean as its owner.
Some of the caps could see had been at camp, and many of the belts were old, but the shining buckles and the glistening badges showed what a Cadet uniform could look like.
Walking down the ranks, I spoke to several of the boys. Each gave me a smile and a Sir , and it was the same all the evening.
The Superintendent called for Cadet Officer Brown. Immediately, from some corner came an eager Yessir , and up marched a cheery Mr. Brown, with a smart salute. Then, Mr. Brown bellowed Sergeant Jones . At once, from the rear rank came a click of heels, a boyish Yessir and there emerged a grinning, red-haired N.C.O. The whole atmosphere was like that pleasant comradeship together with perfect discipline.
Tam delighted, I remarked to the Superintendent, to see such a happy tone. Yet there is perfect obedience and@ respect.) But of course, he replied, this is the Best Town Division.
The evening s programme began in the usual way with the Code of Chivalry (which every boy knew), followed by roll call and drill.
Now here, if anywhere, could expect to see the vast superiority of the Best Town Division. thought of all the drill parades I had witnessed the tangled platoons and stretcher squads, the harassed N.C.O. s, and bawling Officers.
I expected to have my eyes opened, and it was so.
What a perfect Attention . Not a sound, not a movement. The whole parade, from the Sergeant down to the latest Probationary Cadet, froze, with head and eyes straight to the front. Will they make no mistakes? I asked myself, and I watched anxiously.
Quick March. Yes, look! Sections three and four are tied in knots. What would happen now? Would this unique division break down Far from it, the whole incident was treated as quite normal.
You see, boys, explained the Cadet Officer, we are only learning, and so long as we are learning we are bound to make mistakes. Now, when I give the command . . and off they went for another try.
They wheeled, halted, right formed, left formed, formed squad, and finished off with another superb Attention , in which the whole Division became not so many individuals as a single Unit.
p Great. @ le wexclaimeds) .bhatis splendid. I wish every Cadet Division s drill parade was like that.
Of course, said the Superintendent again. This is the Best Town Division.
When the last boy had departed, I turned to the Superintendent. Now, look here, I said, you must tell me how you have achieved this perfect Division. You smile and say of course, this is the Best Town Division but that is no explanation. The hall ordinary. The uniform, the boys, the officers, the programme, are all ordinary. Now, how is it done
That's what the whole Brigade want to know. For the first time, the Superintendent looked serious. Open your eyes, he said, and you will see that we are doing only what the Ambulance Cadets are intended to do. If you could have seen our Nursing Cadets, you would have found the same thing with them.
What is our job in the Ambulance and Nursing Cadets ? Is it not to make out of ordinary material thousands of Bestonians, wherever the sign of the eight-pointed cross is known? And how do we achieve it? We realize what our job is and we do it. That is all.
Getmevenye: Oficerm every, N-e10:. every Cadet and St. John Junior to know what it really means to be a member of the St. John Cadets, and then, of course (and he smiled again) you will be able to say like us: Of course, this is the Best Town Division,
THE DIVISION WE SHOULD LIKE TO MEET
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssgosgs
PBEEHESSSSEHSASAAKHHHAHHH PPPPPPPPPPPF FFF PPI F PIP
Herve ave some interesting cases showing how several cadets last year were able to apply their first aid knowledge in emergencies. All of them have been awarded the Cadet Meritorious Certificate. The comments after each case are those of the Brigade s Surgeon-in-Chief, Major A. C. White Knox.
Cadet Patricia Wright (aged 13), No. 134 Manor Park Nursing Cadet Division, London.
An officer of the Wanstead Police Station reported the following case : On Wednesday, August 19th, Patricia Wright was walking past a pond in Wanstead, when she saw a child being carried from the water. There were several bystanders but as no one knew what to do and as the child was unconscious and not breathing Patricia immediately placed the patient in the correct position and started artificial respiration. This she continued until the patient showed signs of breathing and returned to consciousness. At this point a lady arrived who was able to relieve Patricia. In the meantime, an ambulance had been summoned and the patient was admitted to Wanstead Hospital.
The Police officer said It is the opinion of all concerned that the prompt action of Patricia Wright was responsible for saving the life of this patient
This case illustrates splendidly the value of good teaching in first aid. Patricia sized up the situation immediately and it was her prompt action which undoubtedly saved the patient's life. A. C. W. K.
Cadet Leonard Reynolds, C. 134 Roehampton Ambulance Cadet Division, London.
A party of Cadets from Roehampton (both boys and girls) went to Winchelsea for the day. The senior Cadets were permitted to bathe. The sea was rough and Nursing Cadet Valerie Smith did not notice the tide turn and was caught in a strong current. She was completely out of her depth and was unable to fight her way back. She shouted for help and an Ambulance Cadet who was close by tried to help but the swell was too strong for him. Cadet Leonard Reynolds managed to get out to her and bring her back, despite the strong current, to the shore where she was treated for shock.
From reports it appears that Cadet Reynolds was undoubtedly responsible for saving Valerie Smith s life at considerable tisk to his own.
Here is a case which shows the value of geneval Cadet Training! Reynolds, imbued
with the spirit of disciplined training, and with no thought for his own life, was able to save that of Valerie Smith and for the vest of his life will have that warm feeling of satisfaction which comes to all those who accomplish great efforis A. C. W. K.
Student Member Marie Armitage, Elland Nursing Cadet Division, West Riding of Yorkshire.
Marie Armitage was staying at Skipsea, near Hornsea, fora holiday. One morning she and her friend noticed that a motor boat appeared to be in difficulties in rough seas, and was drifting out to sea. At the same time the girls had seen the owner of the boat baling out water. When they failed to catch sight of the owner (Mr. Gerrard), fearing he might be exhausted they swam out to the boat with another holiday-maker, Mr. J. Calder, in spite of the rough sea.
On climbing over the side of the boat they found Mr. Gerrard trying to repair the engine which had been swamped. Shortly afterwards the Bridlington lifeboat took the whole party on board and took the motor boat in tow.
This is a very courageous act and Marie ts to be congratulated on her endeavour. She might have had a case to save and would have been veady to do 1t. A. C. W. K.
Cadet Margaret Foster (aged 16), Scunthorpe Nursing Cadet Division, Lincolnshire.
On November 25th, Cadet Margaret Foster was called to the house of a friend where a boy of 16 had received an electric shock.
Margaret immediately applied artificial respiration and continued to do so until the doctor arrived. In his report the doctor said Although Margaret s efforts were not successful her prompt attempt at resuscitation cannot but earn the highest praise. take the opportunity, therefore, of thanking her and the organization to which she belongs.
A very fine effort and it is not Margaret's fault that it was unsuccessful. She knew what to do and did it promptly, fully justifying her excellent training. A.C. W. K.
It was a great occasion for Cadet Thomas Greenwood when he received his Royal Life-saving Society resuscitation certificate from the Mayor of Burnley (Alderman H. Hudson) in January. It was awarded to Thomas
for his resourcefulness in June last year, when he saved the life of an 18-month-old girl who had fallen head-first into a tub full of water. And that s the little girl, Narina Newsome, in the arms of Burnley s Chief Constable (Mr. R. A. Noble).
For Bristol Cadets the past year has been a memorable one. Four girls have gained the highest possible award the Grand Prior s Badge.
In January nearly 600 members of the cadet and nursing cadet branches of the St. John Ambulance Brigade met in Whiteladies Road Drill Hall for their annual inspection by the County Commissioner, Lt.-Col. H. Essex Lewis. Bristol, too, has a fine record of
members who stay with the Brigade when they are grown up. Mrs. E. F. Pullin, who is in charge of the nursing cadets, was one of the first officers of No. Nursing Cadet Division, founded in 1928 by Mrs. Alice Wallington. Other old cadets are Mrs. V. Joselin (now Superintendent of the Knowle Nursing Cadet Division), and Miss B. Lidgely, now Superintendent of Kingswood Nursing Division.
Two nursing cadets, Sally Ashley and Pamela Healey, have recently received certificates for completing 200 hours of voluntary hospital duty during the last 12 months.
EVEN cadets of the Sleaford (Lincs) Ambulance Cadet Division, made a name for themselves last Christmas. They volunteered to do all they could to give the old people who are residents at Slea View a memorable time.
On Christmas Day they delivered mail and gifts to the residents, helped the infirm people to the dining hall, and served some dinners.
In the evening they turned themselves into disc jockeys , putting on a request programme on the radiogram, which was relayed throughout the building.
So popular was this effort that they have continued with their request items every Sunday evening since, and it will be a regular feature each week whilst the demand is there.
The programme opens with a signature tune, and greetings from the cadets, and while the records are being relayed, other cadets tour the rooms for request items. Each record is announced, together with the name of the person requesting it. If the cadets have not a record of the tune they play it on the piano so that the old people are not disappointed.
One man who has been made doubly happy by this fine piece of work is Mr. H. A. Brown, who besides being Superintendent of the Slea View home is also the Cadet Superintendent of the Division.
Both Matron and myself, he says, feel that the cadets are doing a grand job of work in bringing joy to the residents.
During a visit to the West of England, the Commandant-in-Chief of the St. John Cadets, Princess Margaret, inspected youth organizations at Westonsuper-Mare.
Here s a picture we were unable to include in the last issue through pressure on space. It shows the Rev. J. Harington Evans, Vicar of Enfield and Rural Dean, presenting the Grand Prior Badge, with a proficiency certificate, to 18-year-old Jean Martin, of Bush Hill Park, student member of the 34th Nursing Cadet Division, at the enrolment ceremony. Looking on proudly is Cadet Officer Miss G. Darnell. 82
The Knights of old rode forth, In armour shining bright, To strive and battle all theiy worth For honour, truth, and right. They served the Lord their God And with His might endued, They challenged evil with the sword And hosts and wrong subdued.
On through the centuries still, The challenge rang out clear All deeds of wrong, the false and ill To combat without fear; ~ To uplift the oppressed, And set the captives free,
That man, woman ana child be blest And live in sanctity.
Ours 1s the call to-day ; Not to go forth with sword, But help the weak in life s affray With timely act and word, To succour those in need, To relieve those in pain ; By knowledge used and kindly deed Help them full life regain.
In. these pictures, Her Royal Highness, accompanied by the Commissioner for Somerset, is seen watching first-aid demonstrations by Ambulance and Nursing Cadets.
WSSSSSSSSSSSssrA hymn specially written for the St. John Cadets by SUPT. L. E. APPLETON Leytonstone (Gainsborough) Ambulance Cadet Division.
St. John Cadeis to us comes Pyo Fide For the Faith Pro Utilitate Hominum For service of Mankind. This ts our motto grand Inspived by Knights of old,
May we like them, each take our stand And in the cause be bold.
Teach us Lord, Justice and Prudence Fortitude and Temp rance
The four arms of our cross of white. Keep us pure in Thy sight, O Lord, our Great Grand Prior, We pray Thee give us grace, That we may strive, and never tire, In service for our race.
Photo ArtriciaHE usual excited audience of Cadets and their parents attended the Cadet Christmas Party at St. John s Gate on Saturday, December toth, 1953 excited because many of them were to receive prizes which they had won in the Arts Competitions.
Sir Otto Lund, the Commissioner-inChief, opened the Presentation Ceremony with an exciting item of news he said that Princess Margaret had agreed to attend a Cadet Rally in Hyde Park during the summer and that he hoped that all the counties would send representatives. (Although Sir Otto could not give the date at the party it is now known that the Rally will take place in Hyde Park on July 24th.)
Mrs. Archie Camden (Miss Jan Kerrison) presented the music prizes. In her speech she pointed out that the music competition was the most
Princess Margaret was received by Lt.-Gen. Sir
This telegram from Otto Lund,Commissionerin-Chief, St. John Ambulance Brigade, in reply to a telegram sent to her on behalf of all Cadets.
difficult of all the competitions, chiefly because writing music is not generally taught. She said that she was trying to invent some way of teaching the younger children how to write music down.
One of her suggestions was to draw a line through the tops of all the notes once the tune had been written down on the music paper and the curve thus produced should form a flowing line rather than something closely resembling a temperature chart of a patient with a high fever . By this illustration, Miss Kerrison was trying to stress the importance of balance in music.
In the absence of Miss Anna Zinkeisen and Sir John Rothenstein, the Hon. Mrs. Honor Earle presented the Painter s Cup and prizes. In her address, Mrs. Earle said that as she had not been one of the judges of the competition, she could not express any opinion on the pictures themselves, so she would give a very short talk on painting in general. Mrs. Earle said that painting was one of the chief forms of self-expression, and urged Cadets not to pay undue attention to modern trends in painting nor to the comments of other people but paint what they wanted and how they wanted.
Sir Otto Lund presented the Author s Cup and prizes on behalf of the donor, Miss Barbara Cartland (Mrs. Hugh McCorquodale) and read out her remarks. Miss Cartland had been encouraged by the large number of entries in this competition and by the high standard set by the winners. She pointed out that competitors should try to get their stories typed or should at least write them in a clear legible hand, and in ink. Stories which were badly written in pencil were not likely to get a prize.
Professor C. Day Lewis presented the
Poetry Cup and prizes, and read out the winning four poems. He said that the general standard was not up to that of past years but, on the other hand, the standard of the winning four poems was higher than ever before. He drew attention to the small number of Ambulance Cadets who had entered for this competition and pointed out that most of the classic poets had been men. However, all four of this year s winners were girls.
Professor Day Lewis then said Don t be overawed by the idea of writing a poem. It is true that to write verse you have to develop a technique, and change it, and work hard at it, but at least you do use a technique that you know you use the medium of words. You should go on trying and suddenly you may find that something you write has the magic quality of genius. All good poets write lots of bad verse. Professor Day Lewis pointed out that one of the most important things in poetry was concentration , and in order to concentrate thoughts, it was necessary to use metaphors.
After the presentation of prizes which, apart from the cups, had generously been given by the Youth s [riends Association Jill Harris, of Oxford (who had won third prize in the Poetry Competition) proposed a vote of thanks to the judges and Cadet Officers, which was seconded by Mervyn Bell, of Hove (who had won the Author s Cup).
After the ceremony was over, the Cadets were given tea at the Hugh Myddleton Secondary School, and the evening finished with carols which were conducted by Mrs. Archie Camden, and games organized by Miss Bouty, Cadet Officer of Southgate Nursing Cadet Division. Miss Graylen, Cadet Superintendent of East Ham Nursing Cadet Division, was the accompanist.
Full list of prizewinners appears on Page 76. Prizewinning poems are overleaf.
Top: Mervyn Bell, Authors prizewinner, with his cups. Below: Lt.-Gen. Sir Otto Lund with prizewinners and guests (left) Professor C. Day Lewis, Mrs. Archie Camden, (right) the Hon. Mrs. Honor Earle, standing behind Miss Virginia Cunard. 84 Chargesto pay wes RECENEO ne Central Telegesph aotOME to me, my child
The wind that does not come Will cut you like a knife, A sacrifice to nothingness. There is no sorrow Like a father s sorrow, No purpose
Like my purpose, No death in sacrifice, There is nothing, no greatness, Before this greatness.
Come to me, my child. I will not suffer you I do not believe in suffering But when you kneel Like that, And I stretch out my arms, The mountains are crushed Beneath the yalleys.
Come to me, my child There is more to be done This afternoon Than on the evening of destruction.
ANNE FRASERee E rooftops now ave deepening into black velvet And the chimneys stand deserted and cold Allis still.
But watch, oh green eyes, watch! Those deep shadows on the wall move, Silently, stealthily move, seeming shy yet bold
Holding back, muscles rippling till the kill Then as a spring released leap, leap never to miss.
Those claws tear, but do not deal the fateful blow
Pouncing, retreating, dancing and purring, but never letting go.
That velvet paw, those amber eyes, Cruel now, tearing barbs and slits of cruelty. Forgotten all those warm safe home ties The fireside and the mat.
Alone now in some ancestral land, to kill Is your desive. To feel the power you hold Above some smaller thing, you bold ball of fury, You evil and primeval cat.
And now the shadows are gone, but I see Those amber eyes gleam as a head is turned. And to my listening ears a faint primeval music
Is played. A symphony of discord.
BARBARA SPEAKMANIKE a ship in full sail I skimmed across the frozen floor, For a fleeting moment I became ice queen Ruling o er another world, The ice beneath, Covered the grass with a glittering sheath.
Above in the leaden sky, the peewits swooped and called, Seeking refuge from wind and stormy seas The gulls flew inland, The wind on my face, Brought a glow to my cheek, as I rushed through space.
The minutes passed and now I lay tumbled upon the snow, The ring of the skaters blades rang in my ears
As they wove their pattern, The snowy bank Glowed, and the ice gleamed red, as the sun sank.
JILL LESLEY HARRISIT KNOW who fought at Hastings, and the date of Waterloo, And where Columbus wandered to, in 1492 And several of the causes of the 1914 war But what did Mr. Gladstone say, in 1884
The Glorious Revolution was in 1688, When William and Mary (back to back) were called to rule our state, And I even know a little of the life of Thomas Moore, But I don t know what our Gladstone said in 1884.
I know Napoleon wasn t French, that George III was mad
That Bluff King Hal was rather bluff, and Bad Lord Byron bad ; And the year that there were mutinies at Spithead and the Nore But not what Mr. Gladstone said, in 1884.
I ve conned encyclopedias, and many books I ve read, Which said that Henry had six wives and that Queen Anne is dead But none of them can tell me though I wonder more and more Just what it was that Gladstone said, in 1884.
BREGA BASSETT
By MERVYN BELL
ORELAND Hospital was a large rambling building serving the vast outlying districts of Stokesley, situated itself on the bleak outskirts of a large north-country industrial town. It used to be a workhouse ( It never ceased to be one said Sinclair) but the stone corridors and dark staff quarters were grim evidence ofan early eighteenth century architecture. But the real pride of Moreland Hospital was the newly-appointed X-ray departments and operating theatres, made possible by a wealthy benefactor, a steel magnate from the adjacent industrial town.
I had welcomed the opportunity of joining the staff as house surgeon. It was my first appointment and the experience would be invaluable. had only been in residence for two weeks but had already gained a good insight into the type of surgery I liked. Out-patients included a high percentage of accident cases from the neighbouring towns and various types of diseases from the squalid slum districts, which always accompany congested towns. After a busy day I made my way to the medical staff quarters, no benefactor s blessing there, drearily void of any munificence whatever, a place of perpetual gloom and moving shadows, and its windows looking out on the rugged countryside did little to enhance its sad lack of beauty.
There were five resident doctors including the great Mason, Chief Medical Officer, very much under the control of the Governors. There was Macpherson, a rather dour Scot of no mean repute as a surgeon, a great philosopher with a tremendous love for the rugged countryside, which seemed to assuage the nostalgia he felt at times for his own Highland country. He was a familiar figure tramping for miles across the countryside in his offduty, his pipe and his own company completely sufficient.
Peters, our pathological man, was fat, seemingly slow of thinking and action, yet one who always at a critical moment would produce a very welcome hot drink. The children adored him and many an off-duty hour he would spend at a sick child s bed-
side, a dependable rock and a heart of gold; I liked Peters very much.
Sinclair, the house physician, was a cynical, debonair type with an excellent bedside manner, always immaculately dressed and with quite a reputation for his affaires de ceur. Myself well! Being very tall and thin, my greatest attraction appeared to be to landladies who always tried to fatten me up. In spite of their a good meal will do you good , Iremained thin. was very keen on brain surgery, young and enthusiastic, with the oath of Hippocrates still ringing in my ears.
On reaching my room, quickly changed and went along to the Common Room where we liked nothing better than a yarn and a pipe. Upon opening the door was greeted with loud derisive cries, Sinclair has seen a ghost, at last his past has caught up with him. With or without ahead ? Sinclair sat there unmindful of their taunts, he was pale and distinctly shaken.
T tell you can t stand it any more, he is there all the time. Since they put me in this room last week, I ve had to fight off the feeling that I am not alone; at night I ve felt it following me. But this evening I saw him, he passed close to me. I couldn t move, I saw his eyes looking straight ahead. It was him!
Who we chorused.
Why, Fraser Stuart, he said.
A sudden hush fell upon the room, broken by Peters, bless him, with a tray of steaming coffee.
Fraser Stuart, he said, My dear Sinclair, he s been dead for two years, don t tell me he s still walking the hospital!
He follows me, persisted Sinclair.
He s probably after that appendix of yours |!
Drink your coffee, man, you'll feel betver.
Although a newcomer, I had heard the story of Fraser Stuart, the brilliant surgeon who had lost a patient through an error of judgment. It had preyed on his mind to such an extent that one morning he was found dead.
Death by misadventure, an overdose of
sleeping tablets, was the verdict. But the fact that he had inadvertently taken an overdose was never accepted by his friends. But surely such a clever doctor should at least command this loyalty rather than a public stigma.
Mac, from the depths of his armchair, was speaking of him now. A doctor cannot make mistake without paying, aye! paying in full sometimes as I raser Stuart did with his life! It is no excuse to be overworked, no excuse to have family worries interfering with your work, no excuse even to be just guilty of human frailty. A man can live down a mistake but a doctor no
Do you believe, Mac, that Fraser Stuart is haunting the Hospital 2? Peters asked,
Maybe, said Mac, maybe he is restless and wants to atone somehow for the blunder he made. Or maybe, he said with a twinkle in his eye, it is just Sinclair s appendix he wants !
The next few weeks passed. I ebruary came in bleak and cold, and brought in its wake an epidemic of influenza. Many of the nurses were off duty sick and also some of the visiting staff. It was a common thing to see Peters, whenever free from his work, in the children s ward with hands as gentle as a woman's, washing, taking temperatures, and tending his big family as he called them, The evidence of the joy of the children was in their eyes as they followed him down the ward. Sinclair was the one who worried us, he seemed to be heading for a breakdown. He would work like a Trojan, but his nerves were in a shocking state, and his restlessness and shaking hands were obvious to us. wondered if he had seen his ghost again. Not believing in the supernatural myself, dismissed the thought.
It happened the following week. was wakened in the night to see a figure by my bedside; it was Sinclair. He gasped, I ve been called on emergency theatre duty, can t go, can t go! It was plain to see his nerves were near breaking point. By reporting him sick could take his place but resolved firmly to put him in the hands of the medical officer in the morning.
reached the theatre and discovered the emergency case was a young boy very badly injured. He had been brought in from the night shift at the steel works his condition was hopeless. asked sister who was operating. I don t know, they re trying to get one of the Honoraries they need a wizard and not a surgeon to put him together again. She checked the instruments again it was quite likely the surgeon would be difficult if called up at three o clock in the morning.
My soliloquizing was disturbed by the anesthetist s your patient is ready, sir! The surgeon had come in quietly and now moved forward with hand outstretched to take the scalpel. Then he began the operation, did not know him, his very silence proclaimed him a stranger. He was tall, beyond that could not say. His gown and mask were a complete disguise. The operation continued in silence. Although the heat was intense, cold wave seemed to engulf me. Who was this surgeon who appeared to inspire a telepathic wave for his requirements, who was doing this brilliant work with a calm precision that was uncanny? handed the instruments and the close proximity of his gloved hand seemed cold. He seemed to exude a coldness- except for his eyes which seemed to burn with fiery intensity above the mask. felt an inclination to tremble as though some unseen forces were at work.
As the operation drew to close, felt intensely weary. Although my part had been so infinitesimally small, realized that the operation was not just successful but that a miracle had been performed. found it difficult to speak but had to know, gasped Who are you, sir? Did he really speak The mask was motionless but he must have done, Fraser Stuart Fraser Stuart. The name was repeated as if with difficulty, then he was gone.
moved as if in a dream to follow him . the master surgeon but the ante-room was empty. The gloves, gown, and mask lay in a neat pile on the table. went out through the outer door, It was getting light, it must be about five o clock, could hear footsteps somebody was coming. It was Sinclair. We met face to face with the morning mist swirling about us. marvelled at his face; the haggard nervous strain had disappeared it was the old debonair Sinclair smiling before me.
stammered, I I have seen him operate
He clasped my shoulder and quietly answered know .
We turned our steps back to our quarters. The building wasn t really ugly and gloomy. It seemed majestic towering above us. Through the corridor to the Common Room light filtered through the windows.
Sinclair exclaimed, Why, the shadows have gone. Yes, the shadows have gone.
Peters, with a cherubic expression on his face, was framed in the doorway waiting for us with his fragrant-smelling coffee, 88
The last year has been a very successful one for C112 (Charlton) Cadet Ambulance Division.
The Division was privileged to send two boys to represent the cadet movement at the Queen s Coronation Thanksgiving Service held at St. Paul s Cathedral on June 9th, and was also represented at the Coronation Youth Service held at Westminster Abbey on June 7th.
The annual camp in August was held in Jersey for the first time.
Besides successes 1953 brought sadness to the Division in the death of two great helpers. In July one of the Divisional Auditors, Mr. F. G. Bagley, died, and in December the death of Area Cadet Staff Officer E. C. Goodall came as a very great shock to the officers and boys. Both Mr. Bagley and Mr. Goodall rendered great service to the Division and will be sadly missed in the years to come.
LANCASTER CADET DIVISIONS. Although the Lancaster Cadet Divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade have only been in existence for just over a year, the movement has been very successful, with 50 members in the Nursing Division and 12 in the Ambulance Division. First presentation of awards was held recently, when cadets received certificates for proficiency in Home Nursing, knowledge and Care of Animals, Fire Fighting, and Road Safety.
The Countess Peel made the presentations to the girls and the Mayoress of Lancaster (Mrs. N. B. Gorrill) to the boys.
Dr. W. George, who presided, praised the admirable work of the movement, and told the members that they could 89
not have chosen a better spare-time occupation, especially at such a time, when there was a grave shortage of nursing staff.
Cadet Supt. Mrs. W. Carter gave a report of the year s activities of the Nursing Division, and Supt. A. Hilton reported on the year s progress of the Ambulance Division.
Among the award winners was 15year-old Sergt. Eileen Donnelly, who received the leader s cup, for which she tied in the Area Competition at Preston last November. The Lancaster team gained third place in this competition, and compete at Liverpool in the second round in February.
Miss Donnelly was also awarded the Harwood Trophy in the Nursing Division.
The individual cup in the Ambulance Division was awarded to Cpl. A. Nellist. This trophy, known as the City of Lancaster Cup, was originally the property of the senior Division.
Among those present at the ceremony was Area Commissioner J. FE. Helme, the Mayor of Lancaster (Councillor N. B. Gorrill), representatives of the City Police, Fire Brigade, R.S.P.C.A., and parents,
A promising ambulance cadet division has been formed at Pateley Bridge, and there was an auspicious inauguration ceremony at the Harefield Hall Hotel, at which Cadet Supt. Luty was first enrolled, followed by 19 cadets.
As Cadet Supt. Luty s work takes him out of the town frequently, much of the preliminary training of the cadets has been undertaken by Acting Cadet Officer Holt, Mr. F. Hartley, president of the Pateley Bridge Ambulance Division, and Mrs. Hartley, president of the Nursing Division. Ambulance Divisional Supt. Myers and
his officers and Miss Thorpe of the Nursing Division have also helped tremendously in the formation of the cadet division.
The enrolment ceremony was carried out by County Cadet Officer F. R. Charlton, assisted by Mr. Hartley, and as each cadet s name was called out he stepped forward, kneeled on a cushion, made his promise, was touched on the shoulder by Mr. Hartley, and handed his certificate and badge. The County Cadet Officer addressed the cadets, and the cadets repeated the code of chivalry and the Vicar of Pateley Bridge read prayers.
There was a good attendance of parents and friends, and at the close of the ceremony a generous supper was served by the President, who was heartily accorded thanks.
*
Two nursing cadets of Eccleshill Division, West Riding of Yorkshire, were praised highly for their part in giving first aid to an injured trolley bus conductor in December.
They were Jean Holdsworth, aged 15, and Wendy Barber, aged 16, and they were on their way to school with some other girls when they saw the conductor fall. One immediately went for a doctor, another phoned for an ambulance, and the others wrapped their coats around him and bathed his face.
The Bradford Director of Education, when he heard of what the girls had done, said: They reacted extremely well to the emergency. It was tribute to their initiative.
Luton Corps Annual New Year s Party. About 120 members of Luton Corps Nursing and Ambulance Cadets attended their annual party in January.
After being taken to the Pantomime Cinderella at the Luton Alma Theatre, the Cadets sat down to a tea provided in the Luton Youth Headquarters.
Games and competitions organized by Cadet Superintendent F. A. Norman and Cadet Officer M. Doust followed until about nine o clock, when the party broke up, regretting that it was all over for another year.
The Luton Cadet Officers combined to make this year s effort the most successful ever, and support for this venture was given by County Superintendent Miss
H. M. Brown, and Area Cadet Officer E. White.
Child Welfare Course. Nearly 50 Nursing Cadets of the Luton Corps attended a Child Welfare Course organized by County Superintendent Miss H. M. Brown. This course concluded with a special demonstration at the Midwives Hostel, Luton, under the supervision of Miss A. E. Drew, County Nursing Officer, who has been instructing the class. Examinations are being held in March.
Southern Area. Forty-one Cadets from Divisions in the Southern Area of Bedfordshire were enrolled at Dunstable Town Hall last November by the County VicePresident, the Hon. Pearl LawsonJohnston, O.B.E.
The Chairman was the Mayor of Dunstable, Alderman B. J. Scott, J.P., who paid tribute to the children in the Nursing and Ambulance Cadets. He said it was heartening to see so many young people taking up the service to mankind.
Awards gained by Cadets during the past year were presented by the Mayoress, Mrs. B. J. Scott.
Demonstrations, concluding with the tableau, The St. John Star, were given by the Cadets after the enrolment and presentation of awards.
A Swimming Club for the Ambulance and Nursing Cadets of Birmingham has now been formed; one of the ideas is to encourage the Cadets in swimming and life-saving. The Cadets of Alston Road Division held a swimming gala, to which they invited entries from all other Divisions. Not many entries were received but the standard was high. The events included one length back stroke and two length breast stroke. Prizes were given to the winner of each event, and a trophy was given to Cadet Henry Poulton, of Alston Road Division, and Cadet Christine Laming, of Ridpool Road Division. During the evening Cadet Corps vicepresident Mr. Sam Jenkins presented the Dr. Billington Trophy for swimming and life saving to Alston Road Cadets. The Commissioner, Brigadier M. L. Hayne, was present at the gala for a short time and congratulated the Cadets on their performance.
The County Round of the Ambulance and Nursing Cadet Competition took place at Headquarters on January 16th. The Team Test was judged by Dr. Lewis Butler, and the staging was very ably carried out by County Officer J. E. Matthews, he even provided a black cat sitting on the garden wall. It was amusing to watch the different ways of making
warm, sweet tea . The winning teams, - Ambulance, G.E.C. (Witton) Student and G.E.C. (Witton) Junior and Nursing, Winchester House Student and St. Peter s Junior now go forward to the Regional Round which is being held in Stafford. Commissioner Brigadier M. L. Hayne congratulated all the teams on their performance, and wished the winning teams success in the next round.
The first of the 1954 No. Area Cadet competitions was held on Saturday, January 2nd, in Bolsover Colliery Schools, seven teams entering in the junior ambulance cadet section, eight pairs of nursing cadets in the bed-making section, and two teams in the junior nursing cadet section. In the senior section, the only team entered, Creswell Ambulance cadets, had a bye to the county finals. Prizes were presented by Area Supt. B. Kendall, who appealed for a greater response from Nursing Cadet teams. Winners were: Junior Ambulance: 1 Langwith Colliery, 2 Renishaw Park Colliery, 3 Hasland/ Grassmoor. Nursing Cadets: Holbrook/Westthorpe, 2 Ireland Colliery. Bed-making: Bolsover Nursing Cadets. The tests were set by Area Cadet Officer bP. E. Hibbard (Ambulance cadet teams), Cadet Supt. J. W. Turner (individual test), Area Nursing Officer Mrs. Millward (nursing cadet teams), Div. Nursing Officer Miss Fisher. Faking was carried out by Cadet Supt. J. W. Kay and Cadet Supt. Mrs. G. Groot. Other officials taking part were Mrs. M. McKay, Area Staff Officer T. M. Cope, Area Secretary F. Norman, and Corps Secretary A. Turner, Cadet Officer J. Smith, Cadet Supt. E. H. Templeman, Cadet Supt. W. Brunt, Cadet Officer J. McCormack, Div. Supt. Mrs. Blount, Div. Officer Mrs. Parrott, Cadet Supt. Mrs. J. Pegg, Cadet Officer Miss Greenway, Cadet Officer McKay, Acting Div. Supt. Mrs. E. A. Cope, Cadet Supt. Mrs. J. Canham, and Area Section Officer Mrs. Waterhouse. Staging and catering arrangements were made by the Bolsover Division.
DOoORCHESTER. A_ very successful and enjoyable evening was held in the County town in December, when ambulance and nursing cadets were enrolled. The ceremony was combined with the annual parents night . Nursing cadets from Shaftesbury joined the Dorchester cadets for the enrolment ceremony, and during the evening entertained with counter-
marching displays and choral singing. Demonstrations in Home Nursing and First Aid sketches by the Dorchester cadets received loud applause, especially as the sketches were all planned and worked out entirely by the cadets themselves. Very good they were too,
The annual County Cadet Competitions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade were held at Cheltenham Ambulance Headquarters on Saturday, November 21st, watched by a large crowd of supporters. The Ambulance Cadet Team winners were Cheltenham Town, followed by Gloucester St. George (znd), Churchdown (3rd), and Tewkesbury (4th), while the Nursing Cadet team winners were Churchdown, followed by Cheltenham Central (2nd), and Charlton Kings (3rd). The Cheltenham team members were Cadets R. J. Bennett (leader), T. T. Tobias, J. E. Hancox, and B. M. Hobbs, and the Churchdown team members were Cadets J. A. Norman (leader), J. Hopkins, M. V. Stinton, and D. A. Davies.
Camp. Cadets of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Kent will be delighted to hear that at long last they are to hold a Camp this summer.
Arrangements are being made by a Committee under the chairmanship of Viscountess Allenby, Vice-President, including senior cadet officers, the County Superintendent, Lady Teynham, and Major Clive Bossom, Chairman of the Council for Kent, for the Camp to be held during August at Bexhill, Sussex.
Ipswich. At the County Nursing Cadet enrolment held at the Town Hall, Ipswich, on Friday, December 4th, 38 cadets of the Ipswich Nursing Cadet Division were enrolled by Miss V. Cunard, Chief Officer Nursing Cadets. <A total of 150 certificates was presented by the Mayor of Ipswich, Mrs. Lesley Lewis, and in addition the following awards were made: Grand Prior Cadet Badge Segt. C. Bennett, Cpl. J. Pryke Special Service Shield Cpl. Y. Archer, Cadet S. Minter; T. G. Gooderham Cup for best all-round cadet Cadet M. Corston; Individual First Aid Competition Cup Cadet C. Brockman; Individual Home Nursing Competition Cup Cadet P. Day.
T was Monday morning, wash-day, and Mrs. Hughes was rather dispirited not merely because it was Monday morning, for she wasn t that sort of person, but because to-day was a day which she and her daughter Marion had looked forward to for so long and now it was spoiled. Marion was a keen Cadet of the new Division which had been started about a year ago in Blaenau I*festiniog and to-day she was to have been enrolled, together with forty-two other Members of her Division.
Everything was ready. Her spotless new uniform hung on the door, but there was no Marion to wear it, for five days ago she had been hurried off to the hospital at Llandudno for an appendicitis operation. Mrs. Hughes would go along to the enrolment ceremony in the evening, but it wouldn t be the same knowing that Marion would be left out. She stirred the porridge and called to her husband to come down to breakfast.
*
His boots were warming by the fire for it was a cold winter day. He pulled them on, sat down to his porridge, and picked up the paper. He stared at the words which met him on the front page, so MARION HAS HER CEREMONY AFTER ALL. What? Could this be theiy Marion
My dear, he said to his wife, this.
How that Monday seemed changed now for Mrs. Hughes, and with what joy and pride was she able to enter into the spirit of the enrolment ceremony that evening
*
NOT MANY people have celebrated Christmas at a dinner in a magnificent room panelled from the oak of a famous old ship! Yet that is exactly how fortyfive ambulance and nursing cadets from Clydach celebrated their Christmas. It was quite dark when they all climbed into the coach which was to take them down to Mumbles, a piece of the rugged Welsh coast which juts out into the sea below Swansea. As they got out, the waves lapped on the rocks, the little boats moored safely could just be perceived in the gloom below. The lights from Swansea glittered all round the wide sweeping bay, making a lovely Christmas picture. Inside it was bright and cosy, and how grand it was to sit at the decorated tables and be waited on just as at a grown-up dinner tomato soup, turkey and stuffing, bread sauce, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, and peas, followed by peach melba and coffee.
read
Mrs. Hughes took the paper and read
At a simple ceremony held at Llandudno Hospital to-day, 16-year-old Marion Hughes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hughes, Park Square, Blaenau Ifestiniog, was enrolled as the first St. John Nursing Cadet of Merionethshire.
Officers attending a training course near Llandudno, learning of Marion s disappointment from her Cadet Superintendent, Mrs. J. Roberts, made a special visit to the hospital. In the presence of the Matron, Miss Druitt, the Cadet Training Officer of Wales, pinned the Cadet Badge on to her jacket. Afterwards a prayer was said, and the five officers with Marion recited the Code of Chivalry.
At the end of the meal an enormous black and white cracker was brought in, and when it was pulled by the youngest Cadets, it was found to contain a present for everyone, each one carefully labelled and chosen to suit the recipient by their Officers, Miss Sykes and Miss Lloyd.
*
TWO HUNDRED paper caps perched gaily on the heads of two hundred Cadets sitting in circles round a large glowing Camp Fire at Bridgend. They had come from as far as Llantwit Major, Porthcawl, Port Talbot, besides many closer Divisions, at the invitation of the Bridgend Cadets to celebrate Christmas. The whole party took the form of a Camp Vire, and one might wonder how the idea would go down . But it was a 100 per cent success, and proved a most excellent way of entertaining a large number of young people in a rather confined space. The Camp Fire songs were well chosen and mainly of the fun variety. These were
interspersed with a number of wellrehearsed individual items and a Christmas story which I was asked to tell. Then came typical Camp Fire refreshments and excellent cups of hot cocoa. Refreshed once again, Mr. Healey the new Cadet Superintendent and M.C. for the evening, asked us to keep very quiet or the next item would be spoiled. Then in the distance we heard the strains of O Come all ye faithful which grew louder and louder until there was a knock on the door and in came Cadets dressed as waits, carrying home-made lanterns. They formed a group by the piano, carol sheets were handed out, and for half-anhour all joined in the singing of favourite carols. The clock then showed it was time for the buses, and regretfully we said good-bye and all wished each other A Very Happy Christmas ! .
The Welsh Cadet Final Competitions will take place at Canton High School, Market Road, Cardiff, on Saturday, February 27th, commencing at approximately lla.m. Luncheon and tea will be provided for those Officers who undertake the honorary duties of Stewards, and tickets at ls. 6d. each can be obtained in advance from Priory House for all others who wish to take tea. The County Cadet Officer for Cardiff, Mr. W. J. Thomas, 56 Forrest Road, Canton, Cardiff, has kindly offered to arrange hospitality for the night of Friday, February 26th, for teams travelling from North Wales, and applications should be made direct to Mr. Thomas.
Saturday, March 20th, is the great day in the Cadet Competition calendar, when the Cadet Finals in London will be held at the Central Hall, Westminster, S.W. 1. Camping may be an _unseasonable subject for January, but time passes quickly, and many cadets will be thinking soon of the summer holidays ahead. The Priory Ambulance and Nursing Cadet seaside Camp for fully enrolled, efficient Ambulance and Nursing Cadets, Student Members, and Officers, will be held at Talsarnau from July 16th to 23rd and July 23rd to 30th. The cost of £2 5s. a week for Cadets and Officers includes board and accommodation in tents travel and excursions in the most beautiful scenery of North Wales extra.
Llandudno Hospitality A deep impression was made by the warm hospitality of the residents of Llandudno on the 93
minds of the four St. John Cadets who with the Commissioner for the Wellington District of New Zealand, Captain Gilberd, included Llandudno in their Coronation year tour of Great Britain. Of Llandudno they said there was never a dull moment in the programme arranged for them. They were guests at formal and informal lunch and dinner parties, and there was something for them to do all the while. They were given a civic welcome by Councillor W. O. Thomas, chairman of the Council, on Thursday, followed by tea at St. George s Hotel. They visited the local St. John Ambulance clubroom to address Ambulance and Nursing Cadets. The girls were shown round Llandudno General Hospital, and were guests at a lunch given at Payne s on Friday by the officers. The chairman was Lieut.-Col. W. J. Williams, Chief Constable of Gwynedd, who is Assistant Commissioner for Caernarvonshire. On Saturday and Sunday the visitors attended a conference and officers course at Mount Stewart, Rhos-on-Sea. Hosts for the party during their stay were Mr. R. I. Jones, Llandudno, county staff officer; Supt. Tibbs, Penmaenmawr cadet division, and Mr. Albert James, Llandudno Cadet Superintendent.
Unsolicited Praise- Writing to the local press a letter congratulating Llandudno on its hospital, Mrs. M. Power, of 9 Aylton Road, Liverpool, who had occasion to visit a friend, said ...I was also impressed by the bright young cadets of the St. John Ambulance who so ably gave a helping hand to the nurses and patients in the fetch and carry process understand these young girls are only thirteen years of age. They look extremely smart in their nice uniforms. It was really lovely to watch them in and out helping with the tea trolley, and other little duties, once again proving what a wonderful organization the St. John Ambulance is.
Anyone belonging to it deserves far more credit than they get, and if the parents of young people could realize the wonderful help these folk are to the Organization I feel certain more would be encouraged to join, as they deserve praise beyond measure.
myself do not belong to the St. John Ambulance, but I am firmly convinced they are a very valuable asset after what I saw.
Maesteg Cadet Shows His Mettle. A 38-year-old collier, who is recovering in Chepstow Hospital from severe injuries received when a fall occurred in Duffryn Rhondda Colliery in which he was
trapped under a stone weighing 3 tons, owes his life to the tact and courage of an 18-year-old first-aider more than to anyone connected with his rescue. For though the miners of No. Pit at that colliery lived up to the great spirit of camaraderie that is to be found throughout the industry when they exposed themselves to grave dangers in extricating Mr. Harold Mordecai, the injured workman, all assert that to young David Glyndwr Thomas ( Glyn to his workmates), should go the highest measure of praise for his part in that drama of heroism performed hundreds of yards below the surface of the ground.
When the fall occurred, the huge stone fell partly across the blast and water pipes, but Mr. Mordecai had been pinned underneath it, and could not be released from the fall until the rescue team, by means of a derrick, succeeded in lifting the stone.
Meanwhile it was discovered that Glyn Thomas, a student cadet of the Cwmdu Ambulance Division and a junior member of the Duffryn Colliery team, was the only qualified first-aider on the spot. Without hesitation the youth applied himself to the task of giving what is described as first treatment to the injured workman, upon which so much importance is placed underground in modern times. It was, indeed, a severe test of courage and tact im one so young, but Glyn went fearlessly and confidently on with his task, hearing as he proceeded words of appreciation from the injured man.
At one stage in the rescue work the water from the severed water pipe threatened to drown the unfortunate workman; the water carried coal dust into his mouth, and Glyn s first anxiety was to find a means of preventing this.
After Mr. Mordecai had been extricated, Glyn undertook full responsibility for treating Mr. Mordecai s injuries. He found the workman had received a compound fracture of the left humerus, simple fracture of the ribs, injury to the hands resulting in the loss of one finger, and severe hemorrhage and shock.
After treating the injuries and arranging the transport of the patient, he was met en route for the pit bottom by Dr. E. W. Kinsey, ambulance man R. Mullins, and Mr. J. Reynolds. All immediately praised the skill and courage of the young firstaider in his treatment of the case, particularly in circumstances requiring the highest tact and courage.
Whilst the rescue work was carried out speedily and efficiently, all who took part in it emphasized that it was the good work done by Mr. Glyn Thomas that was really the means of saving the injured man s life.
Enrolment of 56 Cadets. At Blaenau Festiniog the Cadet Training Officer for Wales, Miss Zoé Druitt, enrolled 42 nursing and 14 ambulance cadets.
Before the ceremony began, Miss Druitt, accompanied by Mr. W. Mabon Abraham, Brigade Secretary for Wales, Cadet Supt. J. O. Williams, and Cadet Officer Pierce, inspected the Divisions and a guard of honour of the adult division in charge of Ambulance Officer B. W. Evans.
The Chairman was Cadet Supt. J. O. Williams, who welcomed the visitors. Councillor R. H. Roberts, J.P. (Chairman of the Urban Council) extended an official welcome. We are proud of our young people, he said, and these cadets are the nucleus of a corps of fine and good citizens. Prayers were offered by the Rev. G. J. Roberts (Vicar). Others who took part were: Mr. H. Evans Jones, president of the Adult Division, and Councillor R. D. Williams (vice-chairman of the Council) and an ex-supt. of the Adult Division. Also present was Mrs. C. J. Kenyon Jones, J.P., president of the Cadet Division.
Councillor Mrs. A. J. Cadvan Jones, president of the Nursing Cadets, and Miss A. Roberts, a vice-president, were presented with certificates confirming their appointments.
Certificates of promotion were also presented to a number of cadets by the Brigade Secretary, who subsequently handed service awards to four members. Then, amidst prolonged cheering, Mr. Mabon Abraham presented Cadet Supt. J. O. Williams with the Vote of Thanks. Addressing the Cadets, the Brigade Secretary told them that he could say without any hesitation he had never inspected a more efficient or well dressed body of Cadets.
In her address, Miss Druitt urged the young people to live up to the code of chivalry and readiness to assist the sick and injured which was the basis of the Order of St. John. She urged them to follow the Christian precepts, to use their hands with gentleness when ministering to the sick and the injured, and to be all times ready and willing to go where they were the most needed, even if it meant discomfort.
County Training Day. Lady TwistonDavies, J.P., Chief Cadet Nursing Officer, Wales, presided over the 5th annual training day for cadet officers, organized at Risca by County Cadet Officer Miss E. Kansey. The Chairman of the local @ Continued at foot of next page.
OR a magnificent piece of work during the floods of February, 1953, Student Corporal John Price, of Grays Cadet Division, London (Prince of Wales s) District, has been awarded the American Trophy for Gallantry for 1953. (This Cup was presented by the U.S. 8th Army Air Force when they were stationed in England during the War.)
John has also been awarded the Life Saving Medal of the Order in silver.
After hearing a rumour that Tilbury was flooded, John hurried into his uniform sought out another cadet, Bernard Williams, and they both sped on their bicycles to the area.
On arrival they were called upon to rescue an old man who had recently had his eye removed. After arranging transport, this man was sent to the rest centre at Chadwell St. Mary, which had been organized and manned by the 73rd and 48th Divisions of S.J.A.B. (Grays).
The water was 3 ft. 6 in. deep, and after rolling up their trousers they commenced carrying stranded victims and animals to safety on one of the few lorries in operation at that time.
John was separated from the other student cadets, but he was asked by a
family to find an old lady who lived next to them. A friend of John s had already searched the house without success. Still waist-high in very cold and filthy water, John searched that house from top to bottom (except for the lavatory which was almost hidden by 5 feet of water and other obstructions), without success. Days later she was found there, dead.
During the first 33 hours after the flood had swept inland, John worked continuously only stopping for the occasional cup of tea and sandwich also a change of clothes.
Later John commandeered an American Army lorry complete with driver and recommenced his valiant efforts by travelling between the floods and the various rest centres which were being opened up as the demand for accommodation increased. One of the 30 visits John made to the flood waters to rescue stranded families resulted in having to carry one crippled lady (weighing 13 stone) down a ladder on his back before placing her in a rowing boat. All night long he was carrying special cases of cripples, heart cases and similar patients.
The total number of hours Corporal Price reported for duty was 144. A great credit to the Division.
@ Continued from previous page.
Council welcomed the guests and officers present, and County Surgeon C. G. Mackay urged the need for more and more trained people to cope with the accidents occurring with increasing frequency on the roads at home and in all spheres.
The guest speaker, Miss R. C. Haddow, Field Officer of the Church of England Youth Council, in a brilliant address, put forward very strongly the need for religious training in youth work to-day , and stressed the desirability of careful choice of good officers, who could set a shining example of true living in front of cadets.
Miss Z. D. Druitt, Cadet Training Officer for Wales, followed up the subject of Miss Haddow s talk, and led the discussions.
The second session was taken by the Commissioner for the Rhondda, Mr. W. McTiffin, supported by Div. Supt. W. Newbury, Rhondda, and Area Staff Officer (Cadets) Emlyn Phillips, Tredegar, who lectured on the faking of injuries for Class and Competition Work. Every Officer present was given the opportunity for
practical work, and the Ambulance Hall was the scene of many injured hands and arms, while Miss Edwina Savage, of Caersws, was made to appear as if she had sustained a compound fracture of the leg and also a 6-inch nail through the hand.
Rhondda Cadets on Tour. To meet the request of a Rhondda Cadet who hopes to join the R.A.F. medical section when he receives his call-up,in the near future, County Cadet Officer Gwyn Morris arranged an interesting tour in the City of Cardiff. A party of 16 ambulance and nursing cadets in charge of Mr. Morris and County Cadet Officer (N) Mrs. M. Pugh, were conducted over the Cardiff Royal Infirmary, by kind permission of the Matron, Miss S. C. Bovill, an Officer Sister of the Order and Matron of the Priory. The Cadets were given a thorough idea of the working of this general hospital and found the tour most interesting.
The party then proceeded to the Western Mail buildings, where they were shown the various processes which were needed to publish a national newspaper.
