TATTOO & THEN TA.TA
f .AST night's oercmotry to mark thre formal close'down of the St. " John Cadet Coronation: Camp will long be remembered by alt who were privileged to take part in it
Here was a fitting climax to a week that, inr spite of its watery start, and its one grearq disappointment, was hugely enjoyed by everlone*a week of history in the making.
The 2,000 campers assembled on the parade ground as the shadows began to lengthen.
Throughout the speeches, and the presentations. and the various dis- plays that had been arranged, searchlights swept the arena, and lit up its fringe of towering trees.
It was a fairy-like setting, but it would have been nothing without music, and for this the eamp was again indebted to the Sheerness Cadet Band.
How smart the Band looked, with their instruments gleaming in the full glare of the searchlights, and how sfirred were all the Cadets by the display of marching and counter-marchin-e.
The parade had its moments of fun, too. How everyone laughed rvhen the lights suddenly focussed on Ihe queerest of apparitions-a tandem bicycle ridden bv a man and woman in the costumes of grandmama's time.
The Band struck up "Daisy Bell" and everyone j,oined in the singing. Our roving repoiter laiter identiffed the cyclists as Dr. Gladys Danhy, tthe Assistant Carnp Comrnandant, aqd Mr. H. F. Muiligan, in charge of adtiv,ifies.
It'was also learned that the Chief Administrative Officer, Major-Gen- eral H. H. Rich. was to have appeared in the uniform of the W.V.S.-just for a bit of fun.
Unfortunately, General Rich was too fully occupied at the time. Yes, he was helping the W.V.S. to wash up, after a beano held by the Somerset Ambulance Cadets to celebrate winning their sub-camp totem pole.
Perhaps the most moving spectacle of all i,n last night's parads came right at the end.
This was when the Band led the long column of Nursing Cadets in their withdrawal from the arena. and then returned to head the retreating procession of Ambula,nce Cadets.
Our own Princess under canyas
$EW Cadets attending the Coro- l- nation Camp have been aware that there has been a Princess here all the time. Moreover. she has been. living under canvas like everybody elseShe is Princess Chula Chakrabongse, whose husband. Prince Chula of Thailand. is a ffrst cousin of the reigning king of Siam, King Bumiphol. Princess Chula, who was formerly Miss Elizabeth Hunter, and whose father is the head of a well known London printing firm, is herself County Cadet Officer for Cornwall. At Stubbers, she has been assisting the Chief Administrative Officer, General Rich.
THE IARGEST Sr. JOHN CADET CAMP EYER
[tHE parade was addressed r Mrs. Beatrice Grosverrorl Yirginia Cunard; and the Camp by the Doputy Chief Officer. Sup elin tend,ent-in-Cbi ef , Nursing Cadetg Miss F. R. B. [I. Kennedy.
[he Dr
In his speedh, Dr. Kennedy said: "Some months ago, Miss Cunard and I had a picnic lunch on the lawns of Stubbers, and we wondered then what the Coronatioin Camp would be Iike.
"You arrived last Friday in the pouring. rain, and no doubt you, too, wondered what the Camp would be like.
"Now rve all know
"This Camp has been a good one and a happy one, and I am certain that we have made many good and firm friends. We also know that we have made history in having the largest camp of St. John Cadets that has ever been held.
"Perhaps some of us are wondering when the next camp of this size
Continued on Page 2.
'ii:
No. 7 FRtDAY, AUGUST 7th, t953.
L -<)
PRTCE 2d
General pl Hospital raise for Camp
I geries every I have passed of them was
a member of the Hospital staff, who came up for an extraction.
MORE I,ETTERS SEIVT THAN RECEIVED
day, and l9 patients through his hands. One Dr. A. K. Handiekar, o,NLY a handful of patients remained in the Camp Hospital when the time came today to close it down, and as none of them was seriously ill, arrangements were made to get them all home in comfort.
The Hospital has come under the closesl scrutinv as a result of the one case of meningitis, and all the medical authorities sent to inspect it have expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.
Dr. Taylor's work as O.C. Health has been highly praised, whiie Dr. Richmond's experience as a Police Medical Officer and as M.O. to the Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club has proved invaluable in the running of a field hospital.
For the past 21 years, Dr. Richmond has travelled everywhere wifb the Wolves as their medical adviser. He has been present at some extremely rowdy scenes, such as when the goal-posts were torn up by excited spectators, and when stones were thrown at thE ref,eree.
The Camp's Dental Officer, Mr. R. T. Bax, of Barkingside, has held sur-
Contintted fronr Page 1. will be held. That we cannot say, but what we do know is that, with the experie,nce we have all gained in the present camp, the next is bound to be a good one."
Dr. Kennedy then emphasised that the Cadets attending the Camp had come not only from all parts of the United Kingdom, but from many parts .of the Commonwealth, and he said !e hoped they would long remember the happy times they all had together at Stubbers.
Miss Cunard began by reading a message- from the Commissioner-inChief, Lieut.-General Sir Otto Lund, congratulating the Camp Officers on their arrangements, and thanking the W.V.S., the Ministry of Food and the Army for the part they had played.
The message also expressed thanks lo the Essex County Council and to Jim Bush, the Warden of Stubbers.
It concluded with this message for the Cadets: "I hope that in spite of your disappointment at not meeting
THE Coronation Camp's own - post office was kept busy thro,ughout the week, and official rerturns show that the outgoing mails were a good deal heavier than, incorning ones.
On Saturday.for initance, 260 letters and postcards came into the Camp and 1,500 were sent out. On Wednesday, the day after it had been learnt that Princess Margaret would not be attending, 1,000 letters were received and 2,200 dispatched.
Thursday's mail brought 900 letters and the outward mail was 1,500.
Today, vrith the Camp breaking up, only 300 letters arrived and 450 were sent off.
Total number of registered letters received during the week was 87. and the total number of telegrams 104. Many of these were Greerings telegrams,
H.R.H. Princess Margaret, you will carry away many happy memories of the Camp, and that you have enjoyed meeting so many of your fellow Cadets from all over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
"Good Luck to you all. I wish you many happy days with St. John."
On her own behalf, Miss Cunard thanked everyone for the hard work rvhich had helped to make the Camp such a success. She said she was sorry the Cadets had had to do so many chores, but they had been wonderful. She had received excellent reports on how they had behaved.
Mrs. Grosvenor told the Cadets she knew that they had to do. many things which were unpleasant, but her task was the most unpleasant of .the lot-she had to close down a camp which would be remembered in St. John as the best ttrat had ever been held.
She cailed for three cheers for everyor--le w'ho had helped to fnake it so, and there rvas a most hearteni,ng response.
A SMALL Cader pulled up ai j r the Lost Property Tent, and spent a long time inspecting the miscellaneous collection of aiticles displayed there. When Mrs. Harris asked: "Have you lost anything?" pat came his answer: "No. I was only looking to see if I had!"
Parents Satisfied
MOST parents seem to have - -been completely reassured by the lertte.r sent out by Dr. Ke,nnedy, after the statemen broadcasrt on Tuesday night, giving the reason for the last rninute cancellation of Princess Margaret's visit.
One of the first replies received was a telegram from the father of a fourteen-year-old nursing cadet from Flitwick in Bedfordshire. This said:
"Regret unlortunate occlffence. Ant content for ny ddughte'r to be in your care. Best wishes lor a hoppy concl usio n.-H Y LT O N B LY T H E,"
Among the many letters received \4,as the following. from a parent at Copnor, Portsmouth:*I wish to express my very sincere thanks to you for your very reassuring letter received today. ...
"I fully appreciate the wofk entalled ln sending out so many letters at such short notice, butt { am sure all t'hose concerned would feel well rewarded to know their efforts have relieved many anxious parents.
"It was naturaliy very dis.urhing When we heard the B.B.C. announcement last evening, but after readlng your lefter today, we are reassured Ithat everything possible has been done.
"Althougfi mv s6n is one of [he ycungest Cadets, he wrote on his first card after 'arrival 'ihat tihe hygiene arrangernen(s were wonderful.
"I should llke to say trn my owR behalf and his, a very hig'tha,nk you' to one qnd all who'have worked so hard for so long to arrange everything so well for so many'"
"f arr surs it has made a very deep and lastlng lmpression on the young people and will serve to inspire them in thelr effo,rts in [he future.
"It is indeed good news to hear the patient is improving. tr arn sure she will have all (he good wishes of all concerned for a speedy and cornpldte recoYery. Yours very gratefully, Mrs. E. I{AYDON.
2
*
A WAGON:LOAD OF"
N4tXSCFNNtrF-
!T is real wild, they were, lhose r pretty colleens from Belfast and Bangor and Armagh a,nd Randlestown, when they spied in the Camp xewspaper that some saucy lasses from Eire had got all the credit for stirring the Camp Guard to terpsichorean antics. * For su.re, it was THEY, and ,not they, who had done this thing.
So we took a van and went in search of them. just to make our peace. And certain it is that, q&en rve found them, they were itching !aaa.
GIVE US T}IE STRAW AND WB ;WILL DROP THE BRICKS
I aarra aarl rarra aa a r.r a to tear our eyes out. But the chance of a ride in the van soon turned their scowls into artful smiles and wheedIings and coaxings.
The bargain we struck was this. You want'a ride? A11 right, then you dance for us-and dance they joliy well did. ,t was the Harvest Jig they ehose, and they took it seriously, with not a step out of place. The setting was that lovely avenue of trees, and the dance went on in the light of our headlamps. We were enchanted; and deeply touched.
Then off we all went on a Mystery 'Tour, which surprisingly brought us from Fairyland to a flsh-and-chip shop in Upminster. Here we each armed ourselves wilh a nice piece of whale and three-pennorth, all done up in a newspaper. And, betlilfi illiltiilllillllllillillilllilllllllllllllllllllt
FOR FURTHER NEWS AND PICTURES of the
COROI\ATIOI{ CAMP
see the October sr. loHu caDET
ond the September ST. ruHI\ REVIEV
Both price 6d. 1ilil1ilililil1ilil,tililililil1ilil1ililililililililil
jabers! you should have seen those lasses getting stuck into the victuals.
Our next port of call was the p_rinting press where the Camp Cad,et is born, and there we foun-d a young man doing a turn at the Linotype machine. We fair startled the life out of him.
The Linotypist blushing to the lroots of his fairish hair, spelt out our names for us in red-hot type, and what trouble he had with those outlandish lrish onds: Daphne McCullough, Maureen Cordner, Josep- hine Agnew, Margaret McMillan, May Moore, and Doris Piggot.
After trying, without success, to get plump Daphne through the paper-folding machine, we raised three hearty cheers and set off back to the Camp.
It was mighty good of District Officer Miss Garrett to let the girls go off on this harmless frolic-and it saved the day for us.
* See page I of issue No. 4.
ISAM,S SHINIIvG HOT]R
I rlaHE staff of the Camp Hospital
I t had a farewell drink last night I at a local hostelry.
I Rtt tt " heads were there. includling the genial O.C. sickness. Dr. J. I Richmond. Also with the partv was that great favourile of the Camp. Divisional Superintendent Sam Lockley, of Bushbury, a Serving Brother of the Order.
The occasion was much enlivened by the presence of a flve-piece string band, and Sam Lockley surprised and delighted everyone by taking charge of it as conductor. He proved so good at the job, that the band wouldn't let him go. and nor would the revellers.
Then the fact leaked ou't that, in the first world war, Sam was a Drum Major of the South Staffords.
As quartermaster of the camp Hospital. Sam has taken it upon himself to deliver cups of tea every morning to many of the senior officers. male and female.
On one occasion, when supplies of milk ran out. he stood in the road outside the Camp gates with a jug in his hand and stopped the first milk l.orry thai came by. It was half past five in the morning.
Sam's jug was fiiled for him out of one of the churns. but when he asked: "How much?" he was told: "You can have it for nothing-just for your cheek!" J
MAII{TENANCE MEl\[
No picture of the Coronation Camp would be complets without reference to the splendid team whose duties fell under the general heading of Supplies :rnd Maintenance.
Quartermaster John 8e11, and those working with him, have met demands for every type of equipment, and have tackled every conceivable kind of job.
Mr. C. W. Woodhill, in charge of maintenance, has been here,. there and everywhere at all hours of the day and night. Mr. L. B. Wills, the O.C. Arena, and Mr. E. O. Hyde, in charge of baggage are among many others in this section who have worked like rooperg
To them all, we say Thank. you.
taaattaaiaa
BOTTOM OF THE FORM
S/E are sorry to have to do vv this to our friends of (he Automobile Association, wlho so kindly and efficiently signposted fte route to Sfu,bhers. But we flindhed every time \tre saw the notice: "St. JOIIN'S Cadet Camp." Vlhy doesn:t somebodv tell them?
Taken by surprise
Mt"r"",Tl';,*"orot*,1?d'".9,},il'; asked to accept a handsome travelling clock, which had been subscribed for by all the Ambulance Cadet Officers.
The presentation was made by Mr. Barry Robinson, Area Commissioner f.or Surrey, and Corps Officer Sweet from South Africa.
Miss Zoe Druitt, in charge of the Girls' Camp, had perhaps the biggest surprise of all, when a deputa- tion representing the Nursing Cadet Officers called on hel at the last moment-
They thrust into her hand an envelope containing six pou,nd notes, with the request that she should get herself something specially nice.
THE ANSWER IS A LEMON
l\]OTlCE. seen outside rhe first lent r \ in 'Come-and-get-ir' Rr-lw (the field kitchen): "Do noi bolher to stop and ask questions. We do not know the answer, \\/s ar€ only 'the vegeta'ble Siore."
THE DAILY PO'N7ER
"Blessetl are they .that are persecuited for righitccusness' sake. for theirs is the Kingdom of God."
Sr'E ttaye discussed .the meaning o[ ngnteousness ln a prevtous "Daily Pointer." It is a supreme beliet in the rightness of things; in truth, in justice, in 1oya1ty, in the supreme sacriflce.
l\,Ianv of us feel from time to time, that we are rebuked, if not persecuted for the sake of what we believe to be right. Righteousness enters into our daily lives and we may strive in any sphere for what we think is fair, only to find ourselves rebuked and persecuted.
To some" the result is embitterment, loss of interest and introversion. But to those whose faith is sufficient, failure or persecution is merely a stimulant; that the world is against them is of no consequencethey rise alone. And this they do by a sheer fundamental belief in the rightness of.things.
' Through the words of M'atthew in these elght beatitudes, Jesus has spoken to us day by day in this camp. He has told us of how, step by step. we rr:ay, in our uttef imperfection attain the supreme award of the eighth beatitude, "the Kingdom of God."
There is no doubt that bad weather and unexpected disappointments nlave been sent to try us, but surely we have risen above them. We prayed in our hearts, and the sun has set each day on a day of achievement.
To see a splendid spirit, to know friendship, to witness faith, to have the privilege of just seeing and serving in the midst of this great effort makes the writer of these notes most exceedingly proud.
BATH TiluE Ii
Manl Upminster people have | ! opened their doors in the pasr week | ! to the W.\'.S. This has meant hot | :
baths for the women who've toiled so long and so hard to prepare our mea'ls.
Lady Wh:lmore helped to arrange this welcome luxury. and tha,nks are also due to minehost of The Bell Mr. J. McK. Tait. He had it announced at a British Legion fete that "invitations to the bath" would be welcomed, and the response was most gratifying.
Mr. Tait also kindly made a contribution to St. John Ambulance Brigade funds.
TAKII{G THE MICKY
Lads of the Grays contingent set the Camp rocking with laughter, when thev took off the Maori dance so cleverly performed by our friends from Down Under.
The Grays Cadets went through the same routine, also dressed up in full Maori war-paint. But the song they sang in accompaniment was no Maori one. It was "HumptyDumpty.:'
One of the lads from Grays paid for this bit of cheek. He gave such a big leap in the course of the dance that he strained a stomach muscle-and spent the night in Hospital.
Competition Results
THROUCH the generosity oi the r overseas representatives. miniature silver cups were presented to the winners of all the main Camp competitions. lhese were:-
First Aid: Unit A.17 (Notts).
Bed-Making: Unit N.68 (New Zealar,d).
Child Welfare: Unit N.69 (Cadet J. Brown).
Road Safety: Unit N.55 (Cadet E". Radford).
Firs Figtrting: Unit A.6 (GraysEssex)Other awards were:-
Talent ,Competition: 1, Nursing Cadets Handsford and Hoey; 2, Nursi,ng Cadet M. Gould; 3. Welsh Cadet Choir.
Fancy Dress: 1. Beryl Waldron and Kathleen Smallman. Staffs (Sultan and Favourite Wife); 2, Gloria: Benjamin. Worcs (Order of Bath); 3" Irene Ackhurst, Wilts (Spanish Dancer).
By popular dernand,A Souvenir Edition will be ON SALE SHORTLY Price 3f
In the Girls' Camp. the award went to N.63 Unit. comprising girls from Sidcup, Orpington, Crayford" I,ittle Thurrock, Dagenham. Ilford and Wanstead. The Officers in charge of this Unit were Mrs. McAdam and MrsKempley.
ETCAD MPCA
$,O many requests have becn re- LJ clived from campers and visitors for bound copies of this newspaper that it is proposed to publish a souvenir edition in board covers.
This will contain the whole seven issues, with an extra page for corrections.
All who attended the Camp are invited to draw our attention to anv errors that may have crept in unde; the difficulties of overnight publication -
The cost will be three shillings, post free.
Applications for copies should be made to: The Editor. The St. John Cadet. 10. Crosvenor Crescent. London. S.W.l.
HAITDS ACROSS THE SBA
rFHE Plvmouth Ambulance Cadet; t h.vc'heen oleased ln make the acquaintance of Graod Prior Cadet Allan Ryan, one of the contingent brought from New Zealand by Commirsi6ngl E. B. Gilberd.
Allan's home is at a town called New Plymouth, and he has brought a messasi from its Mayor to deliver to the Lord Mayor of Plymouth" Devon.
A1l the New' Zealanders will be going down that way later this month, when they plan to visit Plymouth. Brixham and Bodmin. After their meeting at Stubbers with Cadet Officer S. E. Newson and his boys from Plymouth, they can be sure of being oroperly looked after in the Wert Country.
The trip to Devon and Cornwall will be specially interesting to Commissioner Gilberd. whose ancestors are believed to stem from those pafts.
taarrrraarrr.rr-
Printed bv Vivian Gould (Prir,ters) Ltd.. 129. St.. Mary's Lane. Upminster, Essex.
!S
of the
