St John Ambulance

History[edit]

The first such organisation to be founded was the St John Ambulance Association, which was founded on 10 July 1877 in England to teach first aid in large railway centres and mining districts.^[1] Its first uniformed first-aiders were founded in June 1887 as the St John Ambulance Brigade.^[1][2] On 14 May 1888, the Order of St John was granted royal charter by Queen Victoria.^[3] In 1908, the organisation ceased operation in Scotland on mutual agreement with the St Andrew's Ambulance Association.


In 1974, the St John Ambulance Association and the St John Ambulance Brigade were amalgamated to form the St John Ambulance Foundation.


St John Ambulance now have over 40 national organisations, many of which are affiliated with Johanniter International, and over 300,000 volunteers worldwide.^[1]


The Order of St John owns the brand name in most countries (with the notable exception of India, which has a St John Ambulance organisation that is unconnected to the international movement). Logos vary in different countries but always contain the eight-pointed white Maltese cross as the essential identifier. Like the Order, St John Ambulance associations accept members of all religions. Their geographic organisation differs from the Order, and they have to contend with the differing national laws, medical practices and cultures of countries. As a result, the role and organisation of St John Ambulance varies by country.