Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 27 July 1934
District Inspection
Fine Parade At Doncaster
Long Service
Mrs. Kirby, of Denaby, who is 86 years old and is believed to be the oldest member in the world, was among the 1615 members of the South Eastern Area of the No. 5 District St. John Ambulance Brigade, who were inspected by the Assistant Commissioner, Dr. J. J. Huey, of Mexborough, on the Doncaster Racecourse on Sunday.
The muster included 1,177 officers and men, 68 ambulance cadets, 312 nursing sisters and 58 nursing cadets. These were drawn from Mexborough, Denaby, Wath, Wombwell, Maltby, Goldthorpe, Bentley, Denaby Vale, Thorne, Doncaster, Hatfield Main, Bullcroft, Brodsworth, Goole, Rossington, Askern, and Houghton. They were accompanied by brass, bugle and pipe bands led by the Yorkshire Main band with Band Officer Allsop as conductor and leader.
With the Assistant Commissioner were the Mayor and Mayoress of Doncaster (Coun. G. H. Ranyard), Councillor E. Wilburn (chairman of the Doncaster Race Committee), District Officer W. Still (Denaby), who acted as aide-de-camp to the Inspecting officer; District Officer S. Bunting (Brodsworth), who was in charge of the parade; Corps. officer B. J. Carr (Brodsworth) adjutant; Corps Sergt. Mosley (Denaby) Battalion sergt.-major; Surgeon Dufty (Maltby); Brigade orderly officer Alcock (Brodsworth), and Lady District Commissioner Pickering, who was in charge of the Nursing Division.
While inspecting the parade the Mayoress spoke to Mrs. Tomlinson, of Rossington, who, although she had to go about in a bath chair, does good work and has passed her examinations and has gained her medallion.
Members of various Corps gave exhibitions of first aid. A cadet who fainted was attended by Dr. Huey, who was near.
After the march past Dr. Huey said he was very satisfied with the efficiency of the brigade and he hoped they would keep up to this high standard. It was a great pleasure to him to be able to give the Commissioner such a good report. The medals which were to be presented were not only for service but for passing examinations.
The Mayoress then presented medals and bars to the following:—
Over 20 years’ service.—Lady Superintendent Yates (Mexborough), Staff-Sergeant J. Powell (Maltby), County Surgeon E. E. Dufty (Maltby), Sergeant J. R. Ellmer (Wath), Sergeant L. Stones, Sergeant F. Ward, and Corporal J. G. Hinton (Cadeby).
The following also received service medals for over 15 years’ service: Staff-Sergeant A. Barker, Staff-Sergeant H. Ellis, Private W. H. Prince, Corps Sergeant-major R. H. Hargreaves (Don Valley), Corps Superintendent J. Gawthorpe, and Corporal J. Harvey (Edlington).
The Assistant Commissioner complimented the members on their efficiency.