The St John Ambulance Brigade website tells us that the Brigade ‘was formed in 1887, as a voluntary organisation offering free medical care‘.
A branch of the Brigade was formed in Great Ellingham around 1940.
St John Ambulance Association Badges from c.1960s
The Eastern Daily Press of the 8th March, 1940, reported on the social evening held by ‘the newly-formed branch of St. John Ambulance Association at Great Ellingham‘.
Formerly the National School built in 1865. Later used as a Reading Room, Parish Room & Village Hall.
At the event held in the Parish Room, Dr G S Keeling gave a lecture. Various presentations were made, including fountain pens to Dr Keeling and Ambulance-Officer, E Whiterod; a large torch to Superintendent F Moore; a pair of fur motoring gloves to the class secretary, Mrs E Harper; and a sheaf of irises and lilies to each of Mrs Keeling and Mrs Polehampton. Mr Tonkin and Mr Jones (said to be of London) contributed to the presentation gifts.
Master of Ceremonies at the event was Arthur Pollard (of the Olde Thatche Shoppe).
Entertainment included a recitation in Norfolk dialect by Mrs Chilvers, and a miniature whist drive (won by Mrs K Holmes, Mr Overton and Mrs Rix). The recipients of ‘amusement prizes‘ were Mrs Youngman, Mrs Tonkin, Harold Lambert and Albert Fuller.
Sources:
Eastern Daily Press 8th March, 1940. Accessed via Localrecall.co.uk 18th July 2020
St John Ambulance Website https://www.sja.org.uk/what-we-do/our-history-heritage-and-museum/ Accessed 3rd August 2020