Name/Title
Police first aid badge c1888 - 1920Entry/Object ID
106Description
Circular white metal 50mm diameter circular concave badge with St John Ambulance Association cross design in the middle surrounded by the words "The St. John Ambulance Association" There is also a small mark "RD 111901". The rear has tow Lous and a split pin fastening.Use
To demonstrate that the holder is qualified in first aidContext
The St John Ambulance Association was founded in 1877 to provide first aid training and continues to do so to the present. In the past, as today it was recognised that police officers needed to be proficient in first aid due to the likelihood that they would come into contact with various types of injuries in the course of their duties. As a result officers were trained in the use of first aid, through the St. John Ambulance and it was common for those officers who obtained a certain level of proficiency to wear badges such as the one pictured. These were worn on the sleeves of uniform tunics, but the particular sleeve and position on it varied considerably from police force to police force. Sometimes they were worn at the top of the sleeve and at others near the cuff. The exact style of badge also varied and they were manufactured by a variety of manufacturers.
This particular badge is of a generic type and bears a registered design number "111901", indicating that the design dates from c1888, though the badge is probably later. Either this style of first aid badge or ones similar to it are known to have been worn by most of not all of the Sussex Police forces at certain times. The use of first aid badges seems to have declined after the Second World War.
Many police forces competed in first aid competitions, including the National Police First Aid Competition for England, Walesand The Isle of Man, for the PIM Challenge Cup. This was instituted in 1928 and the Cup presented by the Assistant Commissioner of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade Frank De Beeho Pim. Most Police forces submitted teams and teams from Brighton and West Sussex are known to have been winners.