BOER WAR ST JOHN MEDAL FOR SOUTH AFRICA 754 FRED TAYLOR HEBDEN BRIDGE CORPS

Offered is a St. John Medal for South Africa (1899-1902), period engraved named 754 PTE  F. TAYLOR. HEBDEN BRIDGE CORPS. Comes with copies medal rolls and census.

1871 St. John Medal for South Africa was issued to only 34 men from Hebden Bridge Corps.

The 1911 census records a Fred Taylor with a date of birth 1882 born and living in Hebden Bridge. He is also entitled to Q.S.A. with 2 clasps, Cape Colony and Orange Free State, for service with 22 Bearer Company, St John Ambulance Brigade.

Soon after the onset of the South African War on 11 October 1899, it became obvious to the British authorities that the Royal Army Medical Corps would not be able to cope with the numbers of casualties from battle and disease. A call went out for volunteers from the St John Ambulance Brigade to serve for six-month tours in South Africa; these personnel would mainly be posted to base hospitals, thus freeing RAMC members for service at the front.

Volunteers came forward in large numbers and, after being equipped at the headquarters in Cripplegate, London, the first batch of 23 St John Ambulance Brigade members sailed for South Africa 3/11/1899 aboard the HMS Princess of Wales. Thereafter groups of SJABs (or 'Johnnies' as they were known) were mobilised for South Africa, and approximately 1 800 served during the period 1899-1902. About 60 died in South Africa, the majority from enteric (typhoid) fever, which they contracted from their patients. This number is imprecise, as some members lost their lives while serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps, or with other units, during second tours of duty or following discharge in South Africa.

Hebden Bridge Corps of the St John's Ambulance Brigade was formed in 1887. The enthusiasm shown for the war in Hebden Bridge was, no doubt, reflected in towns and cities right across the country and, in particular, acclamation was reserved for 34 members of the Hebden Bridge branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade who had volunteered for service in South Africa. They left in small groups throughout 1900, and on each occasion massive crowds assembled at the railway station, seven or eight thousand on the first occasion. The volunteers were sent off to rousing cheers and patriotic singing, accompanied by the local brass band.