| SJAB History The Headquarters of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade continued to remain at Fullerton Building, but at that time, before the actual outbreak of war in Malaya, the Government authorities decided to incorporate all St. John personnel to form the nucleus of what was to become The Medical Auxiliary Service which was to be a part of the Passive Defence Services of Singapore and Malaya. A transport Section was formed, and 28 First Aid Posts were organized and manned in the city alone. Uniforms were changed for the new M.A.S. uniform and all our members conducted themselves magnificently throughout the air-raids, and bombing shelling which came later - many acts of bravery and heroism were performed, many laying down their lives on duty before the fall of Singapore. Others were imprisoned, but they still continued to help with the training they had previously received, without the aid of medical equipment denied to them by the enemy. After three and a half years of occupation and suffering the day of liberation came in September 1945. and our later beloved Lady Superintendent-in-Chief, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, C.I.G.B.E., D.C.V.O., Lld., let it be known that she would like to meet all members of the Brigade in Singapore at Government House (Istana) when over 400 members of St John appeared. At this gathering St. John in Singapore was re-born. Later, about 1947 the remnants of the Brigade were again banded together to form a uniformed body, and from then on have continued to serve, in ever increasing numbers, the under-privileged of this Republic in an entirely voluntary capacity. Association lectures were again held. Many of the successful candidates joining the Brigade in due course to continue their instruction and be ready at all times when called upon. Temporary Headquarters were found and loaned to us by the Government. At the Old St. Peters Church, Stamford Road in 1949, where administrative work was carried out, and we were able to remain there until March 1957, when Government again very generously transferred us to new temporary headquarters at 25 Gilstead Road, until such time as we were able to build our own permanent Headquarters, then in the process of being erected at Beach Road, Singapore. These premises were finally ready for occupation, and were officially declared open, by the President of the Republic in May 1960. This magnificent building contains Offices, a Conference Room, Lecture Rooms, Home Nursing Rooms, and an Assembly Hall for recreational purposes, together with its own canteen and St. John Store. After the war, and some years previously, the M.A.S., had been completely disbanded as such, and we were once again able to wear our St. John uniform, and with the help of doctors, trained sisters, and Lay-lecturers, our classes forged ahead, instruction being given in may dialects of Chinese, Malay and Tamil, as well as in English. After the liberation in 1945, St. John Organisation was no longer responsible for the States in the Federation, and therefore the Singapore Headquarters ceased to issue First Aid and Home Nursing certificates throughout the country, and the St. John Association & Brigade decided to have their own Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. St. John, in Singapore continued with its work for suffering humanity, and to-day it assists the Republic of Singapore, whenever called upon in all emergencies, such as epidemics, clinics, fires, floods, sports meetings and hospital duties. Our ambulances carry the sick and needy, free of all charges whenever requested, the uniform of our ambulance members and nurses, being a well known and familiar sight in the Republic. |