SJAB History

In the year 1952, the first St. John Council was formed in Singapore. This Council comprised a body of senior and professional Singapore citizens who were willing to give their services and specialized knowledge in an advisory capacity to assist and co-ordinate the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade in its work. The Chairman and committee members met frequently to guide the affairs of St. John Headquarters, and to be responsible for the finances and well being of the Organisation; all property, furniture and ambulances were vested in the Council, and to act as liaison between Singapore and the parent organisation in England, through our patron, The President of the Republic of Singapore.

Apart from promoting and assisting St. John Ambulance Association & Brigade as well as to raise the necessary funds to support their work, the main objects of the Council, are briefly as follows:
" To promote and encourage all works of humanity and charity for the relief of distress, suffering, sickness and danger without any distinction as to race, class or creed, and the extension of the great principles of the Order of St John embodied in its mottoes "for the Faith" and "For the Service of Mankind".

" To render aid to the sick, wounded, disabled or suffering and to promote such permanent organisation in time of peace, as may be available immediately in time of emergency, such aid shall include the provision of technical reserves for the Medical services of the Armed Forces or civil defence organisations in the Republic of Singapore.

" To do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

Although St. John started off as a Christian organisation, its objects in various countries including Singapore have been modified to accept both Christian and non-christian members. Of Course in Singapore this is in line with our National policy of multi-religious society. The organisation therefore also accepts members who are non-christian and serves any organisation regardless of their race or religion.

An important change in the history of the St. John organisation in Singapore was the attainment of National Headquarters status. In June 1978, the Brigade was reorganised and upgraded to National Headquarters level with the following appointments :

1. Chief Commissioner
2. Deputy Chief Commissioner
3. Chief Superintendent (N) and
4. Chief Surgeon

This brought our organisation status at par with St. John Ambulance organisations in other independent nations.

The reorganisation and upgrading of the Brigade in Singapore also result in the forming of 4 Districts and 10 Areas in 1978.

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