An Order of St. John, B.E.M. group of six awarded to Mr. E. J. Prew, St. John Ambulance...

An Order of St. John, B.E.M. group of six awarded to Mr. E. J. Prew, St. John Ambulance Brigade

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ernest J. Prew); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Service Medal of the Order of St John, with three Additional Award Bars (12383 D/Offr. E. J. Prew. District Staff N. 8 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1930.) mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (6) £300-£400

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Officer, Order of St. John London Gazette 21 June 1940.

B.E.M. London Gazette 9 January 1946: Ernest Jesse Prew, District Officer, Joint War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John.’

Ernest Jesse Prew ‘is one of the most well-known ambulance men in Croydon and district, and many readers will join with his intimate friends in congratulating him on his right to add the letters “O.St.J.” after his name.

The long record of his activities shows that he is indeed a veteran in the ambulance movement. It was at Ash, near Aldershot, that Mr. Prew sat and passed in his first examination on the subject of “First Aid to the Injured.” In the same year he took part in the railway competitions, and thereafter he was constantly to be found wherever competitive first aid trials were held. As early as 1910 his skill in practical work was evident, for in that year he was commended by Dr. Wright, of Ash Vale, Surrey, for the application of very exceptional first aid under conditions that demanded the utmost resourcefulness.

Croydon's indebtedness to District Officer Prew dates back to 1912, when he became Secretary to the Addiscombe Road Class, and continued in this capacity until 1924 years packed with activity. In 1914 he was appointed as a District Committeeman on the old South Eastern and Chatham Railway, a position which he held until fusion with the Southern Railway, when he was elected to the succeeding Committee, and remains a member to the present day.

With the outbreak of war in 1914 it became obvious that a severe strain would be placed on all engaged in ambulance work. Mr. Prew set himself to the task enthusiastically and was responsible for the unloading of all convoys of wounded at railway stations in the London area, in addition to West Croydon, Orpington, Greenwich, and Woolwich, and other places on the line. It says much for his personality that his energy was infectious. Under his leadership officers and men of the Division worked with a will, not only in convoy service, but also in air raids, and at the Davidson Road and Crescent War Hospitals during the period of severe sickness among the military personnel. In 1917 he was appointed first aid demonstrator to the “W” Division Special Police, continuing as such until the end of the War. His love of team training led to that Division of the “Specials” entering for various competitions, in which It was remarkably successful. It was largely due to his energy that classes were formed at Orpington, Sevenoaks, Woolwich, and Chipstend, resulting in Divisions of the Brigade coming into being in those districts. The London Bridge Nursing Division, too, owes much to his early activities.

In 1921 Mr. Prew received the 14-year Medal, and in the same year he was appointed District Officer, in which position he has earned the esteem not only of the Commissioner and of officers of Divisions within his district, but also of both men and nurses. In addition to routine duties, he has attended countless inspections and parades, and, due in no small measure to the high standard of efficiency that he set, it has been conceded that the District was – and still is – one of the smartest. Sheer organising capability combined with a forceful energy had resulted in his rise from the ranks. In addition he radiated the very spirit of the Order. Small wonder, therefore, that we find his name included among those destined for high honours.

In 1923 District Officer Prew attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace, where he was Invested by his late Majesty with the medal and
rank of “Serving Brother.” The instigator of the Addiscombe Division, of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, his keenness produced excellent officers, and for a time he was able to leave much in the hands of the Divisional Superintendent, Mr. C. Hawker, followed by Mr. F. M. Twidle. When failing health caused the latter to retire, Mr. Prew once again took over the reins, and has for some years held the dual positions of District Officer and Officer-in-Charge of the Division.

The year 1925 saw the inception of the Addiscombe Motor Ambulance Service, a service which has proved its value to many hundreds of bedridden patients for whom immediate and skilful removal was necessity. District Officer Prew was one of those responsible for this idea, and has held the position of Trustee from the very beginning, making a special point of ensuring not only that cases should be dealt with at no reasonable a charge as possible, but also that every attendant accompanying the patients was fitted for the delicate nature of the work involved.

One would have thought that, on gaining his 30 years' certificate in 1937, District Officer Prew could very well have retired to enjoy a well-earned rest. But not so. He set out to learn the intricacies of A.R.P. and anti-gas training to such good effect that he was duly registered as Grade 1 Instructor. In this capacity he has given innumerable lectures to members of the public in first aid and anti-gas treatment, and incorporated A.R.P. training in the programme of the Addiscombe Division, all members of which have satisfied the examiners in their knowledge of this subject. His efficiency as a demonstrator led to his appointment as an A.R.P. lecturer to the Southern Railway Centre, where he has earned the commendations of experts from all sources.’ (article in the Croydon Times refers).

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.