Howard's Way
Divisional Superintendent Peter Howard CStJ St John Ambulance Brigade
The Man Little detail is know about Peter Howard’s early life, except that he was born circa 1922 and may have served within one of the many Civil Defence organisations during World War 2, as he was a recipient of The Defence Medal and latterly CD Long Service Medal. Peter was also a long standing member of the St John Ambulance Brigade, joining them in 1950 as a member of 175 Teddington Ambulance Division. He transferred to No 1015 branch and having moved through the ranks was appointed Divisional Superintendent in 1964, earning the Service Medal of the Order of St. John the same year. Having attended an Air Attendance Course with the SJAB he was selected to act as an escort on a number of humanitarian flights, including those over Eastern Europe during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. Peter also gave first aid instruction to Scouts and Guides in Longhope and to Sea Cadets in TS Saumarez in Twickenham. He worked for the Department of Industry as a Craftsman and was First Aid Officer, responsible for all their training at the National Physical Laboratory in Twickenham where he was also in charge of their Civil Defence Service. In 1970 he was appointed as a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John, and his citation stated “An outstanding Superintendent, who gives over 450 hours each year to Brigade duties, he is always willing to help with public duties, large or small”. Peter continued working with St. John and was awarded three gilt bars to his medal representing a further 30 years service. He retired from the DOI in June 1982 aged 60 and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal. The same year he was promoted to Area Staff Officer SJAB when it was said of him “He devotes his time to helping Divisions in every way he can. He is well thought of and respected, and his offers of help are always welcome”. On 14th May 1986 Peter was promoted to Officer Brother and his 36 years service was commemorated in his citation by his contribution in creating “An excellent building (for Teddington Division) which is a credit to everyone concerned in the project , and in particular to Peter who was a driving force”. He was further promoted to Brother Commander of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, which was gazetted on 26th July 1993. He retired from St. John aged 70 in 1992 having served latterly as Records Officer and lived in East Molesley, Surrey.
The Story The medals awarded to Peter Howard were acquired from e-bay on 11th February 2012. The full sized and miniature groups were being sold separately with no reference to each other, and it was considered important to keep them together. They were of interest due to the unusual combination of awards including three long service medals. The miniature group also contained an enamelled Commander Brother of St. John medal, and following a search on the London Gazette web site his entitlement to the CStJ was confirmed, although sadly this had at some stage been split from the main group; another being subsequently acquired. The award of the Imperial Service Medal was also located from the LG although due to the number of Peter Howard’s on ancestry.com no additional detail has yet been uncovered. A letter to the St. John Museum in London uncovered some extra detail which enabled more information to be added. It may now be possible to discover a little more about Peter Howard as some extra leads have been made available.
This group of medals is one I have only been able to find a minimal amount of detail on. They are in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this man.
The Story The medals awarded to Peter Howard were acquired from e-bay on 11th February 2012. The full sized and miniature groups were being sold separately with no reference to each other, and it was considered important to keep them together. They were of interest due to the unusual combination of awards including three long service medals. The miniature group also contained an enamelled Commander Brother of St. John medal, and following a search on the London Gazette web site his entitlement to the CStJ was confirmed, although sadly this had at some stage been split from the main group; another being subsequently acquired. The award of the Imperial Service Medal was also located from the LG although due to the number of Peter Howard’s on ancestry.com no additional detail has yet been uncovered. A letter to the St. John Museum in London uncovered some extra detail which enabled more information to be added. It may now be possible to discover a little more about Peter Howard as some extra leads have been made available.
This group of medals is one I have only been able to find a minimal amount of detail on. They are in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this man.
Medal Details:
- Commander of the Venerable Order of St john: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: PETER HOWARD
- Civil Defence Long Service Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Order of St John Service Medal: D/SUPT P.HOWARD No 1015 S.J.A.B. 1964.
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This page last updated 4 Nov 13