St John Ambulance memorial to be unveiled

Following three months of extensive preparation and research lead jointly by Pontefract Civic Society and Pontefract Library, a memorial to St John Ambulance members lost in both world wars has been saved, conserved, and moved into public view, and it will be unveiled in Pontefract Town Hall on Friday the 11th of November by His Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Wakefield District, Cllr David Jones.

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The invitation only memorial ceremony will include current and past St John members, civic leaders, and family members of those named have been invited. The researched history will also be available on the day, and afterwards for those who can’t attend.

Phil Cook, civic society vice chair and a former St John officer said: “As the unit moved out of its Newgate HQ, it was important to save the memorial with the support of Wakefield Council. It’s been a really interesting past three months of intensive research on both the individuals named on the memorial, and the impact that the St John Ambulance organisation had on Pontefract and the surrounding villages in supporting the war effort, including helping injured service personal”.

Dwain Longley, Regional President in the North East, said: “We are very grateful to Pontefract Civic Society for their work to have our St John memorial plaque mounted in the Town Hall. Our volunteers worked tirelessly in a number of ways, both in England and overseas, to provide assistance during the First and Second World Wars, and this is a very fitting way to commemorate their actions many decades ago.”