Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 18 November 1939

Unique Order of Serving Brother Awards

An award by his Majesty the King to Doctor Adam Johnson of Wath, of the Order of Serving Brother is created an SJA be Horner unique in the annals of the local centre of the Saint John ambulance Association.

Not only at a forthcoming investiture will two such honours be conferred on Wath ambulance workers (the other being to Mr. A. T. Thomson), but Dr. Johnston will be the first With medical practitioner to receive it.

Dr. Johnston has a long and successful record as lecturer to the Association at Wath. When, in September, he retired as lecturer, after eighteen years’ outstanding service, he received a gift of silver plate from the section as a mark of deep appreciation of his work, and a personal gift on behalf of nurses and students of the winter ambulance classes.

Both gifts were handed to Dr. Johnston at a Presentation of ambulance awards by Mr A T Thomson, centre president.

Mr. Thompson has also had a long association with the centre. It was started in 1883, there followed a blank year, but in 1885 it was restarted and has continued since. The first lecturer was Dr. Jones. He held position until he left Wath. and was succeeded by Dr. Burman. When, in 1921, Dr Burman was killed in a road accident, Dr. Johnston took over. Mr. Thomson has been president of the Association for sev’Tal Years, and those in Wath who know the services of both men have given to work in the district will know that the honours are well merited.

Two other Wath men have received this distinction — Officer J. W. Poole, upon whom the order was conferred some four or five years ago and Sergt Winch, who was formerly Superintendent of Wath Rescue station. Sergt. Winch was formerly centre secretary and was succeeded by Mr. Poole, who holds that position at the present time. Incidentally, a presentation in recognition of services rendered to the Railway Ambulance League is to be made to Mr. Poole at Mexborough on Sunday.