Black and white photograph of a large group of male and female Cadets in uniform standing in front of two coaches. The coach on the right has other young people sitting inside. The Cadets hold bags.

Young people have been an important part of St John Ambulance since its very beginning, and in 1922 the organisation officially established the Cadets as a nationwide programme for under-18s. To celebrate the centenary of St John Ambulance Cadets, young people from across the charity have been interviewing their predecessors from the 1940s to the present day.

This online exhibition presents just some of the many memories from these conversations including lifesaving First Aid, supporting the country’s war recovery, camping adventures, and numerous events and celebrations including the 1987 Great Party in Hyde Park.

Find out about the project and view the Cadet history timeline

About the project Timeline
Black and white image of three people standing in front of a striped tent. On the tent is a sign that reads Information Bureau and Recruiting Centre. The person on the left is a nurse in uniform, wearing a white pinafore over a dress and a white headscarft. The person is the centre is a young boy in a Cadet uniform of shorts and shirt. The person on the right is a man in a black suit and hat. He is carrying a communication device on his back.

Joining

Black and white photograph of a young boy in uniform sitting at a table across from an adult male in a suit. The photograph is taken from behind the adult and so his face isn't shown. In front of the boy is a bowl of medical supplies. In the background there is a sign on the wall which reads St John Building Fund Appeal

Training

Black and white photograph of a large group of female nurses in uniform walking up the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. Behind them, a small crowd of onlookers stand at the roadside.

Uniform

Black and white photograph of a group of young Cadets and adults in uniform on a carnival parade float. The Cadets hold up trophies. Behind them is a crowd of onlooking lining the road.

Events

Black and white photograph of four female Cadets in uniform treating a fifth girl who is lying on the floor as a casulty simulation. An adult in uniform is looking on and making notes on a clipboard.

Competitions

Black and white photograph of two Cadets in uniform standing either side of a young boy who is receiving medical treatment to his wrist by the Cadets.

Delivering First Aid

Colour photograph of seven young people standing around items of camping equipment that are laid out on a blanket in a field. Behind them are two tents.

Camp

Colour photograph of three female Cadets in St John Ambulance uniform kneeling on the floor of a hall. Two of the Cadets are conducting First Aid on a dummy while the middle Cadets looks on.

Impact

Colour photograph of an older man and two Cadets seated at a table with microphones in front of them. An interview is in progress and the interviewee is holding up a photograph to show the Cadets.

Behind-the-Scenes