'Instruction' course certificate for Nellie Roche, 1942

Nellie Roche completed a first aid course with the St John Ambulance Association and was presented with this certificate in 1942.

The St John Ambulance Association was founded in 1877 as a voluntary organisation originally dedicated to providing emergency help for industrial workers. Ten years later, this was then broadened to provide assistance at public events and the Association remained the foremost provider of ambulance services until the formation of the NHS in 1948. Today, St John Ambulance has nearly 300,000 volunteers in 42 countries across the world.

This certificate was awarded during the Second World War, a time when emergency first aid was required more than ever. During both World Wars, St John Ambulance joined with the Red Cross to provide care for war casualties.