history continued...

The bloody & bitter struggles of the Middle Ages shaped the Order of St. John from hospit-allers & knights in the Holy Land, to a vital naval force in the Med-iterranean. Forced to move from one stronghold to another over the centuries, the Order estab-lished a hospital in each new homeland. By the nineteenth century, the Order was solely devoted to acts of charity.

In 1870, the Order pledged itself to provide voluntary aid to the sick & wounded in war. In 1877, the Order of St. John inaugrated the St. John Ambulance Asso-ciation "to train men & women for benefit of sick & wounded." Courses in first aid for the general public began.

The St. John Am-bulance Association in Canada began of-fering first aid in Quebec City in the Winter of 1882-1883.

Soon, courses were offered in Kingston, ON, & by 1892, 12 branches of St. John Ambulance existed in Canada, from coast to coast.  In 1909 St. John helped Canadian Pacific Railway launch it's first aid program for employees.

Today St. John Ambulance is a network that develops & provides training for all stages of life.