Mexborough and Swinton Times September 27, 1929

A Swinton “Majority”

Welcome for an Old Friend.

To-morrow will be a “red-letter” day in the history of the Swinton branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, which is holding a dinner at the Station Hotel in. celebration of its coming of age, for it was founded on September 21st 1968. The founders were Dr. Frank Harvey and Sgt, Maurice Daniels, the latter being still in. charge. Dr. Harvey now of Harley Street and Hampshire, is coming down specially for the occasion.

The movement had lhad its dark days. It began with only a few members. Gradually it grew and the enthusiasm of Sgt. Daniels—and for 18 years of Sgt. H. Purcell—kept it alive. During its 21 years it has never had a failure in the annual examinations. This year 18 members sat and passed without a failure, 14 were re‘-examined and none 1 failed.

Thousands of cases of injury have been dealt with by the members who also attend an average of 40 public events a year. Their work is highly spoken of by the medical men of Swinton and on occasion their prompt action has been the means of saving life. The branch has tried on several occasions to start a cadet section but the youth of Swinton will not take any interest in ambulance work. This year a ladies’ section has been successfully formed and is going well.

To-morrow Sgt. Daniels is to be presented with a gift in recognition of the work he has done for the movement.

Dr. Harvey, who will preside, was born in Penzance, and trained at McGill University, Canada, and in leading London hospitals. He came to Swinton As a general practitioner in 1R03 and was exceedingly popular. Early in the war he joined the R.A.M.C., serving in France. At the same time many of the members of the Swinton branch went into the R.A.M.C., those remaining assisting at the Montagu Hospital, Mexborough, with wounded soldiers. Dr. Harvey was twice wounded but served until the end of the war,

In 1919 he had to leave the district owing to the ill-health of his little daughter. He took over a practice at Yateley, Hampshire and has also established a consulting practice in Harley Street.