Our history

St John Ambulance is a modern, vigorous health care organisation with members in over 40 countries worldwide, but its origins date back over 900 years to Jerusalem. Follow the links below to learn more.

900 years ago, sick and poor pilgrims to Jerusalem needed care and healing.

The Hospitallers of St John protected the sick in the holy land by defending the states set up by the Crusaders.

The Order of the Hospital of St John’s medieval hospitals used surprisingly modern methods.

Rhodes and Malta

A series of conflicts moved the Hospitallers to Rhodes and then Malta.

The Order in England was abolished by the Tudor king.

The lack of an any organised first aid system and ambulance transport led to the creation of St John Ambulance.

First aid training spread around the world with Queen Victoria’s British Empire.

As war became more advanced, the work of St John Ambulance developed.