A ST. JOHN Ambulance volunteer stumbled on a hidden gem when she discovered a huge crate full of old documents and photos dating back as far as 1916.

Cate Fulcher, manager of Southend St. John Ambulance, discovered some of St. John's heritage which revealed the way things were done over 100 years ago, complete with meeting and service records, and details of the original move from Victoria Hospital, in Southend, to the new premises at Prittlewell chase.

Cate said: “When we found this cove of stuff in the attic, it made us quite proud because it’s a huge heritage.

"Mr W T Ellingford is in most of the documents and from what we know, he helped run the unit.

"In 1916, a group of members of St. John Ambulance ran a tent at Prittlewell Priory, in Southend, and after securing community funding a hall was bought, with a medical license.

"It was the first original ambulance in Essex.

"It is believed the group started off with two ambulances in 1916, and went up to fleet of four by 1960."

All treatment was paid for by community support and regular dinner dances and meals took place.

The medical service also trained children from the age of five up to the age of 18.

The St. John Ambulance brigade was formed in 1887, but its enduring story goes all the way back to 11th century in Jerusalem, where the first knights of St. John set up a hospital to care for sick pilgrims.

The eight-pointed cross on volunteers’ uniform is the symbol worn by those knights who provided free medical care in the first hospital in Jerusalem.

Cate, who is training to be a nurse, added: "At one point we had 150 members, but dwindled over the years and dropped to eight last year.

"However, over the last 12 months it has doubled again and we currently have 16 members.

“We do feel like we are the embodiment of community spirits, and you get as much out of it as you put in.

"Not all aspects of medical care involve minor or traumatic injuries, holistic care can be just as important in providing someone to talk to with what stereotypically, we are perhaps best known for, a strong cup of tea and warm blankets.

"First Aid is an essential skill that we should include in schools and for whom the organisation runs free broadcasted lessons each September know as ‘The Big First Aid Lesson’.

"Such a basic skill of knowing how to put pressure on a wound, treating a choking child and treating hypoglycaemia; can often be the difference between life and death and often take a little bit of pressure away from the already stretched ambulance services.

"You get so much back from your volunteer work than you loose in giving your time."