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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 636

(x) The O.St.J. group of five awarded to Captain J. Anderson, Royal Army Medical Corps and St. John's Ambulance, a highly respected G.P. in the colliery districts of Seaton Delaval and Cramlington, it is reputed that he was the first medical practitioner to go down a pit to assist injured miners

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother's breast Badge, silver and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Capt. J. Anderson R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. Anderson); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with Additional Award Bar (1737 Asst.Cmr.J. Anderson (District Staff) No 5 Dst 1920), mounted as worn, very fine (5)

James Anderson born in 1867 was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in France during the Great War. After the War he practiced as a G.P. in the Seaton Delaval area for over 40 years, apart from a short spell at Dudley, and for over 30 years he was the medical officer to the Cramlington Urban District Council. A dedicated member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade he was Assistant Commissioner for the Northern section of the Brigade. A devout Presbyterian, Anderson was a member of the local British Legion. He was also heavily involved with the Freemasons and was a founding member of the Astley (Seaton Delaval) Lodge.

His obituary taken from the British Medical Journal, 23 April 1934, states:

'The death of Dr James Anderson of Hastings Cottage, Seaton, Delaval, of whom an obituary notice appeared last week has resulted in the loss of a very fine and representative type of general practitioner. Dr Anderson took a very great interest in everything appertaining to the work of the St John ambulance Association. He was an enthusiastic lecturer on the subject, and devoted much of his time to training students, examining candidates for certificates, and adjudicating at competitions. It was of great pleasure to watch him at these contests, especially in the colliery district of Northumberland and Durham, in some of which he had adjudicated annually for the past 30 years. He was for some years assistant county commissioner, and it gave great satisfaction to many of his ambulance friends when he was appointed as a Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

It is attested that he was first medical man to go down a pit for the purpose of rendering surgical assistance to injured miners, and he introduced into the district the Low Moor jacket. Which is a convenient form of a vertical stretcher. At the outbreak of the war Dr Anderson was actually in camp as the medical officer to the Northern Cyclist Battalion and in April of 1915 proceeded overseas to France, where here remained until demobilisation at the end of the hostilities. He was acting major and adjutant of his unit, retiring with the rank of Capt. He was a very prominent member of the British legion and took a great interest in its workings. As a recontour he was practically successful. His wide and cultured reading gave him a very catholic view of life. An old member of the British Medical Association, he always endeavoured, if possible, to attend the annual representative meeting making it part of his holiday.'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£140

Starting price
£170