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Stanmore Bay resident William John Field (known as John) was recently honoured with St John’s Ultra Long Service (ULS) Medal for 50 years’ continuous service.
He received the medal early last month.
This is a brand new medal, which was introduced on January 1. As Sovereign Head of the Order of St John, Her Majesty the Queen received the first ULS medal (No.1). John’s is number 82 and is a gilt version of the silver Service Medal that he already has.
John grew up in Kaikohe. To get his Queen’s Scout Badge, he had to do 12 month’s voluntary service, including first aid.
“I went to St John and enjoyed it so much that I stayed,” John says. “I was the first in NZ to get my Lone Queen’s Scout Badge as I had to do part by correspondence.” John’s voluntary St John service saw him work across both men’s and women’s sections. He became a proficient driver of the old V8 ambulances with their ‘crash’ gearboxes that required mastering the double de-clutch technique. John loved driving, and being behind the wheel of an ambulance was his happy place.
He retired last year, and moved with his wife Dot to Stanmore Bay, to be nearer their family.
He is an active member of the local Area Committee of St John in Silverdale.
