CHAPTER LVI.
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE OVERSEAS
and
THE CRECHE AT PIER 2, HALIFAX.

The first branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas established in Nova Scotia was organized in June, 1916, as the Halifax Central Nursing Division No. 17, with Mrs. Bowman, Superintendent of the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, as Lady Divisional Superintendent. This division, besides being the first in the Maritime Provinces, was the largest in Canada. Most of the officers were graduate nurses, and all of the members had received their instruction in First Aid and Home Nursing through classes lheld in Halifax by the sister organization, the St. John Ambulance Association.

On Mrs. Bowman’s removal from Halifax, Mrs. G. A. MacIntosh was appointed Superintendent (April, 1917). Owing to greatly increased membership, and for the purposes of more efficient administration, the division was divided in July, 1918, into two Units, A. No. 17 and B. No. 47, Mrs. MacIntosh being promoted at the same time to be Lady District Superintendent in charge of the Women’s Aid Department (Military District No. 6). In January, 1920, a reorganization of the two divisions was made effective by which all active officers and members were assigned to Division A. 17, and the inactive members, or those in reserve for emergencies, to B. 47. The active division continues as one of the most efficient and effective in Canada under the able superintendence of Miss E. M. Pemberton, of the Victoria General Hospital.

The war work in Nova Scotia of this organization falls under four heads:

(a) Its work in Military Hospitals as auxiliary to the Army Medical and Nursing Service.

(b) Its work in Nova Scotia in connection with the Red Cross Society, Y.M.C.A. Canteens, and other voluntary patriotic organizations.

(c) Its work of ministration to women and children returning from England.

(d) Its emergency work on the day of the Halifax Disaster and in the relief work and hospital service for the weeks and months following the disaster.

(a) HOSPITAL SERVICE.

Hospital duties performed by the members of the Halifax Divisions during the War include:—