Tradition and ceremony play an important role in St John Ambulance, reflecting nearly one thousand years of history of the Order of St John. These might be small services such as the blessing of new ambulances or grand parades such as the one which celebrated St John’s Jubilee in 1958.

Queen Elizabeth II is the Sovereign Head of the Order, a role which has fallen to the reigning monarch since Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter in 1888. Members of local Divisions have provided duties for a wide variety of Royal events and visits – such as King Edward’s visit to Bristol in 1908, King George V’s trip to Aberdare in 1912, Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1934 and the Prince of Wales’s investiture at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

Being made a Knight or Dame of the Order of St John is an honour given to members of St John Ambulance for exceptional service. There have been three Knights and three Dames from the Cynon Valley: Emrys James (Duffryn Aman); Gareth Meyrick (Hirwaun); Des Kitto (Mountain Ash/Abercynon); Lady Williams (Trecynon); Mrs Harrison Roderick (Aberdare); Mrs Rona Protheroe (Aberdare).