As industry flourished in South Wales in the second half of the 19th century, thousands of people moved to the area to labour in the mines and ironworks. Groups (known as Divisions) of St John Ambulance volunteers were established to provide first aid and training for those that worked and lived locally.

In 1901 Mountain Ash became the first Division to be registered in the Cynon Valley closely followed by a number of others, including Aberdare, Abercynon, Trecynon and Cwmaman in 1908. Meetings, training and fundraising events were held in local school rooms and Working Men’s Institutes with members providing first aid for events, accidents and emergencies. The first duty for the Aberdare Division was setting up a first aid post to deal with Saturday night casualties in the town centre!

Generations of the same families were often members, working with each other side by side. Divisions competed against each other in competitions in order to increase their knowledge and skills, teaching members discipline, respect and teamwork. In 1922 the Aberdare Nursing Division was formed, allowing women to play an active role in the movement.