File:Modern medal (FindID 977810).jpg

The medal is composed of a large central circle with four trefoil knops placed at the cardinal points. The upper knop has an additional attachment loop, which is attached to a larger circular link, which then attaches toa loop on a rectilinear plate, which has trefoliate terminals and three further decorative/attachment loops at the cardinal points. It is decorated with flowers in each of the trefoil kops on the circular main body of the medal. These flowers are star shaped and flanked by two leaves, and appear to be possibly daffodils. These are repeated on each side of the plaque, with an additional leaf on each leaf stem. Between these on the plaque is the legend "1910". The main body of the medal is decorated with the 8 pointed star cross of St John of Jerusalem, and around the outside is the legend "+ THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION."

There are three hallmarks on the reaer of the plaque, and a further three on the main body of the medal. Those on the rear of the plaque are the Anchor mark of Birmingham, the lion of England and the date letter "k", referring to 1909-1910. There is also a maker's mark on the laque which references "Y&S." The main body of the medal has the Anchor mark of Birmingham, the lion of England, and the date letter "i" referring to 1908-1909. It has a more elaborate maker's mark which reads E&C, enclosed within a trefoil shape. There are additional inscriptions on the rear of the plaque and the main body of the medal. The plaque reads "124221" and the main medal repeats this number but adds the name "John K. Andrews."

Abigail Cornick of the Museum of the Order of St John has commented that this is a Re-examination medal, and the Order's website states that:

"In 1879, two years after its foundation, St. John Ambulance Association introduced a medallion for award to those who had passed three of its examinations. At least two of the examinations had to be in First Aid to the Injured, but the third could be in either Home Nursing or Home Hygiene. The purpose of the medallion was to prove, when necessary, the competency of the holder. As a measure of security each example carried the medallion number and name of the recipient engraved on the plain reverse. It was common to take the First Aid exams, obtain the medallion, and not be a member of St John Ambulance.

Medallions and their accompanying labels and pendants could be purchased in bronze, silver or gold. In 1905 the cost of each version was: bronze 2/- (10p); silver 7/6 (37½p); 18ct. Gold 50/- (£2.50). Prices included the cost of engraving the name and registered number on the reverse. At a time when the weekly wage of an ordinary working man was between 30/- (£1.50) and £2, it would take a considerable sacrifice to obtain this symbol of competency to render First Aid. It is a tribute to their pride in obtaining the qualification that so many ordinary men and women made that sacrifice.

A label could be earned by a medallion holder for each successful re-examination at intervals of not less than 12 months. Introduced in 1905, each label carries on the front the year of the re-examination, and on the reverse the registered number of the medallion to which the label was to be attached was engraved. In 1916 specialist pendants were introduced for the first time for those who had successfully re-examined in subjects other than First Aid. These were Home Nursing, Home Hygiene, Sanitation and, from 1946, Child Welfare.

In 1962 medallions ceased to be issued. The total number issued up to this date is not known, but up to 1945 634,000 medallions, 1,219,000 labels and 169,000 pendants had been issued in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth."

Sadly the number issued is too high for the individual to be traced.

Measurements: 38.2mm diameter, 3.1mm thickness, weight 15g. The plaque is 32.9mm long and 14.7mm wide, and 1.9mm thick.