Photos on page 24: Hill Ffamily

Awards New Years Honours for Red Cross trio

The former Red Cross chairman, a long serving volunteer and a high-profile supporter of the organisation were all named in the Queens New Years Honours list.
James Cochrane, who stepped down from his role the end of 2012, was appointed a CBE. Jenny Campbell from Argyll, a Red Cross volunteer for almost 60 years, was awarded a British Empire Medal. Supporter Margaret Johnson was appointed an OBE. James was chairman of the Red Cross board of trustees, the committee that sets the organisations strategy and goals, for six years. In this time the Red Cross increased its income and offered services to more people in crisis. Jenny joined the organisation as a nurse in 1954. Her volunteering has included teaching first aid, playing a key role in opening a Red Cross shop in Lochgilphead, western Scotland, and fundraising for Red Cross Week. Margaret is on the steering committee of the Tiffany Circle, a network of women who use their skills and experience to support the Red Cross. She is chief executive of advertising company Leagas Delaney, which worked for free on aspects of the recent Red Cross awareness campaign.

Obituaries
Claire Clark BEM died on 28 December, aged 91. Claire joined the Red Cross in Langport in Somerset in 1937, as a nursing cadet, at the age of 16. Claires many years of service as organiser, secretary, trainer, first aider, welfare officer and fundraiser were recognised by a series of Red Cross Badges of Honour. In 1980, she was awarded the British Empire Medal. In 1979, Claire played a key role in arranging for a building for the Langport group to be purchased and converted. She was centre organiser until 1987 and continued to play an active role until 2000

Photos on page 24: TBC. Photos on page 25: iStock.

Freedom: Pegeen meets prisoners of war in Korea, 1953

Dr James Fisher died on 19 December, aged 90. He was a very active member of the community and an enthusiastic supporter of the Red Cross. He was a keen gardener and, for over 20 years, opened his beautiful gardens at Throop Mill Cottage in Bournemouth to raise funds for the Red Cross. He and his wife, Rosemary, were always welcoming hosts. Cynthia Jolliffee died in July, aged 91. Cynthia retired to Suffolk having been centre organiser for Westminster centre, where she had been involved in training and fundraising. She undertook the organising of the Open Garden scheme in the Woodbridge area for many years. She was a Link Group member from 2001 until her death.

The Red Cross has been my family for so long

PEGEEN HILL, Bristol
Pegeen Hill MBE (91) signed up as a volunteer nurse with the Red Cross in wartime Bristol. Little did she realise that this would be the start of a remarkable career spanning 70 years and several continents. I joined as a voluntary aid detachment (VAD) in 1941, working at Bristol Royal Infirmary. Sadly, just before the end of the war, my older brother was killed in Italy. I was very upset and felt I wanted to do something worthwhile. So, in 1945, I got a full-time position in France with the Red Cross, looking for British ex-internees. A lot of these people were retired English governesses, who were interned when France was occupied. When they were released at the end of the war, they went looking for their old homes, which were no longer there. We drove all over France, searching for these people. Many were living in appalling conditions in the fields and in sheds. Our job was to make sure they were clothed, fed and had medical and financial attention. senior welfare officer. There was still fighting going on in the jungle in the late 1940s. There were a lot of very sick servicemen and I really felt I was doing something useful. I did various social work jobs: teaching handicrafts, providing libraries and doing outings.

BLAST FROM THE

PAST

Korean War

Dunant: I was inspired by Florence Nightingale

It is 150 years since the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded, inspired by Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant. Dunant was appalled at the suffering of thousands of men who were left to die due to lack of care after the Battle of Solferino in 1859. His account of what he saw, and proposal to set up national relief societies, led to the formation of the Committee of Five in Geneva, and the signing of the founding charter of the Red Cross in 1863. Dunant later recalled on a visit to London in 1872: Though I am known as the founder of the Red Cross and the originator of the Convention of Geneva, it redcross.org.uk/museumandarchives is to an English woman that all the honour is due. What inspired me to go to Italy during the war of 1859 was the work of Miss Florence Nightingale in the Crimea. Florence Nightingale was associated with the British Red Cross from its inception. She encouraged Colonel Loyd-Lindsay and others to set up the organisation and remained in touch with its work until her death in 1910. At the Eighth International Conference of Red Cross Societies held in London in 1907, delegates created a commemorative International Nightingale Medal to be awarded to ladies distinguished in the nursing field.

In 1953, I was asked to help with the exchange of Commonwealth prisoners of war (POWs) at a place called Mun San Ni in Korea, during the conflict. I was the only British woman at the exchange point, meeting the POWs as they came through. I wrote to every single family. After Korea, I went to Accra in west Africa and then on to Cyprus for two years, when the troubles were on.

Welfare in Taunton

VE Day in Paris

I remember being in Paris for VE day. It was absolutely amazing. Everyone went mad, up and down the Champs-lyses. If you were British, people just came up and threw their arms around you. It was incredible. After France, I was posted to Singapore Military Hospital, as a

In 1968, I went to the Red Cross headquarters in Taunton, as county welfare officer. I was involved in training welfare officers and volunteers, working with social services. I also organised holidays for people with disabilities. After I retired in 1982, until a couple of years ago, Ive been volunteering locally, doing fundraising collections, and so on. Its been a challenge a lovely challenge. And I so admire the principles of the Red Cross. Its respected by everyone, everywhere. It has been my family for so long. editor@redcross.org.uk

Helena Robinson died on 21 November, aged 65. Helena joined the Red Cross in 1977 and was involved for 35 years. Based in Bognor Regis, Helena was a valued and dedicated first aid volunteer. She gave many hours of volunteering at local events and had a special ability to put casualties at ease when they were in distress. She received a 35 year service badge and was proud to have visited the Red Cross headquarters in Geneva.

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