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First World War: Silver Medal for Military Valour

In November 1915, several Old Boys were working in the Italian Unit of the Red Cross Ambulance Unit, along with Mr. G. M. Trevelyan, the historian of Garibaldi.  An urgent appeal for help reached the headquarters of the unit when a small building used as a cholera hospital in the village of San Florian was bombarded by Austrian guns.  Mr. Trevelyan and some men removed the inmates to a place of safety.

The story is reported in the March 1916 issue of “Bootham” magazine, and continues as follows:

“Two days later a similar thing happened. Mr. Trevelyan and six ambulance cars came to the rescue. The rear half of the building was already a mass of ruins, among which lay a dozen dead; the Italian officer in charge of the hospital was killed whilst standing side by side with one of the unit. All surviving patients were successfully carried off in the British cars. Augustine N. Grace (1890-91) and J. H. Gray (1897-1902) were in the rescue party.

In recognition of the gallantry displayed, King Victor Emanuel has decorated Mr. Trevelyan with the silver medal for military valour, “partly for this action, partly as representing his colleagues and collaborators, and in his capacity as Commandant of the First British Ambulance Unit for Italy .” “

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The Ambulance Unit at Bootham School

“Perhaps the event of most importance during the term was the inauguration of an ambulance unit, composed of about fifty boys, under the supervision of Mr. Walker. We had nine stretchers lent us, but later obtained some of our own. We gave up football practices twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, when we practised the drill in the field. On Saturday evenings some twenty of the unit took First-Aid lessons, and at the end of the term an examination was held. Fifteen entered and fifteen passed. During the term two route marches took place, under the supervision of Mr. Knight; whilst subjects and lunch were forwarded in Mr. Walker’s car. Both marches were thoroughly enjoyed by all, although on the first occasion a great amount of doubling was done, perhaps a little unnecessarily, as we were not yet hardened to it. Some of those training now hope soon to join the Anglo-Belgian unit which is at present doing such beneficent and wonderful work at the Front. Before the unit had set out for Belgium, Mr. V. W. Alexander gave us a very interesting lecture on the day’s routine of work at Jordans, and how everything was conducted there.”

From ‘Bootham’ magazine, December 1914