History
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, the Order of St John, is a royal order of chivalry that draws on the tradition of the medieval Knights Hospitaller and was given a royal charter by Queen Victoria in 1888. It is devoted to first aid and humanitarian service, and is best known in Australia through St John Ambulance. Admission to the Order recognises distinguished service to St John and to the community.
The Order is not a government award, but it is one of the few private honours recognised in the Australian Order of Wearing, and its insignia may be worn among a recipient's medals. It has six grades, and a member wears the badge of the grade held. The Australian Government recognises the wearing of the insignia, but does not recognise the post-nominal letters of the Order.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The badge is a white enamelled eight pointed cross, the cross of St John, with a lion and a unicorn set alternately in its four angles, and it is ensigned with a crown. It is gold for the senior grades and silver for the grade of Member. An Officer or Member wears it on a ribbon on the left breast, in the manner of a medal, while a Commander or above wears it at the neck.
The ribbon
Plain black watered silk.
The ribbon is plain black watered silk. This plain black ribbon distinguishes the badge of the Order from the Service Medal of the Order, whose ribbon carries white stripes.
Eligibility
The Order admits those who have given distinguished service to St John and to the community.
- Admission is made in six grades, from Member through to Bailiff or Dame Grand Cross;
- A member wears the badge of the grade held, on the breast or at the neck according to that grade;
- It is one of the few private honours recognised in the Australian Order of Wearing;
- The Australian Government recognises the wearing of the insignia, but not the post-nominal letters of the Order.
Order of wear
The insignia of the Order of St John is worn in the position set for it in the Australian Order of Wearing, according to the grade held. The badge of an Officer or Member is worn on the left breast among the recipient's medals; the badge of a Commander or above is worn at the neck. Only the insignia of the grade currently held is worn.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Order of St John?
A royal order of chivalry devoted to first aid and humanitarian service, best known in Australia through St John Ambulance, given a royal charter by Queen Victoria in 1888.
Why is it in the Australian order of wearing?
Australia's honours system sets aside private awards, but recognises a few exceptions in its order of wearing, and the Order of St John is one of them.
What are the grades?
Six: Member, Officer, Commander, Knight or Dame of Grace, Knight or Dame of Justice, and Bailiff or Dame Grand Cross.
How is the badge worn?
An Officer or Member wears it on a black ribbon on the left breast, in the manner of a medal; a Commander or above wears it at the neck. Only the badge of the grade currently held is worn.
What does the badge show?
A white enamelled eight pointed cross of St John, with a lion and a unicorn set alternately in the four angles, ensigned with a crown.
Is it the same as the St John Service Medal?
No. This is the badge of the Order, on a plain black ribbon; the Service Medal is a separate long service award whose ribbon carries white stripes.