Description
St John Ambulance Medal for South Africa 1899-1902, 1315 Corporal Walter Kay Fleming, Bradford Corps, a brave Ambulance Man who rescued a drowning boy in 1897 being decorated by the RHS.
Walter was highly respected around Bradford, He was personally honoured by one Mayor for his bravery in saving life, honoured by another with this medal as the Sergeant of the Bradford Corps, before devoting 26 years to the city as the Parcels Superintendent, which was the 2nd largest parcels operation in the country at the time.
On retirement the Chief Clerk would specially mention his “ready help for charitable objects and the Children’s Mission in particular, as an indication of his good character and his will to do ‘good turns’ where he could.”
He would endorse as many charities as he could whilst also being one of if not the most senior man amongst the Bradford St John Ambulance Corps.
His life summarised in his obituary in the Bradford Observer “A St John’s Ambulance Brigade Pioneer”, on 11th June 1941:
“FORMER BRADFORD TRANSPORT OFFICER
The death occurred yesterday at the age of 68, of Mr W.K. Fleming, who retired a few years ago after 26 years as parcels superintendent for the Bradford Corporation Transport Department.
Born at Grassington, he was with the Old Midland Railway in Bradford for 23 years before going to the Corporation.
He served in the South African War and during the Great War supervised transport of munitions and wounded.
Mr Fleming was a St John Ambulance Brigade Pioneer, associated for nearly 40 years with the North Brierley Division, and Superintendent for 10 years. He was well known for his work for charitable organisations, principally the Poor Children’s Mission and was treasurer of the North Wing Mission for 16 years.”
Officially engraved: “1315 Corpl W.K. Fleming. Bradford Corps.”
This medal was presented to him by the Mayor of Bradford, Mr W.C. Lupton, in January 1902, where Sergeant Fleming was the most senior man present and first to be mentioned.
Confirmed on the medal roll for the matching QSA Medal bar Cape Colony.
The roll notes his medal was issued on 3rd December 1901, his medal along with a batch of others on the page were serving with the “Rhodesian Field Force”.
Walter Kay Fleming was a Yorkshire-man, born in Grassington but spent most of his life in Bradford.
As a young man aged 24, he was working as a Railway Clerk in Bradford when he showed his mettle as Secretary to the Midlands Ambulance Association rescuing a boy from drowning:
The Leeds Times reports on 14th August 1897:
“RECOGNITION OF BRAVERY – Before commencing the ordinary business at the City Police Court, Bradford, on Wednesday, the Mayor, Mr Thomas Speight, presented the parchment diploma of the Royal Humane Society to a young man named Walter K. Fleming, Railway Clerk, Bradford, in recognition of his courageous and successful endeavours in May last to save the life of a boy named Stanley Harrison, living in Cornwall Place, Manningham Lane.
On the 17th of that month the lad, whilst walking along the canal bank, was seized with a fit and fell into the water.
Mr Fleming, who is the secretary to the Midland Station Ambulance Corps, was playing cricked in a field 300 yards away, and ran to the rank in time to save the poor boy’s life.”
The presentation of this medal reported in the Leeds Mercury, 18th January 1902, where he was the most senior man present and the first to be mentioned as Sergeant to the Bradford Corps:
“BACK TO BRADFORD FROM THE WAR
An interesting ceremony took place in the Council Chamber at Bradford Town Hall on Wednesday, on the occasion of the presentation by the Mayor (Mr W.C. Lupton), of the South African War Medal to 26 volunteers of the Bradford Ambulance Association, recently returned from the front.
The men, who wore their khaki uniforms, and looked strong and well, were cordially welcomed home again by his Worship in a felicitous speech, in which he expressed regret that Dr Brown, to whom he said, many of them would feel grateful for the training he had given them in the earlier stages of their career, was unable to be present following illness.
The Medals were presented to Corporal W.K. Fleming, Sergeant of the Bradford Ambulance Brigade; Supt Officer J.E. Williams and Orderlies… (24 further names)”
Another article in the Yorkshire Post expands on the ceremony:
“His Worship, addressing the men, who wore khaki uniforms, said he was glad to welcome them back, and to see them in such good health.
he hoped the medals would have an inspiring effect on their future lives.
If he had a war medal, he would not lose it for money in 5 figures. Those who had not been under fire were as much entitled to the distinction as those who had. In the inspiring game of war, the drudgery was harder to bear than the excitement of fighting. (applause.)
In replying to a vote of thanks, the Mayor said he was one of those who believed that they ought to be able to use their fists in self defence, as every one ought to be able to swim. He would say also that just as much as they ought to able to read and write, they should be able to give first-aid.
Three Cheers for the Mayor and Mayoress closed the proceedings.”
WW1
This letter was published in the Bradford Daily Telegraph on 18th August 1914, sent in by Walter detailing how he would mobilise the local Bradford Corps:
WAR AND AMBULANCE WORK.
BRADFORD ASSOCIATION’S PLANS.
We have received the following letter from Mr. W. K. Fleming, 4, Leeds Road, representing the Bradford St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade:-
In view of the great demand already made by the British Government and the Belgian Red Cross Society, for nurses and ambulance men, and the grave probability of still further demand in the immediate future, will all holders of first-aid and nursing certificates who are willing to help, please register their names at the nearest division, viz.:-City Division, Eccleshill, Manningham, Midland Railway, North Bierley, Tramways, or with the undersigned.
All the local members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade who are members of the Royal Naval Dock Berth Reserve, have already gone to their posts of duty, and most of the Military Home Hospital Reserve also, and the Bearer Company men are awaiting an immediate call to take the place of the regular Royal Army Medical Corps.
This demand has depleted our stores and members very seriously, and our President, the Lord Mayor (Ald. J. Arnold, J.P.) has already pointed out in the Press the urgent need of both men and money, to equip at least 100 more volunteers, in accordance with the dignity of a city the size of Bradford.
Help can be given as suggested by Colonel Sir Herbert C. Perrott, C.B., the Chief Secretary, as follows:—First by cash contributions for local use in equipping qualified men, secondly by the formation of First Aid and Nursing classes, which is being carried on actively by the volunteer workers in the St. John Ambulance Brigade.
New classes are being formed, by the local divisions, and these will qualify for Brigade membership, from which are recruited its service units.
Subscriptions, which are urgently required, should be sent to Mr. B. D. Fairbank, 15, St. Paul’s Road, who is acting as treasurer for the Lord Mayor.”
His retirement, Bradford Observer, 8th March 1938:
“26 YEARS SERVICE – PRESENTATION TO BRADFORD TRANSPORT OFFICIAL
The heads and staffs of the various sections of Bradford Corporation Passenger Transport Department yesterday presented a wireless set to Mr Walter Kay Fleming, on his retirement after 26 years as parcels superintendent.
Mr C.R. Tattam, Manager of the Transport Department, spoke of the steady progress of the parcels undertaking during Mr Fleming’s years of service.
Mr J. Moseley, Chief Clerk and stores superintendent, mentioned Mr Fleming’s ready help for charitable objects, and the Children’s Mission in particular, as an indication of his character, and as his will to do ‘Good Turns’ where he could.
Mr J. Haigh, successor to Mr Fleming, presided, and other tributes were paid by Mr John Garnett, a Member of Bradford City Council, Mr H. Wheatley (secretary), Mr W. Scurrah (rolling stock engineer), Mr E.B. Baxter (Traffic Superintendent), Mr H. Byrson, Mr A. Lunn and Mr A. Hartley.
In his reply, Mr Fleming said that the Bradford parcels undertaking was the 2nd largest in the country.”
