This Is Your Life: Reginald Blanchford

Reginald BLANCHFORD MBE, GM (1915-2002)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Reginald Blanchford, St John Ambulance Area Commissioner, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Alexander Gardens Theatre in Weymouth, from where the programme was then broadcast, having been brought to the theatre by writer Don Everitt.

Reg, who was born on Guernsey, was involved in a serious motorcycle collision aged 16 that left him with life-threatening injuries. As the island had no rescue service, Reg was lucky that a passing motorist assisted him and took him to the hospital. He spent three years convalescing, during which time he pledged to make it his mission to establish an ambulance service for Guernsey. After his discharge from hospital, Reg joined St John Ambulance Brigade and started campaigning for a dedicated ambulance.

A second-hand vehicle was purchased through donations, and the fledgling service responded to its first casualty in 1936. During the Second World War, Reg worked with the service throughout the German occupation of the island despite the severe restrictions on fuel, tyres and volunteers. After the war, Reg worked tirelessly to expand the ambulance service, introducing improvements, such as radio communication - the first in the British Isles - and, later, a marine ambulance.

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