Three Field Ambulance Units were set up at the start of World War I attached to the 38 Welsh Division. The 130th was formed from volunteers
from St John’s Ambulance brigades mainly in the Welsh coal fields. It was the only unit which could wear the St John’s Insignia.
Stephen Lyons has dedicated many hours to researching its history- almost as an obsession. His talk was so detailed and comprehensive that I could not even start to summarize it. However he certainly conveyed the horror of war and the bravery of many men. We learnt how members of the 130th served as stretcher bearers and often would carry the injured over long distances through terrible mud and under the clear sight of snipers and even machine guns. Little wonder that 11 lost their lives and some 25 Military Medals were won by the unit.