ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

DRESS REGULATIONS

INTRODUCTION

These Dress Regulations are easily and must be strictly observed by the Officers, Surgeons, Presidents, Members and Cadets of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade on whom, individually and collectively for the Brigade rests and to understand the wearing of Brigade uniform and is governed by General Regulations.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.1

Entitlement to Wear Uniform

Uniform to be worn only by personnel who have achieved the minimum qualification and approved by the Commissioner of the Brigade.

 

1.2

All uniform must be worn correctly, smartly and must be clean and neatly ironed.

All metal ware and leather ware must be well polished.

 

1.3

Mixed Dress

  1. At all times, mixed dress, partly uniform and partly Civilian dress must NOT be worn.
  2. Emergency is exception. When, due to an emergency, there is no time to dress in complete uniform, personnel should wear the most appropriate identification, i.e. an armlet (on the left upper arm), reflective slipover or Brigade head-dress, etc.
1.4

Head-dress

  1. On outdoor duties in public transport, in street or other occasions when in uniform, the appropriate Head-dress is to be worn.
  2. Headdress is not required for all indoor events.
1.5

Sunglasses

With the exception of being allocated on driving duties, allocated to direct traffic or advised by a registered medical practitioner, wearing of sunglasses or corrective spectacles with tinted glasses will NOT be allowed.

1.6

Uniform in General

  1. No items of uniform, other than those under these Dress Regulations, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade, should be worn when on duty.
  2. No jewelry, other than a wrist watch and two rings should be worn.
  3. Summer Uniform will be dressed from April to October.
  4. Winter Uniform will be dressed from November to March.
  5. The exact dates of the seasonal change of uniform will be announced in the Brigade Order.
1.7

Dress and Appearance

  1. The following uniform provisions apply to all male officers:

    1. Hair should be tidy and neatly trimmed and at least at 2.5 cm above the collar of the uniform.
    2. Sideburns should not be allowed below the center of the ear and the ends shall be square-cut and not tapered.
    3. Beard should be closely shaved. Mustaches are permitted except that flamboyant in style

     

  2. The following uniform provisions apply to female officers:

    1. Hair should be kept neat and tidy and above the collar of the uniform.
    2. Cosmetics may be used in moderation but colored nail varnish should not be allowed.
    3. Hand/shoulder bags not be carried when performing outdoor duties.
1.8

Badges and Insignia

Only Brigade badges as authorized in the Regulations are worn with Brigade uniform. They must be correctly positioned as laid down by stitching, pinning or clipping as appropriate. Badges other than the Brigade badges, could only be worn with approval from the Commissioner.

RELATED REGULATIONS

The gist of the obligatory requirements/restrictions in relation to Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade Uniform and accoutrements are summarized as follows:

(A)

The quantities of the various items of uniform and accoutrements issued to newly enrolled members/cadets, as well as the frequency and rate of replacement, must be in accordance with the approved uniform scales.

 

(B)

Any equipment so supplied shall remain the property of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade and shall be returned to the Commissioner in good order:

  1. upon the member ceasing to be a member of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade; or

  2. upon the member being called to do so by the Commissioner

(C)

Every member should:

  1. keep all the uniform and equipment in good order,

  2. return the uniform and equipment, or

  3. pay to the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade on demand the value of each item, if lost or damaged.

(D)

Any person, not being a member of the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade who:

  1. has in his/her possession any article being part of the clothing, accouterments or appointment supplies to any member of the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade and is not able satisfactorily to account for his possession thereof;

  2. puts on the dress of the Brigade should be penalized by law.

CATEGORIES OF UNIFORM

A)

Ceremonial Dress

To be dressed by Assistant Commissioners and above when attending:

  1. Annual Inspection,
  2. Remembrance Sunday Ceremony,
  3. As a Reviewing Officer of Parade.
B)

Winter Uniform (Full Dress)

To be dressed by all Officers/Surgeons/Presidents when attending:

all official functions held by the Brigade and official dinners or functions held by other uniformed or disciplined services as stipulated in the invitation cards and with the permission from the Commissioner.

 

C)

Summer Uniform (No. 2 Dress)

To be dressed in Summer time when performing operations/duties/functions.

 

D)

Mess Dress (Evening Dress)

  1. To be worn by Officers/Surgeons/Presidents when attending:

    1. Brigade Annual Ball,
    2. Annual Dinner,
    3. Fellowship Dinner,
    4. Officers' Mess Dinner and
    5. Brigade's Official Dinner.

  2. May be worn by Officers/Surgeons/Presidents who are invited to attend official dinners/functions held by other uniformed/disciplined services, as stipulated in the invitation cards and with the permission from the Commissioner.
E)

Band Uniform

To be ordered by the Bandmaster, according to the occasions, viz: performance by Marching Band and Pipe Band.

 

F)

Blazer (Civilian Dress)

To be dressed for social/semi-official occasions for officers only.

SALES OF UNIFORM

Peaked cap

To be worn by Male Officers/Surgeons/Presidents when in Uniform and Mess Dress

 

Peaked hat

To be worn by Female Officers/Surgeons/Presidents when in Uniform

 

Black Beret

To be worn by Ambulance Members and Ambulance/Nursing Cadets when in uniform with the leather seam horizontally across to the forehead and 2.5 cm above the eyebrow.
The St. John Cap Badge must be directly above the left eye.

 

White Nursing cap

To be worn by Nursing Members when in uniform.

 

Helmet

To be worn when performed outdoor duties during emergency.

 

Shirt

To be worn under the blouse in Winter time.

  1. White shirts for Officers/Surgeons/Presidents,
  2. Khaki shirts for Ambulance Members,
  3. Grey shirts for Ambulance Cadets
Black tie

To be worn by Officers/Surgeons/Presidents when wearing Winter uniform.

Black Sam Browne

To be worn by Male Officers/Surgeons/Presidents when in Winter uniform (Full Dress).

 

Black Web Belt

To be worn by Ambulance Members/Ambulance Cadets.

 

Shoulder Flash

To be sewn onto both sleeves at 1.75 cm from each shoulder seam.

Badges

Badges of Rank Marking should be worn by Officers/Surgeons/Presidents according to their approximate rank on both epaulettes of their uniform.

Collar Badges should be worn by Officers of Senior Superintendent and below and also for Bandsman.

The backing under the badges of Rank Marking and Collar Badges are as follows:

  1. Black colour for Officers
  2. Black colour for Surgeons who act as Training Officers/Operation Officers
  3. Red colour for Surgeons
  4. White colour for Presidents

Gorget Patch should be worn by Officers of Chief Superintendent and above.

Gorget Patch (white colour) should be worn by all Presidents.

Rank badges, Cloth (slip-on-type), to be worn by Officers and Members on both epaulettes of white shirts, pullover, carcoats and overall during operations and between seasons.

Chevrons to be worn by Non-Commissioned-Officers.

Badges of Secretary/Stores Keeper to be worn by members who are appointed to act as Divisional Secretary or Stores keeper.

Home Nursing Badge to be worn by the holder of Home Nursing Certificates for the Brigade Male Ambulance Officers and Members.

Proficiency Badge (for Cadet Members only)

Grand Achievement Award (for Cadet Members only)
(Proficiency Badge should not be worn by those cadets who hold Grand Achievement Award)

 

Lanyard

Should be worn round end of the right shoulder strap by Officers/Surgeons/Presidents/Ambulance Cadet

RED Lanyards are for the recipients of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Commendation.

BLACK AND WHITE Lanyards are for the recipients of the Commissioner's Commendation.

BLACK Lanyards are for all Officers/Surgeons/Presidents.

WHITE Lanyards are for Ambulance Cadets.

 

Socks

Black colour for Male Officers, Surgeons, Presidents, Ambulance Members and Ambulance/Nursing Cadets.

White colour for Nursing Members.

 

Panty Hose

Beige colour for Female Officers, Surgeons, Presidents when wearing St. John Uniform.

Black colour for Female Officers, Surgeons and Presidents when wearing Mess Dress.

 

Shoes

Black leather with toe-cap for Male Officers, Surgeons, Presidents, Members and Cadets.

Black plain leather for Female Officers, Surgeons, Presidents, and Nursing Cadets when wearing Winter Uniform.

White plain leather for Nursing Officers, Surgeons, Presidents when wearing Summer Uniform.

 

Haversack

To be carried during operations on the left side of the web belt.

Water-bottle

To be carried during operations on the right side of the web belt.

 

OPTIONAL UNIFORM

(1) Pullover - May be worn over the shirt between Seasons during operations.
(2) Carcoat - May be worn when necessary.
(3) Raincoat - May be worn during rainy days.

MEDALS AND MEDAL RIBBONS

Medals, Miniatures or Medal Ribbons as approved shall be worn in the following occasions:

(1) MEDALS - To be worn when attending:
Brigade Ceremonies,
Commissioner's Inspection,
Annual Inspections,
Corps/Divisional Anniversary Parade,
Celebration Parade and other functions or as a Reviewing Officers.
(2) MINIATURES -

Official Dinners,
Officers' Mess Functions,
Fellowship Dinner, or
invited to attend other Disciplined Services Functions.

(3) MEDAL RIBBON - Training, duties, operations and attend official functions when wearing St. John uniform.

The following Medals to be worn in order from the Center immediately above the upper left-hand pocket of uniform:

Grand Bauhinia Medal
Gold Bauhinia Medal
Silver Bauhinia Medal
Bronze Bauhinia Medal
Medal of Honor

St. John Grand Cross
St. John Gold Cross
St. John Silver Cross
St. John Bronze Cross
St. John Long Service Medal
Long Service Medal of other disciplined services of the Government of HKSAR
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Commendation

Commissioner's Commendation

The following medals should be worn above the upper right-hand pocket of uniform

BELILIOS STAR & SERVICE CROSS OF LIFE SAVING SOCIETY

 

WEARING ORDER

1. CEREMONIAL DRESS

To be worn by:

Commissioner,
Deputy Commissioner,
Senior Assistant Commissioner,
Assistant Commissioner,
Honorary Aide-de-Camp,
Brigade President,
Command Senior President,
Command President.

 

To be worn when attending the following functions:

 

 

Brigade Annual Review/Parade/Inspection
Remembrance Sunday
Receiving Insignia
Other Official Functions as required
As Reviewing/Inspection Officer*
*not applicable for Honorary Aide-de-Camp

 


AMBULANCE OFFICER
 
NURSING OFFICER

  • Peaked-cap.
  • Full Dress - Long sleeves tunic - unlined Black (for Winter) and White (for Summer)
  • Patrol jacket shape and cut, patch pockets with flap pockets on each side of the breast with box pleats down the center
  • Five large metal (silver) buttons down the front of the tunic and
  • One small metal (silver) button for each breast pocket
  • Sleeve cut plain with open pointed cuffs with three small metal buttons
  • Round end shoulder straps of metal with rank markings
  • Stand collar square in front and fastened with pair of lapels
  • Medals to be worn
  • Sash in grey waist belt
  • Black trousers with white side-stripes
  • Black leather ankle boots Wellington type
  • Baton - 66 cm in length, 8 cm Silver head with St. John Badge & 5 cm Silver end
 
  • Lady's hat.
  • Full Dress - Long sleeves tunic - unlined Black (for Winter) and White (for Summer)
  • Patrol jacket shape and cut patch pockets with flap pockets on each side of the breast with box pleats down the center
  • Five large metal (silver) buttons down the front of the tunic and
  • One small metal (silver) button for each breast pocket
  • Sleeve cut plain with open pointed cuffs with three small metal buttons
  • Round end shoulder straps of metal with rank markings
  • Stand collar square in front and fastened with pair of lapels
  • Medals to be worn
  • Sash in grey waist belt
  • Black gown with white side-stripes
  • Black leather high heel shoes (plain)
  • Baton - 66 cm in length, 8 cm Silver head with St. John Badge & 5 cm Silver end

2. No. 1 DRESS - Full Uniform (WINTER UNIFORM)

To be worn for the following functions:

Brigade Annual Review/Parade/Inspection
Remembrance Sunday
Receiving Insignia/Commendation
Other official functions if required
As Reviewing/Inspection Officer


AMBULANCE OFFICER
 
NURSING OFFICER

  • Peaked Cap.
  • Jacket - Khaki - (Summer/Winter)
  • Trousers - Khaki
  • Buttons - Metal
  • White plain shirt
  • Black tie
  • Sam-browne belt
  • Appropriate Rank Markings (Metal) to be worn
  • Backing of Rank Markings
    • Black - for Officers
    • Black - for Surgeons who act as Training Officers
    • Red - for Surgeons
    • White - for Presidents
  • Lanyard:
    • Black for all Officers/Surgeons/Presidents
    • Black/White lanyard (to be worn be the recipients of Commissioner's Commendation or recipients of KStJ, CStJ, OStJ, SBStJ)
    • Red colour (to be worn by the recipients of Commendation presented by Chief Executive of HKSAR)
  • Black socks
  • Black leather shoes, plain with toe-cap
  • Medals or Medal Ribbon to be worn, if any
 
  • Lady's Hat.
  • Jacket/skirt (White for Summer)
  • Jacket/skirt (Black for Winter)
  • Buttons - Metal
  • White plain shirt (for Winter only)
  • Black tie (for Winter only)
  • Black waist belt
  • Appropriate Rank Markings (Metal) to be worn
  • Backing of Rank Markings:
    • Black - for Officers
    • Black - for Surgeons who act as Training Officers
    • Red - for Surgeons
    • White - for Presidents
  • Lanyard:
    • Black for all Officers/Surgeons/Presidents
    • Black/White lanyard (to be worn by the recipients of Commissioner's Commendation or recipients of KStJ, CStJ, OStJ, SSStJ)
    • Red colour (to be worn by the recipients of the Commendation presented by the Chief Executive of HKSAR)
    • Panty hose, Natural colour
    • Black leather high heel shoes, plain, uniform style
    • Medals or Medal Ribbon to be worn, if any

For Brigade Medical Surgeons and Dental Surgeons

A Red Line around the edge of the peak-cap and around the edges of both shoulder straps.


AMBULANCE MEMBER   NURSING MEMBER

  • Beret, black woollen
  • Jacket/Shirt/Trousers (long sleeves) (Khaki colour)
  • buttons, black colour
  • Black Tie
  • Web belt (black)
  • Cloth Chevron to be worn, if any
  • Black socks
  • Black leather shoes with plain toe-cap
  • Medals to be worn, if any
  • Lanyard:
    • Black/White lanyard (to be worn by the recipients of Commissioner's Commendation)
    • Red lanyard (to be worn by the recipients of the Chief Executive of HKSAR's Commendation
 
  • Nursing cap, white poplin
  • Nursing dress with short sleeves (White colour)
  • Buttons, black colour
  • Jacket (Black battle-dress) (to be worn in Winter)
  • Cloth Chevron to be worn, if any
  • White socks
  • White leather Nursing shoes (plain)
  • Medals to be worn, if any
  • Lanyard:
    • Black/White lanyard (to be worn by the recipients of Commissioner's Commendation)
    • Red lanyard (to be worn by the recipients of the Chief Executive of HKSAR's Commendation

AMBULANCE CADET   NURSING CADET

  • Beret, Black woollen
  • Shirt, Grey with long sleeves
  • Trousers, Black drill
  • Black tie
  • White lanyard
  • Jacket (Black battle-dress) (for Winter only)
  • Black socks
  • Black leather shoes with plain toe-cap
  • Haversack, white
 
  • Beret, Black woollen
  • Grey, long sleeved dress with length not shorter than 2.5 cm (1 in.) below the knee.
  • White collar with collar badge (Cadet)
  • Jacket (Black battle-dress) (for Winter only)
  • White knee length socks
  • Black leather shoes with plain toe-cap

3. No. 2 DRESS (SUMMER UNIFORM)


AMBULANCE OFFICER   NURSING OFFICER

  • Peaked cap
  • Tunic/Trousers - Khaki colour
  • Black buttons
  • Appropriate Rank Markings to be worn
  • Backing for Rank Markings (same as shown in No.1 Uniform)
  • Khaki waist cloth belt
  • Lanyard to be worn as shown in No.1 Uniform
  • Ribbon to be worn, if any
  • Black socks
  • Black leather shoes with plain toe-cap
 
  • Lady's Hat
  • Tunic/Skirt - White colour
  • Black buttons
  • Appropriate Rank Markings to be worn
  • Backing for Rank Markings (same as shown in No.1 Uniform)
  • White waist cloth belt
  • Lanyard to be worn as shown in No.1 Uniform
  • Ribbon to be worn, if any
  • Panty hose, Beige
  • White leather Nursing shoes, (plain)

AMBULANCE MEMBER   NURSING MEMBER

  • Black Beret with St. John Badge
  • Khaki Short sleeved shirt
  • Khaki Trousers
  • Black buttons
  • Black socks & Black leather shoes
  • Black web-belt
  • Medal Ribbon to be worn, if any
 
  • White Nursing Cap with St. John's Cross
  • White short sleeved nursing coat
  • Black buttons with waist cloth belt
  • White socks & White leather shoes
  • Medal Ribbon to be worn, if any

AMBULANCE CADET   NURSING CADET

  • Black Beret with Cadet Badge
  • Grey shirt with long sleeves folded above the elbows
  • Black trousers
  • Black web-belt
  • White lanyard
  • Black socks
  • Black leather shoes
 
  • Black Beret with Cadet Badge
  • Grey dress with long sleeves folded above the elbows
  • White collar with cadet badge in the front upper center
  • Grey cloth waist belt
  • White knee length socks
  • Black leather shoes

4. BETWEEN SEASONS

In uneasy weather of warm Spring and before Uniform Wearing Order is changed to Summer, Officers and Members may be allowed to wear white/khaki shirt with tie and slip-on Rank Markings. However, the Black web-belt must be worn on trousers. The sleeves of the shirt must be folded up to 2.5 cm above the elbow.

In late Autumn, when weather is too cool, (before Uniform Wearing Order is changed to Winter) Officers and Members may be allowed to wear pullover on top of the Summer dress with slip-on Rank Marking.

Under such circumstance, the web belt should be worn over the pullover.

Instruction of this Order will be given by related deployment circular or at discretion of O.i/c at Senior Superintendent rank or above.

5. MESS DRESS (MESS KIT)

To be worn by Officers Only when attending Brigade Official Dinners/Mess Functions/Fellowship dinner or invited to attend other disciplined services functions.


AMBULANCE OFFICER   NURSING OFFICER

  • Peaked cap
  • Jacket (Mess style)
  • White colour for Summer Season
  • Black colour for Winter Season
  • Plain white shirt, Long sleeves
  • Bow-tie, Black colour
  • Cummerbund, Crimson red colour for Summer Season
  • Vest, Crimson red colour for Winter Season
  • Black trousers with white side stripe
  • Black socks
  • Plain black shoes
  • Miniature Rank Markings
  • Backing: Black colour for Officers
  • Red colour for Surgeons
  • White colour for Presidents
  • Collar badges, miniatures
  • Medals, miniatures to be worn, if any
 
  • Peaked hat not necessary when indoor
  • Jacket (Mess style)
  • White colour for Summer Season
  • Black colour for Winter Season
  • Plain white shirt, Long sleeves
  • Butterfly ribbon, Black colour
  • Cummerbund, Crimson red colour for all Seasons
  • Black gown with white side-stripe
  • Black panty hose
  • Plain black high heel shoes
  • Miniature Rank Markings
  • Backing: Black colour for Officers
  • Red colour for Surgeons
  • White colour for Presidents
  • Collar badges, miniatures
  • Medals, miniatures to be worn, if any

6. BLAZER (CILILIAN CLOTH)

To be worn by Officers only when attending social/semi-official functions.


AMBULANCE OFFICER   NURSING OFFICER

  • Black lounge suit with embroidered
  • St. John Badge on the left breast pocket
  • Plain white long sleeved shirt
  • St. John tie
  • Grey trousers
  • Black socks
  • Black leather shoes
 
  • Black lounge suit with embroidered
  • St. John Badge on the left breast pocket
  • Plain white long sleeved shirt
  • St. John tie or black butterfly or fancy white shirt without tie
  • Grey skirt with the length to patella or Grey trousers
  • Panty hose, natural colour
  • Black leather high heel shoes

7. ROUTINE INSPECTION

Uniform and equipment on issue to each member are to be inspected by the Senior Officer concerned.

This Inspection is to be carried out twice a year during the Annual Review again at any other time when considered necessary.

8. RANK MARKING


RANK CAP-PEAK LAPEL SHOULDER STRAPS

Commissioner 2 rows of Silver Oak Silver Oak leaves on Black Gorget Patch One Torse with crossed Stretchers surmounted by one Pip and one Crown

Deputy Commissioner 2 rows of Silver Oak Silver Oak leaves on Black Gorget Patch One Torse with crossed Stretchers surmounted by one Crown
Brigade President - same - White Gorget Patch - same-

Senior Assistant Commissioner 1 row of Silver Oak Silver Cable leaves on Black Gorget Patch One Torse with crossed Stretchers surmounted by one Pip
Command Senior President - same - White Gorget Patch - same -

Assistant Commissioner 1 row of Silver Oak Silver Cable leaves on Black Gorget Patch One Torse with crossed Stretchers
Command President - same - White Gorget Patch - same -

Chief Superintendent 16 mm Silver Braid Band 5 mm Silver stripe on Black Gorget Patch One Crown surmounted by two Pips
Command Vice President - same - White Gorget Patch - same -

Senior Superintendent 16 mm Silver Braid Band Brigade Collar Badges One Crown surmounted by One Pip
Regional President - same - White Gorget Patch - same -

Regional Vice President 10 mm Silver Braid Band White Gorget Patch One Crown surmounted by one bar (0.3 cm in width)

Superintendent 10 mm Silver Braid band Brigade Collar Badges One Crown
Corps President - same - White Gorget Patch One Crown

Corps Vice President 10 mm Silver Braid Band White Gorget Patch Three Pips surmounted by one bar (0.3 cm in width)

Assistant Superintendent 10 mm Silver Braid Band Brigade Collar Badges Three Pips
Divisional President - same - White Gorget Patch Three Pips

Senior Ambulance Officer Plain Cap-peak Brigade Collar Badges Two Pips surmounted by one plain bar
Divisional Senior Vice President - same - White Gorget Patch - same -

Ambulance Officer Plain Cap-peak Brigade Collar Badges Two Pips
Divisional Vice President - same - White Gorget Patch Two Pips

Probationary Ambulance Officer Plain Cap-peak Brigade Collar Badges One pip

Cadet Leader Beret NIL Cadet leader stripes

Sergeant Beret/Nurse cap (Nsg. Mem.) NIL Three Stripes on both sleeves

Corporal Beret/Nurse cap (Nsg. Mem.) NIL Two Stripes on both sleeves

Ambulance Member Beret NIL NIL

Nursing Member Nurse Cap NIL

NIL


Ambulance/Nursing Cadet Beret NIL NIL

WEARING OF INSIGNIA

1. Ribbons

Ribbons are to be mounted on ribbon brooches or sewn on the uniform. The bottom row of the ribbons is to be located centrally and immediately above the flap of the left breast pocket.

Each succeeding row is to be placed centrally above the row immediately below it.

2. Medal

Full size medals are to be suspended from a single bar brooch. The brooch is affixed in a horizontal position centrally and approximately 1cm above the top row of the ribbons.

If the width of the brooch is not sufficient to suspend all medals, the medals are each to overlap one another with the senior award showing in full.

3. Miniature

Miniature badges are replicas scaled down to half full size. They are arranged for evening wear on a single-bar miniature brooch. When worn with full evening dress dinner jacket or mess dress, the miniature brooch is worn in a horizontal position on the left lapel of the coat 25mm below the step of the lapel or at a similar position when the lapel has no step and above the lapel badge.