Ambulance Services in the U.K. formed after WW2 when an act of parliament was passed, The National Health Services Act 1946 which was set up to provide a health service to the whole of the U.K. It came into being on 5th July 1948 & lasted until it was replaced by The National Health Services Act 1977!!
Initially ambulance staff were volunteers, The Milar Report of 1964 changed that, making a recommendation that patients be treated en route to hospital. Training Schools were set up & recruits were trained in basic 1st Aid & other extended skills in the use of oxygen, Entonox etc, the cap badge they wore was a laurel leaf!
In 1974 the ambulance services transferred to The N.H.S. & the retro cap badges of 1974 replaced the earlier badges. These were again replaced in the late 1980’s & 90’s to the laurel wreath with the Q.C, these badges being mainly gilt enameled & termed as “ modern cap badge!
This Welsh Gwynedd Ambulance Service cap badge is the “ cross & wreath “ post 1974 pattern, its 2 cap fixing lugs intact to the rear & the enamel undamaged, the words “ Gwynedd Ambulance Service “ in a blue circle surrounding the widely recognized medical symbol of 2 intertwinned serpents wrapped around a staff in the centre of the cap badge. Another great badge from a by gone era & highly desireable to collectors!