On this page we would like to present you the history of our 

local Red Cross unit

 

The Beginnings: 1874 to 1933

Patriotic Women’s  Association of the Red Cross in Blomberg: 

The history of the Red Cross in Blomberg begins already in 1874 with the foundation of the Patriotic Women’s  Association of the Red Cross.

This charity association’s aim was to help the poor and needy by giving them clothes and food. Furthermore, they committed themselves to "make clothes and dressing material for the event of a war in order to support our country as women should and are able to do". In the event of a war, they were also supposed to help provide medical care. For this reason, they began early with the training of Red Cross nurses. During World War I, on November 14th 1914, pastor Ernst Thelemann set up a convalescent home/hospital with 30 beds in what is now the multi-purpose hall, which was closed only in 1919. During the next years, the association concentrated on health care especially for children.  

 

Red Cross nurse Emmy Helmhausen from Blomberg

Red Cross nurses and wounded soldiers in front of the Blomberg military hospital. In the centre is sitting pastor Ernst Thelemann with his wife Johanna

Brassard, approx. 1930

After 64 years, the Patriotic Women’s  Association was dissolved in 1938 by the Red Cross law and was integrated into the then German Red Cross.

These associations founded in all of Germany were the basis for the now still active sororities of the German Red Cross.

Medical-Care Unit of Blomberg

In 1907, the Lippe Red Cross association was founded under the patronage of the family of the principality of Lippe. According to the "Articles of association of the Red Cross association for the principality of Lippe", its task was to "support the medical order of His Majesty the Emperor" and to take charge of charitable and medical work in times of peace. Paragraph 8 of the articles of association stated that "the members must not be part of the social-democratic party or support the latter and their aims".

On November 2nd 1927, pastor Ernst Thelemann, now superintendent, and Dr. Siecke senior founded the first medical-care unit of Blomberg, together with 17 other citizens, of which several had been working as medical aides in World War I. This was the male counterpart to the Patriotic Women’s  Association after 53 years.

Superintendent Thelemann and Dr. Siecke senior with the members of the medical-care unit, in 1917 (approx.)

The foundation of the medical-care unit was supported by the council of the town of Blomberg, as the Prussian minister for Welfare and the regional insurance company also advocated an area-wide ambulance service due to the increasing number of industrial and traffic accidents. To support the unit, the Patriotic Women’s  Association donated 100 Reichmarks for acquiring materials and other needed goods.

German Red Cross physician Dr. Siecke senior

First German Red Cross unit leader August Meier

According to a report by the Welfare Committee of the town of Blomberg in 1918, the unit consisted of 16 active helpers and 17 adolescents. 90 acts of assistance were reported, among which ranked seven transports of sick and injured people in need of help. Due to the rather large area to be covered, the unit decided to acquire a modern patient transport vehicle, which the town supported financially.

 

Image from the German Red Cross  Museum in Berlin

Official service card of August Meier

This first patient transport vehicle in Blomberg was basically only a stretcher with two big wheels and a cover against rain. But it proved to be of so much value that soon after the unit provided ambulant patient transports within the city limits. Further tasks comprised e.g. medical-care services at big events, support at fire watches and assistance at complicated treatments by Dr. Siecke senior. Due to the ever increasing number of active members, the unit soon counted over 30 volunteers. Each volunteer could be identified by a white brassard. After they had passed the medical-care test, they received the official uniform including a leather bag for the medical equipment. If a volunteer possessed a house of his own, this was marked by an enamel plate with the inscription "Sanitaetskolonne" (Medical-Care Unit) to identify it as the home of a medical-care volunteer.

Duty evenings were held regularly too in those days, some of the time together with the nurses of the Patriotic Women’s  Association and with the fire brigade.

To Be Continued ...

Time references and pictures (when not stated otherwise) are taken from our documents and from the brochure:

Humanitarianism in War and Peace

Historic review based on the foundation of the medical-care unit of the Red Cross in Blomberg 1927

by our long-time comittee member Dr. med. Helmut Siecke

(last issues of this brochure (in German language only) can be ordered for a small fee)

 

More about the general history of the Red Cross and about our principles can be found here

History of the Red Cross Principles of the Red Cross
(english language) (english language)
Geschichte des Roten Kreuz  Grundsätze des Roten Kreuz
(german language) (german language)