Maltese cross & Fouled anchor E Stillwell
 

I am struggling to identify these buttons made by E.Stillwell & Son. London.

I was thinking that they might be Royal Naval Chaplain's buttons but I cannot confirm that they are.

If I remember well collectors named it Bristol Port Ambulance.

The Port of Bristol Authority did indeed have at one time their own Ambulance Service. However, it was operated by the Port Police who wore their normal tunic buttons featuring an anchor topped with an oval containing the part arms of the City & County of Bristol. I don't know what this button represents, however, I doubt it having any connection with Bristol or its Port. As a matter of interest, several ports and harbours in England and Wales have operated their own Ambulance Service viz: London, Felixstowe, Dover, Tilbury and Bristol to name a few.

Dave.

Many thanks for your replies; googling Bristol Port Ambulance brings up nothing button related so I have to agree with Dave that it has nothing to do with Bristol.

The fouled anchor suggests a naval connection and the Maltese cross suggests a religious or medical link which is why I thought of naval chaplains.

It's probably a bit of a long shot but there is always the possibility of the button being for a shipping line or a yacht club. Both have used some rather odd looking designs over the years.

Roger

I have now been able to access my records.
An old collectors group (1970s and earlier) with access to pattern books and buckets of buttons in desolate factories named it:

Bristol City & Marine Ambulance Corps, 1890 onwards.

I have learnt that these old boys in the pre-internet days were superb collectors and researchers. I cannot offer any evidence myself.
I agree it has always been an odd button and it would be nice to get hard evidence.

from the web:
Here is the maltese cross on an ambulance: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Oxford-Diec...-43/1011738281

The Bristol City & Marine Ambulance Corps is a possibility I suppose. However, that organisation and the Port of Bristol Authority are not one and the same.

Dave.

Many thanks for checking your records for me. I will see what I can find using the additional information.

I have emailed the Bristol Archives to see if they can confirm that Bristol City & Marine Ambulance Corps wore these buttons.

I have managed to find this very small indistinct photograph of a Bristol City & Marine Ambulance Corps badge that was sold on Ebay. Unfortunately it is not clear enough to be able to see the detail.

Maltese Cross & Fouled Anchor E Stilwell
 

These buttons have nothing to do with Royal Navy Chaplains. RN Chaplains didn't wear any official uniform until 1940 when they adopted a plain blue Reefer jacket with black buttons. In 1942 they changed to a blue Reefer jacket with the standard RN officers gilt buttons.

Pete

Thank you for this lead.
I snapped a better image from that advertisement.

Well, I'm glad to see that we've clarified the fact that the button has nothing to do with Bristol Port Ambulance Service. Thanks for posting the image.

Dave.

Well done that man, that would appear to confirm that the buttons were indeed worn by the Bristol City & Marine Ambulance Corps.

I have heard back from the Bristol Archives: The link has not transferred with the cutting and pasting of the email so I have uploaded it separately. The members of the BC&MAC appear to have worn a naval type uniform

Dear Mr Jarvis,

Thank you for your email of 15 April.

Whilst I cannot say for certain that those buttons were used by Bristol City & Marine Ambulance Corps, it would seem likely as they appear to feature their emblem. Please follow this link for a photograph that illustrates this.

I hope this satisfies your query.

Yours sincerely,

Max Parkin
Archive Assistant