Jerusalem combined to form the Joint War Committee to pool resources under the protection of the Red Cross emblem. Because the British Red Cross had secured buildings, equipment and staff, the organisation was able to set up temporary hospitals as soon as wounded men began to arrive from abroad. The buildings varied widely, ranging from town halls and schools to large and small private houses, such as the Moat house in Soham. The most suitable ones were established as auxiliary hospitals.
During the First World War there were over 3000 auxiliary hospitals run by the Red Cross, many ladies from the neighbourhood also volunteered, the patients sent to these hospitals were normally less seriously injured, mainly needing convalescence.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the war office initially requested that the British Red Cross and the Order of St John, who at this time had become known as the Joint War Organisation provide auxiliary homes and hospitals for officers, but by June 1940 the war office were asking them for help in providing 20,000 beds in privately owned homes and hospitals for other ranks. Some of these convalescent hospitals were also used for liberated prisoners of war. During the war period they also provided residential nurseries for

Proceeding through the Church Yard
on the north side.

Entering St Andrews Church via the
West door in the tower.

children, many who were the victims of air raids and in some instances civilian were admitted as well.