The meetings were held in the library in the town hall. Great encouragement was received from Dr. Conor O Malley and Dr. Bill Mc Hugh, both from Galway whom with Dr. Dessie Moran, Westport provided a first aid training course. of October 1943 the Sovereign and Military Order of Malta (Westport Branch, Ambulance Unit) was inaugurated. The founding members consisted of fourteen men from vastly different backgrounds, they ranged from doctors to jewelers to teachers, the fourteen men were, Dr.Desmond Moran (who was also the first officer in charge), James O'Connell, William Lyons, Paddy Joe Kelly, Jim Dyar, Stephen Folan, Joe King, Tony King, Jeff O'Malley, P.J. McEvilly, Jim Warde, Jim McLoughlin, Paddy Joe Gibbons. The evening concluded with an All Night Dance which was held in the Grand Central Hall, Westport, with dancing from 9 pm to 8am. In 1968 a committee made up of members of the Order of Malta, local people and club representatives was set up to raise funds to provide a H.Q. and an ambulance for the unit. The sod was turned for the new Headquarters at St. John's Place, St. Mary's Cresent, by Dr William Mc Hugh from Galway and in 1969 the Headquarters was opened. Westport Unit, assisted by units from the length and breath of Ireland provide first aid and Ambulance cover at Croagh Patrick each year, this year been the 80th. time the Ambulance Corps provided the service.
