Those left at home during the World Wars looked for ways to support those fighting across the world, and those dealing with the effects of war at home. A new wave of fundraising swept the nation at the beginning of the First World War with imaginative methods of raising funds to help with medical aid, comforts for the troops fighting in the trenches and support when they returned home.
Thousands of new charities were established raising large amounts of money leading to new regulations from the Charity Commission in 1915.
Flag Days
Flag days quickly became a popular way to raise money for various causes. Established during the Boer War by Agnes Morris, small flags to be pinned on the lapel were sold for a penny, often by young women for whom they became a collectors item. Nationally flag days raised £25 million by the end of the War, about £1.75 billion today.
Pauline Stockbridge sold flags in Royston for charities including the RCSPA, St Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors and the Blue Cross.
Blue Cross
Over 16 million animals were used during the War, including horses, dogs, pigeons and cats, with about half dying in action. The Blue Cross treated over 50,000 sick and injured horses and 18,000 dogs. They sent out over 3500 packages of veterinary supplies and provided animal hospitals to the French, Italian and American armies.
RSPCA
During the War, the RSPCA supported the Army Veterinary Corps by training men to serve in the Corps, setting up field hospitals and supplying ambulances. The RSPCA Fund for Sick and Wounded Horses raised over £250,000 (more than £12 million today). In total the RSPCA treated over 2.5 million animals, 80% of which were returned to the front line.
During the War, the RSPCA established temporary kennels to house dogs whose owners were returning home on leave. After the War had ended, they funded the costs of returning the dogs home with their owners.
St Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors
St Dunstan’s Hostel was established in February 1915 by Sir Arthur Pearson. It was set up as somewhere for those who had lost their sight in the War to stay once they had left hospital. The emphasis was on teaching the ex-servicemen how to adjust to life and in training them in the use of adapted technology such as typewriters and telephones. Many were taught a new trade so they could go back to work. Over 1300 men stayed at the Hostel during the War and the Hostel continued its work supporting the men in their new lives.
Help for Russia
Russian honoured its alliance with Britain and France when it joined the War despite their Army being ill equipped. In 1916, the London based Russian scientist Dr Paul Dvorkovitz established Help for Russian flag days to raise funds for the Russian Army. In return Russian towns would raise funds for the British effort. £50,000 was raised for Russia in 1916.
Joint War Committee
On 29 October 1914, the Order of St John and the British Red Cross united to form the Joint War Committee, to provide medical support and fundraising efforts. Voluntary Aid Detachment (VADS) groups had been established in 1909 to provide support for medical services in the event of War, which included cooks, cleaners, mechanics and drivers. Royston’s VADS group was started by Dame Maud Bevan in 1910.
By February 1915, it was clear that there were not enough nurses to staff military hospitals, so VADS were trained as nurses. As the War progressed, the roles expanded to fundraising, sewing clothes for soldiers and refugees, and filling in for the jobs of those who had gone to fight. Nationally, over 125,000 volunteers served for the Joint War Organisation, working both in Britain and Europe.
Royston's Auxiliary Hospital
The Joint War Committee ran over 3000 Auxiliary Hospitals for soldiers to recover and regain their strength. An Auxiliary Hospital was proposed for Royston in August 1914 and the VADS undertook equipping and staffing it. The hospital was placed in Queens Road School, with pupils moving to the Town Hall for their lessons. It opened on 19 March 1915 with 24 beds. By the time the Hospital closed in December 2018, 2415 men had passed through the town.
Many of the nurses were trained on the job and had to deal with horrific wounds caused by bullets, shrapnel and mustard gas. They were assisted by a team of volunteer cleaners, cooks and porters.
Over £3000 (£240,000 today) was raised for the Red Cross and the Queen’s Road Hospital during the War - remarkable for a town with a population of around 4000 people. Fundraising methods included flag selling, auctions and concerts.
“The four wards which are at present furnished and occupied are on the south side of the building, and over each ward is the name of a prominent man of the present war. They are French, Jeffre, Jellicoe and Kitchener. Each ward contains at present six beds and there is a different kind of colour scheme worked out in the hangings, etc., in each ward that has a particularly pleasing and cheerful appearance.vThe wards are 25 ft by 24 ft and correspondingly lofty. The Central Hall is 48 ft 9 in by 20 ft, and this is used partly as a mess room and recreation room, the division being made with movable screens. Small tables are provided for games, writing, etc., and there is also a piano. There are three other large class-rooms on the north side of the building, which if required can be furnished and on the same scale as the other wards will accommodate 18 additional patients. The hospital has, however, been scheduled to take 50 patients if required."
From an article in the Royston Crow, 2 April 1915
Dame Maud Bevan
Dame Maud Bevan was born in 1856 to Henry Bouverie William Brand, 1st Viscount Hampden of Glyne, and Lady Elizabeth Georgina Brand. She married David Augustus Bevan on 22 October 1885 and they lived in Burloes Hall in Royston.
In 1910, Dame Bevan began working for the Red Cross and started the Royston VADs. Later, she became the President of the Hertfordshire Branch of the Red Cross. She was rewarded for her work in this role with a D.B.E in 1918.
During World War I, Dame Bevan acted as the Commandant of the Queen’s Road Hospital. After the War, Dame Bevan worked in the Red Cross massage and orthopaedics scheme, initially for injured and disabled soldiers and later for children.
Soldiers in Royston
Therfield Heath was used as a military training group throughout the 19th century and it came into use again in both World Wars.
In February 1915, around 1000 men of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers arrived to be billeted in people’s homes and the Workhouse, while training was carried out on the Heath. The Welsh Fusiliers integrated themselves into local life. Fundraising concerts were held with the town band, and parades and services were held at various churches.
Rev. J Lloyd Evans of Kneesworth Street Congregational Church opened a ‘Soldiers Welcome’ for refreshments and socialising. The Fusiliers’ mascot, a goat with gilded horns called Billy, made himself at home in the town and expected a treat from the sweet shop whenever he passed.
After five weeks in Royston, the Battalion was ordered to return to Cambridge. Disappointment at their departure was felt on both sides. At a concert held the week they left, Captain Elford H. Roberts told the audience:
“ There was not a single man who would not prefer to spend one week in Royston to three months in Cambridge… The kindness and courtesy they had received here in Royston stood far above that of any other place, and the officers and men would carry with them the happiest and fondest recollections of the place. “
Congregational Church Sunday School building came into use again in World War II when it was turned into the American Red Cross Service Club for the 91st Bomber Group. The building was transformed into a large lounge room with offices, a kitchen and shower room. Open 12 hours a day to American soldiers, the staff encouraged a welcoming, happy atmosphere despite the underlying fear.
The town welcomed the American soldiers into their homes and helped with their washing. The children of the town were particularly fond of the American soldiers as they had a ready supply of sweets.
