Aylsham WI War Work

During the war years the ladies of Aylsham WI worked very hard for the war effort. When reading this just keep in mind that Aylsham had a population during those years of about 2,900 people.

The following are extracts from their Minutes.

H.M.T. STRATHAVON
The Annual Report for 1941 records:
“In July we adopted the minesweeper H.M.T. Strathavon. A letter of thanks was read from Skipper Collinson.”

Monthly meetings recorded:
4th June 1942
“Mrs Spink won the prize for the best knitted garment for the minesweeper.”
2nd July 1942
“A letter of thanks was read from the Skipper of the minesweeper expressing the gratitude of the crew for the parcel they had received and hoped that some darts might be included in the next parcel as they were difficult to obtain.”
3rd December 1942
“It was decided to send a 2/6d Postal Order to each man serving on the minesweeper as an Xmas gift. Also 27 woollen garments were sent.”
4th February 1943
“A letter was read from Skipper Collinson thanking all members for their Xmas gift of 2/6d to the crew of The Strathavon — 10 men.”
5th August 1943
“A letter was read from Skipper Collinson informing us that the minesweeper Strathavon has been sunk and that he is recovering hi hospital but contains no news of the crew. It was suggested that a few smokes should be sent at a later date.”

PRESERVING CENTRE

The Ministry of Food established Preserving Centres during the war, to be run by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Aylsham W.I. ran one of these centres, No.1859, entitled Aylsham W.I. Fruit Preservation Centre. Records show that the centre made an important contribution to the war effort, producing 22,000 lbs of jam over the five years in which it operated. Some years were better than others because of the vagaries of the fruit growing season, and when they were good an average of 400 cans of fruit were also canned.

BABY KNITTING
Monthly meetings recorded:
3rd August 1944
“An appeal was read for knitters for small woollen garments for babies in liberated countries. Several members were quite willing to assist but did not feel disposed to give a guarantee to knit the 3½ lb. required each month, as there was already a quantity of work on hand.”

2nd November 1944
“Mrs Spink had more wool for distribution and was readily accepted for knitting up. When accepted the quantity of wool received was 3½ lb. per month, this had been doubled. Another parcel of 9 coats, 1 shawl and 1 pilch had recently been dispatched.”

Annual Report for 1944
“A ready response was received to knit children’s garments for Liberated Europe and Mrs Spink now gives the number of finished garments as follows: 12 shawls, 15 coats, 11 pilches, 15 jerseys.”

2nd August 1945
“Mrs Spink stated that the last parcel of garments for Liberated Europe had been dispatched, making a total of 165 garments made during the 10 months besides 72 pairs of socks.”

NATIONAL SAVINGS

Throughout the War years Aylsham W.I. had a National Savings Group.

The Annual Report for 1941 records:
“Mrs Fox assisted by Mrs Ewing has carried out the work of the National Savings Group, the money invested for this year being £102.16.0d. 16 members.”
The Annual Report for 1942 records:
“Mrs F Rivett assisted by Mrs Ewing has carried on the work of National Savings. The money invested this year amounts to £98.1.6d. 12 members.”
The Annual Report for 1943 records:
“Mrs F Rivett, Hon.Sec. to the Savings Association, was obliged to resign owing to wartime duties, but during War Charities Week was able to show a fine record to her credit by selling certificates to the value of £275.5.0d.”

BEVIN BOYS

Monthly meeting for 1st February 1945 records:
“It was proposed and carried that 15/- should be sent to Russell Craske who has been conscripted to work in the mines.”

SEEDS

Tomato growing was another activity which W.I. Members undertook for the war effort. In 1943 a gift of seeds from the Canadian W.I. was distributed by drawing of tickets apart from tomato seeds which Mrs Ewing has kindly undertaken to rear for distribution amongst the members at a later date.

Monthly meeting 6th May 1943.
“Mrs Ewing reminded members that the tomato plants raised from the Canadian seeds would be ready in a fortnight’s time and each member would be able to receive two plants.”

Monthly meeting 6th June 1943.
“Mrs Ewing was thanked for dispersing of the tomato plants to 64 members; also Mr Ewing for the trouble he had taken in rearing them for us.”

MUNITIONS

Monthly meeting 7th January 1943 records:
“A notice was read from the County Office proposing to hold a meeting………when a speaker would explain the munitions work that could be done at home……….”
4th February 1943
“The explanation of the munitions work aroused keen interest and about 36 members took away forms to fill in.”
4th November 1943
“Mrs Johnson informed members that a small supply of munitions had come through and had been assembled at her house ….was attending a meeting at Lawrence Scotts that day for further information.”
6th January 1944
“..…a letter from Lawrence Scotts re. Munitions in which they apologised for being unable to find work for all who requested as the demands for the specified articles were less than anticipated and the number of applications far greater.”

It was not recorded what the ‘munitions’ were that had been made.

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