Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue

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Reference
Z1346
Title
Records of Flitwick Forces Gift Fund
Date free text
1942-1949
Production date
From: 1942 To: 1949
Admin/biog history
Flitwick Forces Gift Fund, originally known as the ‘Xmas Fund for Men & Women serving in H.M. Forces’, was formed on 21 May 1942, when a meeting was called by the Women’s Section of the British Legion. The Legion was unable to cope with helping the increasing numbers of men and women in the forces and invited ‘various organisations and denominations to send a representative’. Initially it was decided that 5s 6d should be raised for each person serving. Funds were raised by means of door-to-door collections, placing collection boxes in public houses, local fetes, and individual donations. All committee meetings were held at Mr and Mrs Rawsthorne’s house at 76, Ampthill Road, Flitwick until 22 December 1942, when it was decided ‘ to wind up the Committee’, possibly because it was decided to devote the fund entirely to Flitwick villagers serving overseas (formerly it had also covered Flitton, Greenfield and Pulloxhill). Meetings resumed in June 1943, this time at the WVS Centre. The work of the Committee continued until January 1946 when it was decided that the final balance of £22 was to be put towards a memorial tablet in the Church listing the men who gave their lives in the War.
Level of description
fonds