British War Relief Society
Encyclopedia
The British War Relief Society (BWRS) was a US-based humanitarian
umbrella organisation dealing with the supply of non-military aid such as food, clothes, medical supplies and financial aid to people in Great Britain
during the early years of the Second World War. The organisation acted as the administrative hub and central receiving depot for items donated from other charities which were then parceled out to its affiliate organizations in the US and to Britain. These donations were raised in the name of the BWRS, rather than in the name of the smaller groups.
program. Also, from September 1939 through to the end of the war, various charitable organisations in the US collected money and items to alleviate the hardships and suffering of the British general public.
As the war progressed, and the British need for aid grew, a large number of charities appeared across the US to aid Britain - amongst them (but by no means all) American Ambulances in Great Britain, the American Committee for Air Raid Relief, American Hospital in Britain, British American Ambulance Corps, the British Hospital Association and Bundles for Britain.
Incorporated in 1941, the British War Relief Society (BWRS) managed the activities of the various other charitable associations, in a similar way to the United Service Organizations
(USO). The BWRS was headquartered on Fifth Avenue, in New York City
.
The BWRS continued to supply humanitarian goods throughout the war.
, she began her charity work for Britain by organizing her friends to knit garments for British sailors on the Atlantic convoys
. Clementine Churchill, the wife of British prime minister
, Winston Churchill
, had made a similar request to the British public and Jorgensen decided to do the same in the US. The success of the knitting led Jorgensen to extend the scope of the charitable works undertaken to include medical supplies and other necessary items for victims of bombing and refugees.
Upon the entrance of the United States into the war
, Bundles for Britain evolved into the United States Naval Aide Auxiliary with Marion Jorgensen serving as president of the organization.
, the motto of the British monarch and translated as "God and my right".
All pins are labelled on the back as either "Official Bundles for Britain" or, more commonly, "Official BWRS and BB". Larger brooches were for women, whilst the smaller pin came in pinback and screwback varieties for men. To raise funds the pins were originally sold for $2.50 and $1 respectively in 1941.
The success of the RAF during the Battle of Britain
led to a number of pins being designed on the RAF wings. Often with a monogram of RAF to the front and with BB (Bundles for Britain) or BWRS marked on the reverse. Produced in vermeil
(24k goldplate over sterling) with enamel and are made by Monet or Accessocraft, two costume jewelry manufacturers.
Other items sold to raise money included ceramics, books, stamps, celluloid badges, cinderellas, cigarette cases and compacts. Matchbooks were an inexpensive form of advertising and local branches of the BWRS, its affiliates and Bundles for Britain produced their own matchbooks.
Humanitarianism
In its most general form, humanitarianism is an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings. Humanitarianism has been an evolving concept historically but universality is a common element in its evolution...
umbrella organisation dealing with the supply of non-military aid such as food, clothes, medical supplies and financial aid to people in Great Britain
Timeline of the United Kingdom home front during World War II
This is a Timeline of the United Kingdom home front during World War II. For narrative and bibliography see Home front during World War II-1939:3 June 193924 August 19391 September 19393 September 19391 October 19396 October 1939-1940:8 January 1940...
during the early years of the Second World War. The organisation acted as the administrative hub and central receiving depot for items donated from other charities which were then parceled out to its affiliate organizations in the US and to Britain. These donations were raised in the name of the BWRS, rather than in the name of the smaller groups.
History of movement
Before the United States declared war on Japan in December 1941, the US had remained isolationist with regards to the events happening in Europe and elsewhere but had aided Britain via the Lend-LeaseLend-Lease
Lend-Lease was the program under which the United States of America supplied the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, Free France, and other Allied nations with materiel between 1941 and 1945. It was signed into law on March 11, 1941, a year and a half after the outbreak of war in Europe in...
program. Also, from September 1939 through to the end of the war, various charitable organisations in the US collected money and items to alleviate the hardships and suffering of the British general public.
As the war progressed, and the British need for aid grew, a large number of charities appeared across the US to aid Britain - amongst them (but by no means all) American Ambulances in Great Britain, the American Committee for Air Raid Relief, American Hospital in Britain, British American Ambulance Corps, the British Hospital Association and Bundles for Britain.
Incorporated in 1941, the British War Relief Society (BWRS) managed the activities of the various other charitable associations, in a similar way to the United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
(USO). The BWRS was headquartered on Fifth Avenue, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
The BWRS continued to supply humanitarian goods throughout the war.
Bundles for Britain
Whilst many of the smaller charities were covered by the activities of the BWRS, the major exception was the "Bundles for Britain" organisation. Set up in December 1941 by Marion JorgensenMarion Jorgensen
Marion Newbert Jorgensen was an influential American civic leader in Los Angeles, California and a prominent philanthropist.-Early life and marriages:...
, she began her charity work for Britain by organizing her friends to knit garments for British sailors on the Atlantic convoys
Arctic convoys of World War II
The Arctic convoys of World War II travelled from the United Kingdom and North America to the northern ports of the Soviet Union—Arkhangelsk and Murmansk. There were 78 convoys between August 1941 and May 1945...
. Clementine Churchill, the wife of British prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, had made a similar request to the British public and Jorgensen decided to do the same in the US. The success of the knitting led Jorgensen to extend the scope of the charitable works undertaken to include medical supplies and other necessary items for victims of bombing and refugees.
Upon the entrance of the United States into the war
Military history of the United States during World War II
The military history of the United States during World War II covers the involvement of the United States during World War II. The Empire of Japan declared war on the United States of America on 7 December 1941, immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor on the same day. On 11 December 1941,...
, Bundles for Britain evolved into the United States Naval Aide Auxiliary with Marion Jorgensen serving as president of the organization.
Memorabilia
Bundles for Britain, the BWRS and its affiliates have provided a wealth of items for collectors of home front memorabilia. Some of the more common items are button lapel pins. These display the British War Relief emblem of a lion rampant and shield. A high number feature the French motto Dieu et mon DroitDieu et mon droit
Dieu et mon droit is the motto of the British Monarch in England. It appears on a scroll beneath the shield of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom...
, the motto of the British monarch and translated as "God and my right".
All pins are labelled on the back as either "Official Bundles for Britain" or, more commonly, "Official BWRS and BB". Larger brooches were for women, whilst the smaller pin came in pinback and screwback varieties for men. To raise funds the pins were originally sold for $2.50 and $1 respectively in 1941.
The success of the RAF during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
led to a number of pins being designed on the RAF wings. Often with a monogram of RAF to the front and with BB (Bundles for Britain) or BWRS marked on the reverse. Produced in vermeil
Vermeil
Vermeil is a combination of sterling silver, gold, and other precious metals, commonly used as a component in jewelry. A typical example is sterling silver coated with 14 carat gold. To be considered vermeil, the gold must be at least 10 carat and be at least 2.5 micrometres thick...
(24k goldplate over sterling) with enamel and are made by Monet or Accessocraft, two costume jewelry manufacturers.
Other items sold to raise money included ceramics, books, stamps, celluloid badges, cinderellas, cigarette cases and compacts. Matchbooks were an inexpensive form of advertising and local branches of the BWRS, its affiliates and Bundles for Britain produced their own matchbooks.