Armistice Day

“This is no time for words. Our hearts are too full of gratitude to which no tongue can give adequate expression.” David Lloyd George, 11/11/1918 

So says another of our famous Mancunians, 93 years ago, on the 11^th November 1918. As we wear our poppies with pride today, remembering those who fought for our country over the years, my mind wanders back to Manchester and the effects the ‘Great War’ had on its children.    

Poppy appeal

The War infiltrated the charity just as it crept into every home in Britain. As money became tight, the Refuge found that increasing numbers of children required help as the War took its toll. The population of Manchester, who up to 1914 had always been so generous to the charity in terms of donations and support, found that they could no longer assist. Four of the five workshops (printing, joinery, firewood and tailoring) that had been set up to teach the boys a trade, had to be relinquished as numbers dwindled, the youths being of military age. The workshops had brought the Refuge three thousand pounds a year - it was a substantial loss!

But the worst effect was on the boys we lost. Many of the Refuge ‘old boys’ donned their military colours with pride and set out to fight for their country. Nearly 400 of them appear of the Refuge’s Roll of Honour. The Charity’s Committee members and faithful staff were also called to arms. Brian Crossley, son of Sir William Crossley, was killed in battle in 1915 and many others never returned to retake their place working among the children.

Some of our war heroes

The War also had its effect on those children living within the Refuge’s homes. Many a time it was a Matron’s sorrowful duty to have to tell a small child, some of whom had already felt the pain of the loss of a parent, that their father had been killed in action. For the charity the distress of each child that was told this sad news only sought to bring the War closer to home.    

But however long the fighting went on, war eventually came to an end, tears were dried and a feeling of hope was born. For the charity this appeared in the movement out of the city slums into the fresh air of the countryside. The population of Manchester again took up the appeal for help and raised money for the charity that cared for its new generation.

So take a minute today to think of all those who fell for us and remember.