Bishop McGough reminded us that on this day, as Mass was taking place, the bodies of eight British soldiers were being repatriated from Afghanistan. He spoke of the great work done by the League during both World Wars and what a comfort a cup of tea and friendly word and smile made during those dark times.
Those attending enjoyed the day immensely and returned home with much food for thought having visited the National Memorial Arboretum and felt what a fitting place for a Bench to be located in recognition of the work done by the ladies of the League during conflict.
At the beginning of the First World War, an appeal was made for a Catholic recreation hut for the Forces in Boulogne and the immediate and generous response from members of the public made it possible for the League to obtain and open a hut there. The earliest hut in England, opened in 1916, was at St Peter’s Hall, Westminster, on the site of what is now St Paul’s Bookshop beside Westminster Cathedral. This was a canteen open twenty-four hours, organised by members of the League, for troops passing through London. By 1917 it had become necessary to form a special committee to plan and organise the work of the growing number of huts. This was called the ‘Huts and Canteens Committee’.
The West Riding Branch of the League, now the Leeds Branch, opened a large hut and chapel for the Northern Command Depot transit camp at Studley Roger, west of Ripon, North Yorkshire. It was staffed by CWL members who worked round the clock to provide over a thousand meals a day for the men camped there. This became known as the ‘English Mother Hut’. At the end of the Great War, this hut was sold and the Branch erected a Wayside
Crucifix on a site nearby, bequeathed by the then Marquis of Ripon who had become a Catholic. The huge plinth on which there is a memorial dedication, was also a gift from the Marquis. Every year since 1920, members have organised a pilgrimage there, on a Thursday nearest to the feast of Sts Peter and Paul (29th June) and July 1st, the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
There were many other huts opened during WWI and by the end of 1918 the League had 35 huts, not only in England but on the war fronts in Europe as well, all staffed by League members. They were outstanding in that, though they provided meals, the Forces spiritual needs were also catered for. Holy Mass was celebrated on Sundays, some huts having permanent altars. The friendly and Christian atmosphere was appreciated by British, Belgian, French and Canadian troops and Chaplains returning to their own countries, were instrumental in urging the founding of the League there. In 1919, Cardinal Mercier started the League for Belgian Women and in 1920 the Canadian League was formed.
When Peace came in 1918, the League began the adoption of ruined villages and churches in Europe and the huts in France were donated for use in shattered areas and vestments were provided for use in those churches still standing.
When the Second World War broke out in 1939, the Committee sought, and obtained, permission from the War Office to resume the running of the Canteens. A new appeal was launched for financial aid and by December of 1939 there were three canteens working. A few months later, no less than eleven huts had been established, including three in France and there were more requests coming in.
The first Mass Hut was opened by the Harrogate Section of the now Leeds Branch of the CWL with funds raised by the sections of the Branch and was dedicated in October 1940. This was at Pennypot Army Camp, which is now the home of the Army Apprentices College, 2 miles west of the town centre. Vestments and altar cloths and linen were provided by members of all sections and parishioners and there were gifts of a chalice, tabernacle and altar candlesticks.
The Rome Club was in the grand surrounds of the old Scots College and Pope Pius XII paid many unofficial visits there. He admired the work of the staff and once asked where the League managed to find such people? The League members, now in uniform, under the auspices of CVWW (Council for Voluntary Welfare Work)
, went where the war went, with the Eight Army to North Africa, Italy, Jerusalem and were in Vienna, Athens, Iceland, Malaya, Burma and Singapore. In 1945 the League was asked to send mobile canteens and set up clubs for the services personnel in India and Burma. At the same time many clubs for troops were closing in Germany except for those run by the League.
In 1955 the name of the committee was changed to the CWL Services Club Committee. It was invited to join the official body of the CVWW and, within the Council’s charter, the CWL was permitted to organise clubs where there was a predominance of Catholic troops, in any country. In this way welfare work was undertaken for the children of the Army of Occupation, as well as providing books and games and the first Services’ Branch of the League was started by the wives of Catholic servicemen. These groups ran Repositories, cared for the altar linens, catered for First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes and gave religious instruction to the children attending the Forces’ schools. In 1968 a plaque portraying the League’s badge was presented to the Chairman of the Services Branch in recognition of the work done in BAOR (British Army of the Rhine). However, monies for the clubs became limited and work had to be reduced. In 1973 the last clubs were closed in Germany as they were no longer viable. The remaining assets of the Services Clubs were invested, and a Committee formed to dispense the income from it to those in need, such as needy ex-servicemen and their families.
Today the Services Committee works closely with the Principal Chaplains to the Forces. They rely on them as well as the members of the League to inform them if they are aware of someone, connected with the Services, in need of help. Requests are welcomed from anyone, serving, or retired, or their dependents. They do not need to be Catholic, only have a relative who served in the Forces. Some referrals are made through SSAFA, Social Services or the Royal British Legion, asking for help to purchase larger items of equipment such as a special bed or Wheelchair. Requests are also received from young people needing help with a ‘one-off’ grant towards books for course work or special equipment. All requests are confidential.
The Chairman of the Services Committee has a son-in-law who has served in Afghanistan and recently he told her that flip flops and shorts were needed for servicemen who are wounded and in hospitals there. They are not the seriously wounded but they could be waiting for repatriation to UK. Other than their boots they have no footwear, and flip flops have been found to be fine. For soldiers with leg injuries shorts are ideal (with drawstring waist). A consignment of flip flops and shorts has been sent (courtesy of NAAFI) and acknowledged with grateful thanks. She has also been to Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre to see what is needed there and a donation has been made. The committee still need help in the form of financial contributions to enable this work to continue.
Last Year the Chairman and Secretary of the Services Committee were privileged to have been invited to take part in the 50th International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes as representatives of the League. Bishop Burns, the then Bishop to the Forces, told them “It was great to have you with us, but before you come again we must ask the training corporal to improve your marching skills!”.
