Women's work on the home front: The Mount Albert Red Cross during the Second World War

Since there were many men who went overseas to fight during WW2, every segment of society was encouraged to assist with the war effort. As a result, the Red Cross swung into action and partnered with many Women’s Institute branches to create Red Cross “work rooms”. These community rooms were created due to the urgent need for fresh clothing for both the troops overseas and for people fleeing from active combat zones as refugees.

Thus, the Red Cross of Mount Albert (which was a unit of the township society) was organized in the fall of 1939. Mrs. W.L. Carruthers was elected the President of this branch and remained as president for the duration of the war. It was subsequently disbanded in May 1946.There was a community Work Room that was organized for sewing activities, and where wool for knitting activities would be offered free of charge for committee members to use. This community room was first located in the Board Room of the Mount Albert Telephone Company; then it was moved to the room over William Steeper’s store; and finally, it was in the basement of the Mount Albert United Church.The members of this community even went out to the public and Continuation schools in the surrounding area and taught knitting to the girls in these schools; the Women’s Institute Tweedsmuir history reports that “the girls did the bulk of the baby knitting which our Branch turned in”.Many of the articles that were knitted and sewn were sent to the East Gwillimbury Township Centre, to be shipped to the Red Cross headquarters in Toronto.In total, the Mount Albert contingent of the Red Cross sent 2,250 knitted goods, and 1,848 sewn articles. Some of the many items made over this period that were sent to the Red Cross include:

• 93 helmets

• 21 long seamen’s scarves

• 515 pairs of socks

• 105 sleeveless sweaters

• 279 turtleneck long sleeve sweaters

• 198 pairs of gloves

• 111 baby bonnets

• 124 pairs of baby boots

• 223 baby gowns

• 146 diapers

• 17 boys’ blouses

• 33 girls’ coats.

As you can see, they are not just making clothes for the men fighting overseas, but also for other people affected by the horrors of war.

Figure 1: World War II poster encouraging people to give to the Canadian Red Cross. Retrieved from Library and Archives Canada, Item ID 3825164.

Do you have any memories of friends or relatives contributing to this kind of charitable work?

By: Sarah Harrison