Women's Voluntary Service

Following the request of the Home Office to Lady Reading she toured England and held meetings where she asked the women to join an organisation to carry out welfare work, especially with evacuees and displaced persons.

Activities
Manning a canteen for the armed forces in the Y.M.C.A. nightly, with the help of other organisations, and serving cups of tea there mid-morning for them. Billeted in the town were first Canadians, then the Royal Horse Artillery, (Nissen huts were erected in the Hall Park), later the 15/19th Huzzars. We also served R.A.F. from the maintenance unit in Harborough Road. Later, of course, were the Americans from Chelveston Air Base. American officers were billeted in Rushden Hall.

The supplies store room

Clothing
Was kept at the Old Post Office (now Midland Bank) and issued to evacuees and their families and helpers. Masses of clothing sent from Australia, Canada and U.S.A. were also sorted there.

National Savings
Street groups were formed and stamps taken round. Sold very well.

School Canteen

Members helped to serve dinners to children at the School Canteen in Portland Road. In the very early years we had a visit from Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, who was received by Mrs. Muxlow outside the Public Library.

Some of our members also belonged to the A.R.P. (Civil Defence) and gave help at First Aid Posts, as we had several bombing incidents. Some members joined the Queen's Messengers, a forerunner of the Food Flying Sguad (now disbanded).

A Van presented by the Townspeople of Rushden to the WRVS

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