In December 1939, Europe was at war. Few on either side of the Atlantic had any idea about what the years ahead held in store, for the beginnings of the war provided merely a glimpse of the unspeakable heardships and sorrow that are now so closely associated with World War II. It was known, however, that British soldiers and sailors were in need of moral and material support in their endeavors against the German war machine. Strong bonds of Anglo-American friendship were reinforced as men and women in the United States organized a massive relief effort in support of the British.
Bundles for Britain was organized in December 1939 "to relieve and mitigate human suffering of persons in Great britain, its dominions, territories, possessions and colonies, and of British subjects throughout the world, by frnishing medical and surgical aid, food and clothing, and financial assistance. Anglophiles in the United States asked Mrs. Winston Churchill to advise on the most pressing needs of the British people, and programs of 11,000 local chapters of Bundles for Britain evolved from her suggestions. Chapters were organized in forty-four states, in the territories of Alaska and Hawaii, in Canada, Australia and Latin America. The Auburn chapter was organized in 1940. Mrs. Carolyn H. Noble was elected as its "chairman."
The first of 234 shipments from the United States was dispatched on 1 February 1940, and included 1,000 sweaters, 1,000 helmets, 300 pair of mittens and 1,000 scarves. By the conslusion of the campaign, an estimated one million garments and 20,000 toiletry kits had been distributed on this side of the Atlantic alone to British seamen. Torpedo victims in the zores, prisoners of war in camps in the Sahara, and Polish, Dutch, Belgian, Norwegian, Czech and Slovak civilians also received assistance from Bundles for Britain.
"I should like to say a word about the deep gratitude of the people of Britain for the tremendous amount of aid which has been sent to us," said mrs. Chuirchill in a Colunmbia Broadcasting System broadcast from London on 12 Novem,ber 1942. "You know, it is hard for us to express our feelings, for we have never been in a similar position of need before. It is strange to us to be in any way dependent on another country, and I think the first reaction was one of genuine surprise that anyone should care to help us. Then our hearts were cheereed as we realized that there were thousands of people in America who were our friends, people who cared enough to help us in the only way in which they could...."
The prime minister's wife was already aware of the work of the women of Auburn. In a 2 July 1941 letter from 10 Downing Street, she conveyed a message of gratitude to the Auburn chapter of Bundles for Britain. To Mrs. Ernest Bailey of Auburn, Mrs. Churchill wrote, "I have been told that the chapter of Auburn, New York, has sent substantial sums of money to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital and to the Bristol Maternity Hospital, and as honorary sponsor for Bundles for Britain, I write to tell you how much we over here appreciate this, and all your organization's doing. We thank you for your generosity an for your thought and care for our people. Yours truly, Clementine Churchill."
The local branch of Bundles for Britain engaged in a large-scale program of knitting. Eight hundred Cayuga County women participated, and two hundred fifty remained active through the end of the war. Examples of their work were displayed in a storefront window at 76 Genesee Street, where the chapter had rented space. Calvary Presbyterian Church organized a knitting group in order to assist the effort of the Bundles for Britain chapter. Between 1 February 1944 and 1 february 1945, the Auburn chapter shipped to britain 1,126 pair of socks, 281 pair of boots, 614 v-neck sweaters, 89 turtle-neck sweaters, 252 chest protectors, 619 scarves, 81 pair of gloves, 122 pair of mittens, 56 knitted afghans, 1,075 articles of used clothing, and hundreds of other items. By the end of the effort, 45,823 articles of clothing had been dispatched from Auburn. Bundles for Britain conducted a clothing drived in Auburn during the spring of 1944. A local newspaper article reminded readers of the need for used clothing in Britain: "If your air raid warden has not already warned you to clean out the attic, he will soon. To the normal urge toward spring housecleaning is added the imperative need to do a good job for the national defense."
In each article of clothing sent abroad from Auburn was a small blue and white label: "From your American friends. Bundles for Britain. Auburn, New York." The chapter also conducted bake sales and blood drives throughout the war years. A sale of plum puddings was held on 10 December 1940 to raise funds to support the chapter's activities. The puddings had been donated by British women resident in Auburn and Cayuga County. The chapter also sponsored a Red Cross blood drive on 24 May 1943. Mrs. Noble promoted the drive as an opportunity for the city's British-born residents to donate blood, for the day commemorated the anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria.
At the final meeting of Auburn's Bundles for Britain chapter, held at the Clapp residence at 129 South Street, commemorative pins were given to the 252 women who had volunteered over one hundred fifty hours in a one year period. "When you wear this emblem of victory over the powers of destruction and death," advised the accompanying citation, "feel enriched in the spirit with the memory of the thousands of britons whom, not having seen, you have served..." Mrs. Noble then presented a short history of the chapter, and reminded those in attendance that the idea of the new Auburn Service Club had originated with their efforts. The last official act of the organization was to express by resolution the members' appreciation for Mrs. Noble's leadership. The minutes of the meeting reflect that "a delightful tea followed, and all were happy and proud to have been a part of a most worthwhile project."
After the war, six Auburn women were recognized for their leadership in Bundles for Britain. The Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom had been instituted by King George for presentation to citizens of foreign countries who had rendered valuable service to Britain during the war. The British ambassador himself presented the awards to Mrs. Noble, Mrs. Lester E. Brew, Mrs. R.H. Bertram Hole, Mrs. Jack MacGregor, Mrs. Leslie M. Short, and Mrs. Olive Wright.
World War II required Americans to assume new roles and new responsibilities. Women were called upon to participate in the "war on the home front" and this opportunity to demonstrate leadership abilities would serve them well after the war. The involvement of so many Auburnians in the Bundles for Britain effort suggests that many local women were eager for the challenges of full participation in the economic, political and social life of the community and of the nation as a whole.
