On August 7th, 1914, the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund to alleviate poverty and distress caused by the war was launched in a letter in The Times. It produced an instant response.

In Luton, a meeting was held on August 12th at which a local committee was formed to work in conjunction with the fund. The Mayor, Councillor W. J. Primett, who presided, said the representative gathering meant they were prepared to stand shoulder to should and do all in their power to reduce any suffering and distress caused in the crisis.

Early contributors to the fund locally were Lady Wernher (£200), Mrs Francis Crawley and Mr J. W. Green (£100 each), Mrs Sworder, Messrs Oakley Bros and Dr J. W. Bone (£25 each). Other donations ranged from 10 guineas down to two shillings.

The Luton News began to print lists of donors, including this one on September 3rd, for example. As Chairman and Treasurer of the Luton Branch, Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund, the Mayor gratefully acknowledged the receipt of the following donations during the week ended 29th August, 1914:

 

 

 

 

                                                                                      £   s  d

 

 

 

Amount previously acknowledged                     779  2  6

Prudential Assurance Co, Luton                          50  0  0

Messrs T. Lye and Sons                                        21  0  0

Women's Adult School                                               15  0

Messrs E. Ward and Co Ltd                                    2  2  0

Waller Street Wesleyan Church                           12  4  3

Dr D. Ferrier                                                                5  0  0

Mr R. S. Tomson                                                      25  0  0

Dr R. D. Bell                                                              10  0  0

Misses Pryce                                                            10  0  0

Palace Theatre (special performance)               25  0  8

St Saviour's Church                                                15  3  5

Union Chapel P. S. A.                                               1  4  4

Mr Arthur Cole                                                            1  0  0

Mr Arthur Bird                                                          10 10  0

Bury Park Congregational Church                        4 10  0

Luton Co-operative Society                                   20  0  0

Mr B. T. Crew                                                              5  5  0

Christ Church                                                          31  3  8

Mr W. R. Phillips                                                    10 10  0

Mr W. Phillips                                                            5  5  0

Mr P. C. Phillips                                                        3  3  0

Employees of Co-operative Wholesale

Societies (second donation)                                1  0  8

Friends' Meeting House                                       8 16  8

Mr and Mrs A. J. Chalkley                                       5  0  0

British Calibrated Fuse Co and employees     3 10  2

Mr Harold F. Smith                                                  1  1  0

Mr and Mrs H. Grundy                                            5  0  0

Mr J. Holdstock                                                         10  0

Roman Catholic Church                                     11  0  0

Per London County and Westminster Bank -

   Messrs W. H. Eustace and Co                     10 10  0

   Mr A. J. Dunmill                                                   2  2  0

   Miss M. A. Tomson                                          25  0  0

   Mr A. Cohen                                                        1  0  0

Per Capital and Counties Bank -

   Mr David Cain                                                      10  0

   Mr A. Neve                                                          5  5  0

   Mr C. P. Wood                                                    1  1  0

The Town Clerk (second donation)                 1  1  0

Per Messrs Barclay and Co Ltd -

   Mr R. T. Cooke                                              10 10  0

   Mr R. H. Franklin                                              5  5  0

  Mr H. E. Tomson                                            25  0  0

Barton Church                                                15 15  0

Grand Total.............................................£1,187 7s 4d

 

The total of the fund up to this (Thursday) morning was £1,407 0s 1d. Donations since last Saturday include: Messrs Chas Clay and Sons Ltd £105, Mr William Austin £20, Union Chapel £7 4s 2d, B. Laporte Ltd £21, H. Durler and Son £25. The concert given by the Red Cross Band at Wardown last Sunday realised £7.