The War Funds Comfort Association
What did the London Passenger Transport Board do to look after its staff who were involved in the war effort? How the organisation came to be a truly supportive entity
London Transport employees knitting clothes for the armed forces (1940-01-19) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum
In September 1939, Britain and the allies were at war with Germany. Almost immediately, the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) set up the War Funds Comfort Association to help its staff and their families until peace returned
Cover of the Pennyfare Staff Magazine, Number 3 in the War Series (1939-12-01) by London Passenger Transport BoardTfL Corporate Archives
"This is Your Chance to Help Our Defenders"
LPTB staff magazine Pennyfare announcing the launch of Warco in 1939
Dubbed ‘Warco’ by staff, its mission was to provide financial support to the dependants of enlisted men as well as to households devastated by air raids at home
"What will be done?"
Extract of article highlighting Warco's key objectives
President of Warco
Lady Ashfield, wife of LPTB Chairman Lord Albert Stanley Ashfield, was appointed President of the London Transport War Comforts Fund Association (Warco). A management committee was also created led by Mr John Cliff who was Deputy Chairman of LTPB during the war
List of donations to the War Comforts Fund (1940-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Staff enrolled into the scheme voluntarily
They paid a subscription of 1d (pence) a week, automatically deducted from their wage or salary. The fund was also supplemented by donations
By January 1940, LTPB Board members and the London Transport Benevolent Fund had donated £1750 each, nearly £81,000 in today's money
Article describing the increasing staff subscribership to Warco (1940-08)TfL Corporate Archives
By August 1940, the fund had 54,633 contributors out of an 86,500 strong work force, with the Country Buses & Coaches section having 95% of their staff registered
Increasing subscribership to Warco
Monthly announcements were made in the staff magazine revealing how many employees had subscribed to the Warco scheme and which section had the most members of staff signed up
November 1940 saw the cost of subscriptions increase from 1d to 6d for staff who could afford it. This incurred as Warco had to find thousands of pounds for the temporary relief of staff who lost their homes due to air raids and, in some cases, suffered bereavement
Funds raised were used to provide financial support to the families of men on war service and housing air raid victims, as well as to buy medical aid supplies, wool to make knitted garments for staff, and cigarettes to send to prisoners of war.
London Transport employees knitting clothes for the armed forces (1940-01-19) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum
"Knit for Warco!"
Warco was renowned for its “army of war knitters” - volunteers recruited from staff and the wives and relatives of LTPB men in war service
The Wool Knitters Roll of Warco was reportedly growing by 50 knitters each day, with more than 12,000 people contributing comfort items. LTPB employees knitted garments whenever and wherever they could
Update on the Warco knitting efforts (1942-12)TfL Corporate Archives
Where there's a "wool" there's a way!
Within its first year, 111,000 knitted comforts were sent to all enlisted men serving at home and overseas and within 3 years 183,239 woollen items had been sent to troops. This amounted to 23 tonnes of wool!
214,800 knitting needles had also been sent out to volunteers by October 1942
Article describing how a man joined the team of Warco knitters (1941-08)TfL Corporate Archives
Knitting seen as a worthy cause
It wasn't just women who made up the army of knitters. A "well known" male employee signed up to knit during his time recuperating in hospital, claiming it helped aid his recovery
By William VandivertLIFE Photo Collection
Warco and the Benevolent Fund in alliance came to the aid of staff and their families who suffered due to air raids, especially where death took the bread-winner, and gave money to get food, clothes, lodging and other immediate wants
Article describing Support Warco has Provided to Victims of Air Raid Destruction (1940-10-01)TfL Corporate Archives
By October 1940, £7,500 had been distributed from Warco and the Benevolent Fund
Come November 1940 this had risen to £13,500 (£625,000 in today’s money) being distributed from Warco alone. And by 22 January 1941, 4,145 grants had been made to sufferers from damage to property or from personal injury by air raid
How Warco helped those who lost everything
"They had to sleep under a railway arch until they went to Warco"
Warco not only provided financial support to victims, but also offered advice resulting in a "fresh start" for staff and their families
Orphaned children of a Clapham Depot tram conductor who died in an air raid went to Warco for help
A Croydon Garage bus conductor and his family escaped with their lives following an air attack. They received money and knitted comforts from Warco to help aid their recovery
The scheme was doing a phenomenal job and yet ,despite having given more than £40,000 (£1.4 million equivalent) in grants by February 1944, an article in the staff magazine made it clear that there was regret at having to refuse aid to some because they didn't subscribe
2lb Christmas pudding label 4'6, issued by London Transport Catering (circa 1970) by London Transport ExecutiveLondon Transport Museum
Christmas pudding and a pair of socks...
In 1939, a Christmas pudding and a pair of knitted socks were sent out to men on war service both on the home front and in the armed forces. Every comrade serving overseas also received an extra 100 cigarettes
7,000 Christmas puddings were sent to enlisted troops along with 7,000 knitted comforts to LPTB's own Anti-Aircraft batteries and 1,240 men in other regiments. 1,024 knitted articles were also presented to the children of serving LPTB men
This was made by possible not only by the volunteers giving up their leisure time to knit as many socks as they could, but also to 5 LPTB staff sports and social clubs donating £1225 of their money to the cause
As the war ended, LPTB’s Management Committee came to the decision to cease collecting subscriptions from July 1945. The fund’s remaining balance of £210,000 would be used to support the families of staff killed in active service or during air raids.
The scheme had been an overwhelming success. As of July 1945, a total of £88,974 had been allocated to 14,000 cases relating to air raid damages and 2,600 claims made caused by some kind of distress.
In addition to this, the fund had spent £20,000 on 211,500 woollen comforts and £5,500 on cigarettes sent to staff held captive in prisoner of war camps.
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
This story has been enhanced using some images from the London Transport Museum and LIFE Photo Collection. All enquiries regarding these images should be made directly to those institutions.
