A Comforting Conclusion

The Aberystwyth WWII Blog nears its end on a note of comfort by focusing on the incredible efforts of the Ceredigion Federation of Women’s Institutes in knitting for the troops. Unfortunately, research has revealed no photographs of Aberystwyth branches of the WI knitting. Perhaps no one in the WI had film with which to record their efforts; perhaps their industry did not allow them to stop for long enough to take a photo. The images are thanks to Geoff Charles’ photographic tour and cover mid-Wales. We can be assured that such scenes were replicated across Aberystwyth and its area. 

 

Newtown Women's Institute knitting comforts for the troops.
Geoff Charles, Nov 25, 1939. By kind permission of LLGC

Penllwyn branch of the WI recorded in its minutes that: ‘most of the winter had been spent knitting for the forces’. The motto seems to have been: ‘keep calm and carry on knitting’.  The comfort is likely to have provided a reciprocal benefit. The rhythmical click of the needles, and the concentration required, distracted the minds of those knitting from the horrors they knew their loved ones were suffering, and brought its own perspective. Knitting as a group spread a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Far from a hobby, it took on the spirit of a patriotic duty. The Royal Family, pictured knitting, showed the way. This was beyond ‘make do and mend’. The therapeutic value of doing something useful was recognised and later applied to teaching injured soldiers to knit after the war.

 

Women of Llandinam and Llanidloes involved in packing comforts for the troops.

 

The scale of the enterprise was stunning. In 1940, at a time of severe rationing, scrimping, and saving, Llanfarian branch knitted 100 comforters but recorded that they had been too busy to meet. And this was no short-term operation; the knitting needles clicked along for years. Rhydypennau branch completed 210 comforts and garments for the forces in 1942. 

Britain's Censorship Office banned people from posting knitting patterns abroad at one stage in the war. To our ears that might sound extreme. They were worried that the patterns might contain coded messages; the Belgium resistance had done just that. But of course, the comforts had to be distributed. We can see the collaborative effort this required in a village hall, with brown paper and parcel string, making the parcels as neat and easily transportable as possible. Many knitters wrote little notes to stuff into the socks and hats, to encourage those in active service.

Packing Comforts for the Troops, Welshpool Corn Exchange. Dec 14, 1940. Geoff Charles. By kind permission of LLGC.

The notion of knitting a comfort comes from the ‘cap comforter’ a type of woollen military headgear, which originated in the British Army. It was a tube of knitting, like a short scarf, which was fitted over the head and styled as a hat. It could easily be pulled down around the neck to stop the chill. Made of itchy wool they may have been but they added warmth for sure. Just think of how it would be to be flying in an open cockpit with none of the current wind-resistant and insulating hi-spec clothing.

 

Heirloom Patterns, Etsy, £3.22 Free on archive.org

The major yarn suppliers came into their own, producing purpose specific patterns, which helped to promote their wares. Here are a few images of the kinds of patterns that were available, shared around the villages and during communal knitting at the village hall. Very ‘fetching’ I’m sure! To the current, fashion-conscious eye, they may look bizarre and far from comforting. 

 

Image on the left if from HomefrontMuseum.wordpress.com, and on the right from fab40s.co.uk

 

Fancy knitting some of these yourself? Patterns are available now to get those needles clicking!

Image on the left is from archivesandoldlace.wordpress, on the right from elinorflorence.com

 

It wasn’t all about accessing new yarn. At the time, most jumpers were hand knits and readily unpicked. Redundant items were unravelled into a ball and used to knit something else. At the time this was commonplace, and everyone was expected to be able to knit. And knit they certainly did!

Here’s hoping that someone out there will be able to add some images of Aberystwyth WI branches producing their comforts. Failing that, please take up those knitting needles and give yourself some comforting therapy.

Blog by Alison Elliott