Second World War
VE DAY AND
DEMOBILISATION
VE Day and demobilisation
Preparation for the end of war
In the autumn of 1944, the Joint War Organisation of the British Red Cross and Order of
St John realised that it could not go out of existence after the war without making proper
provision for continuing its responsibilities to the disabled men and women discharged from
the Services. Steps were also taken to dissolve the Overseas Commissions and departmental
organisation, and dispose of surplus stores.
In October 1944, by amendment to existing agreements between the two organisations the
Joint Committee of the Order of St John and the British Red Cross Society was constituted.
The joint body set up to meet the needs of disabled ex-Service men and women after the
First World War was still occupied a generation later. As a consequence of this experience,
the necessary funds were set up out of the balance at the dissolution of the War Organisation,
to meet the needs of the disabled ex-Service men and women of the Second World War.
At the end of May 1945 the Red Cross and St John Fund reached the total of £50,000,000.
The balance was thought enough to meet all the remaining obligations of the War
Organisation, so the Duke of Gloucester, authorised the closure of his Appeal, which took
effect on 30 June 1945.
After VE Day
The end of the War in Europe on the 8th May 1945 brought to a close some of the activities
of the Joint War Organisation, such as food parcels and other services for British prisoners
of war. It also caused the volume of other services to be gradually reduced, though not
completely stopped. In Germany and elsewhere, there were members of the British armed
forces who remained in hospital, and for whom ‘comforts’ and other services were still required.
The services of British Red Cross ambulances and welfare officers were needed overseas.
At home auxiliary hospitals, convalescent homes, and ambulance services were still required for
the wounded and sick who did not recover their health as soon as the fighting ended.
In fact VE Day prompted some new services into activity, such as the repatriation of prisoners
of war, and civilian relief services in Europe and welfare services for the disabled Service men
and women discharged from the Forces or remaining under treatment.
Provision for disabled ex-Service men and women comprised:
>>the After-Care Scheme, which was an extension of the Hospital Welfare Service
>>the Emergency Help Scheme, designed to meet the urgent individual needs of disabled men
and women
>>the Hospitals and Medical Services Department responsible for the administration of
permanent institutions for ex-Service men and women
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>>Temporary convalescent homes and auxiliary hospitals.
Demobilisation:
>>the Hospital Library Service was transferred to the Joint Committee on 30th November 1945
>>at the request of the Ministry of Health, ten convalescent homes remained open
>>on 1st July 1946 the Joint Committee set up a Hospitals and Medical Services Department,
into which the Trained Nurses Department was merged
>>the After-Care and Occupational services of the Welfare Department were established
>>the County Branches of the Red Cross and the Order of St John assumed their normal
peace-time activities
>>the Home Ambulance Service was presented with 491vehicles and 225 vehicles were made
available to hospitals and the local units of the two organisations.
The thanks of the Armed Forces
At the end of the War in Europe the official appreciation in the form of a letter from the Army
Council, the Board of Admiralty, and the Air Council was received by the War Organisation for
its services to members of the Armed Forces which read:
“On the successful conclusion of the War in Europe, the Army Council,
with whom the Board of Admiralty and the Air Council have desired to be
associated, convey to you their deep appreciation of the services which
have been rendered by the War Organisation in so many and varied ways to
members of the three fighting Services.
The courage and energy you have shown have surmounted the increasing
difficulties in the way of conveying relief supplies to prisoners of war in the
west; the care and attention given in so many and varied ways to the sick
and wounded in many theatres have helped materially to restore the health of
those disabled in the fight: and your continuing attempts to bring news to the
relatives of those missing during operations have done much to sustain the
morale of next-of-kin of the members of the fighting Services.”
A complimentary letter from the Minister of Health read:
“The County Committees and the Commandants and staffs of the auxiliary
hospitals have laboured long and faithfully. Individual members have given
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splendid service in rest centres, public air raid shelters, sick bays and hostels,
and in finding billets for the sick and helpless. The Government is most
grateful to them all.”
Sources:
>>The Red Cross and St John War Organisation 1939-1947, compiled by P.G.Cambray
& G.B.Briggs, London 1949
>>The Sixth Annual Report of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St John,
1944-1945
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