Horsham women’s wartime help

Have you ever noticed a slightly weathered plaque on the wall of the dental surgery next to the Museum?

Many will have walked down the Causeway without seeing it, let alone reading the words.

In fact, it recognises the amazing work of dozens of Horsham women during the Great War, who supplied thousands of items for field hospitals run by the Armed Services around the world!

The depot idea grew out of Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild, which had provided charitable help.

By 1915 it was clear that the First World War was unlikely to be over quickly and that many servicemen would be injured in the conflict.

So the Guild moved its focus to creating War Supply Depots around the country. They would provide healthcare, such as bandages and dressings, as well as being a dropping-off point for clothes and food for the Front.

Horsham’s War Supply Depot was created that summer and a committee of women was formed. They just needed a base now!

To the rescue came a local councillor, Mr Charles Rowland, who agreed to the Depot being at his house, 8 The Causeway, rent-free. The committee also asked if they could have a special rate for being charged electricity (that ended up being free as well).

Women were invited to join in, working 10am-1pm and 2-5pm each day apart from Saturdays.

The townsfolk were generous in helping, donating various useful items, such as sewing machines, furniture and, very importantly, a kettle!

Many women helped out, producing thousands of items and such was their success the Depot held an exhibition in the town hall to proudly show off some of the work.

Various fundraisers were organised, such as fetes, bazaars and concerts by the town’s silver band, and the Depot received letters from the Front, thanking them for their contributions.

The amazing work continued until the war ended and the Depot had a formal closing in front of the building on December 20, 1918. At that meeting, in front of a big crowd, speeches were made to congratulate all involved.

It was during one speech that the announcement was made that a plaque was to be made and fixed to the side of the house as a permanent reminder of the work done there.

The surplus money that the Depot still held was handed over to help with plans to enlarge Horsham Cottage Hospital.

The Horsham War Supply Depot did return during the Second World War, with pyjamas and bandages sent as far afield as Finland and Poland.