GOOD WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1943, Page 4

GOOD WORK

DONE BY COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF BRITISH SUBJECTS. EVACUATED FROM FRANCE. At the time of the collapse of France a large number of British subjects, formerly resident in Paris and other towns of France, reached Great Britain. Within a matter of days, a representative committee was formed, with Mr H. C. Welman, president of the British Chamber of Commerce in Paris, as chairman, supported by _ a number of other well-known British residents from Paris and other towns. The committee, known as the Committee For British Subjects Evacuated From France, began by instituting a register. Accommodation was very kindly granted to them at Fanum House by the Automobile Association. Through the register, newly arrived Britishers from France were able to learn news of friends. After’ this, meetings were organised, first in London, and then in diflierent parts of the country, where former residents of France could meet.

Another register, compiled later, was of British subjects still remaining in France. This has been invaluable in tracing relatives and friends, enquiries of whose whereabouts are received from all parts of the world. Many letters of gratitude reach the committee from persons to whom it has been able to give the first information of loved ones who were not able to escape from France.

The committee has many strange cases to deal with. Evacuees turn up at all hours, even in the blackout. Distress calls are received from railway stations at midnight! Recently a lady who came from Italy arrived in darkness at 9.30 p.m. Her husband lived in London, but she did not know where. At Lisbon she had been told to report to the committee on arrival. Within half an hour the lost husband was found and rejoined his wife at Fanum House.

One night very late a party of five ladies arrived. They got into touch with a member of the committee, who went to the station to meet them and see they were provided for in the way of lodgings. Next morning he called on them again and took them to the committee headquarters. Then came clothes coupons and the procuring of identity cards. Moreover, within 48 hours two of the party were fixed up with employment, and two days later positions were found for two more, and the fifth sent on her way to a relative in the provinces whose address had been traced by the committee. A young man arrived, after many adventures, in tatters, and vzas helped until he could join the army and fulfil his ambition.

The committee keep all former British residents of France in ‘touch with one another by a monthly circular, as well as organise monthly meetings. The numbers of letters received and written has reached thousand s.

Only two members of the c ommittee are paid workers.