Woodworkers at War

No, it's not the pins first/tails first war. Nor is it the hand/power tools war.

It's the First and Second World Wars.

As someone who has an interest in our craft as well as it's history, I thought I'd start a thread on how these wars affected woodworkers at the time. I thought it a good time to start the thread with the upcoming centenary of WWI.

Please let me know if I should bother – I'm aware I might be alone in my interest. Please also let me know if this post should be in another forum (perhaps Woodies Yarns?)

The plan is to post articles, stories and photos relating to woodworking through the wars. All contributions welcome.

As a start, here's an article from the Trove website (copied, if I may say so, through the use of my super excellent Firefox plugin called “cite-trove” - the work of a genius, if I may say so myself :B).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78189359
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954)
Thursday 13 June 1940, page 1
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WOODWORKERS ORGANISE "WIN-THE-WAR" GROUP

On Tuesday evening a meeting was held in Carr's Cafe for all those interested in woodwork, with a view of finding out whether the combined efforts of carpenters, cabinet makers, etc. could in any way assist the war fund.

It was decided to inaugurate the project under the name of “The Mount Gambier Woodworkers' Win-the-War Effort.” A plan was then proposed and discussed whereby members (some of whom are skilled tradesmen) would commence as soon as possible in the making of toys, the profits of which would be added to the Mount Gambier War Fund.

The work of the members will not be confined to toy making, etc. Most people have noticed the Red Cross depot which is being erected in Commercial street next to the National Bank, the construction of which is almost completed by members; also alterations to shelves, partitions, etc. in the premises of the District Aid.

Any donations of paint, carpentering tools, nails, timber, woodwork benches, etc. will be gratefully received.

Officers elected were as follows:— President, Mr. M. Hein; vice-president, Mr. Mel Walters; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Don B. Simon; assistant secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. Warner. The club wish to thank Mr. F. Carr for the use of his room.
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Cheers,
Chris.

Here's another taster from Trove, reporting on the need for woodworkers and metalworkers here, rather than in the motherland.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80415880
The Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1874 - 1954)
Tuesday 3 September 1918, page 3
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AUSTRALIAN MUNITION WORKERS IN ENGLAND.

Owing to the commencement of shipbuilding and aeroplane construction in Australia, no further skilled wood-workers or metal-workers are being sent to England. Laborers also, are no longer being sent, so that the only workmen now asked for are bricklayers and stone-quarrymen. As was intimated by the British Minister for Munitions lately in the House of Commons, the 5000 Australian workers sent to England have proved highly satisfactory and done splendid work in providing for increased output of munitions.
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Cheers,
Chris.

Interesting; keep 'em coming!

Thanks, I'm encouraged by the responses so far.

Let's not forget the German woodworkers and metalworkers, they're starving and want peace (and bread):

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122217106

Northern Times (Newcastle, NSW : 1857 - 1918)
Thursday 19 April 1917, page 1
[Quote]
Great Strikes in Germany.

(Reuter's Cable.)
LONDON, Wednesday.— The grave industrial discontent in Germany culminated in a great strike of metal and wood-workers and transportation employees breaking out last week-end in Berlin. This is the first serious labour trouble since the munition worker's strike after the conviction of Herr Liebknecht.
Well over 100,000 workers came out, this being due apparently to the reduction of the bread ration. No disturbances have so far broken out. The men either did not appear at work at all, or left after breakfast. Some munition workers struck.
German newspapers gloss over the trouble, declaring that work in some large munition factories was carried on by almost all the hands. There have been street gatherings and street processions. Pacificist leaflets have been distributed. A strikers' procession in Greater Berlin endeavoured to penetrate part of the city, but found access barred by the police, though some bodies succeeded in entering the interior of the city.
Trade union leaders are doing their utmost to pacify the men. In their harangues they describe the negotiations with the Government on the food question. The result of their efforts is that the movement has been kept within bounds in Berlin, but it is probably more serious in other labour centres, such as Chemnitz, from which no reports have yet been received. A significant telegram was allowed to leave Germany this evening, stating that in a great majority of the works which were idle yesterday work was resumed today.
A German wireless message tonight airily remarks: 'Only 125,000 employees struck.'
The situation is not made easier by a statement issued by the German Agricultural Society that the severe winter and protracted frosts have considerably damaged the winter wheat. Farmers are urged to sow all the summer wheat possible, especially as barley is very scarce.

(Reuter's Cable.)
AMSTERDAM. Wednesday.— 'Vorwaerts' declares that the Berlin strikers who resumed work want more bread and political reforms, and especially peace. 'Vorwaerts' urges the Government to act accordingly.
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And speaking of food, let's not display any in shop windows please - that just causes bloodshed:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64531750
The North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times (Tas. : 1899 - 1919)
Monday 23 July 1917, page 3
[Quote]
WAR NEWS IN BRIEF.

The first contingent of engineers and woodworkers has arrived from Australia, and has been distributed among the Government workshops.
The 'Saturday Review,' commenting upon suggestions for the disposal of the captured German colonies, considers that it will be a matter for the Peace Conference to decide, and says:— "The Colonial Government will have a good deal to say regarding their disposal. It is impossible that Australians will agree to Germany remaining in the Pacific.”
A Pekin message states that Dr. Sun Yat Sen's followers are bitterly opposing Tuan Chi Jui's Cabinet, probably owing to German financial intrigue, but Tuan Chi Jui is determined to carry out his previous programme, including a declaration of war upon Germany.
A message from Calgary (Alberta) states that it is believed that an inexhaustible supply of manganese dioxide, which is valuable for iron toughening, has been discovered in Alberta. Arrangements are pending to secure it for the Allies, and so offset the German supplies secured by the capture of Lens.
It is reported from Amsterdam that the Dresden and Berlin Chambers of Commerce have appealed to the shopkeepers not to exhibit foodstuffs in their shop windows, because displays of food cause riots and bloodshed.
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Prices and supplies will, of course, come under a lot of pressure as the war progresses, but early in WWI timber merchants make a noble gesture:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15530072
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)
Saturday 15 August 1914, page 14
[Quote]
EFFECT ON INDUSTRY
BUILDING TRADE.
MERCHANTS' PATRIOTIC ACTION
A meeting of the Sydney and suburban timber merchants was held yesterday at Culwulla-chambers, when it was decided to adhere to the present prices, as far as timber and all manufactured woodwork are concerned, notwithstanding the heavy war risk premiums that have to be paid at present on the various consignments on the water. Some of the consignments on which war risks have been paid have already come to hand.

So far the timber trade has not felt any ill effect caused by the war, and the general opinion, after considerable discussion, was that, if all suppliers of building material were to do likewise as regards prices, building operations would be continued in a normal manner.
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It's early in WWI, September 1914, and “The Woodworker and Art Craftsman” (later to become just “The Woodworker”), a UK magazine, is already forecasting limited supplies of timber. Luckily, they have just the publication to inform you about where the timber comes from – invaluable, and only 7d each.

Attachment 315785

They also want to make sure that you renew your subscription, lest the paper shortage denies you the pleasure of your monthly read. Paper, of course, is considered a valuable munition and later editions will remind you to recycle every scrap.

Attachment 315786

From what we know now in this age. It becomes confusing why we would import hardwood furniture?

Joseph Pilates a German in an internment camp in the first world war rigged up bed springs to a timber frame to teach other bedridden patients resistance exercises. Very cool.

One piece of WW1 woodwork history I would like to see is the who, what and how of the timber school rooms crafted in Australia and shipped to Villers-Bretonneux at the end of WW1. My understanding is that many Australians were there at the end of the war and, while waiting for transport home (and the passing of the Spanish flu!), one/some of them wrote home about the plight of the local kids who had been left with nothing. The kit form class rooms were quickly made, shipped to France in the returning empty troop ships and erected by the diggers. The classrooms are still there, still in use and the inscription above the doors 'never forget Australia' is taken seriously! Villers-Bretonneux still celebrates Anzac Day!
fletty

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Originally Posted by fletty

One piece of WW1 woodwork history I would like to see is the who, what and how of the timber school rooms crafted in Australia and shipped to Villers-Bretonneux at the end of WW1. My understanding is that many Australians were there at the end of the war and, while waiting for transport home (and the passing of the Spanish flu!), one/some of them wrote home about the plight of the local kids who had been left with nothing. The kit form class rooms were quickly made, shipped to France in the returning empty troop ships and erected by the diggers. The classrooms are still there, still in use and the inscription above the doors 'never forget Australia' is taken seriously! Villers-Bretonneux still celebrates Anzac Day!
fletty

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I've only made a brief search, but here's a link to a picture, in 1938, of the school in Villers-Bretonneux built by Victorians to remember soldiers that died there.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/25467744

By September 1921 more than 12,000 has been raised:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66551093
Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954)
Friday 16 September 1921, page 3
[Quote]
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
MELBOURNE RAISES £12,000.
MELBOURNE, Thursday.—As a result of Mascot Day and several other appeals the committee of the Villers-Bretonneux Fund announces that the sum of £12,000 is in hand, and another £3000 is in sight, while £2500 has been granted by the Education Department from the State School Children's War Relief Fund.
This money is to be used in ways expressly laid down by the Education Department.
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Cheers,
Chris.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1838180
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)
Wednesday 9 August 1922, page 14
[Quote]
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX FUND.
Memorial School to be Built.
The final meeting of the Victorian Villers-Bretonneux Fund was held at the Town Hall yesterday. The Lord Mayor (Councillor Swanson) presided. The object of the appeal launched in June, 1921, was to raise £20,000 for the relief of the inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux. The amount collected was £22,720/18/8, which included £10,000 from the patriotic funds of the Education department. The full sum will be remitted to a committee including Dr. Venderville, the mayor of Villers-Bretonneux, the prefect of the Somme, and two representatives of Victoria, Mesdames Caubet and D'Orgevai. With the £10,000 from the Education department funds, a school will be built at Villers-Bretonneux. It will be dedicated to Australian soldiers killed in the vicinity. The schools will be designed by a Victorian architect, and finished inside with Australian woods. The chairman of the fund is Lieut. Colonel C.V. Watson. The Lord Mayor is the honorary treasurer.
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Cheers,
Chris.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2170884
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)
Friday 4 December 1925, page 9
[Quote]
VILLERS - BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL SCHOOL.
Competition for the design of a war memorial for Villers-Bretonneux is now open; the sum of £100,000 will be spent on the memorial. Already there are Australian memorials at Villers-Bretonneux, and above is reproduced a carved panel which will be used in finishing the memorial school for boys which has already been built. The carving was executed by the art master of the Daylesford Technical School (Mr. J. E. Grant). The panels will serve as pediments to pilasters which will be built into the walls of the school; each panel represents a species of Australian fauna or flora.
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140725219
The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946)
Saturday 12 December 1925, page 48
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WOOD CARVINGS FOR VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL SCHOOL.
Examples of carvings executed at Victorian technical schools for the memorial school erected in France by the Victorian Education Department. Mr. J. E. Grant, of Daylesford, executed 13 of these carvings.
(W. A. Donald photo.)
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