World War II
As the second World War loomed, most countries in Europe already had a military service in place, unfortunately Britain did not. There had been conscription during the 1914-18 war but that had ended in 1919. In 1937, two years before the war there were around 200,000 soldiers in the British armed forces; these were men who had chosen to make the military their career. In 1938, the Defence act was passed. It was hoped by calling upon those who were already reservists, and also by requesting volunteers for military duty, there would be enough trained soldiers. Although around half a million people volunteered to join the A,R.P. (Air Raid Protection), the R.A.F. and the T.A. (Territorial Army). the country needed many more full time soldiers. In April 1939, as the need to trained soldiers became urgent, the goverment passed the military Training Act. This Act rquired that all men between 20 and 21, who had passed a medical examination should have 6 months military training. By September 1939, as war broke out, Britain still only had 875,000 men in the services. The government then passed the Armed Forces Act (The National Service Act). This Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 41 were required to be available to be "called up" at any time. Men in "reserved occupations" were exempt. Within one month, men ages between 20 and 23 were called to join the army, the air force or the navy. They were able to choose which force to join. Single men were called up by age group. As time went on, more men were called up by age group. By June 1941, men aged 40 had received their calling up papers. Some men working in areas that were crucial to the welfare of Britain were exempt from conscription. These included farm workers, merchant seamen, utility workers and scientists. In Kirby Muxloe. many men worked in the local collieries, on the railway sidings at Desford or were farmers. Some of these chose to stay in their "reservist" jobs but others decided to join the forces. In December 1941, the National Service Act was passed and women received their "calling up" papers. Initially, widows without children and single women between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up. Later, the age limit changed and women between 19 and 43 were included. Generally women were able to choose in which area they would like to work. They usually worked in industry (munitions), the Armed Forces or the Land Army. Older women often joined the W.R.V.S. (Women's Royal Voluntary Services). These ladies played a crucial role in obtaining food and clothing for refugees. They also supported the emergency services and collected raw materials required for the war effort, such as kitchen utencils and aluminium saucepans. Later the items were to include the iron railings taken from the front of private houses. The W.V.S. still exists today and is, as always, a voluntary organisation and now named the W. R.V.S.
Home Guard Tom Moore on right
Photograph: The Joe Moore Collection
Conscription of Women
In December 1941, The National Services Act was passed and women received their "calling up" papers. Initially widows withour children and single women between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up. Later, the age limit changed and women between 19 and 43 were included. Generally women were able to choose which area they would work. They usuallty worked in industry, the Armed Forces or the Land Army.
Women's Land Army
In 1939, Britian already relied heavily on imported food. The fear was that in the event of war, which by early 1939 was becoming nearer and nearer, imports would not be able to reach their destination, and so massive food shortages would occur. Although farming was a reserved occupation, many young men working on the farms made the decision to join the armed forces. Sunsequently there was a shortage of farm workers, and so the government decided to recruit women to take over the work. The "Land girls", as they became known were crucial to the war effort. The women had little training for the role and learned as they went along.
They had a variety of responsibilities including digging ditches, ploughing, rat catching and milking cows. The work was long and arduous. The land girls were easily recognisable in their green jumpers, brown dungarees or breeches, brown felt hat and khaki overcoat. Although the uniform was not compulsory, most girls wore the clothes provided rather than damage their own clothes.
The girls often cycled many miles each morning to reach their alloted farm. Some chose to live at the farms if offered accomodation there.
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Kirby Muxloe's best remembered Land girl was the late Helen Sculthorpe. Helen didn't work in the village during the war but lived here for many years afterwards. Helen was at one time the village post lady and also remembered for training dogs, especially black Labradors.
Helen gave more than one very interesting talks to our History Group, recalling the work and camaraderie of the groups of girls working on the local farms. We were fortunate to obtain copies of Helen's extensive photograph collection, all relating to her time as part of the Land Army.
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Helen Scunthorpe with her dog circa 1941
Helen Sculthorpe on her tractor
Women's Voluntary Services
The Women's Voluntary Services was formed in 1938, as the likelihood of war became more iminent. By 1939, the group had already amassed 165,000 members and by 1941, over one million. Their motto was "never say no". Their first important role was to help with the mothers and children who had been evacuated from London and the large cities. As time went on, the W.V.S. played a crucial role in obtaining clothes and food for refugees. They asisted people who had lost all their possessions due to the bombing by providing clothes, food and shelter. They supported the emergency services who worked tirelessly to rescue people in the bombed areas. Wherever there was an emergency, the W.V.S. would soon arrive on the scene with their mobile canteen, giving out much needed food and drink to the rescue services and the injured and also to people suffering from shock. This cannot have been more apparent than on the night of the 19th/20th November 1940, the night of the bombing of Kirby Muxloe, when the W.V.S. worked tirelessly throughout the night.
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The W.V.S. also collected raw materials required for the war effort, such as kitchen utensils and aluminium saucepans. They also collected iron railings, initially from public buildings but then also from private houses. Most of the original iron railings afronting the houses on Barwell Road, Church Road, Castle Road, Main Street and Station Road were removed. The railings were replaced by low brick walls. Metal was in short supply and it was urgently required for the war effort.
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The W.V.S, was a voluntary organisation, and most of the members bought their own uniform of coats and dresses in green, burgundy coloured cardigans and a felt hat. At the end off the war it was decided that the W.V.S. shoud carry on for two years. In reality it still exists today, now named the W.R.V.S.-Women's Royal Voluntary Service.
Identity Cards
Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3rd 1939. Four days later, on September 7th, the National Registration Act was passed. This act ensured that everyone, adults and children alike received and Identitiy Card. The initial cards for all ages were light brown in colour and it was not until 1943, that the childrens' cards were changed to a light blue colour. The earlier cards bore the name, date of birth and address, together with their own unique registration number. These cards also had a blank page, possibly for a change of address. In 1943, it was realised that many people changed their address once or twice during the war, due to bomb damage or becoming evacuees. The new cards had a special section for "change of address". It is said that the lack of a defined page for change of address on the earlier cards was due to the fact that it was initially thought that the war was not likely to last too long.
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The identity card had several uses:
1 To identify a child who has lost contact with their familty due to a bombig raid.
2 To identify a person injured or killed in a bombing raid.
3 To be used in conjunction with a ration book.
4 To identify men old enough to fight.
5 The identity card was shown, together with the ration book when going to buy food.
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The Identity Card to the right belonged to Frederick W Clarke of 110, Main Street, Kirby Muxloe.
​Details: Male, Height 5' 4",Eyes grey, Hair brown, date of birth 8/5/1902
A.E.Heighton standing outside his shop.
Part of the Will Walker Collection
Adult National Identity Card
Identitiy Card details
Conscientious Objectors
The term "conscientious objector" had been in existence since 1757, when Quakers had been exempted from military service due to their belief in pacifism and non-violence. Conscientious objectors faced a tribunal to determine their right to exemption and those who escaped a prison sentence were often vilified in their community, and were often subjected to attacks on their property and their person.
During WWII, there were thought to be more than 60,000 male conscientious objectors and over 1,000 women
Kirby Muxloe prepares for War
It is evident that a plan of action soon emerged in the village. By scanning the Parish Council records for the years 39-40 it is clear to see that much action was carried out in order to protect the village. Each village was required to identify a building which could, in the event of an attack, be used as a "decontamination" centre. There was also a need for a building where gas masks and respirators could be stored safely. First Aid Posts were also required. Volunteers were asked to come forward for the jobs as wardens. A total of 392 people volunteered from the Blaby area. 91, came from Kirby Muxloe. The Technical School on Main Street (now the Scout Hut), was designated as not just a decontamination area but also in the event of bombing a mortuary.
The Zion Chapel, designated "contamination centre" Will Walker