{"id":54109,"date":"2023-04-26T11:46:51","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T11:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/?p=54109"},"modified":"2023-05-01T20:06:35","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T20:06:35","slug":"the-city-of-hull-great-war-trust-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/?p=54109","title":{"rendered":"The City of Hull Great War Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<article id=\"post-342\" class=\"post-342 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-statistics\">\n<div class=\"inside-article\">\n<header class=\"entry-header\">\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\">The City of Hull Great War Trust<\/h1>\n<div class=\"entry-meta\"><span class=\"posted-on\"><a title=\"3:31 pm\" href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/10-surprising-laws-passed-in-the-first-world-war\/\" rel=\"bookmark\"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2017-10-09T15:31:30+00:00\">09\/10\/2017<\/time><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"byline\"><span class=\"author vcard\">by\u00a0<a class=\"url fn n\" title=\"View all posts by Webmaster\" href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/author\/webmaster\/\" rel=\"author\"><span class=\"author-name\">Webmaster<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<header class=\"entry-header\">After the Great War, a national debate was ignited concerning, how disabled servicemen from the Great War would support themselves and their families, if they could not return to their former trade because of their disabilities. Hull had lost over 7,000 men in the war with another 14,000 wounded and the Hull Daily Mail had long reported many cases of financial hardship, where discharged soldiers and their families, were receiving little or no support.\u00a0<\/header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_47473\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47473\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47473\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hull therefore established its own charity called the\u00a0<strong>Hull Great War Trust,<\/strong>\u00a0to offer practical assistance to disabled Hull servicemen and their families.\u00a0 The Trust was founded to :-<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47473\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47473\" style=\"width: 239px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-47473\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Pte-Joseph-Mattison-4th-EYR.-of-Sykes-Street-Hull.-HDM-19.10.1915.-156x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"249\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Pte-Joseph-Mattison-4th-EYR.-of-Sykes-Street-Hull.-HDM-19.10.1915.-156x300.png 156w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Pte-Joseph-Mattison-4th-EYR.-of-Sykes-Street-Hull.-HDM-19.10.1915.-94x180.png 94w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Pte-Joseph-Mattison-4th-EYR.-of-Sykes-Street-Hull.-HDM-19.10.1915..png 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 249px) 100vw, 249px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47473\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pte, Joseph Mattinson, 3315, 1\/4th EYR, of Sykes Street, Hull. Posted to France, on 17\/4\/1915. He lost his left and was discharged on 14\/06\/1916. HDM 19.10.1915.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Alleviate distress amongst Hull men caused by their war service<\/li>\n<li>Secure lasting care for the totally disabled<\/li>\n<li>Aid the partially disabled<\/li>\n<li>Maintain and educate war orphans<\/li>\n<li>Assist war widows and dependents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>Hull Great War Trust<\/strong>\u00a0was initiated by the Hull shipping brothers, Frank Orlando Hellyer and Owen Stooks Hellyer. They wrote to the Lord Mayor of Hull in February 1918, with a donation of \u00a330,000, seeking to help those who returned from the war.<\/p>\n<p>The Great War Trust was established immediately after the Armistice in 1918. Based at the Guildhall, it was registered under the 1916 War Charities Act and appealed for \u00a3500,000 from voluntary subscriptions. By December,1918, it had raised \u00a390,000, from all sections of the community, with most of the donations coming from well known fishing families at St Andrews Dock.<\/p>\n<p>In June 1919, a full time General Secretary was appointed amidst much controversy. To start with, the post was incorrectly advertised, and within three days of the advert, Mr Arthur Proctor (1879-1965), from the Town Clerks Department, had been appointed on an annual salary of \u00a3400. The appointment and salary was criticised, as Arthur Proctor, had not seen active War service, and it was said that the job could be done better by a disabled serviceman.<br \/>\nIt also emerged that five candidates, including three ex servicemen, had been interviewed for the post, and that one particular candidate, Sgt, Major, Wilson, who had considerable experience, had actually tied with Mr Proctor for the position. The casting vote was made by the charity\u2019s acting chief, Major, Gleadow, who chose Mr Proctor, on his own initiative, without consulting the General Committee.<\/p>\n<p>This led to the allegation that Mr. Proctor \u2018had been elected, before he was selected\u2019, and while Mr Proctor was a very capable person, it was seen as insensitive not to award the post to someone who had seen war service. (Mr Proctor, who was 37 years old, had tried to enlist during the War, but was rejected on health grounds.)<\/p>\n<p>Some like Cllr. A Sheppard, Chairman of the \u2018Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors\u2019, were particularly critical, claiming that the job should have gone to a disabled, ex-serviceman. Others believed the Secretary\u2019s annual salary should have been reduced to \u00a3250, or the work done voluntary.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_49529\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-49529\"><a class=\"custom-link no-lightbox custom-link no-lightbox custom-link no-lightbox\" title=\"Lord Mayor, Peter Gaskell, Hull 1918\" href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lord-Mayor-Peter-Gaskell-Hull-1918.png\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-49529\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lord-Mayor-Peter-Gaskell-Hull-1918-197x300.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lord-Mayor-Peter-Gaskell-Hull-1918-197x300.png 197w, https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lord-Mayor-Peter-Gaskell-Hull-1918-118x180.png 118w, https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lord-Mayor-Peter-Gaskell-Hull-1918.png 272w\" alt=\"\" width=\"267\" height=\"407\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-49529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Lord Mayor, Peter Gaskell, Hull 1918<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On the 12th May 1919, Cllr. Sheppard organised a noisy demonstration outside the Guildhall. Thousands of ex servicemen and members of the public protested loudly outside the Guild Hall, accompanied by three musical bands. Extra Police were summoned to maintain order and divert traffic.<br \/>\nTo pacify the situation, the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Peter Gaskell met a delegation from the crowd in his parlor. This included Cllr. Sheppard and two Hull war widows, Mrs Lush from 135 Welbeck Street and Mrs Blyth from 153 Lime Street, Hull. They submitted a petition signed by 13,000 citizens against Mr Proctor\u2019s appointment. Cllr. Gaskell who had lost his only son in the war, sympathized with the widows and agreed that General Committee for the Trust would review the appointment. This was sufficient to disperse the protesters.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_46255\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-46255\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-46255\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The issue was considered by the General Committee on the 7th June 1919 and the motion to remove Mr Proctor was defeated by 18 votes to 4. It was considered that Mr Proctor, an experienced organizer, should remain in the Permanent Secretary position.<br \/>\nThe controversy had an adverse affect on donations. It was claimed that an anonymous Gentleman, had offered to provide 200 houses, rent free, for 50 years, to disabled servicemen, if the Permanent Secretary Post was re-advertised. It was also said that some \u00a38,000 in public contributions were withheld because of the decision to retain Mr Proctor.<\/p>\n<p>In time, the appointment of Mr Proctor was shown to be a wise decision. Mr Proctor, who \u201chad done the work of three or four men during the war\u201d, showed himself to be an astute administrator. He was able to organize, interview applicants and tabulate claims. Interest on Investments covered the cost of his salary and he loyally managed the Trust for 40 years.<\/p>\n<p>After the Armistice, public opinion was divided over what the Hull Great War Trust should do. There were demands for a new \u00a3150,000 Technical College, new homes, a replacement school for Craven Street, additional wings for Hull Grammar School and permanent war memorials.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_46255\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-46255\" style=\"width: 437px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-46255\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Springbank-War-Orphans.-Hull-Dail-mail-27.07.1916-300x202.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"447\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Springbank-War-Orphans.-Hull-Dail-mail-27.07.1916-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Springbank-War-Orphans.-Hull-Dail-mail-27.07.1916-240x162.png 240w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Springbank-War-Orphans.-Hull-Dail-mail-27.07.1916-272x182.png 272w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Springbank-War-Orphans.-Hull-Dail-mail-27.07.1916.png 565w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-46255\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spring Bank War Orphans. The Orphanage was founded in 1863. Accommodated 210 children with preference for seaman children. Hull Daily Mail 27.07.1916<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47887\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47887\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47887\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47887\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47887\" style=\"width: 290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-47887\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Newland-Home-Orphans-24th-March-1915-300x245.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Newland-Home-Orphans-24th-March-1915-300x245.png 300w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Newland-Home-Orphans-24th-March-1915-220x180.png 220w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Newland-Home-Orphans-24th-March-1915.png 495w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47887\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Newland Home Orphans<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Hull Daily Mail, 24th March 1915. This complex of orphan homes and other buildings was built around 1897 by the Port of Hull Society. They were designed as Cottage Homes for sailors\u2019 orphans. There were 12 homes arranged in a planned model village. The money was endowed by various benefactors whose names are attached to the different buildings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There were also disputes over who was eligible for grants and allowances. For example,\u00a0<em>The Eastern Morning News<\/em>\u00a0(12th August 1919) reported \u2018What constitutes a Hull Man?\u2019. It highlighted the case of a Londoner, who had enlisted in Hull at the outbreak of war, and then married a woman from Hull. He had then been invalided home, and now had four children, and was granted a disability allowance. Another case involved a Hull woman, who had married a man from Manchester, while he was convalescing in Hull. She had had his child before he died of his injuries, and was similarly awarded a grant.<\/p>\n<p>From time to time the Charity was criticised for not giving money to Institutions. For example, the Trust refused an application from the Spring Bank Orphanage, to repair the building, even though it held 43 children from servicemen killed in the war (Hull Daily Mail 11\/01\/1920). Similarly, an appeal to help 3,000 unemployed Ex-Servicemen in Hull was refused (Hull Daily Mail 11\/01\/1921), as was a \u00a3500 application grant from Ex Service Associations.<br \/>\nSome disabled servicemen also complained that the Trust\u2019s grants were insufficient, that preference was given to those starting up businesses, or there were delays in being assessed.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, The Trust stuck to its task of helping disabled men and their families and judicious investments led to large increases in the Fund\u2019s capital. Much of its good work had to remain confidential due to the personal and intimate nature of the Trust\u2019s work. However, there is evidence that the Trust reviewed all cases on merit, showing flexibility and compassion. Certainly those who received help were very grateful and the Great War Trust was admired outside Hull. For example, The London Daily Mail (18\/10\/1920), reporting on the \u00a33 million being spent on War memorials in England and Wales alone, praised Hull\u2019s Great War Trust for raising \u00a3145,000 for disabled men and relatives. This was seen as far more practical to help those who survived.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47397\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47397\" style=\"width: 185px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-47397\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Sgt-Joseph-Tholander-the-first-Hull-Commercial-to-enlist-195x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Sgt-Joseph-Tholander-the-first-Hull-Commercial-to-enlist-195x300.png 195w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Sgt-Joseph-Tholander-the-first-Hull-Commercial-to-enlist-117x180.png 117w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Sgt-Joseph-Tholander-the-first-Hull-Commercial-to-enlist.png 315w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47397\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sgt, Joseph Archilbald Tholander, was the first Hull Pal to enlist. Joining the 10th East Yorkshire Regiment, he rose through the rank to become Sergeant. He was a recruiting Sergeant in Hull for six months while suffering from rheumatic fever and recruited 800 men. He trained at Woolwich, qualified as an Armourer and transferred to the Army Ordnance Corps. He was posted to France in 1916, attached to the 7th KOSB where he was promoted to staff Sergeant, in the field. He had just recovered from Trench fever, when he was wounded in the head and suffered from shell shock. He was discharged in 1918. His son Cecil served in ww2 and was killed in Egypt, on 17\/08\/1942, aged 22. (Photo, from the Hull Daily Mail 13 July 1916)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>The Great War Trust helped Hull servicemen and their families in many ways.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_49277\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-49277\"><a class=\"custom-link no-lightbox custom-link no-lightbox custom-link no-lightbox\" title=\"City of Hull Great War Trust. HDM 25.03.1919\" href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/City-of-Hull-Great-War-Trust.-HDM-25.03.1919.png\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-49277\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/City-of-Hull-Great-War-Trust.-HDM-25.03.1919-166x300.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/City-of-Hull-Great-War-Trust.-HDM-25.03.1919-166x300.png 166w, https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/City-of-Hull-Great-War-Trust.-HDM-25.03.1919-99x180.png 99w, https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/City-of-Hull-Great-War-Trust.-HDM-25.03.1919.png 380w\" alt=\"\" width=\"747\" height=\"1352\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-49277\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">City of Hull Great War Trust. List of Donations. Hull Daily Mail 25.03.1919<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By June 1919, the Great War Trust had collected \u00a3130,000 and on the 15th July 1919 the Trust began to speed up its work. It considered applications from men with at least 50% disability, and awarded grants up to 10 shillings a week, and allowances, not exceeding \u00a325.<br \/>\nRecords show that it provided family grants of \u00a330 to purchase furniture, \u00a34 for cutlery, \u00a320 for fruit stock and two \u00a325 Business grants (Hull Daily Mail 14\/9\/1920).\u00a0These one off grants switched to regular allowances, which gently increased over time to reflect a man\u2019s increasing earnings.<br \/>\nThe 1921 \u2018Report on Year\u2019s Work\u2019, shows that the Hull Great War Trust, dealt with 563 new claimants, six carried forward and 269 Re-considerations, during the year. Awards were given to 118 men and 36 women; lumps sums to 55 men and 61 women; periodic payments to 54 men and 30 women; 42 men and 67 women received allowances (15 of these (4 men &amp; 11 women) having continued from the following year. During 1920, income from investments was \u00a37,249 and the Trust paid out \u00a39,541. It had received \u00a310,043 in donations up to 31\/12\/1920 and the Trust held \u00a3136,883 for ongoing awards. (Mr Proctor\u2019s salary was increased to \u00a3500 per year on 11\/01\/1921. However, it was maintained that he could have earned considerably more if he remained working with the Town Clerks and the salary was covered by income from investments).<\/p>\n<p>The Eastern Morning News (09\/08\/1921) reported that 53 men were receiving out patient treatment from the Trust for neurasthenia; eleven men were being treated in Institutions, with two more on a waiting list for treatment. The Trust paid for a Specialist Doctor to work full time with \u2018shell shock\u2019 cases.<\/p>\n<p>Orphan children were given \u2018day trips\u2019 to Bridlington and a party at New Year\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>The Trust supported disabled soldiers with small farm Holdings. Eighteen new Cottages with an acre of land, were built in Dunswell, at a cost of \u00a3830. Rents were kept low at only \u00a326. per year, (although annual rates were between \u00a38 &amp; \u00a312). Many of these Tenants had been severely disabled during the war \u2013 4 men were blinded, 1 man had one arm, another had lost both legs, and one suffered from severe shell shock. The farms helped promote independent living and provide these men with a modest income.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On the 12th September 1922, the Great War Trust presented a magnificent Rugby Challenge Shield<\/strong>\u00a0and initiated a new rugby League competition, to raise money through gate receipts. As well as promoting sport, the competition provided great entertainment. The final game in 1928, saw Hull FC beat Huddersfield at the Boulevard, 25 -14, and raised \u00a374.00.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23374\" style=\"width: 295px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-23374\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hulls-Great-War-Rugby-Shield-247x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"305\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hulls-Great-War-Rugby-Shield-247x300.jpg 247w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hulls-Great-War-Rugby-Shield-768x933.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hulls-Great-War-Rugby-Shield-843x1024.jpg 843w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hulls-Great-War-Rugby-Shield-148x180.jpg 148w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hull&#8217;s Great War Rugby Shield. <strong>Hull\u2019s Great War Rugby Shield.<\/strong>\u00a0On 08\/03\/1923, the magnificent Great War Rugby Shield was presented. Broughton 8 points (1 goal, 2 tries) beat Hull 3 points (1 try) at the Boulevard, watched by 5,000 spectators.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There is ample evidence to suggest recipients were very grateful for the Trust\u2019s practical and useful assistance. There were good reports of disabled men starting up businesses and doing well; disabled ex servicemen being found employment, disabled adaptations being made to horse carts and homes, so that disabled men could continue to work. The Eastern Morning News (11\/07\/1922) reported that the Trust had provided a child of a disabled serviceman, with a University education and he had obtained a BA (Hons) Degree. Another beneficiary was a disabled child of a soldier killed in the war, who was given special help to allow him to walk and the child\u2019s mother wrote a letter of thanks to the Trust.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_48245\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48245\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-48245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_48245\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48245\" style=\"width: 156px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-48245\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Pte-Harry-Cox-KOYLI-wounded-by-the-shell-that-killed-his-brother-Herbert-Cox.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"166\" height=\"264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Pte-Harry-Cox-KOYLI-wounded-by-the-shell-that-killed-his-brother-Herbert-Cox.png 166w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Pte-Harry-Cox-KOYLI-wounded-by-the-shell-that-killed-his-brother-Herbert-Cox-113x180.png 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 166px) 100vw, 166px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-48245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pte, Herbert Cox, KOYLI, wounded by the shell that killed his brother, Harry Cox<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At the unveiling of the Kingston upon Hull memorial at Oppy Wood on the 10th March 1927, Major, P Robson, Sheriff of Hull, described the <strong>Hull Great War Trust as \u201cthe most wonderful organisation of its kind in any City within the Empire\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>By 1923, the City of Hull Great War Trust had become a huge business, dealing with increasing numbers of ex servicemen becoming disabled with age. It became necessary to establish it as a Trust, regulated by Deed. Managed by a Committee, consisting of a President, Vice President and six Trustees. The Great War Trust administered funds of \u00a3140,000. (About \u00a34 million today).\u00a0The need for the Great War Trust grew as Hull ex servicemen grew older and their wounds worsened. By 9th January 1923, the Trust was dealing with 1,077 cases and distributing \u00a310,907 in awards. By 1924 this had increased to 1,294 cases and the Trust was distributing \u00a343,890 a year (\u00a31.2 million). The local office of the Ministries of Pensions recorded that there were 20,000 disabled servicemen in Hull by 1924.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13123\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13123\" style=\"width: 290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13123\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-300x297.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-300x297.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-48x48.jpg 48w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725-182x180.jpg 182w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/10312966_10202317492530009_8520248773740384000_n-e1592766631725.jpg 319w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joe Hicks who served in WW1, was born in 1890. He was invalided out of the war after being buried in the trenches &amp; spent the rest of his life completely deaf. One of Hull&#8217;s 14,000 wounded, he died in March 1959.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The City of Hull Great War Trust set out its aims in a Charter to assist those injured, and the dependents of those killed or disabled between the dates 4th August 1914 to 30th September 1921.<br \/>\nThe Trust had powers to assist, disabled ex servicemen from Hull, their widows and other dependents, their children; provide temporary accommodation for orphans, and homes of rest for the incapacitated.<\/p>\n<p>The Trust set aside some donations specifically for memorials at the request of subscribers. It helped fund the \u2018Great East Window\u2019, in Holy Trinity Church, which cost \u00a31,500. This was a Memorial to fallen Officers. Beneath the window was placed a tablet and \u2018Golden Book\u2019 recording as best it could, all those that died in the war. The tablet was to cost \u00a3750 (of which \u00a3200 was donated by Mrs Shaw, the widow of Colonel G H Shaw, killed with 1\/4th East Yorkshire Regiment)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_49531\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-49531\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_49531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-49531\" style=\"width: 180px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-49531\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Gunner-George-Lee-RGA-of-39-Hotham-Street-Hedon-Road-Hull.-Wounded-three-times-gassed-twice-and-badly-burned-by-a-shell.-HDM-07.11.1918-190x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Gunner-George-Lee-RGA-of-39-Hotham-Street-Hedon-Road-Hull.-Wounded-three-times-gassed-twice-and-badly-burned-by-a-shell.-HDM-07.11.1918-190x300.png 190w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Gunner-George-Lee-RGA-of-39-Hotham-Street-Hedon-Road-Hull.-Wounded-three-times-gassed-twice-and-badly-burned-by-a-shell.-HDM-07.11.1918-114x180.png 114w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Gunner-George-Lee-RGA-of-39-Hotham-Street-Hedon-Road-Hull.-Wounded-three-times-gassed-twice-and-badly-burned-by-a-shell.-HDM-07.11.1918.png 261w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-49531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gunner, George Lee, RGA, of 39 Hotham Street, Hedon Road, Hull. Wounded three times, gassed twice and badly burned by a shell. HDM 07.11.1918<\/figcaption><\/figure><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-49531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The City of Hull Great War Trust continued to help veterans and their dependents until 1983. On a number of occasions, in its history the Trust faced extinction due to a lack of donations. In 1936 its life expectancy was put at 12 more years. Then there was talk of starting another Trust after the Second World War. There was another closure scare in 1960 and it was nearly \u2018Last Post\u2019 in 1977, when two descendants from the First World War, died aged 92 and 86 years old. There was by then, just \u00a3810.40 (\u00a32,800) left in the Fund to help 14 Beneficiaries. These included 9 Widows, 2 Spinsters, 2 widowers and 1 bachelor, receiving \u00a346 per month.<\/p>\n<p>While the payment of grants and allowances may seem meagre by today\u2019s standard, it should be remembered that the Trust was established before Britain had a National Health Service and a Welfare State. Hull\u2019s Great War Trust was a pioneering charity, wholly funded by voluntary donations. It was dealing with complex disability claims, which increased in number and changed over time. It became a delicate operation to make the Trust\u2019s scarce funds last over the years. Trustees had to spend and invest wisely to predict income streams. It had to estimate how long claimants would require funding, or how many people would make new claims.<\/p>\n<p>The Trust finally closed at 11am, on the 11th November 1983. in the Lord Mayor\u2019s Parlor, where it had begun. A two minutes silence was held at the end of the meeting. The remaining funds were distributed equally between the last 7 beneficiaries, all of which were female relatives, aged between 60 and 90 years old.<\/p>\n<p>The City of Hull Great War Trust had lasted 65 years. In all it paid out \u00a3289,000 to over 4,000 beneficiaries. As the Trust only recorded the main Beneficiaries and not their families, the Trust helped and supported considerably more Hull citizens.<\/p>\n<p>The City of Hull Great War Trust is a remarkable story. It is a tribute to City of Hull which pioneered this unique Charity to help its own disabled servicemen and their dependents. It\u2019s a tribute to the People of Hull which donated so generously, and a tribute to the Trustees that framed the Charter and managed the Great War Trust for so long. The last man to apply for help was Mr A. Chester, who returned his \u00a38 monthly pension in 1977. He asked to be taken off the Trust\u2019s books and even returned \u00a350 which he managed to save in payments, for those in more need. This nobly reflects how much the Trust was appreciated by those it helped.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47260\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47260\" style=\"width: 729px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-47260\" src=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Dinner-for-2000-Fatherless-Children.-Artllery-Barracks-2nd-Jan-1920-300x177.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"739\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Dinner-for-2000-Fatherless-Children.-Artllery-Barracks-2nd-Jan-1920-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Dinner-for-2000-Fatherless-Children.-Artllery-Barracks-2nd-Jan-1920-240x141.png 240w, https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Dinner-for-2000-Fatherless-Children.-Artllery-Barracks-2nd-Jan-1920.png 474w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 739px) 100vw, 739px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47260\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>The Discharged Soldiers and Sailor&#8217;s Dinner<\/strong> for 2,000 Children, who had lost their fathers in the war. Artillery Barracks, 2nd Jan 1920. Hull Daily Mail 02 January 1920<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>The Hull Great War Trust Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_48877\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48877\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-48877\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Set up at the Guildhall immediately after the Armistice in 1918. An appeal was made for \u00a3500,000. By December 1918, \u00a390,000 had been raised, 75% of contributions came from fishing families.<\/p>\n<p>In June 1919, a full time General Secretary is appointed amidst great controversy. At this stage \u00a3130,000 was raised.<\/p>\n<p>By November 1922 \u2013 \u00a3141,733 had been raised. \u00a329,00 had been paid out. 54 families were being totally supported by the Trust, another 100 are in receipt of weekly allowances supplementing Government aid. Business and Educational grants also awarded.<\/p>\n<p>On 08\/03\/1923, the magnificent Great War Rugby Shield is presented. Broughton 8 points (1 goal, 2 tries) beat Hull 3 points (1 try) at the Boulevard, watched by 5,000 spectators.<\/p>\n<p>By 1926 \u2013 \u00a359,000 paid out in allowances, \u00a314,000 in Grants<\/p>\n<p>By 1958 \u2013 Payments total \u00a3267,000 (\u00a336 million today)<br \/>\nBy 1960 \u2013 68 Beneficiaries left<br \/>\nBy 1973 \u2013 Payments total \u00a3280,000 (20 Beneficiaries left)<\/p>\n<p>By 1977 \u2013 Nearly \u2018Last Post\u2019 for the Trust (14 Beneficiaries left)<br \/>\nBy 1981 \u2013 Payments total \u00a3285,000 (7 Beneficiaries)<br \/>\nIn 1983 \u2013 Trust Closes on 11th November at 11am in Lord Mayors Parlor.<br \/>\nThere were 4,005 Beneficiaries which received grants and allowances and total pension payments made were \u00a3289,060.44.<br \/>\n(\u00a340 million)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hey.nhs.uk\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Untitled-design-34.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer><em><strong>Some of the 6,500 wounded treated by the Hull Royal Infirmary during the First World War.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/footer>\n<footer><\/footer>\n<footer class=\"entry-meta\">Leave a comment<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"entry-meta\"><span class=\"cat-links\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Categories<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/category\/statistics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Statistics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<nav id=\"nav-below\" class=\"post-navigation\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Post navigation<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><span class=\"prev\" title=\"Previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/the-great-war-in-numbers\/\" rel=\"prev\">The Great War in Numbers<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"nav-next\"><span class=\"next\" title=\"Next\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/list-of-ww1-casualties\/\" rel=\"next\">List of WW1 Casualties<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"comments-area\">\n<div id=\"comments\">\n<div id=\"respond\" class=\"comment-respond\">\n<h3 id=\"reply-title\" class=\"comment-reply-title\">Leave a comment<small><\/small><\/h3>\n<form id=\"commentform\" class=\"comment-form\" action=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-comments-post.php\" method=\"post\" novalidate=\"\">\n<p class=\"logged-in-as\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-admin\/profile.php\" aria-label=\"Logged in as Webmaster. Edit your profile.\">Logged in as Webmaster<\/a>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ww1hull.com\/wp-login.php?action=logout&amp;redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fww1hull.com%2F10-surprising-laws-passed-in-the-first-world-war%2F&amp;_wpnonce=2e9156c848\">Log out?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The City of Hull Great War Trust 09\/10\/2017\u00a0by\u00a0Webmaster After the Great War, a national debate was ignited concerning, how disabled servicemen from the Great War would support themselves and their families, if they could not return to their former trade because of their disabilities. Hull had lost over 7,000 men in the war with another &#8230; <a title=\"The City of Hull Great War Trust\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/?p=54109\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[10847,11393],"class_list":["post-54109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-the-home-front","tag-webmaster"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54109"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54193,"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54109\/revisions\/54193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ww1hull.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}