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Fighting Forces Comfort Fund
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DescriptionFighting Forces Comfort Fund (FFCF)
The Australian Comforts Fund was established in August 1916 to co-ordinate the activities of the state based patriotic funds, which were established earlier in World War I. Mainly run by women, they provided and distributed free comforts to the Australian 'fit' fighting men in all the battle zones. They became divisions of the Australian Comforts Fund. It ceased operation on 10 April 1920.
The ACF provided embarkation kits to troops containing items such as soap, clothes, tobacco, razors and barley sugar. The ACF officially closed on June 27, 1946.
Angle Vale FFCF
Unit no. 131
Meetings held fortnightly throughout the year. Members were busy knitting items for soldiers. In 1944, the group knitted 56 pairs of socks, 11 pullovers, 1 balaklava.
The main event for 1944 was ‘Pin up Girl’ contest raising £73. Other fundraisers included a Paddy’s market, a Euchre evening at Mrs Jones home. Badges were sold in May for Empire Appeal and in September for the Christmas Hamper Appeal. Cakes and magazines were sent to local boys. Letters of thanks read at our meeting.
The circle had been giving Sunday hospitality to the changing soldier personnel at Smithfield Army camp and played hostess to the men from Sandy’s Creek. On a Sunday one could expect up to 100 soldiers.
Other fund raising events included selling Penny-a-plane cards, Barn dance.
President Mrs Cecil Fatchen (Isabel Harriet Ridgway)
Secretary Mrs C. Jones
One Tree Hill Fighting Forces Comfort Fund (FFCF)
One Tree Hill formed a local unit in 1939, with Mrs Frances Lomer Ifould (Eliza Maud) elected as President. Monthly meeting were held and often discussed opportunities to raise money for the war effort. Presentations were given to local soldiers before they embarked and gathered produce for the Cheer Up hut in Adelaide.
Part of the program for monthly meetings of the OTH unit included;
Handicraft display consisting of various types of knitting for adults and children, also crochet and embroidery. Cake and biscuit competition amongst members.
On occasion guest speakers were asked to speak such as returned soldier Corporal H. Pratt who gave an address on his experiences in the army in the Middle East.
It became customary to hold a Paddy’s market each November. However in 1942 owing to war restrictions it was decided to arrange something less elaborate, so a Jumble Day was organised. The Institute hall was decorated with festive bunting including a panel with hammer and sickle as a complement to Australia’s ally, Russia.
Brisk trading was done at the various stalls and afternoon tea, cool drinks and ice cream were served. The occasion raised £40 15/0. The event was used to make presentation from the district to Ptes Max Horgan and John Kaiser.
At the invitation of Dr. Alfred Ladyman Tostevin the One Tree Hill F.F.C.F. Unit held their February meeting at his property 'Nyroca' in 1942. A full attendance of members and friends were present. Mr. Wytkin, the doctor's manager, and his wife, lent their home for an American Afternoon, which proved a great success. A trading table was held, a large parcel of knitted goods and face washers was packed ready la be sent to H.Q., and wool material distributed for next meeting.
At the end of 1943, the FFCF committee ran a refreshment booth at Dr A. L Tosevin’s sale of stud cows. Hot pies, pasties, sandwiches and cakes with plenty of tea were served, proceeds amounted to £30.
In December 1943 a concert was held with artists such as Hilda Oldfield, leading dramatic impersonator of Dicken’s characters, Ella French, piano and songs, Hilda Sincock, contralto, Norah Flint violin and piano. Sandy McDougall, the ‘Lauder’ of Australia, Harold Rule, unusual entertainer of papyrus puzzles. A talk given by Mrs Flint, late of Hong Kong under war evacuation.
At meetings, knitted foods, handkerchiefs and face washers were donated, mittens, pullovers, balaclavas, waistcoats, socks. A package for the Cheer Up Hut contained jam fruit, potatoes, onions and trombones. One hundred emblems were sold.
The final meeting was held on December 15, 1945 in the form of an afternoon party, the hall being transformed into a semi-drawing room by Mr and Mrs Frances Lomer Ifould. Captain John Bellhouse Ifould told of his experiences as a POW in Java.
1939 – 1942
278 Socks, pullovers 115, scarves 56, balaclavas 48, mittens 133, handkerchiefs 2253, dilly bags 18, face washers 367, sea boots 3 pairs, stockings 26. 81 pounds of wool received from Headquarters and 198 yards of material for handkerchiefs and face washers.
1942
President Mrs F. L (Eliza Maud) Ifould
Secretary & Treasurer Mrs H.J Hender
1943
President Mrs F. L (Eliza Maud) Ifould
Secretary ass Mrs J. Wytking Mrs J. Fry
Members: Mrs T.S Harvey (Georgea Bethune) , Mrs Alfred Charles Tuckwell,( Beatrice Hamilton Blackman), Mrs John Wytkin (Hilda Irene), James Lynch Blackham (Agnes Emily Leathart), Mrs L. Crocker, Mrs H. Hender, Mrs Allan Vernon Kirk (Mary Lillian Martin), Mrs Lang, Miss Lilian Tamblyn later Wythin.
1945
President Mrs F. L Ifould
Secretary ass Mrs Hender
The Australian Comforts Fund was established in August 1916 to co-ordinate the activities of the state based patriotic funds, which were established earlier in World War I. Mainly run by women, they provided and distributed free comforts to the Australian 'fit' fighting men in all the battle zones. They became divisions of the Australian Comforts Fund. It ceased operation on 10 April 1920.
The ACF provided embarkation kits to troops containing items such as soap, clothes, tobacco, razors and barley sugar. The ACF officially closed on June 27, 1946.
Angle Vale FFCF
Unit no. 131
Meetings held fortnightly throughout the year. Members were busy knitting items for soldiers. In 1944, the group knitted 56 pairs of socks, 11 pullovers, 1 balaklava.
The main event for 1944 was ‘Pin up Girl’ contest raising £73. Other fundraisers included a Paddy’s market, a Euchre evening at Mrs Jones home. Badges were sold in May for Empire Appeal and in September for the Christmas Hamper Appeal. Cakes and magazines were sent to local boys. Letters of thanks read at our meeting.
The circle had been giving Sunday hospitality to the changing soldier personnel at Smithfield Army camp and played hostess to the men from Sandy’s Creek. On a Sunday one could expect up to 100 soldiers.
Other fund raising events included selling Penny-a-plane cards, Barn dance.
President Mrs Cecil Fatchen (Isabel Harriet Ridgway)
Secretary Mrs C. Jones
One Tree Hill Fighting Forces Comfort Fund (FFCF)
One Tree Hill formed a local unit in 1939, with Mrs Frances Lomer Ifould (Eliza Maud) elected as President. Monthly meeting were held and often discussed opportunities to raise money for the war effort. Presentations were given to local soldiers before they embarked and gathered produce for the Cheer Up hut in Adelaide.
Part of the program for monthly meetings of the OTH unit included;
Handicraft display consisting of various types of knitting for adults and children, also crochet and embroidery. Cake and biscuit competition amongst members.
On occasion guest speakers were asked to speak such as returned soldier Corporal H. Pratt who gave an address on his experiences in the army in the Middle East.
It became customary to hold a Paddy’s market each November. However in 1942 owing to war restrictions it was decided to arrange something less elaborate, so a Jumble Day was organised. The Institute hall was decorated with festive bunting including a panel with hammer and sickle as a complement to Australia’s ally, Russia.
Brisk trading was done at the various stalls and afternoon tea, cool drinks and ice cream were served. The occasion raised £40 15/0. The event was used to make presentation from the district to Ptes Max Horgan and John Kaiser.
At the invitation of Dr. Alfred Ladyman Tostevin the One Tree Hill F.F.C.F. Unit held their February meeting at his property 'Nyroca' in 1942. A full attendance of members and friends were present. Mr. Wytkin, the doctor's manager, and his wife, lent their home for an American Afternoon, which proved a great success. A trading table was held, a large parcel of knitted goods and face washers was packed ready la be sent to H.Q., and wool material distributed for next meeting.
At the end of 1943, the FFCF committee ran a refreshment booth at Dr A. L Tosevin’s sale of stud cows. Hot pies, pasties, sandwiches and cakes with plenty of tea were served, proceeds amounted to £30.
In December 1943 a concert was held with artists such as Hilda Oldfield, leading dramatic impersonator of Dicken’s characters, Ella French, piano and songs, Hilda Sincock, contralto, Norah Flint violin and piano. Sandy McDougall, the ‘Lauder’ of Australia, Harold Rule, unusual entertainer of papyrus puzzles. A talk given by Mrs Flint, late of Hong Kong under war evacuation.
At meetings, knitted foods, handkerchiefs and face washers were donated, mittens, pullovers, balaclavas, waistcoats, socks. A package for the Cheer Up Hut contained jam fruit, potatoes, onions and trombones. One hundred emblems were sold.
The final meeting was held on December 15, 1945 in the form of an afternoon party, the hall being transformed into a semi-drawing room by Mr and Mrs Frances Lomer Ifould. Captain John Bellhouse Ifould told of his experiences as a POW in Java.
1939 – 1942
278 Socks, pullovers 115, scarves 56, balaclavas 48, mittens 133, handkerchiefs 2253, dilly bags 18, face washers 367, sea boots 3 pairs, stockings 26. 81 pounds of wool received from Headquarters and 198 yards of material for handkerchiefs and face washers.
1942
President Mrs F. L (Eliza Maud) Ifould
Secretary & Treasurer Mrs H.J Hender
1943
President Mrs F. L (Eliza Maud) Ifould
Secretary ass Mrs J. Wytking Mrs J. Fry
Members: Mrs T.S Harvey (Georgea Bethune) , Mrs Alfred Charles Tuckwell,( Beatrice Hamilton Blackman), Mrs John Wytkin (Hilda Irene), James Lynch Blackham (Agnes Emily Leathart), Mrs L. Crocker, Mrs H. Hender, Mrs Allan Vernon Kirk (Mary Lillian Martin), Mrs Lang, Miss Lilian Tamblyn later Wythin.
1945
President Mrs F. L Ifould
Secretary ass Mrs Hender
Connections
PersonCecil FatchenFrancis John John MurrayMaxwell George HorganAgnes Emily LeathartBeatrice TuckwellAlfred Charles TuckwellGeorgia BethuneThomas Scott HarveyJohn Bellhouse IfouldAlfred Ladyman Tostevin (Dr)Frank Lomer IfouldFrances Lomer IfouldPlaceAngle ValeOne Tree HillSubjectFighting Forces Comfort FundClubs & GroupsWWII
Notes
AcknowledgementsState Library of South Australia
See PRG 1491/26/1-42 for other badges in this series.
See PRG 1491/26/1-42 for other badges in this series.
Fighting Forces Comfort Fund. Playford's Past, accessed 18/03/2026, https://playfordspast.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/19933