Spitfire Week - October 1940

Welwyn Garden City raises money to buy a Spitfire

By Robert Gill

Advert in Welwyn Times
Welwyn Times/Welwyn Department Store
Messerschmit Me109 on the Campus with Welwyn Department Store (now John Lewis) behind.
Studio Lisa/Mill Green Museum

26th October to 2nd November 1940 was Spitfire Week in Welwyn Garden City, the idea  being to raise money towards the purchase of a Spitfire aircraft. Many events were arranged throughout the town together with donations from individuals and companies. Events included dances, social functions, street collection, Barrel Organ collection, bring-and-buy sales. A popular event was a “Go-As-You-Please” smoking concert which was held at the Cherry Tree. There was also a donation from an individual which amounted to 1 penny for each German aircraft that had been shot down by this stage of the war, some 2,349 planes.

On the Campus was displayed a Messerschmit  Me109 which had been shot down by the RAF. This proved a big attraction to young and old, raising £58 1s in donations though there was an expense of £36 2s 9d to cover transport and labour costs for the aircraft.

Overall, the total funds received was £1,472 6s 1d (£71,776.45 at 2014 value) which was forwarded to the Minister for Aircraft Production.

This page was added on 31/07/2014.

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