People were encouraged to recycle anything that could be used
to make cartridge wads and shell cases; metal to make aeroplanes,
tanks and guns. In 1942 when scrap metal became scarce, railings
were removed from front gardens and public parks. Brentford and
Chiswick United War Appeal sent regular parcels to the forces
overseas. 'A more sensible parcel could not have been sent', wrote
a grateful Brentford recipient in 1945, 'just everything a soldier
needs. The socks were a blessing as they are probably the soldier's
sorest point therefore very acceptable'.
National Savings Campaigns raised money for tanks ships and aeroplanes.
In August 1940 the Mayor of Brentford and Chiswick called a public
meeting to exhort the local populace to raise £5,000 for a 'fighting
aeroplane which shall bear the name of the Borough', The money was
handed over in October 1941, but sadly the Borough of Brentford and
Chiswick spitfire only clocked up 60 flying hours. On 9 May 1942 it
failed to return while on operation over France. In 1942 the Mayor
appealed for £700,000 to build and equip the destroyer HMS Opportune.
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