Group    From 8/7/1915  To 1919

Silver Thimble Fund

Categories: Benefactor

Miss {Elizabeth} H. E. Hope-Clarke of Wimbledon, inspired by her own damaged silver thimble, started collecting damaged or unwanted thimbles and other trinkets to contribute to the war effort. She launched the appeal in The Times newspaper in 1915. Undamaged items were sold, others were melted down.

Your Local Guardian tells the story: "Miss Hope-Clarke and her sister were soon joined by Lady Maud Wilbraham and a staff of volunteers. Some 60,000 thimbles were rapidly converted into two ambulances as vast quantities of trinkets arrived at the Hope-Clarkes’ Wimbledon house {2 Church Road}, which remained the fund’s headquarters for nearly the entire period of the war."

Queen Alexandra, the King's mother, became the patron of the fund which went international, to the colonies and beyond. Closed down at the end of the Great War, the charity was re-established in WW2.

Our picture shows one of the ambulances bought by the fund.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Silver Thimble Fund

Creations i

Thimble shelters - north

The navy has been referred to as "Britain's sure shield" since, at least, Tra...

Read More

Thimble shelters - south

{On the panel, facing the Palace:} Erected by "The Silver Thimble Fund", 1919...

Read More

Other Subjects

Thomas Doggett

Thomas Doggett

Actor and theatre manager. Born in Castle Street, Dublin (his birth year is approximate). He possibly performed as a strolling player and had arrived in London by 1691, where he quickly achieved su...

Person, Benefactor, Theatre, Ireland

1 memorial
Rev. William Spurstowe

Rev. William Spurstowe

Born London, date of birth is approximate.  Became vicar of Hackney in 1643 but was ejected in 1662 for nonconformity.  Shortly before his death he provided almshouses for 6 'poor widows' in Hackne...

Person, Benefactor, Religion

2 memorials
Edward Pauncfort

Edward Pauncfort

Tory MP. Early in the 1700s he moved into Lauderdale House and took a great interest in Highgate. He became the treasurer and one of the governors of Highgate School and its Chapel. In Southwoo...

Person, Benefactor, Education, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Cornelius John Park

Cornelius John Park

Son of John Cornelius, whose bequest together with his son's land enabled the Park's Almshouses to be established.

Person, Benefactor

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

Formed 1st April 1918 at Hotel Cecil, 80 the Strand where it had its first headquarters. Motto: Per Ardua Ad Astra, Latin for "Through Struggles to the Stars".

Group, Armed Forces, Aviation

8 memorials
Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Our picture shows Queen Elizabeth II in the River Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant which took place in the cold and pouring rain on 3 June. Diamond represents 60 years.

Event, Royalty

20 memorials