CHAPTER FOUR
THE 1940’S
YEARS OF WAR AND REBUILDING It was not until 1942, that the firm began to feel the full impact of the war but even in 1940 times were difficult. At the directors’ meeting held on the 10th October 1940 it was reported that six men had enlisted and reference was made to the great problems of obtaining suitable new men to train in the job. The names of five of those six, and the dates they enlisted, are available. Charlie Cowden
November 1939
Steve O’Loughlin
Early 1940
Hugh Ferrier
April 1940
Syd Wedderburn
June 1940
Noel Miller
July 1940
Right though the war E.R. Woolcott had to balance the national interests against those of the firm. At times he tried to dissuade men from joining up or endeavoured to have them manpowered to the firm or just hoped they might be exempt from service on medical grounds. The manpower regulations in force acknowledged that not everyone could be in the services; some had to stay home to run the country, so to speak. Noel Miller as a 29 year old was keen to enlist but the old man suggested he wait and see if things got really serious. Noel thought the fall of France in June 1940 was serious enough for him and he joined the army in July. In 1941 the war in Europe was becoming more serious and was a dark cloud on the horizon which could not be ignored. Nevertheless the firm had to carry on its business and try to plan for the future. Cyril Bird in his report of 8th August, 1941, accompanying the 1940/41 accounts, referred to increasing tax rates and it being essential for business people to get advice on the preparation of tax returns - a situation presenting opportunities for the firm if it were able to take advantage of it.
‘In 1941 the war in Europe was becoming more serious and was a dark cloud on the horizon which could not be ignored.’
Staff lunch break 100 years of successful connections 25
