Forces Club

In February, 1940 during World War 2, the Womens Voluntary Service which formed soon after the outbreak of war (later known as the WRVS) opened a 'club' for servicemen who were posted in the locality to meet and share some companionship. This was initially based in the Mission Hall of Christ Church St. Leonards. For the first day and a half after opening, there were no attendees other than the women who gave their time to run the facility. Eventually an air force lad and a 'Tommy' (army) turned up - the army-man entering first stating 'senior service first'. From there the club grew, serving as many as 4,000 hot drinks in a week and expanding to offer 'quiet rooms' - additional premises being taken in Kings Road and Havelock Road. These offered many services, from bathing to language lessons and facilities for ironing uniform free of charge. One enterprising serviceman took advantage of the latter service and charged his comrades for a valeting service which led to a small charge being made for use of the iron.