Page 16 - RVM-HB-KTHFB
P. 16
Keep The Home Fires Burning
The government became increasing worried about the child mortality. estimates by 1917
were a 100,000 babies died before or at birth and another 100,000 died in the first year.
Couple this, with loses on the battle fronts, and a birth rate that was dropping every year.
In the previous 30 years Redditch’s had dropped by 40%.. they needed to be replaced.
Lord Rhonda was put in charge of child welfare to this end a National Baby week was
introduced in July 1917.
A conference was held in Westminster Hall, and Queen Mary opened a baby welfare
exhibition in London. The poster for the week was a punch cartoon ‘saving the babies’ and
strap line “it is more Dangerous being baby in England then a soldier in France’. In
Redditch sermons and notices about’ baby week’s were given in churches and chapels.
There was also a moral purpose to the week the sanctity of marriage. A conference was
to be held at the Drill Hall, and the week was to end with a Pram parade at Mr and Mrs
Terry’s home Stoneleigh. The chief speaker was Dr Fosbroke, county medical officer.
Page: 16 Source: Sue Tatlow
The government became increasing worried about the child mortality. estimates by 1917
were a 100,000 babies died before or at birth and another 100,000 died in the first year.
Couple this, with loses on the battle fronts, and a birth rate that was dropping every year.
In the previous 30 years Redditch’s had dropped by 40%.. they needed to be replaced.
Lord Rhonda was put in charge of child welfare to this end a National Baby week was
introduced in July 1917.
A conference was held in Westminster Hall, and Queen Mary opened a baby welfare
exhibition in London. The poster for the week was a punch cartoon ‘saving the babies’ and
strap line “it is more Dangerous being baby in England then a soldier in France’. In
Redditch sermons and notices about’ baby week’s were given in churches and chapels.
There was also a moral purpose to the week the sanctity of marriage. A conference was
to be held at the Drill Hall, and the week was to end with a Pram parade at Mr and Mrs
Terry’s home Stoneleigh. The chief speaker was Dr Fosbroke, county medical officer.
Page: 16 Source: Sue Tatlow
