Tonbridge Comforts Funds

Tonbridge residents have always been a good bunch of people and ready to support others in times of crisis.  In the aftermath of the floods in 1968, and the devastation this brought to the High Street and residential areas, and the hurricane of 1987 help was readily at hand and the town came together to support those who were affected.  

Even as far back as the second world war Tonbridge people got together to send parcels to local men in service at home and abroad.  This was the brainchild of two Tonbridge men Robert Pease and Alf Smith, who organised and conceived the Tonbridge Comforts Fund, to benefit those Tonbridgians in service in the BEF, Ships at Sea, Stations in Gibraltar,  Malta, Egypt, Aden, Palestine and Stations in Scotland, Wales and all over England.  The idea was that all servicemen received a parcel from their hometown, in the hope it would bring some home comfort and joy into their war-torn days.  It is not sure what would have been in the parcels, but they most probably contained items of food such as sweets, tobacco, clothing and toiletries ... similar to the parcels that are prepared and sent out to servicemen in far flung corners of the world today.

The letter below is a rather special document as it marks the 1000th parcel sent to serving Tonbridgians, and even more unusual is that the letter is addressed to Lance Corporal Allan Pease, the son of the founder of the Tonbridge Comforts Fund.  According to a family member the document was received in France on retreat to Dunkirk, and it is quite amazing that it still survives today. It could be unique and the first time one of its kind has been published.

copyright P Robynns

Lance Corporal Allan Pease, and his four brothers, all served in the army during WW2 and each one returned to Tonbridge when discharged.  Allan, the recipient of the letter, is the last surviving and is now in his 92nd year.  He was formerly Assistant Head Master at The Ridgeway School, and still lives in the area with his wife.  His father, and initiator of the Tonbridge Comforts fund, served as Regimental Sergeant Major Robert Pease of the Royal West Kents.  He was stationed in Tonbridge about 1925 as the Officer in Charge of the Territorial Army in Avebury Avenue.  When he left the Army he was employed as the Local Truant Officer for schools in the Tonbridge area.

Robert Pease founder of The Tonbridge Comforts Fund and his wife Annie

It would be interesting to find out what the comfort parcels contained, and therefore if anyone knows one of the packers listed on the letter, or received a parcel themselves or has any further information please leave a comment below or email tonbridgedaily@gmail.com with contact details.