Our speaker: Ted Morrison
Rotary During the War
In the first 40 years, Rotary experienced three major challenges – WW1, WW2, and the Great Depression. Ted provided a moving historical review of Rotary’s role during these times.
First World War
From 1905 – 1914 Rotary grew to 123 clubs in US, Canada, England, Ireland and France. 15,000 men called themselves Rotarians. Besides military service, Rotarians supported the war effort through humanitarian aid, selling war bonds, and raising money for soldier’s families. In Scotland, Rotarians cared for 25,000 children of active service men. In Toronto Rotarians donated $22,000 USD to the Red Cross for war relief. By 1917 clubs bought ambulances, arranged entertainment and hospitality programs for men and women waiting to ship overseas.
One pivotal event happened in Washington DC. The US government, together with 100 Rotarians from across the States, organized the War Camp Community Recreation Fund and raised $4 million USD to help soldiers away from their loved ones. Rotarians also helped farmers. The Chicago Rotary formed “Boys to Farm Committee” that connected unemployed urban teens with farms who were desperately short-handed. The war highlighted the international nature or Rotary and by 1918 Rotary grew to 758 clubs.
World War 2
When Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, he declared that Germans of Jewish descent were 2nd-class citizens and were forbidden to hold important positions or own their own business. Articles in newspapers linked Rotary as Freemasonry and Judaism. Rotarians lost their classifications and clubs closed in Germany, Spain and China. In total 484 clubs and 16,700 Rotarians were lost. When Germany invaded Poland, the Gestapo found a membership list of the Warsaw club and Gestapo executed 12 Rotarians on the spot. Rotary clubs went into hiding and continued to meet as “Tuesday clubs”, “Golfers clubs”, or a singing society.
Canada & Oshawa in WW2
The Toronto club raised over 100,000 for Sick Kids Hospital during the war years. The Rotary Club of Oshawa sent clothes and blankets to evacuee children in Britain. Since Oshawa was a training base for Airmen, the Oshawa club entertained the trainees and even built a songbook that included songs life “the White Cliffs of Dover” and “There Will Always Be an England”.
The United Nations Connections
At the 1940 International Convention. The theme that year was Rotary Amid World Conflict. During this event Rotarians began planning for post-ward peace and reconstruction. This led to the founding of UNESCO. They changed the way the world thinks by passing a resolution to respect human rights (a phrase never used before).
After the war Rotary was at the forefront in the establishment of the UN and at the Charter conference Rotary sent a delegation of 49 Rotarians from 29 countries. Today Rotary still plays an active role and even has a
seat at the UN as official consultant.
I loved this moving review of Rotary’s role shaping world history. Thanks to Ted for doing the research and sharing.
Ted put it so well:
“Aren’t you proud to be a Rotarian when you hear of the esteem in which Rotary is held in our world and our accomplishments?”
Oshawa Cenotaph Ceremony November 11
