Birmingham received more refugees from Belgium than any other city during the First World War. After the massacres in Belgian cities, which left hundreds of people dead and over 40,000 people forced to evacuate from just one Belgian city, out of a total of over a quarter of a million refugees, 5,000 people arrived in Birmingham. To help those affected, Birmingham set up the “Belgian Refugee Committee” to raise funds, provide food and shelter for all those who arrived. Read more at birminghamyes.com.
Total war
Some have rightly argued that the First World War was nothing less than a total war. Why is this so, because this conflict affected all levels of society.11 Even those who lived far away from the frontlines and the fighting. This first industrialised conflict has created a catastrophic situation on a scale never seen before.
What exactly does this mean? We are talking about the endless facts of massacres, arson, rape, looting and deportations. Alongside this, the war has led to famine, epidemics and a global flow of refugees. <In many ways, the First World War is seen as a significant “merit” in the fact that the twentieth century has been called the century of refugees.
The fact that all these atrocities led to an unprecedented explosion of humanitarian aid looks like a certain positive development against this background. Therefore, the First World War is also seen as a watershed in the redefinition of humanism and, as a result, social transformations.
This global conflict was crucial for changing the discourse from charity to human rights. It catalysed the transition of charity to more professional and institutionalised social work. Since all the atrocities caused by the First World War were of a global nature, they had to be solved in the same way, i.e., with the help of an international and transnational approach.
All of this has led to trans nationalisation, to trans nationalisation of everything that is possible, and among this, humanitarian activity. In addition, as far as human rights and refugees were concerned, it was then that a decisive turning point was marked, and the initial contours of modern international policy towards these people and their rights were outlined.
Today, unfortunately, the professionalisation of aid in the aftermath of the First World War has not yet been studied in depth. This research should pay more attention to the war, specifically from the perspective of social work. And one of the most striking examples would be the case of refugees from Belgium to Birmingham, England. This is important because that humanitarian intervention may have demonstrated its greatest strength at the local level.
Fleeing to England
It is estimated that four million people, refugees from the Western Front, sought refuge in another country. Half a million of them were Belgians who felt forced to leave their homes and country by German violence. As a result, about one million Belgians fled to the Netherlands, 250,000 managed to get to France, and another 250,000 ended up in England. Nevertheless, this fact still remains the largest refugee movement in British history.
The brutal invasion of Belgium by German troops was covered in newspapers all over the world. The indignation of the masses knew no bounds, and not only the Allies, but also quite neutral countries were outraged. Thus, Belgium became a symbol of heroism. Accordingly, the British government believed that it was their sacred duty to help refugees from Belgium.
Logically, the massive influx of Belgian refugees to the island country led to an unprecedented expansion of volunteer offerings.31 It is fair to say that in terms of aid, this was the largest undertaking ever seen in British history. For example,35 more than 2,000 officially registered relief committees were set up, and more than 100,000 people from all social groups and classes offered their services.
After the Belgians arrived in the UK, most of them were sent to the so-called reception camps in London. The main ones were Alexandra Palace and Earl’s Court, which served as resettlement centres. Refugees were taken care of here before being sent to other English cities for permanent residence.
Belgians in Birmingham
Birmingham also received its share of refugees. The city took the matter seriously and set up a local War Refugee Committee, chaired by Elizabeth Cadbury. This body was to coordinate and meet the needs of Belgian refugees. In early autumn 1914, the first fifty refugees appeared in Birmingham. During this time, Belgian refugees became almost “stars”. The British visited them on the spot, or met them hospitably at railway stations. Naturally, Birmingham was no exception. When the first refugees arrived at New Street Station, they received their fair share of hospitality and sincerity.
In total, approximately 5,000 Belgians were distributed to Birmingham. All information about the refugees is registered and stored in the “Belgian Refugee Register” at the Birmingham Archives and History Service. The committee took responsibility for providing housing, employment, education, and recreation for the newcomers.
Several subcommittees were set up to address these issues. As a result, all the newly arrived refugees were distributed, English classes for adults were organised, and a Belgian school was established. In addition, a fundraiser was organised to support low-income Belgian families, employment opportunities were provided for newcomers, etc. A bureau for lost relatives, a Belgian club and a maternity hospital were established. Newcomers were also provided with material assistance through the distribution of donated clothing, shoes and other gifts.
The members of the Birmingham Committee for War Refugees included, among others, Quakers, relatives of the well-known and wealthy Cadbury and Sturge families. Local prominent Catholics were present, including Edward Ilsley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and Mr and Mrs Ratcliffe, etc.
Helping other areas
But the refugees were not only distributed to Birmingham. Some Belgians ended up in other smaller towns and even villages in England. These smaller towns and villages included Pershore, Evesham and the surrounding villages, as well as Eckington, Fladbury, Elmley Castle, Great Comberton and Deford. Nevertheless, Birmingham patrons helped Belgian refugees from the war there as well, sending them some support.
It is known that in November 1914, a substantial gift was made to Pershore by Richard Barrow Cadbury of Edgbaston. This was made possible after a commercial traveller for Cadbury Brothers learned what small Pershore was doing for Belgian war refugees. It was then that 50 beds, 50 mattresses, 50 blankets and 50 pillows were donated. All this stuff was sent to Pershore. According to the estimates of the time, one such gift was worth a very generous £40, as all the items were new. Richard Cadbury was a trustee of the Cadbury Institute, which helped refugees until permanent homes could be found for them.
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