Flag Day for Belgium, Nottingham, 1st July 1916

A flag day in support of Belgian refugees was held in Nottingham on 1st July 1916. There had been opposition to the fund raising effort due to the “ingratitude and misbehaviour” of some Belgians in the city.

“A Belgian flag-day is to be held in Nottingham on Saturday next [1st July 1916] to provide funds for the maintenance of Belgians in Nottingham and for Belgians in their own country. In appealing for help the Mayor says objections have been raised in some quarters on the ground of the ingratitude and misbehaviour of some few Belgian refugees. After inquiring into this matter he finds that as might be expected when a large number of people of all grades of society are dealt with there are a few whose conduct is not all that could be desired, but that the majority of the refugees are of exceedingly good character and behaviour and have done their best to find employment, so far as possible to be self-supporting: in fact, by far the larger proportion of the men in Nottingham are so employed.” [1]

On the day itself, the effort was reported without any reference to those who had objected to it.

“BELGIAN REFUGEES.

“FLAG DAY IN NOTTINGHAM.

“To-day [1st July 1916] flags are being offered for sale in Nottingham in aid of the funds for the relief of the Belgian refugees in the city and of destitute Belgians in their own country.

“The heroic efforts of our Allies in the early stages the war will not readily be forgotten, and no doubt there will be a generous response to the collection organised by a committee over which the Mayor of Nottingham (Mr. J. G. Small) presides.” [2]

[1] ‘The Nottingham Evening News’, 24th June 1916.

[2] 'Nottingham Evening Post', 1st July 1916.