Down with the Fag
The Overseas League Tobacco Fund did not agree. Incorporated by Royal Charter and registered under the War Charities Act, 1940, its aim was to provide fags for our troops and it publicised its aim widely. I have come across one of its 1943 bookmarks with "A THANK OFFERING TO THE FIGHTING MEN" and an appeal to donate to the Tobacco Fund:
OUR FIGHTING MEN
They long for a Smoke
Just ten shillings will send 500 good Cigarettes, duty free, to the Fighting Men - not forgetting the Wounded in Casualty Clearing Stations and Base Hospitals overseas, and in Hospitals in this country - and help to cheer them up.
Don't they deserve it?
A Commanding Officer writes:-
"Many thanks for your cigarettes. They have gone to the Wounded at The Salermo Beaches."
There is one picture of Monty handing out fags to his troops and another showing a red cross man lighting up for some of the wounded. This was organised by no hole-in-the-wall group. All contributions were sent to Over-Seas House, St. James's, London, S.W.1. So it was almost as famous as the War Office the address of which was "London S.W.1."
