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H.M.S. SCARAB
Warship Week
(February 14 – 21 1942)
The Adoption of H.M.S. Scarab
by the
Historic Market Town of Sudbury
in Suffolk
 
FUNDING THE FLEET IN WORLD WAR TWO
During the Second World War
(1939-1945), cities, towns and villages organised “warship
weeks” to raise money to meet the cost of providing a particular naval
ship. The aim was that cities would raise enough money to pay for the
battleships and aircraft carriers, and towns for cruisers and destroyers.
Small towns and villages were set a figure relative to their size, and
would attempt to raise the required funds.
Once enough money had been
raised for the ship, the local community would adopt the ship. Local
organisations, women’s institutes, churches and schools would also
provide additional comforts for the crews of the ship they had adopted.
This was usually in the form of woollen socks, gloves and balaclavas.
Children would often write letters and send cards to the crew. When
possible, officers and men from the adopted ship would visit the local
community, and to celebrate their visit, there would often be a parade.
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