A New Trade for Disabled Soldiers

Basket makers at work at James Robinson Limited, Leighton Buzzard 1919 [Z50/72/221]

Friday 20th July 1917: Arrangements have been made by the Bedfordshire Local War Pensions Committee to send disabled soldiers to the Leighton Buzzard Basket Works to learn the basket making trade. Men who have lost a limb who will have their pension made up to 27s 6d per week during training, with a 5s per week bonus for every week they attend. Those who have a wife and family will receive an allowance for them similar to the Army separation allowance.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer 17th July 1917