When Britain and the Empire declared war on Germany at 11pm on August 4th 1914, for violating Belgium’s neutrality, The Woolwich Polytechnic, forerunner of the University of Greenwich, was closed for the summer.
On re-openning in September the impact was not initially felt since most of the evening students worked at the Royal Arsenal and so were classed as a reserve profession, and the days school boys were too young to serve.
The first action by the Polytechnic was to set up special classes for those affected by the War, and a relief fund:
Transciption from ‘Reports to Governors and Committees August 1914 to January 1915′.
UGA/WP/1/2/19/115
21. SPECIAL CLASSES CONSEQUENT UPON THE WAR.
RECOMMENDED:-
(a) That the opening of suitable separate classes/ in Trade Dressmaking and in Commercial subjects,/ exclusively for those thrown out of employment/ by reason of the War, be approved, and that the/ Principal be empowered to admit eligible persons/ to these classes without payment of fees.
(b) That the Principal be empowered to admit Belgian/ refugees in to the ordinary classes without payment/ of fees.
(c) That a class be formed for former scholars of the/ Girls’ Trade Schools, who are discharged by reason/of the War.
(d) That Mr. E. C. Hulin be engaged to conduct this/ class at a salary of 10/6 per evening.
22. RELIEF FUNDS.
RECOMMENDED:-
That the Governors raise no objection to the/ formation of a Polytechnic fund for the relief of/ persons distressed by the War, on condition that donations are not canvassed.