Lily Thomas talk at Burton Library

Lily Thomas, pictured with some of the Burton POWs after they returned home

Lily Thomas, was never going to be forgotten, said the grateful Burton men who returned from prisoner of war camps at the end of the First World War. The parcels of food, sometimes supplemented with clothes and boots and home remedies, which she had sent out every two weeks between spring 1915 and the end of the war had raised morale and actually saved lives, the men said. Robust boots, socks and warm clothing went someway toward protecting them from frostbite, colds and flu. Without Lily's help they would have suffered even more.

Yet, Lily Thomas WAS largely forgotten. Why was that? This remarkable woman, a widow with a young daughter, decided to send out parcels at her own cost as her 'little bit of war work'. But as more men and youths were taken prisoner, the costs soared and she formed a team of volunteers to help her raise funds and pack parcels and keep on top of the names and addresses of the prisoners. Initially they faced scepticism and even abuse for what they were doing. Some people refused to believe the men were receiving the parcels, despite the letters that came from the men. They accused her of feeding the enemy and even suspected she was an enemy alien, because she was born in Guernsey. By the end of the war, Lily and her Prisoners of War Fund had sent out more than 25,750 parcels and 90% had been safely delivered to the intended recipient.

Elaine Pritchard is talking about the life and times of Lily Thomas at a meeting of Burton Civic Society, which is held at Burton Library on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 7pm. It's free for members to attend and if you want to come along as a visitor, the society asks for a small donation. It's also a chance to find out more about the civic society, which celebrates its 65th anniversary next year.