V For Victory, Canadian Red Cross Quilt, 1939-45 (textile)

This quilt was given to the donor’s mother-in-law when she lived in West Croydon. Her home was damaged five times during air raids in the Second World War, and this quilt was given to her at some point during that time. Thousands of quilts were sent over from the Canadian Red Cross Society to Britain in the Second World War to aid the War relief. They were given to families that had been bombed out of their houses as well as members of the armed forces, hospitals and hostels. Quilts were made quickly and were often utilitarian in style, and the crazy block was one of the most popular styles as any size and colour of fabric scrap could be used. Each quilt had a small label sewn on which read 'Gift of the Candian Red Cross Society'.