Katherine Lyttelton, wife of General Sir Neville Lyttelton, was heavily involved in helping the Belgian refugees during the First World War.
Numerous letters and other documents can be found here in the archives which show the many ways she aided the refugees.
Katherine actively took part in many committees that helped to find work and homes for the refugees in England and she assisted in fundraising to send supplies out to those still in Belgium.
Her contributions were readily acknowledged and she received thanks from many people and families for her help and support. One of these letters, dated 6 March 1915, came from Princess Clementine of Belgium, who wrote to acknowledge Katherine’s services to the Belgians.
An album including poems, photos, sketches and drawings was presented to Katherine in 1915 thanking her for her support. Katherine was also bestowed the ‘Médaille de la reine Élisabeth’ (The Queen Elisabeth Medal) in June 1918. This was a Belgian decoration created by royal decree in 1915 to recognise exceptional services to Belgium during the First World War.
The upcoming exhibition ‘Remembering the First World War’ on the second floor of the Mile End Library will feature some of these items. The exhibition will open in the first week of June 2014. Come along to see them!