GLASGOW began its War Weapons Week in late November 1940, with £5 million having already been contributed or pledged.

A working man arrived at the City Chambers with several hundred pounds wrapped in an old newspaper; the parcel was presented by Lord Provost Patrick Dollan to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Kingsley Wood, at a lunch in the Grosvenor restaurant. Sir Kingsley was also shown a letter from a widow enclosed with a 10 shilling note, her weekly pension. A girl of 10 collected half a crown in coppers and sent in a postal order. The larger investments in Defence Bonds, War Savings Certificates and other government securities included one of £500,000, from the Burmah Oil Company.

On the opening day of the Week, crowds deserted a yellow-nosed Messerschmitt fighter displayed alongside other war weapons in George Square to watch a march-past by sailors, soldiers, airmen, women of the WRNS, WAAC and WAAF, the Home Guard, firemen, nurses and other ARP units. They gave an especially warm welcome to the women of the Land Army.

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Sir Kingsley himself later said that Britain’s daily war expenditure that year had been £9 million. He urged Glaswegians to help finance the “most costly war the world has ever known.”

An old lady gave Mr Dollan a tray of jewellery, to be donated to the cause. She did not leave her name.

Addressing the crowds in George Square, Sir Harry Lauder (pictured), who had made a substantial contribution, said he hoped citizens would follow his example.

Glasgow’s War Week raised an investment of £10.5 million. Ordinary citizens had contributed £2.7 million, the equivalent of £2 8s 4d per head of population.