Wartime fundraising

Throughout generations Portsmouth has been paying to fortify the nation. Within living memory, during World War II, fundraising events to support the war effort were regular features of life. Examples include during May 1943, Portsmouth raised £1.2 million during Wings for Victory week which was enough to pay for 100 Spitfire fighters. Even more generously, in March 1942 Portsmouth people gave £1.3 million to pay for the cruiser HMS Sirius.