The Link Between Home and Abroad: The Overseas Smokes Fund

Newspaper advertisement for the Windsor Overseas Smokes Fund benefits show. The newspaper clipping reads (middle, bottom of page) $14,000 worth of cigarettes are still needed to meet 1945 quota.

For the duration of the Second World War, the Windsor-Essex community continued to provide Canadian troops overseas with care packages primarily of cigarettes, tobacco and the addition of socks. Canadian cigarettes were recognized as a comfort commodity among Canadians as it created a connection between their homes and those station overseas. The endorsement of tobacco and cigarette consumption was one of Windsor-Essex's primary demonstrations of their patriotism and support for the war effort.

Originally known as The Essex Scottish Overseas Smokes Fund before becoming the Overseas Smokes Fund, as individuals and organizations throughout the community gifted tobacco products to Canadian servicemen regardless of their regiment or affiliation. The Windsor Daily Star commented that “It is, as a matter, linked with many regiments and many parts of Canada as a result of its wide expansion since it began early in the war as the Essex Scottish Overseas Smokes Fund… It now ministers to men in scores of units and in supplying the Scottish, it serves men with cigarettes whose homes are in every part of the Dominion." During the War, tobacco companies donated significant amounts of cigarettes to the cause. The Windsor Daily Star regularly credited tobacco companies and local establishments for their generous contributions. Between 1943 and 1945, community fundraising operations for the funding of cigarettes became increasingly popular. It was stated that “employers, workers, and relatives joined the fervour, sending cigarettes to overseas soldiers and sailors who often sent back postcards thanking the donors.” The donation of cigarettes was considered a form of gratitude for the sacrifices made by troops overseas. Many other Canadian regiments envied the community support the Essex Scottish received from back home. The Windsor Daily Star noted that “the new Essex Scottish is a truly representative Canadian regiment with men from every province and many of the larger cities across the country. It is a heart-warming story to hear.”

However, the Overseas Smoke Fund experienced issues in meeting the high demand for cigarettes by the troops. The Fund experienced supply chain issues, as there was a shortage of the paper needed to make the cigarettes. Nevertheless, as the estimated number of cigarettes sent to troops was at stake, the Windsor-Essex community started a wastepaper collection fund to remedy the problem.

To boost community participation and morale, the Windsor-Essex community organized several fundraisers. Local newspapers such as the Windsor Daily Star published advertisements for charity events, including: barbershop quartets, dance shows, fighting matches, orchestras, and wastepaper drives. A notable fundraiser in the Windsor-Essex community occurred on 26 February 1944 when Windsor-Essex residents were asked to donate their recycled papers to the Overseas Smokes Fund to supplement the paper supply. The effort did not go unnoticed by the military serving overseas. A countless number of soldiers thanked the Windsor-Essex community by sending greeting cards and thank-you cards back home. The enthusiasm exhibited by Windsor-Essex gathered attention throughout Canada and Europe.

By the end of the war, the Windsor-Essex community had sent 35 million individual cigarettes overseas, which totaled $106,126.76 in value. For months to follow, local newspapers reported that soldiers overseas were humbled by the support provided by the community and the patriotism exhibited back home.

Story by Taylor Blackmere, Canada Summer Jobs 2022 participant
with The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association

Sources

• Overseas Smokes Fund Committee scrapbook 1942-45, The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association archival collection
• The Smoke of War by Graham Chandler in Legion Magazine, February 23, 2018
• The Windsor Daily Star 1935-1959 Review (Page 5 of 45), July 10, 1943
• The Windsor Daily Star 1935-1959 Review (Page 3 of 34), June 22, 1945

A year-by-year summary between 1940 and 1945 of the number of cigarettes sent overseas from the Oversea Smokes Fund. Summary was published 1 October 1945.

2 April 1946: Newspaper clipping from the Windsor Daily Star (Now Windsor Star) reporting on the total of 35 million cigarettes sent overseas to the Canadian troops.