Unitarian Brotherhood

[Helen G]

Great Uncle Harry Woodyatt of 27 Bishop Street, Birmingham, has written on his medical discharge form from WW1 that his National health Approved Society was the Unitarian Brotherhood, Birmingham.

Can anyone tell me anything about this organisation? Do any of their records survive and if so where are they stored?

I'll try posting this request around the site and see if anyone can up with something

Thanks for reading this
Helen

 

[terry carter]

Helen,

Did you know that his WW1 Pension Records are on Ancestry UK. I can download them if you need.

Terry

 

[Helen G]

Thanks for the offer Terry but I have already printed them off.

I have found them facinating but as I have so little knowledge about military matters a little confusing too. As a nurse I have had a great deal of experience deciphering doctors handwriting but some of the entries in his documents have me completely stumped!

He had given his National Health Approved Society as the Unitarian Brotherhood, Birmingham and I had presumed that this was some sort of pre walfare state sickness club but I am now getting the impression that maybe this was a religious group he belonged to.

Thanks for your message
Helen

 

[Wendy]

Helen I think a lot of the religions had organisations for helping people and I am sure you are right it was perhaps a way of helping with heath issues before national health. My gt grandfather was involved in something called 'the mens movement' at the Congresional church on Soho Hill. I am sure there were many such groups.

 

[Alan Tucker]

National Health Insurance began with the act of 1911 and covered all employed workers. There was considerable opposition from the 'vested interests' i.e. friendly societies and insurance companies who offered health benefits through the private sector. To buy off their opposition Lloyd George gave them the status of 'approved societies' as part of the new national scheme. The Unitarian Brotherhood would appear to be one of these.

 

[Helen G]

Thanks Alan
Thats really usful info. Do you think any records they had would still exist? if so where do you think they might be held?

Helen

 

[mikejee]

Concerning the approved societies, it might interest people to view a typical card (not from Birmingham or the Unitarian brotherhood). Attached are scans of two sides of my mothers card for a period just before the war. The approved society is "National Amalgamated Approved Society" and it had to be produced at a doctors before treatment to show that contributions were up to date. The contributions were collected by Refuge Assurance, who presumably were members of the National amalgamated
mike