National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers
Encyclopedia
The National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers (NADSS) was a British veterans' organisation.
The group was founded in early 1917 at a conference in Blackburn, drawing together various local groups representing working men who had served in World War I
but had since been discharged. It campaigned for better pension
s, and more opportunities for re-training. Led by James Howell, it developed links with trade union
s and the Labour Party
.
The association sponsored several candidates at the 1918 UK general election, forming part of what was termed the "Silver Badge Party
". Robert Hewitt Barker
was elected in Sowerby
, having been endorsed by the local branch, but not by the executive, and acting essentially an independent Conservative
.
Around this time, the group severed its links with the labour movement, and became more conservative in outlook, moving closer to the Comrades of the Great War
group. In 1919, James Myles Hogge
replaced Howell as President. In 1921, it merged with the Comrades group, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers
and the Officers' Association to form the Royal British Legion.
The group was founded in early 1917 at a conference in Blackburn, drawing together various local groups representing working men who had served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
but had since been discharged. It campaigned for better pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
s, and more opportunities for re-training. Led by James Howell, it developed links with trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s and the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
.
The association sponsored several candidates at the 1918 UK general election, forming part of what was termed the "Silver Badge Party
Silver Badge Party
The Silver Badge Party was the unofficial title for a political movement existing in the United Kingdom during and immediately after World War I. The unofficial party consisted of several groups representing the political interests of former service personnel who had fought in the war...
". Robert Hewitt Barker
Robert Hewitt Barker
Robert Hewitt Barker was a British textile mill owner. He was the independent Member of Parliament for Sowerby, 1918–1922, with the support of the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers....
was elected in Sowerby
Sowerby (UK Parliament constituency)
Sowerby was a county constituency centred on the village of Sowerby in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-History:...
, having been endorsed by the local branch, but not by the executive, and acting essentially an independent Conservative
Independent Conservative
Independent Conservative is a description allowed in British politics to denote party affiliation. It is used to designate a politician is conservative, yet independent of any political party, particularly of the Conservative Party....
.
Around this time, the group severed its links with the labour movement, and became more conservative in outlook, moving closer to the Comrades of the Great War
Comrades of the Great War
The Comrades of The Great War were formed in 1917 as a non-political association to represent the rights of ex-service men and women who had served or had been discharged from service during World War I. Comrades of The Great War was one of the original four ex-service associations that amalgamated...
group. In 1919, James Myles Hogge
James Myles Hogge
James Myles Hogge was a British social researcher and Liberal politician.Hogge was educated at the Edinburgh Normal School, Moray House School of Education, and Edinburgh University, where he was president of the Liberal Association. Hogge at first wanted to be teacher...
replaced Howell as President. In 1921, it merged with the Comrades group, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers
National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers
The National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers was a British veterans organisation.The organisation was founded in January 1917 by various London-based veterans groups opposed to the Review of Exceptions Act, which made it possible for people invalided out of the armed...
and the Officers' Association to form the Royal British Legion.