Fonds GB 0210 WNMA - Welsh National Memorial Association records

The King Edward VII Welsh National Memorial Association (WNMA, Cymdeithas Goffa Genedlaethol Cymru y Brenin Edward VII) was set up in 1910, launched mainly by David Davies, MP, later Lord Davies of Llandinam (1880-1944), to combat the prevalence of tuberculosis in Wales. Davies contributed half of the £300,000 raised to fund the Association, and was elected the first president. The Association was granted a Charter of Incorporation on 17 May 1912; it received legacies and gifts of property to fund its work. By 1921 all 17 local authorities in Wales had agreements with the Association to fund their treatment of TB. The WNMA provided four services: it funded dispensaries throughout Wales and a research department at the Welsh National School of Medicine, including the David Davies Chair of Tuberculosis; it operated its own residential institutions, including sanatoria at Sully Hospital, Cardiff, and Craig-y-Nos, Brecknockshire; and a department producing educational material and funding anti-tuberculosis lectures. In 1937, a government inquiry reviewed the Anti-Tuberculosis Service in Wales. In 1938, the Association moved into new offices in Lord Davies' newly-opened Temple of Peace and Health in Cardiff. The Association's role became redundant following the National Health Service Act 1948 and it was disbanded. The Association's organisation included a Board of Governors and a Council; in 1928, a Necessitous Areas Sub-committee was established to review provision in South Wales. In 1937, its staff numbered over 1,000. The presidents of the Association included Lord Davies, his widow Henrietta, Lady Davies (d. 1948), his son the 2nd Baron Davies (1915-1944) and his sister Miss Gwendoline E. Davies (1882-1951). WNMA participated in two radio programmes about its work: 'Getting and Spending on Rates' (1939) and 'Searchlight on TB' (1949). In the course of its work, WNMA amassed a library of government and other publications relating to the incidence and treatment of TB.