OUR OWN DAY was a flag day like none which had gone before.

On September 2, 1916, it was a jollier affair than any which predated with more people involved than ever, all coming together in support of Royal South Hants Hospital.

Purchasers of flags were in great numbers, and so were the workers. There were no slackers, and some of those concerned worked as hard as they had done for any cause.

There was such high spirits and gusto, it was compared by many the the kind found at a French fete day or an Italian festa.

By midday many sellers had no more flags to sell with sales, and collections. far exceeding expectations.

The collectors worked until late and their tins became heavily laden - so much so that one of them even burst in New Road.

The spectacle of local notabilities pulling hurdy-gurdies about the streets and holding out hats for a collection was so novel it pulled money out of people’s pockets with ease. Colonel E K Perkins, Sir George Hussey and Captain Julian Perkins were among those who worked exceedingly hard to ensure tins were brimming with coin.

At the Dell, during the afternoon, lady flag sellers made a roaring trade, especially among some wounded soldiers who occupied a large part of the west stand.

Among the large donations was £100 from the Ordnance Survey War Relief Fund, £13 from their map printing department, and £11 3s 6d from the Naval and Military Embarkation Staff.

Southampton Pictorial gave plenty of room for the event in that week’s publication - the pictures from which can be seen on these pages.