Firm foundations
A look back at the early years of the National Society of Chiropodists, its founding members, how its first anniversary was reported in the Hairdressers Weekly Journal, and incorporation in 1915.
National Society of Chiropodists 1912 - 1915
The first founders' meeting was held in 1912 and in early March 1913 they held their first AGM. In an account of that meeting, the following speech from Ernest Runting was recorded:
In addition, the archive holds a large, blue leather-bound register containing the signatures of the original members of the National Society of Chiropodists. It has an elaborate title page and the first 13 pages have signatures. There are 243 of these in total; although some are repeated at the end with the addition of a number of the signatories' addresses. The first page contains the signatures of the founders of the Society including Arnold Whitaker Oxford, Ernest Runting, Felix Wagner and Otto Scherf. Other later signatories include renowed chiropodists such as Albert Warmbath, George Frederick Cooper and J Hanby.
In addition, this document highlights the many family connections within chiropody at this time. The signature of Ernest Runting's daughter Ida is on page 6, that of Heinrich William Ludwig Scherf on page 5, Soloman Warmbath on page 2 and four members of the Norrie family on pages 1 and 2 (Gilbert, John, Catherine and Margaret).
Out of the total number of signatories, a quarter are women and include two of the doyennes of chiropody, Margaret Mackenzie Swanson and Catherine Fraser Norrie.
Page 7 has the signature of a Lt Harry Walker Arnott. This might possibly be the Henry Walker Arnott who joined the RAMC in 1909 and having distinguished himself during WW1 succumbed to the effects of a gas attack and consequently died in 1928.1
On page 13 is the signature and address of a Mary Trevor-Roper of Finchley, London. Further research has shown that she was first cousin once removed to both the historian Hugh Trevor-Roper,2 and Richard Trevor-Roper,3 who was one of the Dambusters.
First Anniversary
The first anniversary was commented upon in the November 1913 edition of the Nursing Mirror and Midwives' Journal. The National Society celebrated its anniversary with an inaugural dinner - the first of many!
As you can see, this document is a reprint from the Hairdressers Weekly Journal, which might seem odd but was traditionally where news about chiropody was published; that was until the advent of The Chiropodist, the first edition of which was January 1914.
Incorporated Society of Chiropodists 1915-1945
In 1915 the National Society sought registration under the new name of the Incorporated Society of Chiropodists. The National Society was duly dissolved and property and assets transferred. This decision was made to ensure stability and to recognise the sterling work already done by the Society. The Board of Trade granted a licence on condition that certain aims and principles were followed:
The October 1915 edition of The Chiropodist outlined the reasoning behind the change and the vision and direction for the future.
The objects, qualifications, fees etc were published and would feature in subsequent issues.
Notes:
[1] The information relating to Lt Arnott was found on Find My Past (https://www.findmypast.co.uk)
[2] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hugh-Trevor-Roper-Baron-Dacre-of-Glanton - accessed 15.10.19.
[3] https://dambustersblog.com/category/richard-trevor-roper/ - accessed 15.10.19.