The Second World War...

Like other sports, athletics continued throughout the Second World War but at a much reduced level of activity. The Beagles' operations were put on a war-time footing and a committee of non-combatants steered the club through the war years, meeting a couple of times each year or as often as necessary to ensure that things ticked over. A programme of activities was arranged for those members still able to participate, particularly for the younger age groups who also had the incentive of the county championships to aim at (the senior championships were suspended).

As early as September L944 the club committee somewhat optimistically discussed the arrangements for resuming a normal level of operations once the war ended but it was a further year before events allowed these arrangements to be put into effect. The first A.G.M. since 1938 was held at the Rabbits Hotel, Manor Park on 13 September 1945 and Arthur Dove and Fred Fullalove were elected as the first post-war Secretary and Treasurer respectively under the continued Presidency of Frank Saunders, the Woodford businessman whose benevolence largely kept the club afloat during those years. The character of the Beagles had seen them through a quarter-century of difficulties and although the club did not realise it, happier times were just around the corner. Arthur Dove and Fred Fullalove - The first post war Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer.

Arthur Dove and Fred Fullalove - The first post war Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer.