The Edinburgh branch was formed in March 1945 with 28 members and help from the Glasgow branch. Adverts were placed in 'The Scotsman' and leaflets given to people known to have relatives in the Merchant Navy. A calendar of events including outings and talks was planned and a number of topics for debate and discussion that affected the Merchant Navy were raised. These included the bad overseas letter service, supplying fresh milk to ships when in port, provision of hostels for families, permission for wives to stay on board ship when husband's ship in port and changes to pensions. In 1946 branch members were able to help Aberdeen to form a branch. Members also undertook hospital visits in Leith, Methil and Edinburgh. A wide and varied social programme helped the Branch to grow and Mr James Hoy, MP for Edinburgh, gave an address in the House of Commons describing its customs and formalities.
It would appear that the three Scottish Branches, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, came together for meetings. The collection includes the Minutes of their first meeting held in 1950 at Taypark Hotel, Broughty Ferry, Dundee and can be found in U DWA/2/6/4.
The material in this collection comprises calendars of events.