Friendly societies prior to National Insurance

[bowman]

There is a question on my G/fathers WW1 army papers "What is your friendly society" his answer is 'The Refuge'  and in a small notebook he kept there is a insurance card number, my question? Are these two linked and if so any ideas as to the possibility of records/archives surviving.
Having Googled looking for answers, it would seem that this was the forerunner in sickness benefits in the 1920's onwards

[youngtug]

I think you will find that Friendly Society's began a lot earlier than the 1920's.;  http://www.rootschat.com/links/01jx2/

The Refuge was ammalgamated with the United Friendly and is now the Royal London group. They may have his records, if the number you have is his Refuge number then you might be lucky;  https://www.royallondon.com/contact/looking-for/refuge-assurance-policy/

[stanmapstone]

Having Googled looking for answers, it would seem that this was the forerunner in sickness benefits in the 1920's onwards

Not only before 1920 but still going strong today see https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/friendly-societies-introduction. The National Insurance Act of 1911 set up the country's first unemployment benefit and national health insurance schemes.
A similar question has been asked before on RootsChat see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=699428.msg5426035#msg5426035

Stan

[Hystericalwriter]

Some Family History Societies have transcribed the friendly societies records that have survived. Wiltshire have done as such, and I found out information, such as dob, and parish of residence. Not sure how far back, but the transcription pointed me in the right direction with relatives that I had struggled with.

Anne

[andrewalston]

Health insurance goes back a lot further than I expected.

The will of one of my 5 x great grandfathers, made in 1824, refers to "the sum of four pounds in money out of the Male Sick Society of Croston of which I am a member".

[stanmapstone]

"Friendly Societies have been around for hundreds of years and may even have their origins dating back to Roman times. They grew from the simple premise that if a group of people contributed to a mutual fund, then they could receive benefits at a time of need.The early meetings were often held as a social gathering when the subscriptions would be paid." http://www.friendlysocieties.co.uk/history.htm

Stan