In clarifying the scheme’s principles in a pamphlet in 1918, he writes: “if the State had a right to take men from their civil employment into the service of their country, it has a corresponding duty to restore these men to civil employment when it has no longer need of them in the Army.”
Finally, in 1919, Rothband’s ideas became a reality under the name the King’s National Roll Scheme, with King George V issuing a special proclamation appealing to employers to support it. The Scheme called for five percent of every business to be reserved for the employment of those who had been disabled in the First World War.
Employers who fulfilled this quota were permitted to use what became known as the ‘Seal of Honour’ on letter heads etc. This became a symbol of patriotism, so companies were proud to use it, making it an incentive for others to follow in joining the scheme. The scheme was also given more tract when the government announced that when giving out contracts, those enrolled in the scheme would be prioritised.
In November 1919, the Manchester Guardian reported that 7000 firms were on the National Roll, and that these undertakings covered 1,100,000 workpeople, and would guarantee employment to nearly 70,000 disabled men.
The King’s National Roll Scheme was maintained and remained active until 1944, when it was replaced by the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, which said that preference would be given to disabled persons who had served in the armed forces. The scheme therefore not only fulfilled much-needed short term goals, but also paved the way for wider discussion on the needs of disabled veterans, and the State’s responsibility in providing for them.
Henry was created a baronet of Higher Broughton, Salford in 1923, in recognition of his "public services", most notably his work on 'The Rothband Employment Scheme'.
