Tuesday 16 December 2014

Appeal for Bovril

From the Amman Valley Chronicle, 17th December 1914 - a similar appeal appeared in other newspapers. 

BOVRIL FOR THE SOLDIERS

To the Editor of the “Amman Valley Chronicle”.

Sir,
In memory of Lord Roberts, who was ever thinking of the welfare of our troops, I am starting a fund to provide Bovril for our soldiers who are suffering so greatly from exposure in the trenches.  I am offering to the public the Lord Roberts Post Card, which contains a facsimile of the great General's handwriting, his photograph, and his address to recruits.  The entire profits from the sale of these cards will be devoted to the above purpose.  By arrangement with the War Office the Bovril will be dispatched without delay and distributed equally among the soldiers in the trenches.

I am delighted to say that I have already received support which has enabled me to supply over 10,000 cups of Bovril.  Her Majesty the Queen is greatly interested to hear that such a large amount has been sent for the comfort of the soldiers at the front.

A sixpenny Postal Order and a stamped addressed envelope for six "Roberts" Cards will be received by me with sincere and grateful thanks.

Yours faithfully,
GLADYS STOREY.
89, Broadhurst Gardens,
South Hampstead, N.W.

[Gladys Storey was an actress and continued her Bovril Fund throughout the war.  Bovril was (and is) a concentrated meat product - it was intended by Miss Storey to be used to make hot drinks for the troops. 

Lord Roberts had served in the British Army throughout the second half of the 19th century, including leading the British forces in the South African War from 1899 to the end of 1900, and became Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in 1901 until the post was abolished in 1904.  He had died of pneumonia in France, in November, at the age of 82. ]

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