Useful Work By Halifax Automobile Club

From the Halifax Courier, 26th February 1916.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB.

A RECORD OF USEFUL WAR WORK.

The annual meeting was held at the White Swan Hotel.  Commenting upon the balance sheet, the President remarked they would notice that the balance in hand was £16 less than last year.  This, however, was accounted for by the fact that about £60 had been paid out for the equipment of the motor ambulances.  Besides this, the generosity of members had provided medical outfits for the 10 cars which formed our section of the voluntary aid transport scheme, which was provided to assist the army in the event of any North Sea battle, or raid upon the East Coast.  The motor ambulances which had been presented to the town, they would be pleased to know, had done very good work, and was one of the best efforts the club had done for the town.

Attention was drawn to the good work done by Mr: F. Bentley in meeting, every Sunday morning, the night trains from London arriving in Bradford, and conveying the soldiers travelling by them, to their homes in Halifax, thus obviating a five hours' wait in Bradford before the Sunday morning trains commenced running.

Acknowledgment was made of the grand help rendered by the Huddersfield Club, and the private motor ambulance from Todmorden, in coming to our aid when trains of wounded soldiers had arrived in the town.  Arrangements had been made for Huddersfield to help Halifax, and vice versa.  Fears had been expressed, however, that should wounded arrive at both towns simultaneously, much delay might occur.  To obviate this the club had induced Messrs. Mackintosh and Co, Ltd., the Economic Stores, Ltd., and Mr. Wainwright, confectioner, to have their vans fitted up as ambulances.  These will provide 10 stretchers extra, thus making, apart from any horse ambulances, 14 stretchers with which it is felt, they would be able to cope with any trains that might arrive in the town.

.... Dr. Hughes, Danecourt, who is abroad with the Army, the esteemed treasurer of the club, and other members who are with the Army, remain honorary members during the continuance of the war.  Much satisfaction was expressed that so many officers and members of the club were holding responsible positions in the Army.

[Nothing to do with what women were doing (or at least women are not mentioned) but I have included this because it illustrates the range of voluntary work that was going on all over the country. 

Mackintosh's made toffee in Halifax.  The company merged with Rowntree's, to form Rowntree-Mackintosh in 1969, and were eventually taken over by Nestlé.]