Comforts for the Fifth Winter of War

From the Mid-Sussex Times, 8th October 1918.

MID-SUSSEX VOLUNTARY WORK ORGANIZATION,

Approved by the War Office & Registered under the War Charities Act, 1911.

During the month of September 2,277 articles have been received into the Depot of the above and 5,490 articles have been despatched.

Fifteen requisitions have been accomplished during the month, and these comprise— (1) "Comforts" to the A.N.F.O., Le Havre, and to the N.F.0., Kantara, E. E. F. [Egyptian Expeditionary Force] ; (2) Hospital requisites to the 19th, 33rd and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations, B.E.F. [British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front], to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, B.E.F., to the 5th and 74th General Hospitals, B.E.F., to the 2nd Eastern Hospital, Brighton, to the Horton War Hospital, Epsom, and to the War Hospital, Keighley; and (3) Hospital bags to the  Military Hospital, Grantham.

The numbers of articles received and despatched for this month are almost an exact reversal of the numbers for the month of August, but for the two months together the number despatched exceeds the number received by about 70.  It is, therefore, necessary to urge all the workers who can to increase their output of supplies. In a recent letter Sir Edward Ward says that "the approach of a fifth winter of war, with our armies still occupying the field, casts an even greater duty and responsibility than ever before upon those of us who are left at home to carry on our respective spheres of activity in connection with the different branches of war work. . . . .  If any incentive were needed to encourage the women of Great Britain to continue their work, it is provided by the magnificent victories—results of hard fighting—achieved by our splendid Army during these last weeks. . . . . It needs but a small sacrifice for every knitter to send to her Depot regular contributions of knitted 'comforts' each week during the next three months. Such support will provide all the articles required, and I am convinced that our great army of voluntary workers will see to it that nothing is wanting."

This appeal applies not only to "comforts," such as mufflers, mittens, helmets, sweaters, socks, footballs, games (indoor and outdoor) and handkerchiefs (dark shades), but also to hospital requisites, and among these latter there is a large demand, at present, for bed jackets, dressing gowns, limb pillows, pyjamas, pneumonia jackets, slippers (carpet and surgical), bed tables, bed cradles and bed rests.  Any of these will be gratefully received, and further information may be obtained at the Depot, Rural District Council Rooms, Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, from the Hon. Secretary, Miss M. Parez, or the Hon. Superintendent, Mrs F. Paine, during office hours, i.e., 10 am. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.