Replenishing the Comforts Pool

From the Halifax Courier, 6th May 1916.

“Courier” Comforts Fund
APPEAL FROM ANOTHER FUND.

W.R. Territorial Headquarters, York, May 4. 

Dear, Sir,—I am directed by Lord Scarborough to inform you that he has received a letter from the Director General of Voluntary Organisation stating that 1,057 pairs of socks and 114 shirts have been issued from their comforts “pool” in France to the 9th Bat. Duke of Wellington's W.R.R.  As this Committee have an arrangement with the above organisation to replace all articles issued from the “Pool” to West Riding Units, Lord Scarborough would be glad of any assistance your organisation can give towards replenishing the “pool.”—Yours faithfully,

W. MILDREN, Captain, for Chairman

West Riding War Fund Committee. 

This “Courier” Fund received the approval of the Assistant Director-General of Voluntary Organisations because it caters on set lines, so as not to clash with the Mayoresses’ Red Cross Fund in Halifax, or any other of the official organisations.  Those lines do not, as we have often said, include shirts or knitted goods, and we cannot depart from our understanding.  To this effect we have written Lord Scarborough.  Socks, shirts, or other knitted goods sent us are used among the prisoners and isolated soldiers, those who have not funds to fall back upon.  We are at the moment wanting 600 pairs of socks and as many handkerchiefs, and are hoping that lady readers all over the neighbourhood will set to work to supply these.

[This report shows Sir Edward Ward's scheme for a central comforts pool in action, but only partly working, because the West Riding War Fund Committee apparently did not know which local funds they should approach for new supplies of socks and shirts.  Presumably the workings of the scheme became smoother in time.] 

Army Winter Kit

From The Western Times,  23rd November 1915.

ARMY WINTER KIT

—

Warmer Clothes for the Kilted Troops

The coming of winter has found the War Office Department whose duty it is to clothe the Army fully prepared with supplies of warm clothing for the protection of the troops against the rigours of winter warfare.  The following is a list of the apparel provided by the military authorities for each soldier at the front:  Winter service cap, waterproof cover for cap, cap comforter, body belt, woollen vest and drawers, shirt, cardigan waistcoat, tunic and trousers, fur or leather (flannel lined) jacket, great-coat, waterproof cape, fingerless snow gloves, woollen gloves, socks, puttees, and boots.

In addition, gum boots reaching to the top of the thigh are provided for men actually in the trenches.  The special needs of the kilted regiments have not been overlooked, and auxiliary warm clothing is provided for them.

The authorised scale of equipment, we are informed, allows two shirts and four pairs of socks for each man.  From time to time complaints reach this country that men in this or that battalion are in want of socks and shirts, and appeals for these articles or money for purchasing them are advertised.  It is stated on good authority that there is no real necessity for such appeal, as ample Government supplies are available to meet all demands made through the proper channels.  Mufflers and mittens, however, are not a “Government supply,” and the making, purchase, and collection of them is a field in which the generosity and industry of the public will be warmly welcomed.

[There was a continuing confusion in the newspapers about what 'comforts' the men at the Front need.  The official War Office line was that only mufflers and mittens were needed, in the way of clothing,  and only because the War Office had decided not to supply these, and to leave then to the knitters at home.  But at the same time there were many letters and other appeals in the papers asking for socks, which seem to be well-founded - several officers at the Front write to say that 'you can never have too many socks'. ]    

American Knitting Tea at Milnsbridge

From the Huddersfield Examiner, 8th October 1915.

COLNE VALLEY TERRITORIALS.

SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN KNITTING TEA AT MILNSBRIDGE.

Promoted by the Golcar and Milnsbridge Committee for providing comforts for the Colne Valley Territorials, a very successful “American knitting tea” was held at the Milnsbridge Drill Hall on Thursday afternoon.  The tea was given by Mrs Thos. Hirst, Mrs. Edgar Sykes, and Mrs. J. A. Smith, and was very largely attended.  Each person was asked to take an article value 1s., and also to buy an article of the same value.  There was a good response to the appeal, and the total proceeds of the sale and tea amounted to £22 3s. 1d.  Selections of music were given by an efficient orchestra, comprising the Misses Blanche Hirst, Dora Nuttall, M. Woodhead, G. Beaumont, and Mrs. W. J. Gledhill (pianist).  Songs were contributed by Miss Dibdin, of the Harrison-Frewin Opera Company, which is performing this week at the Huddersfield Theatre Royal, Miss Lawton, and Miss Walker, with Mrs. Gledhill as accompanist.

During the proceedings Mrs. Rothery, wife of Major W. U. Rothery, made an interesting statement of the year’s work.

Mrs. Rothery said it was exactly one year since they held the first meeting in that hall, when they had only a few ladies from Golcar and Milnsbridge.  It was the beginning of a big and splendid effort, and she was very proud and thankful for all that had been done.  She could assure them that the boys who were out in Belgium risking and often giving their lives for them were most thankful to receive the parcels of socks and shirts which were sent out from the depot.  They sent over 100 pairs of socks every week, and between 40 and 50 shirts.  She was constantly receiving letters to say how very glad the boys were to have them.  They represented two half-companies of men, and Captain Taylor, who was over here last week, told her how they looked forward to receiving the socks and shirts.  He said they could not have too many.  She had also received a letter from her husband that morning in which he said they were afraid they would have to be out there through the winter, and would need mittens or gloves, helmets, and scarves.  She knew there was a lot ready to go which would be sent off as soon as possible.

Their first meeting was held on October 22nd, 1914, and the tea on that occasion realised £1 1s. 3d.  Since then they had grown a lot, and had held nearly twenty teas.  They found it advisable to stop the meetings for a few weeks during the hot weather and holiday time, but they did not stop working.  She thought that everybody had worked splendidly.  One woman whom she went to see had lost her only son, who was in their company.  The woman was knitting, and with tears in her eyes she said, “He would not wish me to stop working: the others will need the socks.” She (Mrs. Rothery) thought that while their women had that splendid spirit the work would go on as long as it was needed.

They had sent from that hall 90 helmets, 371 scarves, 169 pairs of cuffs, 27 body belts, 2 rugs, 175 shirts, and 1,171 pairs of socks.  She was very glad of that splendid result, and heartily thanked everybody who had helped.  Some of them had knitted until they could hardly hold the needles.  They had collected, given and made the really magnificent sum of £400.  She hoped they would go on, as the cry was for “more and more.” ....

[I don't know exactly what constitutes an "American knitting tea" - perhaps the 'bring-and-buy' element.

I am sure that Mrs Rothery was right in saying that the items they had sent to the Colne Valley Territorials were gratefully received, and needed, but the War Office evidently felt that this sort of activity needed to be regulated.  The Times report here said that too many ladies were making "socks and shirts, which were a Government issue, with the result that there were millions too many".  You would expect that groups like this must have felt very annoyed at being told that they had wasted their time on making things that weren't needed, though there is no hint of that in Mrs. Rothery's speech.  But she is suggesting that for the coming winter, they should make "mittens or gloves, helmets, and scarves" - which is perhaps influenced by Sir Edward Ward's call for mittens and mufflers.]

Comforts For Dundee's Battalion

From the Dundee Courier, 25th May 1915

COMFORTS FOR DUNDEE'S BATTALION

TO THE EDITOR OF THE COURIER.

Sir,— The time has come when I feel I must again seek the hospitality of your columns focus attention upon the needs of the fighting line of the 4th Black Watch.  The public of Dundee is, I know, intensely proud of their prowess and achievements in the field, and anxious, as far as it lies in their power, to assist in promoting their comfort and in mitigating the hardships inseparable from the present conditions of warfare. 

It is abundantly clear from correspondence received from the front that the most clamant and the most persistent wants of the battalion are: — (1) Socks, (2) shirts, and (3) tobacco and cigarettes.  As regards socks, little need be said, as the supply from private donors has hitherto been most wonderfully regular and nearly equal to the demand. 

A considerable difficulty, however, lies in the provision of shirts, chiefly because of their somewhat serious cost, and also the skill required in making them.  It takes well over £150 to supply a battalion with shirts of suitable quality and sufficient warmth to prevent chill by night.  Many people, too, although otherwise generously inclined, raise the objection that a fatherly Government should meet this want, and it is true that free issues of shirts are made officially from time to time.  

When, however, it is realised that the nature of trench fighting necessitates these garments being completely discarded at frequent intervals, and also when the vast number of troops requiring similar attention is kept in view, it cannot be wondered at if Government issues do not always ensure such a degree of comfort as I know Dundonians would like to feel our men enjoyed.  The public will therefore see that private effort is necessary, or is at least eminently desirable, in order to supplement the Government clothing allowance.  I have thus no compunction, despite the varied claims at this time upon the generosity of the citizens, in appealing for a steady supply of garments or of funds wherewith to supply them. 

With regard to the question of tobacco and cigarettes, which appeals to the whole community of smokers, I am already despatching weekly enough to supply each man with fifteen cigarettes or two ounces of tobacco, but this can hardly be said to be sufficient for their needs.  By buying in quantity, and sending out duty free, a very great saving is effected, as tobacco is obtained at less than a third of the usual prices.  I would therefore respectfully suggest to those friends of the battalion who would like to see the weekly supply increased that they should either send donations to Mrs Harry Walker or myself.  Should any-one care to earmark his or her contribution for either shirts or tobacco, such wishes will be given effect to.  Might I further suggest that those who are specially interested in the battalion should proceed to collect periodical contributions, however small, from their friends, and remit me from time to time the result of their labours. 

While I have thus ventured again, as representing the corps in Dundee, to set forth the present and future needs of the men, I am none the less conscious of past favours towards the battalion since they left for the front.  Colonel Walker and other officers have repeatedly expressed to me their gratitude for these tokens of goodwill.  My only excuse for so conspicuously placing the wants of the "Fourth" before the public of Dundee is the knowledge of their peculiar pride and interest in those who are, by general consent, their special representatives in the fighting field.—I am, &c.. 

J. O. DUNCAN, Captain, 

O.C. Administrative Centre. 4th Black Watch, May 24, 1915. 

[The 4th Black Watch was the territorial battalion raised from the Dundee area, and had been in action in France since March.

Although there were many appeals in 1914 for shirts for serving soldiers, along with many other things, (e.g. here), they had disappeared as the War Office supplies got better organised.  By April 1915, the War Office claimed that providing extra clothing for soldiers, including flannel shirts, was unnecessary (here).  This is the only appeal I have seen from 1915 for extra shirts.  Although I'm sure that a clean shirt would have been very welcome and necessary, the claim that shirts had to be discarded after a short period of wear seems a bit odd.  Shirts would get filthy and lice-ridden in the trenches, as the rest of the uniform would, but there were arrangements for cleaning them.  Surely shirts could be used for longer than Captain Duncan implies?  I am sure, for  instance,  that the men did not get issued with new kilts when the old ones were filthy.]

Brecon War Clothing Depot

Flashback to August and a notice in The Brecon & Radnor Express:

WAR CLOTHING DEPOT.

Sir,—At the request of Lord Glanusk [Lord Lieutenant of Breconshire] I have undertaken to organise a War Clothing Depot at Brecon to receive, store, and distribute all shirts and socks to our soldiers on active service, also hospital garments, nightshirts, bed jackets, etc.  ...

I am preparing paper patterns of shirts, night shirts, bed jackets, pants, sleeping suits, etc.  Any local committees or individuals can apply to me for them.  I am also buying wholesale large quantities of flannel, etc.  The County War Fund Committee has entrusted me with Funds for this purpose. I propose supplying materials to local committees free of cost.  I can give information and supply wool for socks and patterns for making them.  I suggest local committees should begin with making socks as the materials for other things cannot be in stock for a few days.  Hand-knitted socks are of immense use.

All garments made of materials from the depot must be returned to the depot. Red Cross Detachment hospitals will receive grants of suitable garments on mobilisation....

I hope to be able to complete all requests for materials shortly.  I shall gratefully receive into the depot any suitable garments made by persons buying their own materials.

.. — Yours truly,
ALICE DE WINTON,
Aug. 11th, 1914, Tymawr, Brecon.

[When the Territorial Force was set up in 1908, County Territorial Associations were set up at the same time, to maintain drill halls etc. and provide the Territorials with equipment.  (Information from Richard Holmes's book,Tommy).   I'm not sure whether this included uniforms, or whether it continued after the start of the war. The Lord Lieutenant of a county was president of the County Association, and Lord Glenusk seems to have felt a responsibility to provide or supplement the clothing of the local Territorial battalions.  I have not come across any similar arrangement in other counties.]

From the Brecon County Times, 17th September 1914.

Miss deWinton has sent in all to Lord Glanusk 300 khaki shirts and 200 pairs of socks and to Colonel Stuart Morgan [commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion South Wales Borderers] 250 grey shirts, and has received letters of thanks from both commanding officers.  Lord Glanusk writes: ''The Battalion are deeply grateful and I think they all appreciate what the ladies of the county are doing for us."
Colonel Morgan says: "Thank you very much for sending such a splendid present of shirts.  They are much needed, as the men have had only one shirt and many only the one they arrived in, their own, but I have had no complaints.  If you have any socks they will be very acceptable."...

From the Brecon County Times, 24th September 1914.

Miss deWinton has sent since last week 150 khaki shirts to Lord Glanusk, 200 pairs of socks to Col. Stuart Morgan, and 200 grey shirts to Col. C. S. Trower, for the 5th Battalion S.W.B. [South Wales Borderers], now in training at Tidworth.  This Battalion were in great need of flannel shirts.
Col. Trower has written the following letter of thanks :— “Will you please convey to the War Fund Committee our most grateful thanks for the generous gift of 100 shirts.  Your 100 shirts will be of the greatest use to that number of men. [Well, obviously.]  I will buy the other 100 shirts.  I feel something must be done to ensure each man having at least one shirt."
Miss deWinton thinks it will be of interest to workers and kind donors of shirts to know that 1,000 shirts have now been sent to the different Battalions of the S.W.B.

[There seems to be a mistake in this report - it says that Miss deWinton sent Col. Trower 200 shirts, but he only seems to have received 100.

From these last two report, there seems to have been a fairly desperate shortage of shirts in the Territorial battalions served by the Depot, and getting volunteers to make them doesn't seem an efficient way of providing them in large numbers, as pointed out in an earlier post here.]

The Brecon & Radnor Express, 1st October 1914.

War Clothing Depot.
1,000 PAIRS OF SOCKS WANTED BY OCTOBER 29th.

Miss deWinton has now sent away 1,250 shirts and has sufficient shirts and other garments.  It is proposed to send 1,000 pairs of socks to the Queen towards the 300,000 pairs asked for by Lord Kitchener, and it is hoped all will do their best to send good thick socks suitable for marching.  These should all reach the Depot on or before October 29th.  Applications for wool must be made before October 7th as Miss deWinton will be away for two weeks from that date.  Five socks should be made from 1 lb. of wool.  Flannel for vests can be supplied for working parties. 

Miss deWinton will be at the Depot on Friday 2nd, Monday 5th.  Socks should be 14 ins. long in leg, and not less than 11 ins. in the foot.

[I think Miss deWinton should learn to delegate.  No-one else can hand out wool and flannel from the Depot, so she has to tell everyone via the newspapers when she's going away.]  

Flannel v. Flannelette

From the Glasgow Herald, 14th September 1914.

Text:
Copy of a letter appearing in the “Eastern Daily Press,” Norwich, of August 20th, 1914. 

“SIR,
Ladies are being advised by various authorities that Shirts and other garments for our soldiers should be made of Flannel only, and that no Flannelette should be used.  This advice appears to me open to question, for the following reasons: First, the expense.  The Flannel generally used costs, I believe, from 1/- to 1/6 a yard.  3½ to 4 yards are required for a Shirt and 6 yards for Pyjamas; each garment, therefore, costing for material alone from 4/- to 8/-.  Next, the difficulty in washing.  Fine, good Flannel, in the hands of an experienced laundress may be kept soft and porous for some time, and need not shrink to any great extent; but thick Flannel, badly washed, not only shrinks enormously, but becomes hard and felt-like in texture, impervious to perspiration, and thoroughly unhygienic.

“I suggest the use of HORROCKSES’ FLANNELETTE at 6¾d. to 8¾d. a yard as being better for the purpose, as well as cheaper.  It wears splendidly, is improved by washing, shrinks far less than Flannel, and is more comfortable to wear.

It also cuts to greater advantage, being 36 inches in width.
Yours faithfully,
EDITH G. WORLLEDGE.”

10 Albert Square
Gt. Yarmouth.


[Flannel was a wool fabric, whereas Flannelette was a brushed cotton to imitate Flannel.  (Now, the term flannel seems to be often used for a cotton fabric.)  Horrockses was a cotton manufacturing company, which later (in the 1950s) became well-known for stylish ready-made dresses in printed cotton.    

If the letter is genuine, it was a gift to Horrockses.  But the points made seem valid - washing a pure wool fabric and keeping it in good condition must have been difficult in the days before wool could be treated to be machine washable, and before modern soaps and detergents.  I don't know how uniforms were washed in the field - not by 'experienced laundresses', I imagine. 

See my earlier Note on Prices for clarification of 1/6, etc. 

The Red Cross Society, St John's Ambulance and others did accept garments made of Flannelette, but preferred Flannel - see for instance this post.]     

Prevention of Unemployment

Letter to the editor in the Glasgow Herald, 3 September 1914. 

PREVENTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

172 Buchanan Street. Glasgow,

September 1. 

Sir,—As a women's trade union, we heartily agree with the letter from Mrs Billington-Greig on "Prevention of Unemployment" in to-day’s "Herald."  We are already feeling the burden of unemployment and short time among our members, who comprise shirtmakers, hosiery workers, blousemakers, confectionery workers, etc.  We feel that voluntary workers in their patriotic enthusiasm and desire to help are in danger of missing the real idea of relief in this crisis—to prevent rather than to remedy distress.

With Mrs Billington-Greig, we do not condemn voluntary garment-making; but we must protest against this network of sewing parties which is being so rapidly spread over the country.  Our objection to these is not entirely from the point of view of their competition with paid labour; we do not think that many voluntary workers will keep up to the standard of producing one dozen well-fitting shirts in one day—the output of a good shirt-maker.  We urge rather that for the amount of money contributed for materials, etc., better supply of garments for our soldiers could be obtained; these, being made by skilled workers, would reach a higher standard of perfection, and a number of women now partially or wholly unemployed might be kept on in their paid jobs.  We must repeat that we have all sympathy with the enthusiasm and good-will of the voluntary workers, but surely the money given is not being spent in the way most profitable to the nation as a whole.  We must not augment the ranks of the unemployed by women for whose work there could be a demand were the funds necessarily involved in these voluntary schemes organised.  To prevent distress by keeping up the volume of employment is as much the purpose of the national scheme in this crisis as the relief of distress.
The formation of a committee on the lines proposed by Mrs Billington-Greig would have our hearty support and co-operation.—I am,
LOIS C. P. YOUNG. Scottish Secretary,
National Federation of Women Workers.

[This letter was in response to Teresa Billington-Greig's letter in yesterday's post. Again, it makes a very good case.  Presumably most of the volunteer needleworkers had no experience of making man's shirts - possibly little experience of making garments at all.  I used to make a lot of my own clothes, including shirts, but I would have found it hard work to finish a shirt in a day - a dozen would be out of the question.  You might reach that speed if you made shirts all day and every day, but the volunteer ladies were never going to do that. ]  

Buying for Soldiers and Sailors

A selection of ads from the Glasgow Herald, 24th August 1914.

---

MCDONALDS LIMITED,
SUCCESSORS TO 
STEWART &  McDONALD LTD. (Retail).

BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS.
OUR  AUTUMN    SALE CONTINUES,  AND
AFFORDS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY
FOR  LADIES  TO  ECONOMISE   BY  PUR-
CHASING    GOODS     OF     THE     FINEST 
QUALITY AT VERY LOW PRICES.               

WE   HURRIED   FORWARD  DELIVERY OF
ALL    GOODS     PURCHASED    FOR    THE
AUTUMN    SEASON,   AND   SO   ESCAPED
ADVANCED PRICES;  IN  FACT,  WE  WERE
NEVER    SO     WELL    PREPARED    WITH
BEAUTIFUL   GOODS   IN    ALL    DEPART-
MENTS.                                                             

WE     HAVE     ARRANGED     FOR     THE 
PRESENT  TO  RETAIN THE  SERVICES OF
THE WHOLE OF OUR PERMANENT STAFF;
MEANWHILE  OUR  BUYERS  AND ASSIST-
ANTS  HAVE FORMED THEMSELVES INTO
A  LARGE  WORK  PARTY,  AND  IN THEIR
LEISURE   TIME    WILL    WORK    IN    THE
INTERESTS OF DISTRESSED CHILDREN.      

MCDONALDS LIMITED, 
21 BUCHANAN STREET.
GLASGOW.

---

FOR TERRITORIALS.

PORTABLE  CAMP REQUISITES AND
COMFORTS.

SHAW, WALKER & CO.,
14-22 UNION STREET, GLASGOW.

TRAVELLING   SPIRIT   STOVES,  complete  with
Pan 1s each.   Combination Knife and  Fork, 9d each.
Collapsible Drinking Cups, 6d and 1s.  Vacuum Flasks
(will  keep  liquids  boiling  hot  for  24 hours),    1s 11d
each.  Tin Openers, 4½d each. Hollow Ground Razors,
1s. each.  Razor Strops, 9d.   Safety  Razors  from 1s.
to 21s.  Electric   Pocket   Lamps   from   8d  to  1s 9d
each.   Candle Lanterns, 1s.  Field Glasses from 7s 6d
to 27s 6d.  Strong Ironclad Watches, 3s 9d each.         
FOLDING WASHSTANDS, 7s.   Sponge  Baths,  8s. 
Enamelled Pocket Flasks, 9d.    Enamelled Water Jugs,
1s 9d.   Nail  Brushes,  4d.   Cloth  Brushes, 1s.   Shoe
Brushes,  6d.  Polishing  Cloths, 3½d each.  Aluminium
Soap Boxes, 6d each.                                                 
TERRITORIAL FOLDING CAMP BEDS, size when 
folded  39in.  by  6in.  by  4in.,  weight  19lb.,  15s each.
Tuckaway  Camp  Beds,  10s 6d each.   Camp Chairs,
2s 11d.    Camp  Stools,  1s 6d  each.    Kit Mirrors, 6d
each.  Air Cushions, 15in. diameter, 1s 9d each.          

---

RED CROSS SOCIETIES
AND   OTHER AGENCIES
FORMED FOR THE AMELIORATION OF THE
HARDSHIPS OF OUR TROOPS IN THE FIELD
ARE EARNESTLY INVITED BY
MESSRS COPLAND & LYE
TO   INSPECT   THEIR   HUGE   STOCKS  OF  WHITE 
SHETLAND      AND     ARMY     GREY   FLANNELS,
CEYLON SHIRTINGS, FLANNELETTES, BLANKETS,
ETC.,      ETC,      ALL    OF    WHICH    ARE   BEING
OFFERED AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.             


MEN'S SECTION. 
SPECIAL BARGAINS.
IN  THE MOST USEFUL GARMENTS FOR OUR
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ON ACTIVE SERVICE.
HARD WEARING  ARMY WHEELING  SOCKS,  in
Dark Steel,  Shetland Grey, and  Lovat  shades, at 11s.,
12s., 12s 9d., and 15s 6d per dozen.                              
ODD LOTS OF FLANNEL SHIRTS, 3s 11d each.      
SPECIAL VALUE FLANNEL SHIRTS, 5s 11d each, 
3 for 17s.                                                                   
ALL-WOOL   FLANNEL  SHIRTS,  6s 11d  each,  3 
for 20s.                                                                     
BALACLAVA  ALL-WOOL  CAPS,  12s and 16s 6d 
per dozen.                                                                 
FOR THE HOSPITAL.
FLANNELETTE   NIGHTSHIRTS.   1s 11½d each; 
worth 2s 6d.                                                             
CEYLON FLANNEL NIGHTSHIRTS, 3s 11d each; 
worth 5s 6d.                                                            
CEYLON  FLANNEL  PYJAMAS,  5s 11d per suit; 
worth 7s 6d.                                                            
ALL-WOOL FLANNEL PYJAMAS – 20 Dozen to 
clear,   10s 6d per suit; were 13s 6d  and  15s 6d  per 
suit.                                                                        

COPLAND & LYE
SAUCHIEHALL STREET, WELLINGTON STREET, AND BATH STREET, GLASGOW.

---

[Like many other newspapers at the time, the front page of the Glasgow Herald was all advertisements and personal announcements, in narrow columns. No matter how momentous the news of the day was, there was no sign of it on the front page. 

There were articles in the press about this time saying that because of the war, consumers were avoiding buying anything not immediately essential, and that this was leading to unemployment.  The McDonalds ad suggests that this employer was choosing to keep staff employed when perhaps there was not enough trade to need them all. 

The list of items in the Shaw & Walker ad 'For Territorials' seems better suited to a camping holiday, although the Territorials at this point were mostly in training camps around the country.

The ad from Copland & Lye makes clear that socks and flannel shirts were easily available to buy.  It's not clear why ordinary soldiers would have needed to buy shirts - the War Office would have provided them.  (Extra socks were always welcome, though.)  But officers provided their own uniforms, so perhaps the ad is mainly aimed at them.  The ad also shows that volunteers making flannel shirts at home were in competition with an existing industry which was set up for mass production and could produce them much more efficiently. 

For a note on the prices, and the currency in use in 1914, see the next post. ]

Socks for Soldiers

(The following 3 pieces appeared in the Glasgow Herald, 17th August 1914)

SOLDIERS' SOCKS.

The following are directions for closing a stocking or sock toe so as to avoid the hard ridge which is often so pain-giving: -- Take in the toe in the usual way until you have about nine stitches on each of two wires, back and front.  Break the wool, leaving about half a yard, and thread this through a darning needle.  Insert needle in first loop of front wire as if for plain knitting.  Take off loop on to needle and insert needle again as if for purling, draw wool through, but leave the second stitch on wire.  Now go to back wire and take off first loop on to needle as if for purling, put needle in again as if for plain knitting, and draw wool through, but leave this second stitch on wire.  Put needle on to front wire again as if for plain knitting, and so on until all the stitches are gone over, and draw an inch or two of what remains of the wool along the side of the toe.

[I think it is almost impossible to give adequate instructions for grafting without diagrams (or preferably YouTube), but this is a brave attempt.  Sock patterns before 1914 sometimes gave similar instructions for grafting the toes, so the technique was known.  It was not, of course, called Kitchener stitch.] 

REMINDER TO PAISLEY PEOPLE

Paisley holiday-makers are reminded that knitting and sewing form a delightful occupation at the seaside or on the hills in the open air.  Our soldiers and sailors require our sympathy and help.  The articles of greatest value in this campaign are (1) shirts, (2) socks, (3) sleeping helmets. Shirts should be made of khaki Army flannel, the neck sizes in common use being 14½, 15, and 15½.  Socks should be made of strong, hard knitting wool, the sizes in common use ranging from 9½ to 11.  Sleeping helmets should be made of cotton or wool.  They are intended to cover the head, the neck, and part of the shoulders, with an opening for the eyes, nose and part of the face.  These helmets are used by the soldiers for sleeping on the ground in the open air.  Mr John Bardie, MA., mathematical master, Paisley Grammar School, receives consignments of goods for distribution among our soldiers and sailors … After being assorted these goods will be periodically despatched to the War Office. To facilitate the assorting of the consignment the sizes of articles should be clearly marked.

[Attempting to make flannel shirts in the open air seems an ideal way of ruining a holiday and probably ruining the shirt too.  This seems likely to be a bit of private enterprise on Mr Bardie's part, although the specification of sizes suggests that he might have consulted someone at the War Office.  It's odd that he felt it necessary to describe a sleeping helmet as though readers might not know about them - other appeals (e.g. in yesterdays's post) refer to Balaclava helmets, or just helmets, and assume that everyone knows what they are.] 

SUGGESTIONS FOR RED CROSS WORK.

The Executive Committee of the Scottish Branch of the British Red Cross Society … issued the following statement on Saturday:--
The suddenness of the war having not unnaturally led some branches to take action without waiting to consult headquarters, it is necessary to remind members of the Red Cross Society that the organisation was started with the express purpose of preventing overlapping and waste of energy which result from unco-ordinated individual effort.  The Executive Committee, while fully appreciating the zeal of those branches, is bound to see that the society adheres to its primary duty of supplying to the Navy and Army the assistance which they call on it to provide.  For this reason the Executive Committee must remind local branches that it cannot be answerable for any expenditure incurred without its sanction.  It has no wish to interfere with any arrangements made by branches at their own expense, but it ventures to point out that it would be a great misfortune if their resources or trained members were wasted on enterprises of doubtful value.  The Government is naturally reluctant to decline any offer of help.  The fact that an offer is not declined must not be taken as a proof that it is useful.

[This strikes me as a wonderful piece of writing - a severe reprimand to the local branches for behaving in an over-enthusiastic and undisciplined manner, including a threat to withhold payment, all in the politest language.  Although Mr. Bardie in Paisley appears to have no connection with the Red Cross, I can't help feeling that his efforts are the kind of "unco-ordinated individual effort" that they were objecting to.]