Comforts Sent to the Bedfordshire Regiment

From the Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 30th July 1915.

COMFORTS FOR THE BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT

Sir,—I venture to enclose a list of "comforts" which have been sent by my committee to the Regular Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiments since the beginning of the war.  There has been a most generous response to the appeal both in money and clothing.  Many things will be need in coming months, and I shall be glad to receive gifts of money or clothing.  (This latter should be sent to Mr. T. Baker, St. Mary's, Bedford).  I should like to remind those who have so kindly helped us up till now, that socks and shirts are the most useful things they can make.  We are in communication with the Commanding Officer of each Battalion, and try and supply immediately what they ask for.
I am,
Yours faithfully.
MARGARET AMPTHILL.
Chairman of the Committee for Supplying Comforts to the Regular Bedfordshire Battalion.
65, Ennismore Gardens, S. W.,
July 27th, 1915.

List of articles sent : —3623 pairs of socks; 2017 pairs of mittens; 655 body belts; 1258 mufflers: 620 shirts; 200 dozen handkerchiefs; 166 dozen towels; 12,000 candles; 157 sleeping helmets; 60 housewives; 80 pairs kneecaps; 20 Cardigans; 36 chest protectors; 4 Thermos flasks; 33000 cigarettes; 12 gross matches; 400 pipes; 50 air cushions for stretchers (presented by the boys of the Grammar School); 50 footballs (presented by the boys of the Modern School); chocolate, tooth brushes, soap, tinder lighters, letter wallets, braces, Boracic ointment, cold cream, vaseline, note paper, boot laces.

 [Another list of apparently random numbers of different items.  I do wonder how, for instance, 4 Thermos flasks were shared by an entire regiment.] 

Appeal for Waterproof Tents

From the Halifax Courier, 24th July 1915.

Must They Sleep In Rain?

EARNEST APPEAL TO ALL.

Hurrah!  And still one cheer more!  Through the goodness of friends, the Havercake Lads are now sure of another load of “Courier” comforts, and we pledge our word that as quickly as is humanly possible the consignment shall leave.  There are about 1,100 men to provide for, and we are entrusted with £300 to spend, in the manner laid down by Major Ellam, who is at the Front, and superintends these matters for the Regiment.  Our heartiest thanks are tendered to all who have assisted.  This will be something like a load.  What was sent from the same source on March 26 cost £70.  The goods sent by us to the 1/4th on May 11 cost £270. So another step forward is being made.  The collection will be described when complete.

AND NEXT – WHAT?

Would that we might be able to complete a second load this very next week!  As soon as ever possible we want to buy 90 bivouacs, or waterproof tents, for shelter or for sleeping in, for the Halifax Artillery at the Front.  Being without billets, they have often to lie down in the open, wet or fine. Their Commanding Officer, Major Bullock, has asked us if we will try to beg the cost of these from the public.  It is surely needless for us to picture the men’s plight.  What would any of us be fit for after spending a solitary night in rain, say on Norland Moor?  There wouldn't be much flight left in us, would there?  Yesterday, subscriptions were in for a few of the tents, and a message came that employes in one mill in Halifax were, by way of example to other workers, going to contribute 10.

…. The commandant of the First 4th West Riding Regiment, Colonel Atkinson, Cleckheaton, in the afternoon came to the “Courier” Office to convey through us to the public the gratitude of himself, his officers and men, for the consignments of comforts we have had the privilege of sending on their behalf.  The gallant Colonel spoke in the warmest possible, and most affectionate, terms of the gallantry of the First 4th, their willingness to undertake any task.  In this sense, we gathered from his words, they are indeed a model in the line. Col. Atkinson spoke of the great service the Comforts fund is rendering, commending it as invaluable, the great bracer of our fighting lads.

[The Havercake Lads was the nickname of the West Riding Regiment - havercakes are Yorkshire oatcakes.]

Evening Activities for Girls

 From the North Eastern Daily Gazette, 21st July 1915. 

 WOMEN'S WORK AT REDCAR. 

[EDITOR, “NORTH-EASTERN DAILY GAZETTE”] 

SIR, —Will you kindly allow me, through your paper, to make known generally to the girls of Redcar and district, that they will shortly have an opportunity of "doing their bit" for their country in this grave hour of national peril. Every girl is anxious, one knows, to help, but the exact opportunity is difficult to find.

A committee has been formed, to start what will be known as a "Flag Room for Girls."

This room will be open once a week during August, and more frequently as the days get shorter. The first part of the evening will be devoted to making simple inexpensive comforts for the men now fighting at the front, and the wounded in the hospitals, such as sand-bags, bags for hospital use, "housewives," washing gloves, milk covers, etc. Later in the evening instruction will be given in simple ambulance and first aid work, war-time cookery, and other timely knowledge.

 Girls of any age will be welcome, the only charge being one penny weekly, and a small charge for light refreshments, if desired. The place and date of opening of this room will be announced very shortly —meantime offers of help in arranging the evenings and classes, loans of furniture, games, pictures, papers, and above all, a piano, are very urgently invited.

The spirit of “doing something for England” should animate us all just now, and we cordially invite ALL girls to join the Flag Room.

 Any donations, gifts or loans, should he kindly made known to Mrs Mayo, The Bank House, or Mrs Lonsdale, 46, High-street, Redcar, who have kindly undertaken the business management for the committee.—I am, yours truly,
ETHEL M. COWLARD,
Organiser National Union of Woman Workers.

Support your Friends at the Front

From the Illustrated London News, 17th July 1915.

Auction in aid of Tobacco Fund

From the Burton Daily Mail, 15th July 1915. 

OUR TOBACCO SALE. 

THE FORTHCOMING AUCTION. 

THE GIFT OF GOODS.  

At a meeting of the Burton Tobacco Committee, at the Queens' Hotel, last evening, it was intimated that the auction sale to be held in aid of the funds will take place at an early date at premises in Station Street.  Sympathisers with the movement to keep Tommy's pipe alight, and who desire to "donate" goods for the purpose of the sale are requested to communicate with Mr. H. Cain, auctioneer, of High Street, Burton, who has kindly offered to dispose of them.
Anything will be acceptable so long as it can be turned into money—from a mouse trap to a grand piano.  The following is a list of the articles already promised:—

Mr. Charles Severn, Queens' Hotel—Bull mastiff pup, " Pansy."
Mr. J. G. Moxon, Lullington. — Old English sheep dog.
Mrs. Barton, Coach and Horses—Valuable old print.
Mr. J. Gilbert—Copper warming pan.
Mr. C. Onions, High Street—Poultry and fruit to the value of a guinea.
Mr. H. Clarke, Uxbridge Street—Two bags of soot.
Mr. F. D. Beels—Prize, whose nature is to be decided upon.
Mr. Rowland Radford—Couple of rabbits.
Mr. Harry Stanley—Six sheep-dog puppies, of excellent pedigree.
Councillor W. P. Stanley—Leg of mutton.
Mr. Joseph R. Cain—Bible dated 1599; and galvanic battery.
Mr. W. G. Outhwaite, Derby Road—A couple of baths. 

Altogether purchasers may take their choice of 20 or 30 useful lots.  It has been suggested that a cup be presented to the donor of the best pup shown. Will some sympathiser with the fund kindly oblige?

[A wonderfully diverse selection of donations.  The soot was probably for use as a garden fertiliser.]  

Gift of Comforts

From the Flintshire Observer, 15th July 1915.

SOUGHTON WAR FUND.

Welsh Fusiliers' Gratitude for Gift of Comforts.

In connection with the Soughton Patriotic War Fund a draw took place some short time ago, as a result of which a very substantial sum was raised for the purchase of comforts and necessaries for the soldiers at the front.  Among the goods forwarded were packages of tabloid tea, socks, towels, shirts, body belts, scarves, razors, scissors, clasp knives, Balaclava helmets, writing utensils, soap, etc.  Besides a large consignment addressed to the Welsh Regiment, a large parcel of specially-prepared sweetmeats was despatched to the Indian troops.  ...

An acknowledgment has been received from the headquarters of the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers in France, dated 29th June, as follows: -- “Dear Sir,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th inst., and to thank you, on behalf of the officers and men of my battalion, for the consignment of comforts which the committee of the Soughton Patriotic War Fund have been kind enough to send for them.  I understand from the Quartermaster that the consignment has reached him, and I will have the articles distributed as soon as the battalion is relieved from duty in the trenches in the course of a few days.  The selection sent will be most acceptable to the men, and the kindness which has prompted its despatch is much appreciated by us all. -Yours respectfully, R. A. Berners, Lieut.- Colonel, commanding 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers.”

British Eau-de-Cologne

From The Illustrated London News, 10th July, 1915.

LADIES' PAGE (continued)

Trading with the enemy being strictly forbidden both by law and right feeling, we must resolve to follow henceforth, so long as our lives shall last, the good example set for years by her Majesty—namely, support British industries.  Eau-de-Cologne, by a curious coincidence, is recommended by competent chemists to be inhaled as an antidote if the monstrous cruelty of dropping poison bombs (from Cologne and neighbourhood) on sleeping London is successfully carried out.  Messrs. Grossmith, the celebrated manufacturers of "Shem-el-Nessim" and other favourite perfumes, have come to the front with an excellent British Eau-de-Cologne, which they have named the "Golden Still" brand.  It is procurable from all chemists and stores in bottles at prices from 9d. upwards, and is of wonderful freshness and delightful odour; it will be found most refreshing in the sick-room, for headache, or to relieve fatigue and strained nerves.

....

 FILOMENA

[I doubt if Eau-de-Cologne would have been much use against poison gas, in fact.]