Halifax Lady Workers

From the Halifax Courier, 31 October 1914. 

MAYORESS'S LADY WORKERS' COMMITTEE

WEEKLY REPORT.

To D Company, 2nd Batt. W.R. Regt., [West Riding Regiment] British Expeditionary Force: 150 shirts, 72 pairs socks, 48 scarves, 36 pairs cuffs, 48 handkerchiefs, 60 belts, 2 pairs pants, meat lozenges, cards, bootlaces, &c.

To 6th Batt. W.R.R., Captain Andrews: 144 shirts, 144 pairs socks, 132 belts, 132 helmets, 96 pairs mittens, 96 handkerchiefs.

To 6th Batt., Captain Fleming: 120 shirts, 120 pairs socks, 120 scarves, 54 pairs mittens.

To 6th Batt., Lieut. Sykes: 123 shirts, 123 pairs socks, 123 scarves, 48 pairs mittens, 17 helmets.

To Anglo-French Red Cross Society: 24 helpless shirts, 24 nightshirts, 12 bed jackets, 24 nightingales, 48 handkerchiefs, box of bandages.

Royal Halifax Infirmary: 50 bed jackets, 48 nightshirts, 24 helpless shirts, 24 triangular bandages, roller bandages, pads, bed socks, old linen.

To Nurse Fox, France, 12 helpless cases, 6 housewifs, 12 pairs bed socks, 12 scarves, 12 nightingales, 48 handkerchiefs, 12 pairs cuffs, 2 pairs slippers, tobacco, cigarettes, soap, cards.

[If all these had been produced in one week, the Mayoress's lady workers had been very busy indeed.  

The 2nd Battalion of the West Riding Regiment was part of the pre-war army, and was already in France with the British Expeditionary Force.  The 6th was a Territorial Battalion, still in training in this country for active service overseas. 

Nurse Fox was from a Halifax family, and had written a long letter published in the Courier earlier in October, about her work in France, and conditions there for nurses and wounded soldiers.  She had asked for things for the men she was looking after, especially cigarettes. The consignment to her is presumably in response to that, and perhaps further letters to her family.  The 'housewifs' may be for the nurses, rather than their patients - little sewing kits, pronounced (and sometimes spelt) 'hussifs'.  

Part of Nurse Fox's earlier letter follows.]

From the Halifax Courier, 10th October 1914 

We have had a very heavy day, and the men want a lot doing for them.  They have been in the trenches a fortnight, and come in very quiet, but soon buck up after a night or two’s rest and good food.  We caught a German spy last night near our duty room, and he is now in irons, with a guard over him.  If any one offers you anything either for the men or us, grab and address it to me quick.  If only all of you knew

HOW MUCH THE MEN WANT COMFORTING,

"Woodbines' and sweets cheer them wonderfully.  Writing materials, papers, handkerchiefs, and things like that are needed.  When the men arrive they have lost everything except uniform.  They are good boys, and deserve all they have given.  You never hear a murmur except when the nerve has quite gone from them.  As we came along we saw a lot of French sick on a platform, and they looked famished.  We asked them if they were hungry, with the result all our grub was handed over, and we raided a Red Cross place, and got some bread and fruit. 

Bovril is British

From the Halifax Courier, 31st October 1914.

Text:

When you buy Bovril you can be sure you are getting the product of a genuine all-British, and always British company.

BOVRIL always has been BRITISH  and consequently there has been no need to make any change in the constitution or directorate of the Company SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR.

...
Insist on having Bovril - British to the backbone.

[Another ad, like the earlier ones for Lyons and Jaeger, stating that a company is completely British.  The emphasis that Bovril has always been British suggests that some companies had had to ditch some foreign directors since the start of the war, so that then they could claim that they were all-British.

For overseas readers:  Bovril was, and still  is, a dark brown meat extract, sold in jars, that can be spread on bread or toast, or diluted in hot water to make a drink.]  

The Kaiser at the Milliner's

From Woman’s Own, October 24th 1914

THE KAISER AT THE MILLINER'S

A very interesting book has just been written by an English lady who for many years was governess to the Emperor of Germany's only daughter.  It deals, of course, with the home-life of the royal family exclusively, and gives, I think, an inimitable glimpse of the Kaiser.  He is, in his own way, a devoted husband, and one of his invariable gifts to the Empress on her birthday consists of one dozen gorgeous and glorious new hats.

Surely no man in the world but the Kaiser would be brave enough for such a deed.  And we can be sure he never hands his task over to another, just as surely as he never doubts that his task is beyond all criticism.

And poor Empress!  Men have sympathised much with each other because they have had to wear ties and socks which have been chosen by good wives and mothers and sweethearts.  But what is this compared with having to wear hats all the year round, and every year of one's life, without a chance of choice or opportunity to try them on beforehand?

I can very well imagine the Empress feeling a little depressed as her birthday comes round, and wishing that "William would give up buying hats, and let her choose for herself.”
After all, the hat is largely the making of a woman.  A woman can hardly fail to look nice if she has a neat, becoming hat, and is decently shod and gloved.  It is a little relief to turn aside from our sadness and anxieties for a short while, if possible, and think of hats.

[This seems an extraordinary article to publish when the country Is at war with Germany.  It reads as though it was written before the war, when the Kaiser was seen as part of the extended Royal family  - one of Queen Victoria's grandchildren, and so first cousin to George V.   I wonder if it was adapted from something written earlier, by the snide addition "he is, in his own way, a devoted husband". 

The article goes on to advise on the styles of hats that are in fashion, with illustrations (below).  It all seems a bit irrelevant to the war, but evidently it was what Woman's Own thought that women wanted.]

Magneto Corsets Cure Mind-Wandering

From Woman's Own, 10th October 1914.

TO EVERY WOMAN WHO WEARS A CORSET.

AN IMPORTANT FREE TRIAL OFFER BY MR. AMBROSE WILSON OF HIS FASHIONABLE MAGNETO CORSET.

New Fashion CORSET that CURES ILLNESS AND RESTORES VITAL ENERGY sent to ANY ADDRESS for1/- ONLY.

I WANT every lady who reads this to know that she can have at once a pair of my beautiful "New Model" (Gold Medal) Magneto Corsets sent direct to her address in return for a Postal Order for 1/-

The price of my Corsets is not pounds, it is only shillings.  The price is 5/11, but I do not ask you to send me that amount.  All I ask is that you send me a Postal Order for 1/-, and by return of post I will send you a pair of my Magneto Corsets that will fit you like a glove.  It will be a red-letter day to you the day you receive the Corsets, because it will be the beginning of new life.

The joy of New Life, of New Health, and New Vigour thrills through every nerve, You feel a different woman.  Your outlook upon life is different, brighter, happier, and more hopeful.

A NEW & FASHIONABLE (GOLD MEDAL) CORSET THAT POSITIVELY CURES COMPLAINTS WILL BE  SENT AT  ONCE TO  EVERY LADY WHO FILLS IN THE FORM ATTACHED AND ENCLOSES   A 1/- POSTAL ORDER.

Remember that my Magneto Corsets are Nature's Remedy for Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica, Lumbago, Nervous Troubles, Mind-Wandering, Loss of Will Power, Involuntary Blushing, and scores of similar Ailments, and I place it in your hands, to test for yourself, for the trifling outlay of 1/-.  Does not this show that I have faith in what my Corsets can do for you?

THE AMBROSE WILSON MAGNETO CORSET
CURES—Nervous Troubles, Mind Wandering, Involuntary Blushing, Loss of Will Power, Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica, Lumbago.
SECURES— Beautiful, Fashionably Correct Figure, Perfect Comfort, Graceful Blending of Contour, whether full, medium, or slender figure.

[It would almost be worth wearing corsets if they could do all that for you.  'New Vigour' - I could do with some of that. But did anyone believe the ad, I wonder?]

Heckmondwike Ladies Busy

From the Dewsbury Reporter, 24th October 1914.

Heckmondwike Ladies Busy for “Tommy” and “Jack”.

The members of the Heckmondwike Women’s Patriotic Guild Committee increase in numbers, as do the lady workers throughout the town.  Two parcels were despatched last week end, one to the British Red Cross Society, the other to the Navy League Work Depot, London.  The former contained 2 rugs, 17 bed jackets, 14 “nightingales”, 31 nightshirts, 51 pairs bed socks, 16 pairs men’s socks, 13 scarves, 11 knitted caps, 4 pairs woollen cuffs, and 1 pillow.  The parcel sent to the Navy League comprised 33 singlets, 13 mufflers, 3 pairs gloves, and 8 pairs mittens.  Twenty-five shirts have also been sent to the 5th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. at Sandbeck Park.  Many of the young ladies attending the various Sunday Schools are working hard for “Tommy” and “Jack”.

[Another random selection of garments, of the kind that similar groups were producing all over the country.   

The 5th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) was a Territorial battalion, and so at this point was in training in this country before going abroad in 1915.]    

The Tsar's Daughters

From Woman’s Weekly, 24th October 1914

THE TSAR’S DAUGHTERS

These are the four daughters of the Tsar of Russia, and they are very busy these days making scarves and belts for their soldiers.  Every day there is a big working party at the Palace, and each Grand Duchess spends two or three hours sewing or knitting for the brave defenders of her father’s realm.

Hose-tops for Highland Regiments

From the Glasgow Herald, October 24, 1914.

HOSE-TOPS FOR HIGHLAND REGIMENTS.

APPEAL BY MARCHIONESS OF TULLIBARDINE.

The Marchioness of Tullibardine writes from London as follows:-

“May I make known through your columns that Lord Kitchener has asked me to collect 15,000 hose-tops for the men of the Highland Regiments at present serving with the Expeditionary Force?  These hose-tops are of a pattern approved by His Majesty the King, and are intended to replace those hitherto in use, as they are to be made long enough to pull over the knee in bad weather.  Though a kilt gives great warmth round the waist, those who are accustomed to wearing it in cold or damp will, I think, vouch for the disadvantages it must offer to men spending nights in wet trenches, and a chill at the knee is liable to spread upwards and chill the body.  Lord Kitchener therefore appeals to the women of Scotland to send these hose-tops to the Highland regiments by November 14.

As the time is so limited I shall be specially grateful for any donations which will enable me to place orders at once among the many fisher girls who have been deprived of their main source of livelihood by the war.

It will also be a great convenience if those who are willing to knit these hose-tops themselves will inform me without delay how many pairs they will undertake.  They are easily and quickly made, and require about 1½ (or 3 skeins) of wheeling or 2 cuts (i.e., 4 skeins) of fingering.  They should be made in khaki or in shades as near as possible to it—natural (undyed) and light heather mixtures being allowed.  Grey shades are not authorised.  ....

...I am sure that this appeal will not be made in vain to the women of Scotland and to the many who love our Scottish Highlanders on behalf of the soldiers who are representing them so gallantly on the field of battle....”

[A drawing of a hose-top appeared in Woman's Own magazine, with a knitting pattern.  I assume that the ones that Lady Tullibardine wanted were similar. 

The unemployed fisher girls have been mentioned before - here and here.]