From the Western Daily Press, 21st September 1915.
WINTER CAMPAIGN.
MUFFLERS AND MITTENS.
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION.
Many societies and individuals have written to the War Office to ask for suggestions as to what articles of clothing will be most acceptable for the use of troops at the front during the winter. The Army Council hope shortly to announce the formation of a central organisation under the direction of Col. Sir Edward Ward. Bart., K.C.B., K.C.V.O., for the purpose of co-ordinating the work of the various committees and individuals now engaged in supplying comforts and luxuries for the troops, and of directing into the most useful channels their kindly energies.
Pending the formation of this organisation, all who are kind enough to do so should concentrate their efforts on mufflers and mittens, which should be made to the following specifications: Mufflers of fleeced wool, drab shades, 58 inches long, 10 inches wide. Mittens of knitted wool, drab shades, with short thumbs and no fingers, eight inches long from wrist to knuckle. Supplies of these articles should be sent, for the present, addressed, carriage paid, to the Chief Ordnance Officer, Army Clothing Depot, at any of the following places: Stirling, York, Chester, Weedon, Southampton, Dublin, and Grosvenor Road, London.
[This was the beginning of efforts to organise voluntary knitting efforts, that had evidently been a bit chaotic since the beginning of the war. Similar articles, giving the same specifications for the mufflers and mittens, appeared in many newspapers around the country at the end of September.]
It seems like several of the volunteer efforts started much in this way. It is so interesting to see some of the history of how war knitting became established.
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