Comforts For Tommy And Jack

From Home Notes, January 12th 1918.

COMFORTS FOR TOMMY AND JACK.

Knitting needles out, please!  Our soldiers and sailors want any number of warm comforts, and it’s up to you to help supply them.

Many people who knitted vigorously in the first winters of the war seem to think that their work is no longer so urgently needed.  But it is wanted, and wanted in larger quantities than ever, for we’ve got such a big army and navy to supply nowadays.  So please set to work this very minute.

These patterns, which are, by the way, issued by the American Red Cross, are exceptionally simple ones, and you need have very little experience of knitting to tackle them successfully.

The Muffler.

First of all comes the muffler.  For this you need just ¾ lb. of four ply khaki, grey or navy blue wool and wooden or bone needles No. 3.  Cast on 50 stitches and knit plain for 68 inches.

A muffler like this American soldier is wearing is splendidly warm.

The Mittens.
These are made on to needles with a space left for the thumb.  You need ¼ lb. of the same wool as you used for the muffler, and steel needles No. 12.

Cast on 48 stitches, k.2 and p. 2 for 12 inches and sew up, leaving 2 inches open space for the thumb 2 inches from the top.

An easy, quick to make, warm mitten.

The Helmet.
You will want ½ (?) lb. of the four-ply khaki, grey or navy blue wool; 1 pair steel needles, No. 12.  The helmet is made in two parts, which afterwards are sewn together.

Front of Helmet. — Cast on 48 stitches (11 inches) k. plain for 25 ribs (6 inches), and k. 2, p.2, for 35 rows.  On the next row the opening for the face is made as follows:  k.2, p.2, k.2, p.2, k. 2, k. and cast off loosely the next 28 stitches and p. 1, k.2, p.2, k.2, p.2.  Run the stitches before the opening on a spare needle and on the stitches at other side of opening k.2, p.2 for 12 rows. The last row will end at the opening, and at that point cast on 28 stitches to replace those cast off.  Begin at the face opening of stitches on spare needle and k.2, p.2 for 12 rows.  At the end of the 12th row continue all across to the end of the other needle, when there should be 48 stitches on the needles as at first.  K. 2, p. 2 for 24 rows.

Top of helmet. — K.2, narrow (knitting 2 stitches together), k. 14, narrow, k. 14, narrow, k. 12.  P. the entire next row. On the 3rd row k. 2, narrow, k. 13, narrow, k. 13, narrow, k.11.  P. 4th row.  On the 5th row, k. 2, narrow, k. 12, narrow, k. 12, narrow, k.10.  P. 6th row.
Continue to narrow in the 3 places every plain knitted row with 1 stitch less between narrowings, until 9 stitches are left.

Back of Helmet.  — Work in the same manner as for front, but omit the face opening.  Sew the stitches of upper edges together with joining stitch.  Sew up the side seams, leaving the plain knitting at shoulders open.

Two views of a really sensible helmet, showing it on and off.

Another Mitten Pattern.
These mittens are made on four needles. You need for them ¼ lb. of the same wool as you used for the others, and four steel needles No. 12.

Cast on 52 stitches on three needles. — 16, 16, 20. Knit 2, purl 2 for 8 inches.
To make opening for thumb, knit 2, purl 2 to end of “Third” needle, turn; knit and purl back to end of “First” needle, always slipping first stitch, turn.
Continue knitting back and forth for 2 inches.  From this point continue as at first for four inches for the hand.  Cast off loosely; buttonhole thumb opening.

Tommy wants comforts.  Knit as many garments as you can and send them to

Sir Edward Ward, D.G.V.O.,
45 Horseferry Road, S.W.

Sweaters In Summer

From The Times, April 5th 1917

SWEATERS IN SUMMER. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. 

Sir, — Not less than 1,000 letters lave reached me lately asking what comforts the writers shall knit for the men during the summer.  Will you give me room to answer?

Well, I have been asked by authority to give your readers a clear lead as to what is wanted, and I know I ask a hard-thing in doing it.  It seems that last year, we over-estimated the interval between the last cold night of spring and the first chills of autumn, and under-estimated the time required to get the things across the world in these days.  What is wanted is a vast store of warm comforts by—don't be startled—the end of July.  I am told that heavy knitting throughout the summer is contrary to custom and comfort.  Well, if so, we must dispense with both.  We can't compete with the men in those things whose daily story is our grief and pride abroad, but we can do what we don't want to do, and stick out a long, dull, un-timely job at home.

I think so gravely of what I have written above that I had almost forgotten to say how grateful I am for the continued kindness shown this venture during the past winter.  I was obliged to ask your readers for 10,000 sweaters in a month, and they came; and 10,000 mufflers to accompany them, and there they were.  The total number of sweaters received here to date is 38,106, and of supplementary comforts 34,223.  I feel especially grateful to the men in hospital who have been mindful of their brothers in the field, to the kind maids in many households who have given lavishly of their perhaps not too lavish spare time, and to two venerable ladies, pioneers of all good effort for soldier and sailor, who have found time and inclination to help this venture of to-day on behalf of the men they have served for half a century.

Part of your kindness is to keep the sudatorium smiling.  The palm for ingenuity is surely borne by the lady who left the germ of a muffler and a ball of wool in a railway waiting room with a message appended asking the next stranded lady to add a few inches to the work—whence a capital muffler arrived here in due season.  But all my sympathy goes out to the self-sacrifice of those male relatives commandeered for the hateful process of trying on.  Listen to this: "My father's head, which is very small and quite bald, seldom comes through the neck."  Oh, Sir, for these too infrequent triumphs my good wishes, and for the dreadful protracted occultations my sincere sympathy and the assurance that we now "pick up 76 round the neck."  But all round there has been a marked improvement in knitting.  My remarks on snakes' nightgowns did produce, per contra, a small crop of elephants' cummerbunds, but the real thing is now normal.

To recur to the one thing of importance.  With a restricted Press, it will. greatly help if ladies will make a point of passing the word along that sweaters, mufflers, helmets, mittens, and socks will be wanted in very large quantities by August 1, and that they should be sent, when the time draws near, either to the Voluntary Organizations Depôts throughout the country, or to the D.G.V.O.’s Depôt at 45, Horseferry-road, S.W., or to me as below.  I have plenty of patterns here if ladies would write for them, but I am afraid all the wool I have left will be wanted for men knitting in hospital.

Yours faithfully,

JOHN PENOYRE. 

8. King’s Bench Walk, Inner Temple, E.C.4.

April 4.

Comforts for the Black Watch

From the Dundee Evening Telegraph, 20th October 1915.

PITLOCHRY GIRLS' HELMETS APPRECIATED

By 6th Black Watch.

Writing on the 17th inst., a Pitlochry man of the 1/6th Black Watch says in a letter received to-day:—At present we are in the trenches.  We expect to be relieved on Wednesday (to-day) after doing a ten days' spell, and then take up reserves for the next ten.  Trenches and rest periods—that is how the months roll on here.  Things are fairly quiet in our part just now.  Our casualties have been very slight, and none of the Pitlochry boys have been hit so far.  All the Pitlochry boys got their sleeping helmets from the Public School girls yesterday, and are very proud of them.  Many of them wear nothing else in the trenches since they got them.  They are the neatest we have had so far.

The Battalion's Thanks.

A meeting of the 6th Black Watch Comforts Committee was held at Perth yesterday—Lord Provost Scott presiding.  A letter was submitted from Sir Robert Moncrieff, colonel commanding the sixth, conveying the thanks of the battalion for the committee's kindness.  Through the instrumentality of work parties organised by Lady Moncrieff, the following articles have been sent out for the comfort of the men:- 543 knitted belts, 574 pairs of socks, 194 helmets, 598 pairs of mittens, 281 hose tops, 37 mufflers, and 123 flannel belts.  The sum expended up to date by the committee is £148 9s 9d.  Sums of money were voted to different work parties for the provision of wool.

[Similar groups all over the country were providing similar comforts, of course. This account is interesting in spelling out that wool was provided to the working parties - knitters were not in this case expected to buy their own wool.  And presumably wool for the sleeping helmets was provided to the girls of the Public School.]   

Helmet and Shawl in Shetland Wool

From Woman's Own, 3rd April 1915.

Helmet and Shawl in Shetland Wool

Shetland Helmet

Cast on 70 st. on No. 13 steel needles, knit ribbed 2 plain and 2 purl for 6 in., then cast off 20 st. at one side, then knit 12 in. more, still continuing ribbed with the 50 st. left.  Now knit off 30 st., knit 2 together.  Turn, and knit off 10, always keeping the ribs going on, knit 2 together again.  Turn, and knit back the 10 sts. again, knit 2 together, keep on doing same, always turning, knitting 10 st., and then knitting 2 together till there are only 12 st, left on the needle.  Then take the piece which was cast off at bottom round to the other side, and sew up to form the neck of the helmet. Now take 4 needles and pick up st. round the face, then set rib again, knitting 2 together every 3rd st. to make the face a proper size in the 1st row only. Now knit 3 inches more, and then cast off. This helmet can be knitted out of 1 cut of Shetland wool, cost 4d.

How to Make the Shawl

Shawls that will give warmth without being heavy are what everyone desires, and for this purpose there is nothing better than the real Shetland wool, which costs only a few pence per cut.  Because of their fineness few workers have attempted to make them outside the inhabitants of the isles, but the design shown here is very simple and quickly worked.

Only a small piece is worked of the centre pattern with the border completed, to show the effect of the design when the actual shawl is finished, which should measure 1 yard square.

For the Border.—Cast on 9 stitches on No. 14 needles.
1st row: Slip 1, knit 2, put up thread, knit 2 together, put up thread, knit 2 together again, put up thread, knit remaining 3.
2nd row: Plain.
3rd row: The same as the  1st, only knit off 3 before putting up thread.
4th row: Plain .
5th row : Same as 3rd, knitting each alternate row plain, always adding 1 stitch on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th rows till the number of 16 has been reached; cast off all the stitches except 9 (beginning at the side where the 3 stitches are), then start again, doing the same as has just been described.

Knit on till the border is long enough to count 160 stitches along plain side; then keeping the stitches on wire, pick up all the stitches along same side, including other end. Keep border same as at bottom, going up along both sides, and knit three rows plain along centre.

Next, when border has been knitted, do 2 more stitches, then put up thread, knit 3 together, put up thread, knit 1, and continue doing the same till end of row, putting up thread and knitting 3 and 1 alternately.

Next row plain.

3rd row: Same as 1st, only taking care always to put up thread and knit the 1 plain that was the centre of the three in the 1st row.

Go on knitting the same way with every alternate row plain till the centre is the length required. Then do a piece of border same length as at bottom, pick up stitches at side the same as when starting centre. Now take as much thread as can reach across shawl and put in a darning needle, keeping thread fast to border, then take the centre and border, and lay the knitting needles together; with darning needle pick first one stitch off centre and then off border, one of centre, and one of border, and so on till the whole have been picked off. The border and centre will then be joined together and the shawl complete.

NOTE.—When knitting border care should be taken always to slip tho first stitch on plain side, in that way making it more easy to pick up.

This design will take about 8 cuts of wool, costing 3d. or 4d. a cut.

The Ideal Helmet for a Sailor

From the "Woman's Own” Crochet Supplement 20th March 1915.

The Ideal Helmet for a Sailor

This has been designed so that when worn as a cap the flaps fasten above the centre of crown, and when lowered fasten beneath the chin, and, with the cap pulled well over, forms complete protection for the head; a comfort much appreciated by our soldiers and sailors, and far more acceptable than the usual cap.  This design is also suitable for convalescent Tommies able to lie or sit out of doors.  Use Beehive 4-ply Scotch fingering and No. 6 hook.

Wind the wool into two balls, and work from both at the same time.  The crown is worked firmly throughout in half treble (h. tr.) as follows: Wool over, insert hook in stitch, draw through, wool over, draw through the 3 loops on hook. Make a slip-knot, and work into it 8 h. tr., join with s.s.

2nd round: 2 h. tr. into each stitch of previous round, working the first into top thread of h. tr. (near the forefinger), and for the second insert hook into the same stitch, and also through the horizontal thread at the back of the stitch (16 stitches).
3rd round: 1 h. tr. into each stitch of previous round, inserting hook under top thread and also through the thread at the back of the same stitch.  Join a piece of coloured thread to mark the commencement of round.
4th round : Same as 2nd round.
5th round : Same as 3rd round.
6th round : * 1 h. tr. in 1st, 2 h. tr. in next stitch; repeat from *.
7th round : Same as 3rd.
8th round : 1 h.tr. into each of the first 2 stitches, 2 h. tr. in next.
9th and 10th round: Same as 3rd.
11th round : * 1 h. tr. into each of the first 3 stitches, 2 h. tr. in next; repeat from *.
12th round : Same as 3rd.
13th round : Same as 11th.
14th round : Same as 3rd.
15th to 22nd round: 1 h. tr. into each h. tr. of previous round.
23rd round : Turn work, s.s. into each stitch, taking up back thread.
Then commence ear-flaps :
1st row : * 1 s.s. into each of the next 22 stitches.  Turn this and each successive row with 1 ch.
2nd row : Miss 1st stitch, 1 s.s. into each of the remaining stitches, working into ch. which turned previous row.
3rd to 5th row : Same as 2nd.
6th to 18th row : 1 s.s. into each stitch of previous row.
19th and 20th row : Same as 2nd.
21st row : Same as 6th. Repeat last 3 rows twice.

Then decrease one in each row until there are only 5 stitches in the row; work on these 5 stitches until the top of flap reaches centre of crown of cap, make 7 ch., fasten to end stitch.  S.s. twice round flap, d.c. across 30 stitches for front of cap, and repeat -from 1st row for second flap. Do not make loop at top, but cover a small mould with d.c. and sew to the top. Thread a wool needle with a length of wool, and run round the edge of each flap, draw up slightly at top so that the flaps fit snugly.

A Balaclava Helmet Pattern

From the Dundee People’s Journal, 6th March 1915.

[This pattern was given in a section called ‘Aunt Kate’s Postbag’, evidently in response to a request from a reader.]

A Balaclava Helmet.

For the helmet take 6 ozs. super wheeling or double knitting wool.  Set of knitting needles, size 9.  * Cast on 25 stitches on one needle, knit the first row plain; second row, knit 1, make 1, knit 23, make 1, knit 1; third row, knit 1, make l, knit 25, make 1, knit 1, and go on making 1 at the beginning and end of every row till there are 45 stitches on the needle; knit plain backwards and forwards for 5½ inches.  Now take the other two needles and repeat from * (this is to make the flap for back and the front); now join the two flaps, and knit round and round, 3 plain and 3 purl for 4 inches.  Then place on a piece of string 21 stitches; this should be 4 plain ribs and 3 purl ones.  Put the remaining stitches on two needles, leave off ribbing, and knit backwards and forwards quite plain for 38 rows; this will be about 4 inches.  Now knit 15 stitches, take 2 together, knit remainder plain; next row the same, so on thus until you have reduced to about 42 stitches, then knit 9 stitches only, and take 2 together; work thus until you have reduced to 25 stitches.  Reduce 4 times in each row till 3 stitches remain.   Now resume the four pins, take up the loops at the ends of the plain rows, also the 21 stitches on the string; count them round; there should be 114 in all, including the three remaining on the pin; if there are too many or too few, take 2 together, or make 1 or 2.  Next, rib round and round as was done at first, taking care that the ribs match on to those which were on the string; it is easier to knit plain the first row till these stitches are reached and then commence ribbing.  Work thus for 2½ inches.  Cast off rather loosely.

[These instructions are very different from the helmet pattern given in a previous post here.  This helmet has the front and back flaps, which the other did not, and the shaping seems very different in this case.   It seems that Balaclava helmets were not official issue, and so there was not standard pattern.]  

Knitted Helmets for Soldiers

From the North Wales Chronicle, 26th February 1915.

KNITTED HELMETS FOR SOLDIERS. 

MOST URGENTLY-NEEDED COMFORTS. 

(To the Editor).
Sir,—I should be so much obliged if you would, by inserting this letter, help me to make known that knitted helmets are one of the most urgently-needed "comforts" for soldiers at the front or going there.  Comparatively few knitters make them or have the best and simplest receipt, so I venture to append it.  These helmets are very easy to make, use up very little wool, and are almost impossible to buy ready-made.

May I take this opportunity of offering my most grateful thanks to all the kind senders of very generous gifts of various warm comforts, all of which have been most welcome and useful.  I hope they will be so good as to go on sending me more whenever they can, to the same address, 1, Hereford Gardens. London, W.

A full list of the contributions sent to me and to the other ladies in North Wales who collect for the 3rd Battalion R.W.F. and the Denbighshire Yeomanry will, I hope, be published shortly in the papers.—I remain, sir, with many thanks, yours faithfully,

ALICE DOUGLAS PENNANT.
February 24th.

RECEIPT FOR KNITTED HELMET.

Five needles, sizes 10; two skeins of any wool (of suitable colour), such as is used for mufflers.  Cast on 90 loosely.  Knit round in rib 3 plain 3 purl for four inches. Leave 21 stitches on fifth needle, and knit the remaining stitches backwards and forwards plain for 80 rows.  Take care to knit the first and last stitch of each row; do not slip it.  Divide on 3 needles with 21 on centre needle and 24 on each of the 2 side needles.  Knit the 21 backwards and forwards, and at the end of each row knit the last stitch together, with the nearest stitch on the outside needle.  Do this till all the 24 stitches have been taken off the two outside needles, and only 21 on the centre needle remain.  Pick up all the stitches round the face and knit in rib of 3 and 3 for about two inches.  Cast off.

[Alice Douglas Pennant had written to the same paper in October 1914, giving a pattern for knitted body belts, for the Queen's appeal.  (See here.)   I am not sure whether she had any official connection with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (R.W.F.) or the Denbighshire Yeomanry, or whether they had specifically asked for helmets.  

Shops selling knitted goods often included helmets in their advertising, so I think that, in spite of what the writer says, in many places it was possible to buy helmets ready-made.]   

Sleeping Helmets for the Territorials

from the Colne Valley Guardian, 9^th October 1914

PRESENTS FOR THE COLNE VALLEY TERRIERS

In acknowledging receipt of a parcel of clothing, Captain Wilkinson, of the Marsden Company, writes to Miss France, secretary of the Marsden Church Needlework Society, from the camp at Riby:--

Dear Miss France, -- Many thanks for your letter of the 21^st September.  The parcel came to hand this a.m., but I have not opened it yet.  Will you please accept my very best thanks, also the thanks of my brother officers in the Marsden Company for your kindness, and will you please convey our thanks to the ladies of the Marsden Needlework Society for their kindness.  These presents are much appreciated, I can assure you, and care will be taken in giving same out.  I may say that anything you send will be appreciated.  If I may suggest, would it be too much trouble to knit Balaclava helmets (to pull over the head) – about 120?  I am sure these would be useful, especially if we remain under canvas, and if I tell you there was a white frost this a.m. you may imagine it is not too warm during the night.  I have submitted your letter for perusal to the Commanding Officer and he wishes me to add his thanks.  All the Marsden men are fit, you will be glad to hear, and a very large number have volunteered for foreign service, along with all the officers.  Please excuse pencil, but I am writing in the field.  I can assure you we have very little spare time. – Yours faithfully,

SAM WILKINSON

Capt., O/c “D” Co. 7^th Batt. W.R.R. [7th Battalion West Riding Regiment - the Territorial battalion from the Colne Valley]

Needless to say, the Church Needlework Society are complying with Captain Wilkinson’s requests and are very busy making more warm flannel shirts besides the sleeping helmets he asks for.  The younger ladies at the Church have taken up the helmet-making splendidly, and it is hoped that the required quantity will soon be forthcoming.  Money contributions will be gratefully accepted by Miss France or Mrs. Jim Shaw.

Ad for Ladyship Wools, October 1914.

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.]

Sewing and Knitting for the Soldiers

HINTS TO THE LADIES

Many local ladies have now got well to work in the making of garments for soldiers, and in other cases provision is being made for “sewing meetings” twice or thrice a week with the same object in view.  The correct patterns should be ascertained before any work is begun.  It is also necessary that too many of one particular style of garment should not be made.  In some places there is a scheme under which all garments are being cut out at one central depot, so that it is possible to regulate the exact number of garments produced, and to see that they are not only correct in shape but in quantity.

It is said that our soldiers have been sent out well provided with helmets, so, though more will be wanted later on, the advice to all the good knitters is to turn their attention to socks for the time being.  Hand-knitted hosiery lasts much better than that which is machine made.  At the same time, those who are equally good with the needle will do well to devote the chief part of their time to the making of garments for the hospitals, and keep their knitting for odd moments.

(The Halifax Courier, 15th August, 1914)

[Helmets here means Balaclava helmets - they had been associated with the army since the Crimean War, from the name, and I think that they had been knitted as soldiers' comforts during the South African War.  So for the writer of this piece it would be natural to advise on whether helmets were needed at the time.  (Although  as far as I know, the soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force had not been provided with helmets and it was not part of the standard kit issued by the War Office.)]

(Cambrian Daily Leader, 15th August 1914)

[What civilian men were wearing in 1914. I suspect that at least part of the reason for the sale was that far fewer men were buying suits than usual - either because they were in the army or were thinking of volunteering, or because the war had made everyone reluctant to spend money if it wasn't absolutely necessary.]