Women's Work For Soldiers And Sailors

From the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 31st December 1917.

WOMEN'S WORK FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.—

The Lindley sewing parties for 1917 have been very well attended, and the committee are glad to report a very successful year's work.  One thousand seven hundred and thirty three pairs of hospital slippers and surgical boots have been made and over 800 woollen comforts knitted including many welcome gifts from friends who work in their own homes.  The sum of £50 has been paid over to the bureau, Ramsden Street, including £20 raised for the special effort week.  This is in addition to the summer garden party at Briarcourt when the sum of £87 was raised for the cause.

[I have included this because it is very local to me.  Briarcourt is a large house in Lindley designed by the architect Edgar Wood.

There must still have been similar sewing parties, and groups making comforts for the troops, all over the country, following on from the burst of activity in 1914 at the start of the war.  There were probably fewer women available for sewing and knitting, though - by the end of 1917, many women were working full-time, in munitions factories and replacing men who were now in the forces.

I haven't been able to find out what the 'special effort week' was.]   

Is Your Larder Loyal?

From the Todmorden & District News, 28th December 1917. 

IS YOUR LARDER LOYAL?

If the King came into your kitchen to-morrow would his royal presence cause you any misgiving?  Would he find you a patriot in your work of food preparation—in the stocking of your larder?

His Majesty, on a recent visit to the Guards' Training depot, entered the cook-house, as the bugle was sounding its invitation, "Come to the cook-house door," to see how the food was prepared for the soldiers.

A large number of women cooks are employed, and when the King asked the men what they thought of the women as cooks, an Irish Guardsman tendered his unstinted praise thus, "Sure, Sir, they're grand, they beat the men into fits!"

Are you grand in your civilian cook-house?  Are you, in the kitchen, helping to beat the Hun?  The women of Britain are the ones who can render the greatest aid in our food crisis.  Let all women "be grand!"

Ladies’ Football Match at Preston

From the Lancashire Evening Post, 26th December 1917.

LADIES' FOOTBALL.

10,000 Present at Preston Match.

There were 10,000 people at Deepdale yesterday afternoon at the ladies' football match between teams representing the munition workers of Dick, Kerr's and Coulthard's, and the appearance of the historic enclosure was quite like old times.  The proceeds from the sale of tickets which were supplemented by a collection taken by wounded soldiers on the ground, were for Moor Park Hospital, and when all the money has been got in, the funds of the institution should receive a handsome windfall.  The players, who were understood to bare been in strict training for the encounter, wore orthodox football costume, jerseys, dark blue shorts, and regulation boots.  Coulthard's were in red and white stripes and Dick, Kerr's in black and white, with the addition of natty, close-fitting hats to match.  Corsets were barred.  So far as appearances went, Dick, Kerr's seemed to hold some advantages between two athletic-looking sides.  Miss Hollins kicked off.  Teams: —
Coulthard's. —Misses A. Sumner; May Coates, N. Charnley; J. Rangeley, L Forshaw, F. Proudfoot; G. Fitzgerald, L. Atkinson, L. Rayton, L. Billington.
Dick, Kerr’s—Misses E. Clayton; B. Traynor, E. Nixon; E. Birkins, A. Kells, M. Kay: A. Standing; G. Whittle, F. Rance, F. Redford, L. Jones-
Referee: Mr. J. Lewis, Blackburn.

After the Christmas dinner the crowd were in the right humour for enjoying this distinctly war-time novelty.  There was a tendency amongst the players at the start to giggle, but they soon settled down to the game in earnest.  Dick, Kerr's were not long in showing that they suffered less than their opponents from stage fright, and had a better all-round idea of the game.  Woman for woman they were also speedier, and had a larger share of that quality which in football slang is known as "heftiness."  Quite a number of their shots at goal would not have disgraced the regular professional except in direction, and even professionals have been known on occasion to be a trifle wide of the target.  Their forward work, indeed, was often surprisingly good, one or two of the ladies displaying quite admirable ball control, whilst combination was by no means a negligible quantity.  Coulthard's were strongest in defence, the backs battling against long odds, never giving in, and the goalkeeper doing remarkably well, but the forwards, who were understood to have sadly disappointed their friends were clearly afflicted with nerves.

All the conventions were duly honoured.  The teams on making their appearance (after being photographed) indulged in "shooting and the rival captains, before tossing the coin for choice of ends, shook hands in the approved manner.  At first the spectators were inclined to treat the game with a little too much levity, and they found amusement in almost everything from the pace, which until they got used to it, has the same effect as a slow-moving kinema picture, to the "how-dare-you" expression of a player when she was pushed by an opponent.  But when they saw that the ladies meant business, and were "playing the game" they readily took up the correct attitude, and impartially cheered and encouraged each side.  Within five minutes Dick, Kerr's had scored through Miss Whittle, and before half-time they added further goals by Miss Birkens—a fine shot from 15 yards out, just under the bar—and Miss Rance.  Coulthart’s, who were quite out of the picture in the first half, "bucked up" after the interval, and quite deserved a goal, but it was denied them, much to the disappointment of the spectators.  They had a rare opportunity from a penalty in the last few minutes, but the ball was kicked straight at the keeper.  On the other hand, Dick, Kerr's added to their score, Miss Rance running through and netting whilst the backs were "argufying" about some alleged offence, a natural touch which greatly delighted the onlookers.  Mr. John Lewis plied the whistle with discretion, whilst keeping within the four corners of the law, though he was clearly in a dilemma, probably for the first time in his official career, when one of the players was "winded" by the ball.

Result—DICK, KERR'S 4, COULTHARD'S 0.

Christmas Trains

From the Sunday Pictorial, 23rd December 1917.

XMAS TRAIN CRUSH.

Lack of Facilities Leads to Much Crowding.

WAR WORKERS ON HOLIDAY

Fewer but more crowded trains was the order of the day at the London termini yesterday.
Thus, although long queues formed up before the booking offices, and although even guards' vans were packed with passengers, the decreased facilities realty resulted in a considerable slump in the Christmas rush from and to the country. Those who did travel had to bear all the discomforts of wartime journeying.

At King's Cross over 500 people were lined up waiting for tickets to the North by one train. Many people had to wait over two hours for tickets, and many got none.

The great majority of the travellers were munition workers.  At St. Pancras Station there were also many munition workers travelling. The twelve o'clock train for Manchester went out in two portions, and several coaches were added on to the first portion.

Paddington Station was very busy. Six lines were all the time before the booking hall windows, and in the early morning extended right through the booking hall to the subway and out into the street. The 1 p.m. train to Torquay, Plymouth and Penzance was of enormous length, and every seat was taken.

Many people were left behind when the 11.50 train left Euston for Birmingham, although the train was in two portions.

Waterloo was perhaps the busiest station in London owing to the number of soldiers coming and going on leave, in addition to great throngs of civilian travellers.

The majority of people, however, are apparently spending their Christmas at home. A railway official said there seemed a decrease in Christmas travelling all round. We are grateful that our appeal has been so well heeded.

To-morrow and on Boxing Day Underground train services will be as usual, with a Sunday service on Christmas Day. Many omnibus services will cease about 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Christmas Food Supplies in Leeds

From the Leeds Mercury, December 22nd 1917. 

CHRISTMAS OUTLOOK IN LEEDS.

SHORTER SUPPLIES AND HIGHER PRICES.

For the fourth year in succession Christmas will be spent under the shadow of the great war cloud.  Yet the people of this country are fortunate in so far that, prior to the past few weeks, they have experienced little difficulty in supplying the wants of their households.

If some definite action had only been taken by the Leeds Food Control Committee to avoid the queue system, which has become a public nuisance, and a grave menace to the health of the community, there would have been little or no cause for complaint.

Yesterday saw the principal streets of the city again thronged with tremendous queues numbering hundreds, and in some instances reaching into four figures.  As a result of this abominable system many people will of necessity be confined to bed this Christmas through chills contracted in the ranks.

The public, however, have the satisfaction of knowing that the Food Controller has stepped into the breach.  From the Order he has just issued, and the strong appeal he is making to local committees, there is every possibility that Leeds will have to bestir themselves, and set machinery to work to eliminate the practice.

The supplies of tea, butter, and margarine is about similar to last week, but in consequence of many of the shops being closed for three days next week there is an extra run on the commodities.
Yesterday the weather was ideal for Christmas shopping, and large numbers of people took advantage of it.  All the establishments had a varied and attractive display, and great business was being done all over the city.

The Poultry Section. 
The stalls in the Leeds Market were adorned with tempting rows of turkeys, geese, chickens, ducks, pheasants, partridges, pigeons, grouse, and rabbits, masses of greenery, and trays of luscious fruit and vegetables.  Inquiries, however, reveal the fact that the reserves of stock are much less than usual, and householders, who do their Christmas shopping late, may find them-selves obliged to do without some of their usual seasonable delicacies.

A well-known poultry salesman told a representative of the "Leeds Mercury" yesterday that there was a very short supply all round.  Breeders had not raised the stocks of previous years, owing to feeding and labour difficulties, and the usual consignments from Russia and America had not arrived.  The result was that there was practically a general advance all round on last year's prices, when there was an average increase of about 2d. a pound, and 6d. on normal times.

Turkeys were selling at 2s. 3d. and 2s. 4d. (1s. 8d. last year), geese ls. 8d. and 1s. 9d., (1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d.), chickens 1s. 8d. (1s. 6d), ducks Is 9d. (1s. 4d.), hares 8s. to 8s. 6d. (6s.). partridges and grouse 6s. (same), pigeons 1s. to 1s. 2d. (same), rabbits 5s. 6d. to 6s. a couple (3s. 6d. to 4s.), and pheasants 14s. a brace, as compared with 7s. 6d. two years ago and 12s. last year.

The increase in the prices of rabbits and hares is due mainly to the dearer shipping freights for frozen goods: and the absence of shooting parties from the moors is chiefly responsible for the shortage of birds.

Holly and mistletoe are plentiful and in good demand.  The wholesale prices are 8s. and 5s. to 6s. a stone respectively, which is only about 6d. above last year; but this increase is compensated by the fact that the quality is far superior.

Fruit, Fish, and Nuts. 
There is a fair supply of fruit, and of good quality, although the variety is not near so great as in normal times.  Prices are reasonable, considering present conditions.  Apples are again the predominant feature.  "It is surprising," said one dealer, "how English growers have come forward and assisted us. English apples, before the war, were very little heard of, but, judging from the quality and supplies sent in, I think we might to be able to do without -foreign apples, even after the war."
Some excellent eaters can be bought at from 5d. to 8d. a pound, and cookers at 5d.  These are about similar to last year, but in oranges there is a distinct shortage.  Valencias, which five years ago, sold at three a penny, and a penny each, according to size, are now 2d. to 5d. each; while Jamaicas are 6d. each, as compared with ls. 3d. to ls. 6d. a dozen in pre-war days.

Green grapes are 1s. 6d., and black ones 3s to 3s. 6d.  Fourpence each are being asked for lemons, and 2½d. for bananas.  Boxes of dates, which last year was 6d., are now ls. 9d., and what few of the cheaper dates are to be seen are selling at ls. 4d., as compared with 3d.  Figs are almost unknown.  Nuts are scarce and very expensive, Brazils being 1s. 6d., almonds 2s., cob nuts ls. 6d., and monkey nuts and walnuts from ls. to 1s. 4d.

Owing to the severe weather of the past week green vegetables are not quite so plentiful.  Sprouts are fetching 3d. per lb., cabbages 2s. and 2½d., Savoys 3d., cauliflowers 4d. to 6d., celery 3d. to 5d. a stick, carrots 3½lb. for 3d., beetroot and parsnips 1½d. per lb., English onions 5d., Spanish onions 6d., Swedes 3½lb. for 2½lb., and potatoes 7 lb for 6d.

There was a fair supply of fish, but the prices keep very high, real soles being 2s. 6d., turbot 2s. 8d., lemon soles 2s. 2d., plaice 1s. 8d., cod ls. 4d., haddocks, ling, and conger eel 1s., herrings 3s. per doz., and sprats, which were plentiful, 4d. per lb.

[I have included this post to show that in spite of reports of widespread queueing, this seems to have been only for the basic commodities of tea and especially butter and margarine - the staple diet of the poor (along with sugar, which was already rationed, bread and potatoes).   For people with money, there was plenty of food available.  For an explanation of the prices quoted, see my note on prices.  To give some idea, a shilling (1s.) converts to 5p now, taking no account of inflation.  The Bank of England's inflation calculator says that £1 was equivalent to £63.66 in 2016, and 1s. would be equivalent to roughly £3.   There were 240 pennies in a pound, so 1d. was worth about 26p. now.] 

Official Action To Stop Queues

From the Sunday Pictorial, 23rd December 1917.

OFFICIAL ACTION TO STOP QUEUES.

Margarine Taken Over in London and Country.

SHARING THE STOCKS.

Lines of Waiting People at Meat Shops.

New steps to improve the general food situation were announced yesterday, while both in London and in the country firm action to stop shop queues was taken under Lord Rhondda's commandeering order.  The text was issued last night of the Food Controller's Order conferring upon [local] Food Control Committees powers to enforce schemes for controlling the distribution and consumption of any article of food in their areas, and thus to prevent queues.  This provides for the registration of retailers and customers, the limitation of customers dealt with by any retailer and the prohibition of sales in quantities larger than those fixed by the Food Control Committees.

Card rationing schemes, which will come under this order, have already been decided upon at Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Northwich and Brentford.

Reports of vanishing queues yesterday were as follow:—
London.—Surplus margarine and butter in multiple shops were taken away and distributed to retailers by the Food Committees in the following districts:—Camberwell, Holborn, Wandsworth, Putney, Clapham, Balham and Tooting. At Lambeth, Islington, Lewisham, Southwark and Shoreditch inspectors were sent out to take a list of all stocksm

TAKEN AWAY IN BARROWS.

"We had a great time this morning," said Mr. G. H. Meakin, the Islington executive officer.  "I had my inspectors out at a quarter to nine, and every multiple shop was visited.
"In three cases we transferred supplies to other shops.  We loaded up the margarine on barrows and wheeled it through the street.
"The result was that all the queues were broken up and the people were able to obtain what they wanted with very little delay."
The real remedy for queues was adopted by the Hornsey Food Control Committee last night, which approved a rationing scheme for butter and margarine, lard and meat.

Stoke-on-Trent. —The Food Control Committee commandeered about five tons of margarine from a company.  Part of the stock was in the company's shop and part on the railway.  The margarine was distributed to retailers.

Hull. —The Food Control Committee met the chief wholesale butter and margarine merchants and requisitioned large supplies, which were distributed later among the smaller shops.

WORKERS' FOOD MARCH.

1,500 Leave Work to Protest Against Queues—Waiting at Dawn.

Towns where the queue evil was not relieved were—
Nottingham.—Great queues gathered at provision shops.  Supplies of butter and margarine were inadequate, and many shops closed after limited trading.

Leigh (Lancs).—Some 1,500 workers yesterday ceased work and marched to the town hall in protest against food queues.  The mayor promised to summon the Food Committee on Monday with a view to securing improved distribution.

Sheffield.—The streets yesterday were obstructed with butter, margarine and tea queues.  Long before dawn crowds had assembled waiting for shops to open.

Northwich. —Dense crowds waited for hours to buy margarine.  Several people fainted.

In London queues formed outside several butchers' shops for the first time.
More than one child fell out of the queues through exhaustion.

Queueing Problems

From the Leeds Mercury, December 22nd 1917. 

BATLEY'S REMEDY FOR QUEUES.

SCHOOL OPENED FOR THE WAITING WOMEN.

In Batley an interesting scheme was put into operation yesterday to minimise public inconvenience arising from butter queues.  Instead of people standing outside the shops in a queue, arrangements were made to accommodate them in a Sunday school, and here tickets were issued systematically, without which it was not possible to obtain a supply at the shop.

Ticket-holders were then allowed to go to the source of supply in batches of ten or twelve, under the direction of the police.

The scheme worked fairly satisfactorily, and was greatly appreciated by the public as a considerable improvement on standing out in the cold.

THE BRADFORD QUEUES.

LOCAL "CONTROLLER" FAVOURS RATIONING.

Bradford, in common with other towns, is deeply concerned with regard to the queue problem.  The long drawn lines of waiting customers outside the butter shops have grown in length as the days have gone by, and the Local Food Control committee has been giving the matter very close consideration.
They have been in communication with the Government and Members of Parliament, and they have urged that the Ministry of Food should take into their hands the distribution of all available margarine.

They contend that it shall be distributed equitably amongst the retailers all over the district so that the people may be able to purchase quantities near their homes, instead of having to go into the city and stand in queues.

Mr. William Warburton, the Executive Officer of the Food Control Committee, has expressed the opinion that many people are coming into the queues, not out of necessity, but for the purpose of obtaining supplies which are in excess of their needs.

The effect is that some people have more than enough, and others have to go short.  The only way to meet the difficulty was by a system of registration and rationing.

A DEWSBURY PROTEST.

GUARDIAN'S ALLEGATION AGAINST THE WELL-TO-DO.

Some bitter complaints were made at yesterday's meeting of the Dewsbury Guardians concerning the butter queues which have grown to such extraordinary lengths in the district, and particularly in the centre of Dewsbury.

Mr J. H. Dyson (Thornhill) put in a spirited plea for the poor people who were receiving parish relief.  He proposed that the Food Control Committees be urged to make it possible for these people to get food in the districts in which they lived.  It was positively deplorable, he said, that these unfortunate people should be put to the expense of going to Dewsbury to obtain butter, and then to have to stand starving in queues for hours.

Mr. P. R. Wilson (Ossett), in seconding, suggested that the local authorities should use the Town Halls for waiting purposes, and supply the folks with tickets of admission to the shops.

Mr. J. T. Peace (Ossett) said that if the middle and upper classes would "play the game fair," and not send persons to stand for them in the queues after already obtaining their ordinary share from their grocer, the problem would be easier.

 Mr. F. Priestley (Batley) remarked upon the hardship of a family of eight or ten persons being only able to obtain half a pound of butter through the queue system.  At the same time, in Germany, where all the food was rationed, he had reason to know that the queues were worse than here.
...
The resolution was carried.

[The board of guardians administered relief under the poor laws to people within their district (a parish or a group of parishes).]