The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War

by Gavin Fuller

  Yours faithfully,

  Arthur Conan Doyle

  Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex

  14 August 1914

  CALL TO YACHTSMEN

  Volunteers Wanted

  SIR – My steam yacht is being fitted out for the purpose of serving in every possible way the work for the transport of wounded refugees. I am running her myself with a captain, an engineer and a pilot. All other members of the crew are volunteers. I am wanting gentlemen with £300 each who will volunteer to complete the crew. The call is urgent, and surely there are many yachtsmen who are prevented from serving their country in other ways, but who can give their services and a little of their incomes for such a cause.

  We cannot, and must not, wait until the last minute. The motto for every man and woman in England today is, ‘Be prepared!’ I therefore ask those men who have not gone to the front to assist me as far as in their power lies, and to do that promptly, without delay, bearing in mind that every hour counts now.

  All contributions will he gratefully received by Miss Borthwick, 83 Pall Mall, S.W.

  Yours truly,

  Jessica Borthwick

  83 Pall Mall, S.W.

  CARE OF THE WOUNDED

  Evils of Overlapping Lord Rothschild’s Appeal

  SIR – The vast, and, indeed, astounding number of offers of help which continue to be made day by day to the British Red Cross Society show – if any such demonstration were needed – the kind-heartedness of the whole British people, and their intense eagerness to be of some assistance to our gallant soldiers and sailors; but kind-heartedness and anxiety to help are of little avail, unless they are organised and applied – not as sentiment dictates, but as the actual need demands.

  We are threatened with the same confusion that so crippled the Red Cross effort in the South African War, with the same evils of overlapping, of unco-ordinated and disunited work. Private houses are being turned into hospitals and convalescent homes, without reference to any organising body and without regard to any rational scheme. Nurses are engaged who may never be required in the particular place allotted to them, while, worst of all, stores of surgical material are being hoarded up in scores of houses to such an extent that the market is seriously depleted. Ladies are starting independent base-hospitals of their own, and are appealing for funds for their maintenance.

  Surgeons and nurses are struggling to reach the front without any organisation, and without definite orders or definite plans. All these efforts are most kindly meant, but they are producing an amount of disorder and waste of personnel and equipment which is to be deplored.

  Need For More Money

  The British Red Cross Society has already a number of beds at its disposal which, while probably sufficient to meet the coming need, can be almost indefinitely expanded on efficient and economic lines. The organisation of the society extends throughout the whole country, and beds can be provided in sufficient number as and when they are required.

  The British Red Cross Society is working in close harmony with the St John Ambulance Association, and no one can dispute that these two bodies are competent to deal promptly, efficiently and economically with the intending need, colossal as it is, if only they are supplied with sufficient funds. All but the clerical work of administration of the Red Cross Society is carried out by trained volunteers, every department is in charge of competent experts, while offices and storerooms are provided, free of all cost, by the generosity of the Duke of Devonshire.

  In every detail the society keeps in close touch with the War Office and Admiralty, to whom, and to whom alone, they look for instructions as to where help is needed, and of what kind it should be. The expenses for equipment, for personnel and for supplies must needs be heavy, but those who come to our aid have the assurance that the funds subscribed will not be scattered in private enterprises, but will be employed to the direct and prompt relief of the sick and wounded. At this moment – so many are the calls upon the charitable – the Red Cross Society of this country is in need of means to carry out, on business lines, a mission of mercy, the organisation of which has been the deliberate work of years.

  Yours faithfully,

  Rothschild, Chairman, Council of the British Red Cross Society

  WAR AND OPERA

  The Carl Rosa Company

  SIR – In the exceptional circumstances may I beg the hospitality of your columns?

  When the appalling news of the war burst on us, naturally our first impulse was to cancel our forthcoming tour, or, at least, the first portion of it. On reflection, however, the thought of over a hundred artists being thrown out of work to their great distress, and the distress of those dependent on them, and the great difficulty of getting fresh engagements just at present, made us reconsider the matter, and we decided to make a start in the ordinary manner.

  The expenses of an opera company are, however, so very great that it will be impossible to continue if business is very bad for long. Would you permit me to state that we are at the Coronet Theatre, 7 September; Kennington, 14 September; and the Marlborough Theatre, 21 September, and I would be most grateful if those members of the public who intend to be present would notify their intention to the respective theatre or myself. We could then get an inkling as to what would be our fate.

  The Carl Rosa Opera Company might almost be called a national institution. It has been in existence forty-three years, and is the oldest theatrical enterprise in Great Britain, besides being the oldest English opera company in the world. It has introduced hundreds of great operas and singers to the British public, and I am sure that hundreds and thousands of Britishers all over the world would much regret if it was forced to suspend its operations.

  I have just heard that another opera company has cancelled its tour, thus adding to the unemployed.

  I am, Sir, yours very truly,

  Walter Van Noorden, Managing Director

  Carl Rosa Opera Company (Ltd.), 14 and 14a, Wrotham Road,

  Camden Road, N.W.

  REGIMENTAL AGENCY

  Princess Louise’s Appeal

  SIR – At this juncture, when money is being generously subscribed for the assistance of our wounded and invalided soldiers as they return from the war, we desire to commend to the consideration of the public the system of distribution of benefits through the regiments in which the men have served.

  Almost every regiment has now its own association providing adequate machinery for giving relief to its old soldiers. The men are personally known in the regiment, and any assistance they may receive from this source in times of distress is not regarded as charity, but as an honourable recognition of their services with the colours.

  The Regimental Agency, of which His Majesty the King is patron, is managed by a committee of officers. It acts as the handmaid of the regimental associations. Nine of these associations carry on their work in these offices, whilst others are helped by the Agency in various ways. The Agency also serves as a clearing house, passing on to the regimental associations applications from, or on behalf of, old soldiers, to be dealt with regimentally. Donations sent to us will at once be forwarded to the regiments in which the donors are specially interested.

  We further appeal for funds, as also for personal help, for the Regimental Agency itself, to enable us to carry on our work for the regimental associations at a time when a severe strain is made on our resources and most of our helpers have been called off by the war.

  Subscriptions and donations should be sent direct to the Regimental Agency, 33 Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W.

  Yours faithfully,

  Louise, President

  Roberts, F.M., Vice-President

  Methuen, Vice-Chairman of Council

  Claude M. Macdonald, Chairman of Central Committee

  The Regimental Agency, 33 Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W.

  1 September 1914

  BRITISH AIRMAN’S GRAVE

  SIR – Last week in Belgium I saw a wrecked British aeroplane and
beside it the grave of the aviator. At the time I was a prisoner with the Germans, and could not stop or ask questions. Later, with the object of establishing the identity of the aviator, I visited the place. Should after the war the family of the officer desire to remove his body I am writing this that they may know where it is now buried.

  The aeroplane fell to the road between Enghien and Ath. Belgians near the place told me the officer was shot down by a column of German infantry, the strength of which column he was evidently trying to discover. The aeroplane was totally destroyed, but on a twisted plate I found the name of an English firm. There were also in the wreck paper forms for making out reports on reconnaissances. There was no writing on these, but the printed matter was in English.

  At the head of the grave the Germans had put a wooden cross, on which they had written ‘Herr Flier, 22 August 1914’. The Belgians had covered the grave with flowers. It should not be difficult to find. It is on the left-hand side of the road as one walks south from Enghien to Ath in a pear orchard, near a very old red-brick house with a square tower.

  One hundred yards south of the grave is a signpost that reads, pointing south, ‘Ath – 14 kil.’, pointing north, ‘Enghien – 5 kil.’ Enghien is about thirty kilometres south of Brussels.

  I am, yours truly,

  Richard Harding Davis, Correspondent, New York Tribune 10 Clarges Street, W.

  3 September 1914

  HELP FOR THE BELGIANS

  Great Need of Foodstuffs

  SIR – I hesitate again to address you, but, against my own wishes, I am being urged by some of the greatest merchants in England to do so. I cannot appear as a mendicant on behalf of my country. Her actions speak for themselves. Moreover, Britain has already responded nobly in gifts of money and kind to help those suffering in Belgium. Again, many merchants have already sent me noble gifts; and, moreover, Britain has its own needy calls.

  What I am asked to state is that there will very shortly be a great want of foodstuffs in many important places in Belgium, and that the sufferings, not only of the wounded, but of the inhabitants, and especially of little children, will probably be excessive. For these reasons I am told that the great merchants of Britain, who may not already have shown their appreciation of the efforts of Belgium, would be only too willing to make gifts of foodstuffs were transit available. It is believed that an opportunity will very shortly be placed at my disposal whereby foodstuffs in large quantities could be delivered in Antwerp and elsewhere, should those hereby appealed to desire to help in the proposed manner.

  There is very little time in which to make this appeal and collect and despatch any gifts, if immediate benefit is to be derived. Hence those merchants who may generously wish to support this plea (made to me by some of their own profession), in large or small quantities, are kindly requested to acquaint me by telegram or post, addressed only to G. Alexander, 51 Hans Mansions, London S.W., and to forward their gifts in kind immediately, addressed to the Manager, Belgian Relief, c/o Messrs Harrods Ltd, Trevor Square, London S.W. (who have most generously placed a warehouse and a receiver at my disposal), whence I shall personally acknowledge them, and have everything tabulated and arranged ready for immediate shipment. No kind givers need trouble themselves by making any preliminary inquiries of me as to the necessary kinds and quantities, for I can only say that too much of any sort of foodstuff cannot be sent, or too soon.

  The following is what is chiefly wanted:

  Flour (very much required)

  Oats

  Salt (very much required)

  Jam

  Hams

  Condensed milk

  Biscuits

  Sugar

  Chocolate

  Arrowroot, and all kinds of farinaceous foods

  All kinds of tinned meats

  But any other similar gifts will be welcome.

  Lalaing, Belgian Minister

  Belgian Legation, 15 West Halkin Street, S.W.

  CRICKETERS’ APPEAL

  ‘Members of a National Team’

  SIR – We, the undersigned as cricketers, ask you to accord us the publicity which only your columns can give in order that we may make a direct appeal to the vast cricket-loving public on behalf of the Prince of Wales’s Fund.

  This fund, which has been called into being by His Royal Highness to meet the countless cases of misery and hardship which must inevitably follow on the heels of war, makes an instinctive and instantaneous appeal to the generosity of the public, and we, as cricketers, know that there is no public so sportsmanlike and so generous as the cricketing crowd.

  As the Prince has truly said, ‘This is a time when we all stand by one another.’ All of us as a nation are members of a national team.

  We have before us as we write the vision of many a fair English cricket ground packed with eager multitudes.

  We have pleasant memories of seas of faces who in happier times have watched us play.

  If only at this moment of trial we could gather in the sums which have been paid as gate money at cricket matches, those on whom the war has laid a desolating hand would benefit indeed. The wives and families of our soldiers and sailors would at least be secure from want.

  It is this thought which has given arise to this particular appeal. We ask all those who have watched us play, and who have cheerfully paid their half-crowns, shillings and sixpences as gate money, to step forward and contribute over again their half-crowns, shillings and sixpences to the Prince’s Fund out of gratitude for the enjoyment the cricket field has given them in the past.

  Let everyone who has followed cricket recall to mind the matches he has witnessed and enjoyed, and let each one contribute according to the pleasantness of his memories. Then we shall have for those whom the war has robbed, not only of happiness, but even of the means of livelihood, a truly royal sum.

  Without any undue spirit of self-importance we may perhaps say that we have contributed not a little to the interest the public takes in cricket, and therefore we make this personal appeal from ourselves to all those who love the game to send whatever they can spare to HRH the Prince of Wales, Buckingham Palace, London S.W.

  Yours faithfully,

  J.W.H.T. Douglas

  F.R. Foster

  F.H. Gillingham

  W.G. Grace

  Harris

  T. Hayward

  G. Hirst

  J.B. Hobbs

  G.L. Jessop

  W. Rhodes

  R.H. Spooner

  P.F. Warner

  F.E. Woolley

  4 September 1914

  PHYSICAL TRAINING

  A Vital Necessity

  SIR – For some days past a friend of mine has been raging furiously because, while there is nothing that is nearer to his heart’s desire than to serve his King and his country, at the present moment neither his King nor his country has any use for him. In the course of his raging he came in contact with a high military authority, to whom my friend, whose gift for rhetoric is by no means to be despised, unburdened himself pointedly and with considerable force.

  The high military authority’s answer was this: ‘You are,’ he said, ‘a man of forty, and in very reasonably good condition for your age. You have plenty of pluck, you can shoot straight, and you would probably acquit yourself in the trenches quite as well as most Regulars, with a very little training. But, while you are reasonably sound in wind and limb, it is extremely improbable that you are in a condition to undergo the ardours of a campaign.

  ‘It is as likely as not that forty-eight hours of it would knock you up, while it is practically a certainty that after a couple of nights out in the rain you would be down with pneumonia or bronchitis, or rheumatism, or a combination of all three. You would have to go into hospital, where you would take up valuable room, and the attention of doctors and nurses who are badly wanted elsewhere. In fact, you would be a great deal more trouble than you are worth.’

  Of the truth of this there can surely be no question whatever.
There are thousands of men, between thirty-five and sixty, who ask nothing better than to be allowed to take up arms, and who are constantly galled by such a spectacle as that which I saw today – viz., that of a couple of dozen able-bodied young men, who might be at the front, absorbed in the delightful and engrossing occupation of watching workmen asphalting three square yards of Victoria Street. Let those thousands take to heart the truth that they would be more trouble than they are worth, and that it is entirely their own fault.

  An Exact Science

  For there is no conceivable reason why this should be so, nor is there any conceivable reason why the recruiting authorities today should be obliged to reject so high a percentage – I believe that it amounts to about forty – of those who offer themselves. At a time when physical culture has been reduced to an exact science, and when systems have been evolved whereby it is perfectly easy to develop and to keep in condition every muscle in the human body, any man who is not long past the prime of life, or who does not suffer from organic disease, can keep himself perfectly fit with a minimum of trouble.

  There can be few of us who have not, at one time or another, taken up some system of exercise, and have felt all the better for it. But the exercises became rather a nuisance, the twenty minutes devoted to them was reduced to ten, and the ten to five, till finally we dropped them altogether, always meaning, no doubt, to take them up again, but always too lazy to do so. For it is a curious thing that a man will take infinite care of the works of his motor car, but very little of the works of his body, though the former can be replaced and the latter cannot.