The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War

by Gavin Fuller

  Provided the applicant is a gentleman and thoroughly fit, expense need not stand in his way, for he is not asked to pay for anything. The age limit, specially extended in this case by the War Office to 45, will attract many who are willing to serve, but unable to enter any other corps.

  The battalion is an infantry one, and, of course, part of the Regular Army.

  I am, yours faithfully,

  E. Cunliffe Owen, Chief Recruiting Officer

  Hotel Cecil, Strand, W.C.

  2 December 1914

  OUR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

  Presents for the Children

  SIR – Will you be good enough to allow us to make an appeal to the readers of your paper for dolls, toys, books and games for the children of our sailors and soldiers? Whatever presents are received will be divided equally between the children of the two services.

  Parcels or gifts of money for this object will be gratefully acknowledged, and should be sent on or before 19 December to Mrs Tillyer Tatham, Kendall Hall, Elstree, Herts, or Miss Meadows Taylor, Colney Park, St Albans.

  Parcels, if sent by rail, to Mrs Tillyer Tatham, Radlett Station, Midland Railway.

  Will anyone help us? He who gives quickly gives twice.

  Yours truly,

  Alice Cornelia Tatham

  Kendall Hall, Elstree

  3 December 1914

  BELGIAN REFUGEES

  20,000 More Expected Urgent Need of Help

  SIR – We have been advised by the Government to expect the arrival in the course of the next two months of some 2,000 Belgian refugees in each week from Holland, until, perhaps, as many as 20,000 have arrived.

  We have at present available accommodation for about 10,000 in family groups, and obviously we shall require in a few weeks many more offers of hospitality. Counties on the east coast, and to a large extent on the south and west coasts, having been declared prohibited areas, many offers have had to be cancelled. Our main necessities now are fourfold.

  1. Accommodation for families of three or more.

  2. Furnished houses or flats, more particularly in London or its immediate neighbourhood, are urgently required at once. There is an increasing number of refugees who hitherto have been able to pay their way, and could still do so if suitable houses or rooms can be offered to them without charge.

  3. We have very few offers to take single refugee men. Yet we have on our hands a large number of professional men, doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, businessmen, &c., for whom we are doing our best to provide accommodation.

  4. Money contributions will be gratefully received. Our total subscriptions up to date amount to £42,600. We have spent roughly about half this amount. Through our organisation we have provided for some 60,000 refugees. The business requires a large staff, and though we have many excellent volunteers who have given us their whole time for three months, many paid members are essential for the transport, interpreting, registration, escort, and clerical work. The charges for providing hospital treatment are always increasing.

  The Government provides accommodation, necessarily rough, for reception on arrival. Yet there are a number of persons who, because of health or status, cannot be sent to the depots. We have to find temporary accommodation for them in our own hostels or in hotels.

  And we are charged with the responsibility for allocating all refugees to offered hospitality.

  The stress of the war is certain to continue at best for some months, and we are, therefore, bound to husband our slender resources for the purposes of essential organisation. We find ourselves obliged, therefore, to ask for further financial support from our countrymen, who are free from the terrors and ruin which accompany German invasion for the sake of our Belgian friends who have had to fly from their devastated country. The nation has undertaken to give them hospitality, and it should be not only adequate but generous, sympathetic and ample.

  The title of our committee is ‘The War Refugees Committee’, and cheques intended for our work should be made payable to Lord Gladstone, the treasurer, at General Buildings, Aldwych. Offers of hospitality should be made to the secretary.

  I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

  Hugh Cecil

  War Refugees Committee, General Buildings, Aldwych,

  London W.C.

  15 December 1914

  GERMAN PRISONERS’ CONCERT

  SIR – The citizens of Shrewsbury are to be insulted next Thursday, 17 December, by invitations to a concert given by the interned German prisoners of war to provide themselves with ‘comforts’. Can nothing be done to stop this revolting exhibition?

  Surely Lord Kitchener cannot approve of such entertainments or of this method of trading with the enemy?

  Is Belgium already forgotten, and the bestial brutality of her oppressors so lightly forgiven?

  Yours, &c.,

  Civis Britt

  24 December 1914

  GIFTS FOR FIGHTING MEN

  Princess Mary’s Fund

  SIR – The object of the fund raised under the auspices of the Princess Mary was to forward a Christmas present to all the sailors serving in the Grand Fleet, and to all the troops of the Expeditionary Force. These presents have been packed and despatched, and, it is hoped, distributed to the sailors and soldiers on Christmas Day.

  They consist of an embossed brass box, pipe, tobacco, cigarettes, photograph and Christmas card. A brass box filled with chocolate has also been despatched to the nurses at the front.

  The committee intended to include a tinder lighter in the distribution, but owing to unforeseen circumstances it was found impossible to obtain them in time, or in sufficient quantity, to despatch them for Christmas Day. It is hoped, however, in the New Year to make a further distribution, so that each sailor of the Grand Fleet and soldier of the Expeditionary Force may receive a tinder lighter or some other equivalent present.

  The response to her Royal Highness’s appeal has been so generous that the committee are enabled to place additional orders for a gift which will include a brass box, and as these are delivered they will be despatched to all his Majesty’s sailors and soldiers serving abroad other than those mentioned above.

  A further order has been given to provide a similar brass box as a gift from the Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund to all his Majesty’s troops serving the colours in the United Kingdom, and from information given to the committee they confidently hope that the above presents will be despatched during the next three months.

  The Admiralty and the War Office have kindly undertaken to distribute the respective presents. Presents will be given to the wounded, to the widows or mothers of those who have fallen, and to prisoners of war on their return.

  The committee have been compelled strictly to limit the distribution of the presents to those who are serving, of who have served, previous to and including Christmas Day.

  Your obedient servant,

  Devonshire

  Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly, W.

  ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND

  From the King’s Farm

  SIR – I think it may interest many of your readers to learn that I, on behalf of a few London butchers and their friends, have this morning sent, with the approval of Lord Kitchener, two carcases of beef, weighing about 2,300 lb, for the Christmas dinner of those brave wounded soldiers in the base hospital at Boulogne who are able to partake of the true roast beef of Old England.

  Both animals were bred and fed by His Majesty King George on his royal farms at Windsor, and were prizewinners at the recent Smithfield Club Show.

  We believe it will gladden the heart of many an heroic sufferer to know he was thought of at home.

  I am, Sir, yours obediently,

  Wm. Haydon, L.C.C., Brixton Division

  County Hall, Spring Gardens, London S.W.

  ART AND CHARITY

  SIR – An exhibition under the patronage of their Majesties the King and Queen, Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, and Her Royal Highness Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, is be
ing arranged at the Royal Academy, which will open at the beginning of January and will take the place of our usual winter exhibition. It will consist of works of painting and sculpture, and in black and white by living artists of the British school. Our object is to form a fund raised from the sale of works exhibited, and the proceeds will be divided equally among the Red Cross and St John Ambulance Society, the Artists’ General Benevolent Institution, and the artists whose works are sold. The latter is an essential feature of the exhibition, as artists will then be directly benefited to the third of the sum which they have priced their work. If the artist wishes to waive his claim to his share of the money thus accruing to the fund it will be divided equally between the two institutions above named.

  With a view to making this exhibition as generally useful as possible, a committee was formed of the presidents of the principal artistic societies in London, together with five members of the council of the Royal Academy. Each of the presidents was asked to issue an invitation to the members of his society to contribute, and the response has been very complete, and something like 800 works are now being hung in the galleries by a sub-committee of the whole number, and the exhibition promises to be one of very general and varied interest. There will be undoubtedly much distress among artists during the coming year, and we hope for a very generous patronage from picture-buyers and the general public. It should be borne in mind that every artist who sells his picture is contributing at least two-thirds of its value to two most important and deserving organisations of charity and mercy.

  Concurrently with the exhibition of British works of art, one or more of our galleries will be given up to the exhibition of works of Belgian painting and sculpture, the whole profits from which will be devoted for the relief of Belgian artists. The precise arrangement for the distribution of the proceeds of this exhibition are not yet settled, and the exhibition will probably open a week or ten days after our own, as there are difficulties in the way of obtaining the works from abroad which may cause some delay. Monsieur Paul Lambotte, Directeur des Beaux Arts at Brussels, has kindly undertaken to assist in the arrangement of the Belgian works.

  I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

  Edward J. Poynter

  Royal Academy of Arts, London W.

  27 December 1914

  ON THE RIVIERA

  SIR – It is felt here that much misunderstanding exists as to the state of affairs on the Riviera, and also as to the difficulties intending visitors may experience in their journey from England.

  Those who may be hesitating about wintering in the delightful weather conditions offered by this climate will be glad to know (a) that the train service from Paris is almost normal, the journey only taking some four hours longer than it usually does; (b) travellers can book through from London with sleeping accommodation, lits-salon or wagon-lits and restaurant cars.

  Things at Mentone are just as usual; food is good and abundant and everything necessary to comfort can be obtained. This beautiful place is as quiet and restful as anyone could wish for. Both the churches are open, the chaplains are here, as are the English doctors, and already there is a considerable colony of English in residence.

  As all the men here and throughout France, between eighteen and forty-eight years old, are away with the great French army fighting with us the same battle for freedom, the assistance afforded to many of their families and the population generally by the presence on the Riviera of the habitual English visitors will this winter be especially welcome.

  Yours truly,

  D. Allison (Hon. Canon of Ripon)

  British Chaplain of Christ Church, Mentone

  28 December 1914

  CHILDREN’S SELF-DENIAL

  SIR – The children of this small rural school are very proud and happy to send brave King Albert a little Christmas offering. This small sum (5s 6d) represents some self-denial on the part of the donors. One little orphan lad, who was allowed a halfpenny weekly as pocket money, produced the precious coin with an evident pride and joy most touching.

  With hearty congratulations on the splendid response to an appeal which has gone straight to every heart, I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

  (Mrs) Eliza Bradbury

  Adderley School, Market Drayton

  THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

  SIR – A short time ago I pointed out the fact that an alien naturalised as a British subject is none the less a subject of the country of his origin unless he formally, and according to the law of his country, relinquishes his own nationality.

  I might point out that a further inconsistency is that on being naturalised a British subject, the alien subscribes to an oath of allegiance that he will be ‘Faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King George V, his heirs and successors, according to law’, and at the same time he still retains his allegiance to the sovereign of his own country.

  No man can serve two masters, and it is obvious that his oath is, to say the least, a matter to which he would attach secondary importance.

  Yours, etc.,

  H.S.A. Foy

  4 Walbrook, E.C.

  29 December 1914

  NATIONAL GUARD

  City Guild Units

  SIR – The admirable proposal of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor to form a National Guard should meet with an enthusiastic response. Every man ought to know how to shoot straight, and submit himself to some form of efficient training, so that in the event of invasion he will have a fair chance to fight for his hearth and home. That he will fight is certain, but it is equally certain that every man found bearing arms, unless he belongs to an organised force, will run the risk of being hanged or shot off-hand, his family exterminated, and his home given to the flames. We can expect no mercy from a ruthless foe. What has happened in Belgium and France may be repeated here with even greater severity.

  In view of imminent possibilities, not to say probabilities, every man who, by reason of age or circumstances over which he has no control, is unable to join our Regular forces, should without delay do something for his country, and in this connection it has occurred to me that the members of the Guild of Freemen, a body over 1,000 strong; every one of whom is a Freeman of the City of London (and of which I have the honour to be the Master for 1915), might usefully raise a unit, which could be enrolled in the City of London Corps of the National Guard.

  Other associations could very well follow suit, and all together serve their King, their country, and their city.

  I am Sir, yours, &c.,

  H.S.A. Foy, Member of the Corporation of London

  4 Walbrook, London E.C.

  31 December 1914

  FIGHTING MPs

  SIR – I have read with pleasure Captain Spender Clay’s tribute to our hero soldiers and his unbounded admiration of their heroic conduct in the field.

  I should like to record my unbounded admiration of the gallant though modest captain. I know for a fact that he placed his estate at the disposal of the Army, offered his mansion for a hospital, found forty units for the Territorials amongst the workers on his estate, provides for their families’ wants whilst the men are on active service, and has risked his own life in the fighting line for ‘God, King and country’. Such patriotism deserves the unbounded admiration of his fellow countrymen; England owes its present sense of security to the sacrifices made by such modest heroes. It will be a bad day for the old country when such landlords are taxed out of existence.

  Your obedient servant,

  E. Courtenay Wells

  53 London Road, Croydon

  INDIAN SOLDIERS’ FUND

  SIR – My letter of the 12th inst., for the publication of which I am indebted to your courtesy, was only meant to invite attention to the direction in which the charitable public might usefully supplement Government efforts to provide acutely needed comforts for the King’s Indian soldiers fighting in France. The response it has evoked is, however, so generous that I have gladly undertaken the duty of forwarding to various regiments
the gifts that are being sent to me, and applying the money donations to the purchase of other necessaries for the same purpose. I take this opportunity of thanking all the kind donors for their generosity.

  The public desirous of continuing their help to the Indian soldiers, and there is still much scope, may like to know what is now most wanted at the front, in addition to that provided by Government. An officer friend writes to say that ‘Stockings without feet are specially needed by the men to wear under their putties, or they suffer badly from cold legs in the wet trenches.’ And the medical officer, from whose letter I had quoted before, in acknowledging the gifts sent to him and answering inquiries as to further wants, suggests that (besides socks, Thermogene wool and Capsicum Vaseline, which we are already sending) the following articles would be most welcome: Chilliline and peroxide of hydrogen ‘for dressing bad wounds which threaten tetanus or gas gangrene’; vests and pants; ‘rough flannel coats which might be slipped on to wounded men instead of shirts, and roughly made loose flannel pyjamas, tying with a string à l’Indien; bed socks and pyjamas for the heavily wounded; felt slippers; and satchels, 18in by 12in, made of any coarse canvas with tapes for tying, for carrying the goods and chattels of the wounded men when they are transferred to the base. At present their boots, putties, turbans, &c., are bundled anyhow into the motor ambulances, and very few find their own things again.’

  I propose with the money standing in my name to the credit of ‘The Indian Troops’ Comforts Account’ at Messrs H.S. King & Co., 9 Pall Mall, S.W., so far as it will go, to procure some of these things. Knickerbocker stockings of which the feet are worn out would be very acceptable, but all socks and stockings should be washed before they are sent for despatch.