by Gavin Fuller
I am requested by ‘The Indian Soldiers’ Fund’ to mention that their receiving depot at 29 Somerset Street, W. receives and despatches any gifts sent to them.
Yours faithfully,
Ameer Ali
2 Cadogan Place, S.W.
7 January 1915
COMPULSORY SERVICE
Would it be Welcomed?
SIR – Surely it is high time to stop the wretched farce of inviting young men to join the Army. It is is not to be expected that Mr Seymour Hicks’s appeal, ‘Your flesh and your blood are crying for help’, will garner more recruits than the statement that ‘Your King and country need you’; neither will ‘pertinent’ questions obtain them.
Under the sub-heading, ‘A Fool’s Paradise’ in the descriptive account by ‘Eye Witness’ of the warfare in Flanders, as set forth in your columns today, we learn that the Germans still think England is decadent, apparently because we continue to rely on such a half-measure as voluntary service, while all other nations engaged in this titanic struggle are enrolling the whole of their manhood.
It is we who are living in a Fool’s Paradise, wasting money upon printing and distributing invitations to householders to furnish the names of those who may be willing to serve – a totally inadequate measure only calculated to encourage the enemy to continue. There are many of us debarred by age and physical disabilities from serving who view with disgust, if not with alarm, the apathy (or is it fear?) of those who could compel the shirkers to come forward.
Men Who are Serving
I live in a little town near to some well-known camps, and have on several occasions had the honour and privilege of entertaining soldiers of the new Army to tea. Typical examples were two of yesterday. Men from Ayrshire, both with large families, who had cheerfully thrown up their occupations (one had sold off his pigs and other animals to lessen the work that would fall upon his wife) and come forward without hesitation to fight for the Empire.
They are now roughing it in a mud-swept camp here in the south of England, in a district where, to my knowledge, are many young men who, without claims upon them in any other way, are apparently afraid to risk their precious skins in defend of their hearths and homes.
I have conversed with many working men on this matter, and all are of one voice: that compulsory service for all men between the ages of nineteen and thirty-five during the period of the war is most desirable. They tell me of many who are waiting on the bank in a condition of half-fear to make the plunge, yet hoping to be pushed into the stream by sheer force.
‘Shove Them In’
It is up to our Government to shove them in. It has been hinted that the farmers have not come forward well, but in the south-west of England, and probably elsewhere, there are villages from which the farmers have gone off to the fighting ranks with their sons, the labourers have followed their masters, and the women and lads are left to carry on the farm work as best they can.
On the other hand, in many districts, down south at least, there are dozens of young men, sons of shopkeepers, wealthy and otherwise, who could well be spared at this time of grave national peril.
Yours, &c.,
Patriot
P.S. The warning to slackers voiced by Dr Macnamara on Sunday encourages the hope that the Government will not allow them to evade their obvious duty.
OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS
SIR – For some months I have been devoting my time to visiting our wounded heroes. It has brought home to note as nothing else could have done, without being on the spot, the cruel hardships and sufferings these men have gone through to save their country from the horrors and atrocities that have been perpetrated in Belgium. Their patience and cheerfulness under great suffering can hardly be described. Some of these poor fellows, alas! will be crippled for life. I have seen several cases where the sight of both eyes is lost. What has caused me more pain than anything else is the mental suffering these poor fellows endure. They do not know what is to become of them. I endeavoured to assure them that they need not worry, that a grateful country would see to it that they did not want; but they said they had been told that so often, only to be deceived, and I found it impossible to reassure them.
Now it is inconceivable to me that these men will not be amply provided for. The country would not suffer it. Would it not be possible for the War Office to give instructions to the officer in command at the various hospitals to tell these poor fellows that they need not worry; to tell them definitely what will be done for them as soon as they leave the hospital, and so save them from the mental torture which adds so much to their sufferings?
It seems to me that mere humanity demands this. It would at once remove a load of suffering that these brave fellows ought not to have to undergo. I commend this suggestion most earnestly to our great War Minister, whose sympathy for these gallant men is well known; and I earnestly trust that prompt steps may be taken in this direction.
I remain, obediently yours,
Frederick Milner
Hopetoun House, South Queensferry
8 January 1915
COMPULSORY SERVICE
‘Waiting on the Bank’
SIR – Your correspondent ‘Patriot’ has rasped the skin off the greatest blister in the so-called ‘voluntary’ system of recruiting when he refers to ‘the many who are waiting on the bank, in a condition of half-fear to make the plunge, yet hoping to be pushed into the stream by sheer force’.
That is the simple fact. Hundreds of thousands of young men fit for service are today held back by a variety of domestic or sentimental appeals who would breathe a tremendous sigh of relief if they were suddenly ticked off by a recruiting sergeant, and compelled to go without another moment in which to procrastinate.
As one not unacquainted with Germany, her soldiers and her fortresses, I may perhaps be permitted to suggest that by the time the war has been on five years Britain will probably have awakened to the fact that in January 1915, she should have been strenuously preparing the fittest five million of her sons for the front.
Yours very faithfully,
F. Annesley
Primrose Club, Park Place, St James’s
AGRICULTURAL RESPONSE
SIR – The letter of your correspondent ‘Patriot’ in today’s issue raises an important point. He refers to a statement that the agricultural community has not responded well to the call to arms. May I, as one who knows something of the agricultural position and favours universal service, draw attention to one or two aspects of the question which may have escaped the attention of the townsman, who is always ready to advise or censure the countryman?
I am in close touch with two agricultural districts in Surrey and Sussex. In the one, ten per cent of one parish have joined the colours. In the other, much nearer London, the sowing of wheat and harvesting of important root crops has been greatly hindered owing to the lack of labour caused by enlistment. If we look at the matter from the farmer’s private point of view, is he likely to urge enlistment on the few remaining eligible men he employs? In some cases he has a young shepherd, and his flock of, say, 200 ewes is about to begin lambing. The heavy and continuous rains have thrown work behind, and when the weather clears there will be all the more to do. Perhaps there are fifty cows to be milked twice daily. A farm cannot be closed down or put on short time like a factory; and as a preliminary handicap the Government came down and took in some cases fifty per cent of the horses, without which the work cannot be done. The labourers know this as well as the farmer and have the sense to realise it. I know of several willing to go but unwilling to strand their employers.
Now, setting aside the farmer’s point of view, the country is urged to grow as much wheat and other foodstuffs as possible during the coming summer, so as to minimise distress. I know for a fact that farmers are being prevented by lack of labour from increasing their winter wheat acreage. The Government have already given instructions that they do not wish for the enlistment of men who are engaged in the production of war
material, as they are serving their country efficiently where they are. Surely the men who are engaged in producing foodstuffs of various kinds, as well as the important by-products of wool and leather, are also serving their country efficiently, and are already too few in number. It is possible for small farmers to leave their womenfolk to run the place during their absence, but for large acreages this cannot be done.
I have no direct interest to serve, but would only plead for consideration of the points put forward in measure of compulsory recruiting.
Yours faithfully,
Hodge
9 January 1915
OFFICERS’ SPECIAL HOSPITAL
SIR – You kindly allowed me in November to appeal in your columns for £210,000 for the hospital for soldiers suffering from shock. May I report progress?
We have had a beautiful house – 10 Palace Green, Kensington – lent to us by the executors of the late Lord Rendel. We have adapted it to hold thirty-three patients in separate rooms, which, with the rest of the house, we have furnished. The house is quiet, ‘detached’, overlooking Kensington Palace with a small garden of its own. It could not be better.
We have collected over £7,700, and only want £2,300 more to carry it on for two years.
The War Office have asked us to restrict the hospital to officers, as they are providing a similar hospital for the men. This, of course, we have done, and the hospital is to be called ‘The Special Hospital for Officers’, as we are anxious not unnecessarily to emphasise to its inmates that they are suffering from shock or nervous breakdown.
It was opened yesterday, and the matron will be glad to show anyone over it who is interested in this work, especially if they feel like subscribing, even an armchair.
Yours faithfully,
Knutsford
Special Hospital for Officers, 10 Palace Green, Kensington, W.
13 January 1915
FIELD FORCE FUND
Appeal for Gifts by Queen Alexandra
SIR – The Field Force Fund, which has since its inception rendered such valuable assistance to numerous units of the Expeditionary Force at the front by sending out parcels of comforts (each parcel consisting of a shirt, jersey or cardigan, socks, muffler, mittens, pipe, cigarettes, chocolate, &c.) to the men, is a revival of the fund which carried out similar work with great success throughout the South African campaign, when upwards of 240,000 parcels in one year alone were despatched through its agency to the troops then in the field.
The aim of the fund is to provide these comforts especially to those regiments and units who have no special association of their own to look after their wants. Consignments of parcels are only sent in response to definite requests from commanding officers, so that any danger of overlapping and waste is avoided.
Where Help is Needed
Whilst numerous units in the force already at the front are being regularly and efficiently supplied by their own associations, there are, as experience has shown, many where the assistance of the Field Force Fund is in great demand and is much appreciated. Already over 10,000 parcels have been despatched and received, and the number of requisitions (over 37,000) in the hands of the Field Force Fund largely exceeds at the present time the material at the fund’s disposal to meet them.
Experience has shown beyond doubt that the regular provision of parcels of carefully selected articles helps largely to mitigate the hardships and maintain the health of the troops at the front. Apart, therefore, from its humane aspect, it cannot be too widely realised of what immense importance this form of assistance is in advancing the effective prosecution of the war.
For the New Battalions
The Field Force Fund will continue to respond punctually to all requests in so far as it is able to do so with the money and material placed at its disposal by the public. In this connection it should specially be borne in mind at this juncture that the need of assistance will in the near future be multiplied and expanded when the new Army arrives at the front.
These new battalions, only recently raised in the present great emergency, will not have the same advantages that their comrades already in the field possess, in the shape of local associations and historic tradition. The Field Force Fund are desirous of helping them in so far as they are enabled to do so, but the measure of the fund’s assistance must entirely depend upon the amount of sustained public support on which they may be able to rely.
Where to Send
Gifts to the Field Force Fund may be made in money or in kind. For the former, which should be sent to the treasurer, Mr R. Upton, at 24a Hill Street, Knightsbridge, S.W., the fund appeals to the whole public. For the latter, which should be sent to the hon. secretary, Mrs Sclater, also at 24a Hill Street, Knightsbridge, S.W., it appeals to all associations and individuals at present engaged in making any articles of comfort for the troops at the front.
The directors of Harrods Stores have generously placed at the disposal of the fund their warehouses and such of their staff as may be necessary to deal with all the articles sent.
The need is great, and so also is the opportunity. All, rich and poor alike, are asked to give what they can for those who are giving their lives for the Empire.
Alexandra
Marlborough House
15 January 1915
BANDS FOR THE TROOPS
SIR – I was much interested in reading your report of the meeting in connection with the proposal to provide bands for the troops, and I should be glad if you could mention in your columns that in Bournemouth a committee was formed, under the presidency of Miss Scott Murray, with the result that £400 has been subscribed, to supply all the regiments stationed in the district with drums, fifes and bugles. Also to another fund ladies and gentlemen have subscribed, to provide the engagement of one of the local bands to accompany the troops on marches out. For the latter purpose another £60 is still desired, as naturally the utility of the drums, fifes and bugles cannot be apparent until the men are able to practise on the instruments sufficiently.
I am sure I wish the proposals of the meeting every success.
Yours faithfully,
Dan Godfrey
Pavilion and Winter Gardens, Bournemouth
WADERS FOR THE ARMY
SIR – Would you allow me to suggest a suitable gift for our soldiers now in the trenches in Flanders, and standing for forty-eight hours at a time in mud and water up to their waists? Officers at the front have written to say that long fishing waders, similar to those worn by fishermen, would be most gratefully received, and would relieve the sufferings of our troops. Anyone having these waders to spare, or giving money to provide them, can either send the same to me here or forward the waders direct to the Expeditionary Force.
Yours faithfully,
W.S. Savile, Captain
Ven, Milborne Port, Somerset
18 January 1915
HELPING THE NEW ARMY
Proposed Battalion Funds
SIR – There are probably many of your readers of suitable position in a town or county who want to help the new Army in its efforts to get ready for the heavy task it will be faced with in a few months. Such persons of application can obtain full particulars of how battalion funds of considerable extent for the battalions of the two Surrey regiments have enabled their officers to supplement the appliances for training supplied by Government, with great advantage to themselves, during the month or so which has elapsed since they had the fund, and how a similar fund can be raised in other counties and towns.
These battalions are without any of the county or territorial associations, or local resources, possessed by the units of the Regular and Territorial Army, and are fulfilling their duty of training themselves in camps far removed from the possibility of any such associations, unless set on foot by residents in the districts concerned.
The space of a letter would be too limited to enable me to explain exactly how such funds have been raised, and what is being done with them, but if anybody wants to help the gallan
t officers and men who have shown such marked patriotism at this time of national crisis, I shall be very pleased to send them full particulars.
Since we started the idea in Surrey and raised battalion funds for six of its service battalions, with the help of parents of officers and others of influence in such widely separated parts of the county, as Sir Charles Walpole, at Chobham, Dr Longstaffe, at Putney Heath, and Lady Scott, at Guildford, marked advantage has, according to their officers’ reports, followed in various items, e.g., bayonet fighting, shooting on the short range, inter-trench communications, and other military and athletic exercises, though money has not been spent on anything the Government is likely to find within a reasonable time. The idea has now spread into five other regimental districts, covering some thirty battalions.
Relations between the battalions and their districts where they were recruited have also commenced to be knitted and made closer, which will have results in ways it is not yet possible to foresee.
I remain, yours faithfully,
Philip B. Pilditch, J.P.
