The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War (22 page)

I therefore recommend to the Red Cross Society that, so far as they could secure it, no more bread should be sent direct from England to Germany; but that, instead, money should
be sent to Mrs Grant Duff (wife of his Britannic Majesty's Minister at Berne, and representative in Switzerland of the British Red Cross Society) wherewith to buy flour wholesale at Marseilles, bake it in Berne and despatch it to our compatriots interned in Germany. This scheme has been adopted.

I suggest that this course should be followed by all committees and individuals now engaged in sending bread through other and less satisfactory channels. With their cheques (at the rate of 4s 6d for four weeks' bread for one man) they should also send to Mrs Grant Duff the names and full addresses of those to whom the parcels are to be despatched. By so doing they can ensure the arrival of the bread in an eatable condition through the agency of a most admirable and efficient organisation. All cheques should be made payable to Mrs Grant Duff, and addressed to her at the British Legation, Berne, Switzerland.

Your obedient servant,

Ian Malcolm (MP, Croydon)

British Red Cross Society, 83 Pall Mall, S.W.

My area was in Hackney, and consisted of 193 houses. During Monday and Tuesday, 9 and 10 August, I distributed 744 forms amongst these houses; this will indicate the class of district. Many of the houses have two sets of occupants, and a few three. On Monday and Tuesday of this week I collected my forms, and, thanks to the interest displayed, I was enabled to complete my work, with four exceptions, by early evening.

Of course, there were misunderstandings on some points to be cleared up and put right, but the information enabling this to be done was readily given, and I cannot be too grateful for the help rendered.

One other word – I was much impressed by the number of families whose representatives have already gone to the colours or to the front, and there are, alas, not a few homes where they will never welcome again those who have gone and have given their lives for their King and country!

Yours faithfully,

Albert Spicer
10 Lancaster Gate, W.

The men comprising it are mostly over military age; but Englishmen between forty and fifty, who have led active lives, are at least not more decrepit than Frenchmen, Germans or Austrians of equal age. And they are certainly capable of guarding railways, bases and internment camps, and would thus set free the large number of Regulars, Territorials and Reservists at present employed on these duties.

The Volunteers may be unequally trained. While some corps are certainly not far behind the battalions of the new armies in military training, others have not progressed beyond the drill ground, but all have some training and possess a knowledge of discipline.

Many are unarmed, but some battalions are fully equipped with Martini-Enfield rifles, such as the National Reserve
carry today. Few are without enough rifles to arm their guards at least, and, indeed, for guard duty, particularly at night, shotguns or, better still, old Snider rifles with buckshot cartridges are preferable to rifles, inasmuch as a single bullet will miss its mark in the dark, and probably kill some innocent person at a distance, while shot, spreading wide and not carrying far, will catch the man aimed at.

There is really no difficulty in making volunteers subject to the control of the military authorities. Every volunteer, having expressed his willingness to undertake duty, and having had his liabilities explained to him, can be detailed for guard or patrol and be under military discipline from the hour that he is ordered to the hour when he is dismissed at the conclusion of his duties. Legislation is hardly necessary for this. An order from the Army Council, through the Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps, is sufficient.

While we are busily discussing how best to deal with the ‘slacker,' there are 300,000 or 400,000 men eagerly waiting
for some call upon their services. Their willingness to serve goes unheeded, and no one seems able to force the question to the front.

When the Volunteer Training Corps movement was first mooted, the War Office seemed to apprehend that it would interfere with recruiting for the Regular Army, that shirkers would shelter themselves inside a Volunteer uniform and claim that they were ‘doing their bit'. But these Volunteer Training Corps have proved the finest recruiting ground that the Army has got, and send to it at least partially, if not fully, trained men. The 1st Battalion (United Arts Rifles) Central London Volunteer Regiment has supplied 100 officers and 200 to 300 men to the Services. Some of them have already fallen in action. The 3rd Battalion (Old Boys) Central London Volunteer Regiment has supplied over 400. And it is the same tale throughout the country. Men who have no liking for military life make a trial of the Volunteers, acquire that liking, and join the colours.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

Arthur Pinero, Chairman United Arts Rifles
115a Harley Street, W.

Should this or my son's letter meet the eye of any of your readers who could give me some information as to what happened to my boy upon that night, I would feel greatly obliged.

Yours faithfully,

Jos Ranson
69 Ravenslea Road, Wandsworth Common, S.W.

May I once again invoke the powerful influence of the
Daily Telegraph
on behalf of those of our troops who have still to go forth, as well as for those who shall return?

I tremble for the Church that does not set aside at this time all that does not matter, and give herself to this unique opportunity to evangelise and help spiritually the men whose hearts and minds are awakened towards the things which are unseen and consequently eternal.

It has been my prayer and hope for some years now that the Army might become the greatest missionary society the world has ever known.

A nation with such a consecrated body of men – in the Services today and in civil life tomorrow – would prove an irresistible force against all the powers of evil.

I plead for more prayer on behalf of our soldiers, sailors and airmen.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

J. Taylor Smith, Bishop-Chaplain-General War Office

If only those who have helped us so far could realise how much their gifts are appreciated by the wounded they would, we feel sure, help us to satisfy the daily requests that we receive for more. It is, of course, only natural that those who have game to dispose of should satisfy the wants of the town or country hospitals in their own locality. Unfortunately, in the process the many hundreds of wounded officers and men in the metropolitan hospitals are less well remembered. To those who have game to dispose of, therefore, we would ask that a percentage, no matter how small, should be sent to us for distribution among the London hospitals. By this means, the wounded soldiers in town and country would benefit alike.

In putting forward this earnest request we would point out that ample arrangements have been made for distributing such gifts, and if they are sent to Mr T. Comyn Platt, hon.
secretary, 1900 Club, 3 Pickering Place, St James's, London, they will be gratefully acknowledged. As it is hoped that this further appeal will be generously responded to, we would ask those sending game to help us still further by paying the carriage of such gifts.

Yours truly,

(Signed),

Selborne
Edward Carson
Charles Beresford
Alexander Henderson
W.C. Bridgeman
J.A. Grant
Basil E. Peto
Guy Pym