30 chapters
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30 chapters
For the Sake of the Soldier. Voluntary Work of Brisbane Women. By RITA MACLEOD. Printers: Gordon and Gotch (Queensland) Limited, 212-214 Queen Street, Brisbane.
For the Sake of the Soldier. Voluntary Work of Brisbane Women. By RITA MACLEOD. Printers: Gordon and Gotch (Queensland) Limited, 212-214 Queen Street, Brisbane.
The following—“Remember the Men in the Trenches,” “Verdun,” and “The Return”—are reprinted by the kind permission of the proprietors of “The Daily Mail,” Brisbane....
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Preface.
Preface.
Anyone called on to write a preface for a book describing the efforts of women for the sake of the soldier should not complain of want of material for his purpose. All over the British and Allied countries the splendid work of women shines out brilliantly in contrast to the dark background of the brutal horrors of war. Courage, patience, self-denial, self-sacrifice—with untiring energy and devotion—make up a galaxy of virtues that, to some extent at least, compensate for the dreadful losses and
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THE VOLUNTARY WORK OF BRISBANE WOMEN.... By RITA MACLEOD.
THE VOLUNTARY WORK OF BRISBANE WOMEN.... By RITA MACLEOD.
It would be just as impossible to give a complete account of the voluntary war work of Brisbane women as it would be to give a complete history of the actions of the soldiers in this war. There are countless deeds of devotion of which no record has ever been made, or ever will be. But there are results, and this little booklet is an attempt to give a resume of the work performed by Brisbane women for the sake of the soldier during the last three years. Since the commencement of the war in 1914,
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The Red Cross. FOR THE WOUNDED, SICK AND CONVALESCENT, AND PRISONERS OF WAR.
The Red Cross. FOR THE WOUNDED, SICK AND CONVALESCENT, AND PRISONERS OF WAR.
The sign of the Red Cross has been an emblem of relief and comfort to thousands and thousands of soldiers during the last three years—and the women of Queensland have contributed their full share to that emblem. In the busy thoroughfares of the city, in the quietness of the home, and in the outlying districts of mining, agriculture and station holds they have worked incessantly since the outbreak of war. The Red Cross Society was the first institution established for the benefit of soldiers in Q
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THE BRISBANE GIRLS’ CLUB.
THE BRISBANE GIRLS’ CLUB.
This was one of the first girls’ organisations for war work on a big scale. Among their chief activities have been the providing of Christmas and Easter Dinners to the men in camp, the purchasing of a billiard table, a pianola and a piano for the White City, and the supplying of pies to men on military duty two nights weekly. The members have been successful in collecting over £1,900 since the inception of the club, and £139 4s. 8d. of that sum was raised on behalf of the Citizens’ Queen’s Carni
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THE TOOWONG GIRLS’ CLUB.
THE TOOWONG GIRLS’ CLUB.
This club has raised considerable sums through garden parties, concerts and the selling of cakes and flowers, the result of their efforts being divided between various patriotic organisations. The distributions have included the presentation of side drums to various Companies, and furniture for the sitting room at the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital. The club also keeps a bed in up-to-date order in the same hospital. The A.C.B. Ladies’ Drapers , THE VALLEY, BRISBANE. Speciality Store for Ladies
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THE NEW FARM GIRLS’ CLUB.
THE NEW FARM GIRLS’ CLUB.
The members of this club have presented two rowing boats and a complete set of garden tools to the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital among other gifts for patriotic needs. Their most successful venture was a concert held in the South Brisbane Technical College in 1915, when £45 was raised....
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HAMILTON GIRLS’ CLUB.
HAMILTON GIRLS’ CLUB.
The chief objects of this band of workers is to buy materials for garments, which are forwarded to the Hamilton Red Cross and the Queensland Comforts Fund, while wool is obtained for socks for the Sock Fund. Other gifts have included linoleum for the billiard room at the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital. The funds have been raised chiefly through river trips, tennis parties and other entertainments, over £250 having been collected since June, 1915....
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V.A.D.
V.A.D.
The girls of the Voluntary Aid Detachment are easily recognised in their navy blue coats with a Red Cross Badge on the arm. There are two detachments in Brisbane, with a full complement of 24 girls in each, the detachments being under the supervision of Commandants and Quartermasters. Each girl qualifies for her position, and must hold first aid and home nursing certificates, and produce them within six months of joining. V.A.D. girls have taken up their work with a determination. Not only do th
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Y.W.C.A.
Y.W.C.A.
The patriotic workers of the Y.W.C.A. are nearly all business girls, so that any time or money given is particularly self-sacrificing. There are two patriotic committees in the association. The War Relief Committee, which is a sub-committee of the North Ward Branch of the Red Cross, and the Soldiers’ Comforts Club, which assists the Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Fund. There are a large number of members to each committee, and the donations consist of both goods and money....
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OTHER GIRLS’ EFFORTS.
OTHER GIRLS’ EFFORTS.
It would be difficult to find a club, society, or band of girls at present in Brisbane, who are not assisting to swell patriotic funds in one way or another. Some have had more notable results than others, but all are absolutely giving of their best. A band of girls under the supervision of a patriotic worker, have collected considerable sums for the Wattle Day League, enabling that body to hand over sufficient money to the Red Cross, in 1915, to erect the recreation hall at Kangaroo Point Hospi
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The Latest Addition to our Popular “Gibsonia” Woollen Industries.
The Latest Addition to our Popular “Gibsonia” Woollen Industries.
is “GIBSONIA” Knitting Wool, made from the finest Victorian Western District Wools entirely in our own mills. Every process in the manufacture of this yarn is under the supervision of an expert, and in every particular the product will be found equal to the best imported Wools. At present we are making only 4-Ply in Black, Navy, Grey and Heather. From 3½ to 4 skeins of this Wool are required to knit a pair of full size Men’s Socks, and when made no man could wish to wear better. The Yarn is also
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“GIBSONIA” ALL WOOL IS THE BEST.
“GIBSONIA” ALL WOOL IS THE BEST.
Made and Sold only by Foy & Gibson Pty. Ltd....
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Brisbane Spinning Guild. REVIVAL OF AN OLD INDUSTRY.
Brisbane Spinning Guild. REVIVAL OF AN OLD INDUSTRY.
Spinning is such an old handicraft that most modern Australian girls grew up with the idea that spinning belonged more to the time of fairy tales than to a period within even living memory. They all knew the story of the princess who was spinning when her wicked godmother cast a spell and transformed her into a sleeping beauty. Old legends of the homeland told of the women who spun, and one knew that in Highland cottages, with grandfather clocks, deep, wide fireplaces and inglewoods, there were
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Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Fund. FOR MEN IN THE TRENCHES.
Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Fund. FOR MEN IN THE TRENCHES.
The thought of the severe strain of trench life, whether in the deserts of Egypt or the blood-stained fields of France, has always struck a chord of compassion in the hearts of women. It seemed so terrible that, in addition to risking their lives, the soldiers should be faced with daily discomfort; and when the Queensland Division of the Australian Soldiers’ Comforts Fund was established in Brisbane, in September, 1915, there was a big response to the appeal for help. It was felt that no one her
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VERDUN.
VERDUN.
Chocolate! AUSTRALIAN CHOCOLATE FOR AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS Nothing so sustaining for winter conditions as GRIFFITHS’ Pure Chocolate. Packed in specially sealed tins ready for posting to the Front. Also in Solid Blocks. Post a Block with your next pair of socks. Have you seen our SOLDIER’S HAMPER Lists? Write or ring us up (’Phone 3496) and we will post you one. Griffiths Bros. 530 Queen Street, Petrie’s Bight, Brisbane. Prop. Ltd. Large Blocks of Chocolate also obtainable at Finney Isles &amp
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Soldiers in the Field. INDIVIDUAL COMFORTS FUNDS.
Soldiers in the Field. INDIVIDUAL COMFORTS FUNDS.
In addition to the General Comforts Funds, many individual funds have sprung up in the last twenty months for various units. Fêtes have been organised, entertainments given, arts and crafts sold, and business ventures started and continued with success to augment the funds of battalions and units for which different committees are exerting individual effort. It was felt that the soldiers would appreciate gifts all the more if they knew they were especially sent for their own particular unit, and
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Anzac Club. CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOLDIERS’ HELP SOCIETY.
Anzac Club. CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOLDIERS’ HELP SOCIETY.
In a quiet obscure street leading from the main thoroughfares of the city, there is a sign hung out from the building of an old church, “Anzac Club.” A rest home is here provided for returned soldiers in particular, but all soldiers, whether recruits or men who have come through action, are welcome. It is the outcome of the efforts of the women of the Church of England Help Society, but no questions of religion are asked, and the club is open to men of all denominations and creeds. The managemen
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Remember the Men in the Trenches. HOW WOMEN MAY HELP AND ENCOURAGE.
Remember the Men in the Trenches. HOW WOMEN MAY HELP AND ENCOURAGE.
There is an ever-increasing demand for comforts for the men in the trenches. The Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Depot in Parbury House has an army of women throughout Queensland working daily to supply those wants. But these women are in need of re-inforcements just as the soldiers in the trenches are in need of re-inforcements of men to-day. Those women who have immediate ties with men in the firing line have learnt of the soldiers’ delight in receiving additional comforts—they have also heard o
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HOW TO ENLIST.
HOW TO ENLIST.
In Brisbane —Go to Adelaide Street Enlisting Depot (next to State School). In the Country —Go to the nearest Town Clerk, or Shire Clerk, or Local Recruiting Committee, who will give you all the necessary instructions. STATE RECRUITING COMMITTEE OF QUEENSLAND, Vice-Chairman : Col. Hon. A. J. THYNNE, V.D., M.L.C. G. M. DASH, Captain , State Organizing Secretary ....
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Red Cross Workshop. FOR SOLDIERS AT KANGAROO POINT.
Red Cross Workshop. FOR SOLDIERS AT KANGAROO POINT.
The small theatre at the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital has been removed to near the Recreation Hall at the gates, and converted into a workshop for the soldiers. A section of the sub-committee of hospitals took the matter in hand a few months ago, and a start was then made to teach convalescent men wood-carving, basket-making, toy-making, and other branches of handicraft. Some of the soldiers in Sydney, where a similar scheme has been in operation for some time, made from £2 a week upwards, a
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Young Australia. WORK OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Young Australia. WORK OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.
The spirit of the times has not failed to touch the budding womanhood of Queensland. In every school, whether public or private, girls will be found knitting industriously for soldiers. Indeed, it is no uncommon sight to see quite small children knitting in the trams and suburban trains, and the exhibitions of their work rank in quality with the exhibits of women during these years of war. At displays of school work there is always a large section devoted to Red Cross efforts, and the mufflers,
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Residential Club. FOR RETURNED SAILORS AND SOLDIERS.
Residential Club. FOR RETURNED SAILORS AND SOLDIERS.
It was a ladies’ committee that initiated the movement to establish a Residential Club in Brisbane for soldiers, and their efforts have been untiring since the first meeting was held on May 10th of last year. Combining with the Returned Soldiers’ Association they soon established a strong committee, the result is that the club is now ready for the soldiers, having been officially opened by His Excellency the Governor on the 11th of this month. The building, which is at the corner of Wharf and An
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THE RETURN.
THE RETURN.
There has been no wheat grown in the Northern war areas of France for the last two years, but the poppies have come up just the same. The peasants believe that the scarlet flowers have sprung up where soldiers bled....
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Coo-ee Cafe. TO PROVIDE COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS. SOCIETY GIRLS BECOME WAITRESSES.
Coo-ee Cafe. TO PROVIDE COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS. SOCIETY GIRLS BECOME WAITRESSES.
It would cheer the soldiers in France and Egypt if they could catch a glimpse of the scene enacted every day and all day in Isles-lane to provide comforts for soldiers fighting abroad. There in the Brisbane Club building, may be seen girls in dainty white frocks and frilly caps and aprons, cooking every day to supply the restaurant in the adjacent compartment. In the heat of summer they stood beside the stoves, and baked cakes and cut up sandwiches and luncheons to attend to the ever-increasing
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Queensland Soldiers’ Sock Fund. BRANCHES ALL OVER QUEENSLAND.
Queensland Soldiers’ Sock Fund. BRANCHES ALL OVER QUEENSLAND.
On April 19th, 1915, a movement was started in Brisbane which has spread throughout the length and breadth of Queensland. It was the Queensland Soldiers’ Sock Fund, and since that date over 45,000 pairs of socks have been sent overseas to the soldiers, and considerably over £1,900 has been collected to buy wool. The depôt is situated in a large room behind the Queensland Foreign Mission Shop in Albert St. one of the Hon. Secretaries and a member of the committee being in attendance every day fro
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Home for Wounded Soldiers. MOVEMENT STARTED IN BRISBANE.
Home for Wounded Soldiers. MOVEMENT STARTED IN BRISBANE.
A meeting of women delegates from the different Comforts’ Funds in Brisbane met some months ago at the invitation of the Returned Soldiers’ and Patriots’ National Political League, to establish a home for returned soldiers who are cripples or nervous wrecks. Several difficulties arose, however, in the starting of a complete new fund, and the matter has since been taken up by the Red Cross Society. It has been decided by the members to establish two homes for returned wounded soldiers. One for ad
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Red Cross Kitchen. UNTIRING WORK OF VOLUNTARY “COOKS.”
Red Cross Kitchen. UNTIRING WORK OF VOLUNTARY “COOKS.”
Day in and day out, for the last two years, the women of the Red Cross Kitchen have served a tea to the inmates of the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital. In addition, three times a week, an excellent menu has been sent out to the camp hospitals, convalescent detail hospital, Lytton, Rosemount, Wattlebrae, and extra supplies given to the Kangaroo Point Hospital, while men at Goodna, the Diamantina, or wherever sick soldiers are stationed, are regularly supplied with delicacies. It needs no stretch
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Circles and Guilds. SUBURBAN AND CITY BRANCHES OF WORK.
Circles and Guilds. SUBURBAN AND CITY BRANCHES OF WORK.
It might be safely said that there is not a street in or around Brisbane, in which there are not women working in one way or another for the men in khaki. Leisure hours are given to sewing, knitting, or arrangements for “days,” fétes and other entertainments whereby money may be gathered in for the welfare of the soldiers in the trenches, in the hospitals, on leave, or discharged from duty. The working girls, no less than those of the leisure classes, have given of their time and money, and it i
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A Spirit of Service.
A Spirit of Service.
Through the portals of modern times woman has met this great conflict of nations warring with nations with a calm strength and patience. And she has set up a shrine in the activities of her house—a shrine that is a spirit of service to the soldier. When peace first spread her wings to take flight across seas and continents, she left woman standing on the brink of war with reluctant and uncertain feet. No woman in any period of the world’s history ever faced the colossal task that the women of 19
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