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.

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 shocks which women have had to sustain, and when added to all these is the abiding faith of women in the great principles of Christianity, we have the foundation broader and deeper, than ever before, of a regeneration of the world of the future for the highest purposes. No effort of political or commercial organization can ever be comparable in its results with those to come from the noble ideals which have actuated the souls of the women and which they have now made portion of themselves.

In this country the women have risen to the occasion as readily and as effectively as their sisters in any part of the world. The war has touched them deeply—more deeply than it has touched a large number of our men. They have offered their services in many directions, and have appropriated to themselves spheres of work that are invaluable. No record that has been or, perhaps, can be now compiled can do full justice to the work that they have done and are still doing. Every day new avenues of useful help are being exploited by them. One of the latest productions is this little book compiled by a woman, presented by her free of cost, embodying one of her activities “for the sake of the soldier,” and as a preface to it this is an expression of hope and trust that the book shall prove a source of inspiration to others, both women and men, to rise to the spiritual and ideal heights prompted by the crisis of the war.

A. J. THYNNE, Colonel,
Vice Chairman State Recruiting Committee of Queensland.

Contents.

For the Sake of the Soldier.

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, organisations have sprung up wherever the need of the soldier has been recognised. They have mainly been the result of the efforts of women. The work has been entirely voluntary, and the enthusiasm has by no means diminished as one year has succeeded another. Many women have altered the whole tenor of their lives, and given their undivided attention and energy to the soldier. But the outstanding feature of the war work has been the courage with which women who have lost their sons have again taken up the thread of work for the common good. It is something too deep for passing words of appreciation. It is that which no pen can write—no words describe.

THE NEW Poulsen Studios Phone: Central 793. At the Old Address.

Your friends can buy anything you may
send them except your Photograph.

14 to 18 QUEEN STREET - - BRISBANE.

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 Queensland. It started from a well-represented meeting in the Brisbane Town Hall in August, 1914, and has increased to such an extent that there is scarcely a town in Queensland in which there is not a branch of the Society, while in Brisbane alone there are 34 branches of Red Cross activity.

No man, woman or child can plead ignorance of Red Cross Work. It is voluntary help given to alleviate the pain and sickness of the soldiers, and the women of Queensland have spared no effort to supply goods to the hospitals and convalescent homes both at home and abroad.

The military hospitals in and around Brisbane, the transports leaving for war zones, and the Australian divisions of the Red Cross in Egypt, England, France and other parts of Europe are supplemented with necessities from the Queensland division of the Red Cross. To the head-quarters in Adelaide Street there is a steady flow of consignments arriving from the suburban and country branches. These are unpacked in the receiving and distributing room on the basement and stored ready for the demands of the military authorities. When a requisition for a hospital or transport is received the articles are again packed and distributed: groceries, bandages, socks, shirts, pyjamas, magazines and the hundred and one articles required for the sick or wounded being arranged and consigned according to the requirements. One thousand 1lb. tins of dripping are sent monthly for the prisoners of war in Germany, in addition to tins of fruit, meat extracts, honey, rolled oats, tea, cheese and other groceries, £5,400 a month being spent by the Australian Red Cross Society for the prisoners of war alone.

Then there are requirements of the men in the hospitals overseas. Altogether over 400,000 articles and hundreds of cases and bales of sundries have been sent overseas since the war broke out, 1258 consignments having been sent since last December in addition to 160 bags of sugar. The donations in money which have been collected and gathered through the strenuous efforts of the women amount to over £129,864. All this work is voluntary. This fact cannot be stressed too much, for therein lies the spirit of service which pervades the work of women for the soldier. Many of the Red Cross members have given up their lives to the society since the outbreak of the war, and in no way have their efforts diminished. The only absentees are those who are ill from overwork; but so strong is the desire to return, that often while yet in the stage of convalescence they will return to their posts.

The headquarters are a wonderful demonstration of the latent ability within women. Many of the workers lived in a small home circle previous to the war. But now they are capable business women. The organisation is well thought out and capably administered. There is no overlapping. Each section has its own particular convener and work. And when it is considered that there are 202 branches, in addition to sub-branches, within the Queensland division, and that the work of those branches includes the buying of material, the cutting out and making of garments and articles, and packing and despatching to headquarters; that there are sub-committees to supply delicacies to the local military hospitals, entertainment committees to provide amusement for returned men, handicraft and work sections to teach them a means of earning money, and an information bureau for relatives of men abroad, some idea of the tremendous work of the society will be realised. The hon. general secretary has her finger on the pulse of each of these activities, and a Red Cross Magazine is issued monthly to give all current information to the workers and public in general.

It is a wonderful achievement for women who, previous to the cry of war, had lived the every-day domestic life of the average woman. And they are as enthusiastic to-day as when they put their first stitch in a Red Cross garment or took up pen to arrange the financial affairs of a branch. Their difficulty is not the lack of gifts or work—these roll in daily—the chief outcry is the small amount of space obtainable to send the goods overseas to the men who are wounded and ill. The tonnage given to the Red Cross Society is worked on a percentage of the enlistments. And there is not nearly sufficient tonnage.

The Brisbane Girl.
CHANNELS OF HER PATRIOTIC ENERGY.

The Brisbane girl of war time should make a splendid woman, for she is spending her youth in a heroic and self-sacrificing age. The silken tassel of her girlhood has been torn and all the treasure of her youth thrown into the arena of war service. The delights promised since childhood have been swept away in the great tide of war, and instead of idle pleasures occupying her leisure hours, it is war work on every side. And the war work has become more to her than any idle pleasures could ever have become. All soldiers have been her friends, and she has worked with enthusiasm for them for the last three years.

At first her war work was a game, but as the seriousness of war dawned on her she settled down to solid, earnest work in the interests of the man in khaki. The business girl gives what time she can spare, the girl of leisure has in many cases given up her freedom. In the Red Cross Kitchen or the V.A.D. she will cook and serve for the Red Cross or Comforts Funds. She will sew and knit, or, again, she will devote hours to organising and taking part in entertainments, clubs, fêtes, or other channels for raising money to swell some particular fund. No task is too menial or too big for her in her endeavours to do “her bit” for the soldiers.

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 Carnival in aid of the Residential Club. Other efforts include the presentation of flags, while the conducting of the Comforts Funds of the 41st and 42nd Battalions is included in the regular work of the 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 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.

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.

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 they receive a certain amount of training in the civil hospitals, but they are drilled by a sergeant once a week during the major part of the year, and they work under discipline at regular stated times. Their most notable work in Brisbane is the buffet at the Kangaroo Point Hospital, where morning tea, afternoon tea and supper is provided for convalescent soldiers at a nominal cost, the idea being to supply small extras apart from the rations allowed by the military authorities. This branch of their work has been highly successful. The small kitchen is the centre of V.A.D. cooks and waitresses both day and night, while the restaurant between the recreation hall and the kitchen is always full of returned convalescent soldiers. A few months ago a number of soldiers approached the V.A.D. authorities, and said that they thought the charges at the buffet were too small. They felt it savoured of charity, but the V.A.D. would not hear of raising the prices, and in proof of the absence of charity, explained that in the first nine months they had made a profit of £150. As is well known, two of the girls went home to England last year to assist in the military hospitals, but one of the girls (Miss Lydia Grant) became ill while on duty and died on April 1st of this year. Two girls were recently accepted for duty in the Stanthorpe Military Hospital, and have now taken up their duties as cook and wardsmaid, while another member of the detachment has been appointed to the position of cook in a military hospital in Egypt. A V.A.D. girl must be prepared to work hard, and it speaks well for the Brisbane girls that there are so many enthusiasts attached to the movement.

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.

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 Hospital, in addition to giving substantial sums to other funds. Last year they collected nearly £800 for the League, the sum being handed over to the War Council to obtain Caines’ artificial limbs for maimed returned soldiers. They had a notable success for France last month (July), and are working for another collection day later in the year when it is proposed to devote the proceeds to the benefit of Queensland soldiers. This is the result of the efforts of one band of girls, while practically all the girls’ schools in and around Brisbane send in garments and socks to one or other of the movements to assist the soldiers. Nor must the energetic work of the amateur operatic societies be forgotten. Many of the members of the Brisbane Amateur Operatic Society and the Brisbane Amateur Operatic Players are girls who have contributed to patriotic funds through their individual efforts. Girls are also continually arranging private concerts and entertainments, the proceeds of which are devoted to the cause of the soldier. One teacher of elocution has toured the country with a small company at intervals during the last three years and has succeeded in raising over £2,000 for patriotic funds. Early in the year, the Red Triangle appeals resulted in exceptional sums being raised, and girls in all parts of Queensland were untiring in their efforts to collect money or arrange entertainments for the Y.M.C.A. Huts. The Brisbane girl is not afraid to work for the soldier; rather is it her pride to exert in his interests what energy she may possess.

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 spinning wheels hidden away in some forgotten corner.

But to-day in Brisbane there are hundreds of spinners spinning wool to make socks for the soldiers. Owing to the scarcity and price of wool a Brisbane Wool Spinning Guild was started in Brisbane over a year ago by a small band of enthusiasts, one object being to provide wool to soldiers’ relatives at less than the shop prices.

There are now over 100 spinning wheels belonging to the guild, the wheels being made from bicycle wheels donated to the guild, and manufactured by the Railway Department free of charge. The majority of these are hired out to Brisbane members at the rate of 5s. for six months. Wheels may also be bought from £2. 10s., and numbers have been sold to country members. In some sheep stations the wool is grown, dipped, spun, carded and made into socks on the homestead, the complete article being a product of that one station.

So far, all the wool used by the guild has been donated by the squatters of Queensland, and since all the work is voluntary it is possible to sell the spun and carded wool at less than the ordinary cost price. The carding is either hand-carded at the rooms, or it is done at the mills through the courtesy of the mill-owners.

The rooms are open every Tuesday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., third floor, Courier Building. And what a busy and picturesque scene is presented on these days. On each side of the long room are women sitting at the spinning wheels, about 20 wheels all moving at the same time. It is here that beginners are taught, and experienced spinners work industriously. Members are allowed to buy the carded wool, but all wool spun at home on the hired machine is returned to the guild, where it is weighed and examined by the committee. A small book of instruction was compiled and issued last year so that women in the country have every facility to learn. The guild has been of inestimable value to women who have a number of relatives at the war, and who found the price of wool a severe tax on slender means. The movement has steadily grown throughout Queensland in the last year, and no better testimony of the work could be shown than the splendid exhibitions of wool displayed by amateur spinners at the Brisbane Show, both this year and last year, and at the recent Toowoomba Show. The renewal of spinning shows the determination of women to use every means possible to alleviate the hardships of war.

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 here in the comfort of ordinary life could do too much to alleviate that discomfort, and all over Queensland women set to work to provide what they knew was required by the men in the trenches. The local branch became headquarters, and to-day there are over 40 branches throughout the State, with the central headquarters situated in the basement of Parbury House.

This general fund provides comforts for all Queensland soldiers irrespective of the unit to which they belong. Over £5,000 has been donated by the people of Queensland, and this money is used to buy the materials for garments and socks, to provide groceries and sundries required by the men, while a certain amount of money is sent monthly to the commissioners abroad to provide coffee stalls, entertainments (picture and variety shows) and musical instruments for men right in the trenches and firing lines. Honorary commissions have been appointed by the Commonwealth Government, and it is they who acquaint the Australian governing bodies of what the men require. When Mr. Budden (late Chief Hon. Commissioner for Australian comforts) was in Brisbane he said that in one month alone they had provided 81,960 socks to men in the front trenches. The colossal task undertaken by the women may be imagined when this was quoted as one item. At another time, 25,000 tooth brushes and 25,000 tins of tooth powder were provided. To all these requirements the Queensland Division contributed her share. In the first year the hundreds of consignments sent abroad included among the comforts 5,830 shirts, 11,607 pairs of socks, 1,232 tins of milk, 763 tins of fruit and jam, 5,000 packets and tins of cigarettes, 1,250 tins of fish, and a list of articles too lengthy to enumerate. And in no way has the work slackened since that month of September, 1915.

The headquarters at Parbury House are the scene of many busy hours. The room is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturday, when it closes at midday, and one of the honorary secretaries is on duty daily. The workers are occupied continually with sewing or cutting out, distributing material or wool to be used up, arranging the goods for various consignments, packing cases to be forwarded abroad, or unpacking the contributions from one of the 40 country branches. There are ten sewing machines in the room, and when they are all being used, and the various other sections of the organization are centres of busy women, the room seems one hive of activity. The honorary secretary’s table, with a telephone, is in the centre, while to the left is a circulating library, initiated by the Girls’ Sub-committee to augment the funds. This committee has also made considerable sums through the sale of cakes and home-made sweets, while individual members make and sell home-made jams to swell the funds. All work is voluntary, and no effort is spared to increase the comforts for the soldiers, and the committees are continually improving their methods and means of attending to the wants of the men who are in the trenches. The movement is essentially alive, and if the men could see how earnestly and unselfishly the women were considering their wants, they would feel cheered indeed. As it is, the letters that pour in from all sources show the deep appreciation of the men. The wonderful part is their gratitude—they do not seem to realise the tremendous sacrifices they themselves are making. Time and again the commissioners report that the soldiers will say quietly, “You are too good to us,” and when coffee is served near the firing line or soup made, the soldiers seem to take it as a message from home. All gifts are bought or made in Australia, if possible, and a “comforts” badge or message put on the articles. The fact that they come direct from Australia increases their value a hundredfold in the eyes of the men. General Birdwood voiced the thought of the Australians when he sent the following message to those in charge of the Comforts’ Funds: “All members of the A.I.F. send our most grateful thanks to the kind wishers in Australia, who have done so much to help the Australian soldiers through times of difficulty and discomfort in the field. What that help has meant none but those who have seen it on the spot can possibly realise.”

VERDUN.

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 regimental flags are made and sent overseas, comforts provided, and any special requests of the commanding officers are attended to wherever possible.

Money is sent when specially asked for, and expended at the discretion of the commanding officers, while the continual upkeep of consignments to the different battalions means an unfailing interest on the part of the women. When the men know that the cases have arrived from Queensland and are consigned to their own particular battalion, a special value is attached to them. The very fact that they have been thought of individually is a pleasure, and from all accounts the cases assume the proportion of Santa Claus to a small boy.

Some idea of the magnitude of the work performed in Queensland, to send comforts to soldiers in the field, is realised when it is known that, in addition to the Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Fund, the following comforts funds are also in existence in Brisbane:—

A Letter from France.

France,
3/2/17.

Dear Mrs. S—— and Miss W——

Our Colonel has to-day handed me your most magnificent parcel for distribution to friendless men of my company. The parcel, which was sent by Messrs. T. C. Beirne & Co., arrived in good order, and was greatly appreciated by the men. It really was one of the best parcels I have yet seen. Everything it contained was just what we find it difficult to get here.

(Signed) W. M. Davis, Major,
25th Batt., A.I.F.

And that’s only one of the many appreciative letters for Beirne’s Soldier Boy Hampers that we have seen.

Every Mail for the Front sees hundreds of BEIRNE HAMPERS going to make the recipients happy.

Can we send one for you? No trouble! Just give us your order. We do everything else.

Prices run:—10/-, 15/-, 20/-, 25/- And that means The Postage Paid By Us.

T. C. BEIRNE & Co.,
“The House of the People.”
The VALLEY, : : : BRISBANE.

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 management is in the hands of men, and personal attention is given to individual soldiers in an open, broadminded way. For instance, if an intoxicated man comes into the club, he is not turned out, but taken to the rest room upstairs and given a couch to sleep off his intemperance. Everything possible is done to encourage the men to use the club. There are three rooms for their occupation. A large reading and lounge hall in the basement with a piano, gramaphone, easy chairs, small tables and a restaurant. The stage of this hall has been turned into a billiard room, and at all times of the day there are men using the privileges of the club. Upstairs there is a reading, writing and rest room, where notepaper, envelopes and a library are provided free of charge. No entrance fee or subscription is asked, and the only time a soldier has to put his hand in his pocket is when he requires refreshments. These are provided at the lowest cost possible, and it is obvious that some return is necessary to keep the restaurant in financial order. Letters are received and remain in the care of the manager until called for, the manager being in attendance every day and night, and the club open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Different societies, and Protestant churches in and around Brisbane, provide a fortnightly social, and no offer is ever refused to entertain the men. The members of the Church of England Help Society hold a “tea” every Sunday and provide all provisions. This function is extremely popular, and the attendance averages 270 soldiers. These forms of entertaining returned men have had a wonderful influence among men of previous uncertain character. They have wandered in, in the first instance, out of curiosity, but the kindness of the girls and women and the happy atmosphere of the club have attracted them again and again. Seeing that a certain respectability is expected of them, they have taken care to come sober and remain sober. The numbers of men who were apparently “lost” characters and who have reformed under the influence of the club is amazing. The women who worked up this movement, and who continue to give strenuous attention to the welfare of the club, are the source of more influence for good than they are yet aware. But the Anzac Club was not instituted as a house of reformation, nor is it run on any such lines. It is a rest home for the men who have done “their bit,” or who are going forth to fight for their country.

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 of the long hours spent midst wind, rain, mud and snow, when the soldiers’ only food was military rations, their only clothes—military equipment. Sufficient comforts have not been sent to the men. Additional socks, mufflers, mittens, Cardigan jackets, Balaclava caps, shirts, games, musical instruments, books, tinned fruits and milk are urgently needed. Surely the women of Queensland will not fail to make further and greater efforts to bring some gladness to the men fighting for us in France and Egypt.

The Anzacs who have returned from facing the hourly risk of death have a strange look in their eyes, and many, when sitting quietly smoking or resting, seem to be listening. One soldier was questioned: “You look as if you were listening all the time to something we can’t hear.” “Yes,” he said, “when I sit quietly I seem to hear the chaps in the trenches calling for me to come back.” The Anzac in question was well enough to do light military duty, but he felt that even he, after his strenuous work and severe wounds, should return and give the men a helping hand.

Can’t you hear, women of Queensland, the men in the trenches calling for extra comforts? Can’t you hear them saying, “If we had a few more pairs of socks and some extra warm clothing things wouldn’t be so bad. I wonder why the women don’t send us more things?” Those who have their women folk working here are unbounded in their gratitude for individual parcels. They also receive goods from the Soldiers’ Comforts Fund. But think of the men who have no friends or relations to work for them! They depend entirely on extra comforts to the Comforts Fund—and if there are not enough to go round there must be many a bitter thought.

But not so bitter as the thought of no reinforcements of men. Nor so bitter as the thought of extra risks, extra hours of suffering because the country they are fighting for refuses to assist them in their hour of need. Every extra man in the trenches lessens the casualty lists. Every extra comfort gives not only a glow of pleasure and hours of comparative ease, but encouragement. Writing from the trenches men say that when parcels arrive excitement is intense. It seems a voice from home, and for the nonce war and death are brushed aside. But the lonely soldier who receives no remembrances, not even slight acknowledgment of his sacrifices, must sometimes wonder if his country and countrymen and women are worth risking death for.

Imperial Service Club.
THE HOME OF THE RECRUIT IN 1914-1916.

Although this club is now closed it will always live in the memory of the soldier who was a recruit during 1914-16. It provided a place of rest and amusement to thousands and thousands of soldiers, and the energetic band of women and men, who put their untiring energies into the club, are deserving of unstinted praise.

It was open every day, including Sunday, and there were always certain members of the women’s committees in attendance during the day, while both men and women were on duty at night, the club closing at 10 o’clock. The scheme was carried out on an extensive scale, and everything possible was done to make the club a comfortable rendezvous for the soldiers. The billiard tables were a great attraction, and stationery and other necessaries were supplied free of cost. A restaurant provided light refreshment, and all sorts of amusements were arranged to attract and interest the soldiers. Over a hundred letters were often received in one day for the men, and the reading and writing-rooms were a boon to the lonely country recruit. Many men left their personal belongings in the care of the committee, and these are stored ready for the owners to claim them on their return from the war. Socials, dances and entertainments were continually being held, and several musical instruments were always at the disposal of the men in the large lounge at the basement of the building. The White City, other attractions for the soldiers, and the fact that there were so few recruits in camp at the end of 1916, occasioned the closing of the club, and the women who worked so enthusiastically for the movement have since turned their energy into other patriotic channels.

RECRUITING READY-RECKONER
FOR MARRIED MEN PREPARED TO JOIN THE A.I.F.
“FOR HOME AND EMPIRE.”

In addition to the above there is 1/- per day deferred pay, amounting to £18/5/- per year, which the soldier draws in a lump sum on his return.

Then, again, a man has to remember that he is fed and clothed while in the A.I.F., which is, of course, a big item to consider.

Don’t forget, too, that the rates quoted above are for the PRIVATE.

Such a big proportion of the men enlisting in Queensland to-day are married men, that we thought it would be a good plan to state all the rates of pay and pensions clearly for their information.

There is no doubt that the single men are not coming forward as they should, and many married men are coming to the conclusion that there is only one thing to do—take up the sword themselves.

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.

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, and it is hoped that the movement will be of the same benefit to the men in Brisbane.

The result has been even more successful than anticipated. Basket-work, toys, poker-work, and small carpentry have already been made, and there are now some skilled workers among the soldiers. An exhibit which was recently shown in one of the shops in Queen-street, was the centre of an admiring and interested crowd, while a display of the work has also been arranged in the Red Cross Section at the Exhibition.

The proceeds of all articles sold are given to the individual soldiers who made them, minus the cost of the material. Orders have come in from all quarters, and the men have sufficient to keep them working until Christmas. A depôt, however, has been promised in the city, where all work made over and above the orders, will be exhibited and sold.