BATHS FOR SOLDIERS AT THE FRONT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sru,—Some months ago the Emergency Voluntary Aid Committee of the Empress Ladies Club initiated a scheme for sending strong portable galvanized baths, with the necessary stoves and boilers, to various points near the (c front " where facilities for hot bathshad not previously existed. These baths were sent out in units of five full-sized baths with one hot-water boiler and a supply of soap, scrubbers, bath towels, dm, to particular battalions selected by subscribers of £10 (the cost of a unit and equipment). The tubs proved an instant and complete success, andsno scheme for providing comforts for our soldiers has been more practical or better appreciated by the men at the front. In addition to innumerable letters of thanks received from the commanding officers to whom units were sent, the Committee of the Club have been deluged with applications from officers on behalf of their men in less fortunate regiments. The following extracts from letters received indicate clearly the need for the baths and the appreciation of the men :- From an Infantry Colonel.—" The battalion is most grateful for what is the most acceptable and useful gift it has received. The unit is already in full work, and I find two platoons can be done in a day, which means that every man can have a bath every eight days. Tho baths are now located less than half a mile from the enemy's position, and it is a godsend to the men, as otherwise they would have to wait twenty-eight days between their baths." (Imagine waiting twenty-eight days for a necessary bath while we at home grumble if we have to wait ton minutes for our daily tub!) From an Anti-Aircraft Captain.—" The baths have already done most exaeilent service. I am afraid, however, that their obvious utility may result in a multiplicity of requests from other units, as all officers who see them immediately ask for the address of the Committee."
From an Infantry Colonel.—"They will be of the greatest possible use to the men of my battalion. Under present con- ditions the men march two miles and have baths at a disused dye works. They have their baths and march two miles back, after which they need another bath. Now they will be able to have baths in their own billets, and they will enjoy them all the more in consequence." From a Lieutenant-Colonel, Casualty Clearing Station.—" Thanks for the generous and moat valuable gift, of which we stand in great need. . . The bathe add considerably to the comfort and well-being of the sick and wounded in my charge." From Lieutenant-Colonel, Field Ambulance.—"I find them very useful in connexion with bathing the patients in the hospital. We have a large number of sick as well as wounded soldiers pass through our hospitals direct from the trenches, therefore the baths are much appreciated by all ranks."
From Major, R.F.A.—"Tho baths are much appreciated indeed by the men of the unit under my command, and are most useful in keeping them physically fit."
From an Infantry Colonel.—"During the past fortnight men in the trenches have been allowed to come out in small numbers at a time and bathe. The baths have been used to their fullest capacity every day. Bathing is always a difficulty out here, and those baths are most valuable."
From Lieutenant-Colonel, Field Ambulance.—"" We have bad great difficulty in practically every place we have been in affording
any facilities to the men for hot baths, but this timely gift has solved that question, and the portability of the baths will render its occurrence in future most unlikely." The military authorities at the Western front have heartily approved of the scheme, and have now agreed to distribute wherever necessary a further consignment of two thousand more baths and four hundred boilers with accessories as speedily as we can send them out. Will your readers help P We are also asked to provide three hundred baths and sixty boilers for the use of field hospitals and casualty clearing stations at the front. Five thousand pounds at least will bo required. A hundred pounds will supply sufficient baths to provide cleanliness, comfort, and increased physical fitness for over thirty thousand troops each month. Ten pounds will equip a unit, and one pound will provide a bath.
Correspondence is invited from ladies and gentlemen willing to organize local subscriptions, Literature and subscription-cards will be supplied. Donations will be promptly acknowledged by our Honorary Secretary. There are no costly offices or paid officials in connexion with this mama, and all the work is volun- tary, so that every penny subscribed in response to this appeal. will be applied to the purpose for which it is contributed.—I am,
Sir, &a, 0. WILLIAMSON MILNE, Chairman. Emergency Tranniary Aid Committee, The Empress OW, 86 Dover Street, Piccadilly, W.
Previous page
