Tragedy and charity are headlines as horrors of war go on
As World War I entered its final five months, local newspapers from the time gave a mixed picture of events on the frontline, while families on the homefront rallied to help stricken servicemen and their families. Anna Lewis reports...
ON JUNE 7, 1918, just months away from the end of the war, a series of articles was printed in the Barry Docks newspaper. The stories reflect an uncertain outlook, swinging from tales of troops outnumbered five to one, to victories in other areas to secure the front line.
For one group of South Wales women, rather than prompting a mood of resignation, the news spurred a greater determination to help – to add their efforts to the thousands of other charities across the region helping the poor, the injured and prisoners of war.
Yet hundreds of miles away on the frontline there was tragedy.
The first week brought news of the bombing of a military hospital in Etaples, France.
The German move was heavily criticised, coming after a decision by allied forced to hold back from bombing in honour of Corpus Christi Day.
And, with news already pouring in of Barry soldiers caught in the devastation, the reaction in the newspaper is clear. A columnist wrote: “Lord Crewe said the other day it was one of the special tragedies of the war that when it ended there could be no shaking of hands, or letting bygones be bygones, in our dealings with the Germans.
“Their brutality and conduct in this war has made any reconciliation impossible, and it would be treason to our dead should we ever forget them.
“On the intercession of the Pope we refrained from bombing Cologne on Corpus Christi Day, and in reply the German high command again bombed our hospitals, and shelled and bombed Paris, killing and maiming women and children and the helpless.
“Were it not the fact, as proved by the constant repetition of these crimes, it would be unbelievable that such things could be possible in Europe in this the twentieth century.”
In the pages following this news, the list of Glamorgan men lost or captured overseas continued to grow.
Those made prisoner of war included Sergeant Edward Lewis, member of the King’s Royal Rifles and son of “Mr and Mrs Samuel Lewis” of Woodland Road, Barry Docks.
Alongside him is rifleman Charles Belfield, the son of “Mr and Mrs Daniels” of 6 Berlington Street, after being wounded on three occasions.
Meanwhile others previously reported missing are named among the hundreds under German control.
The newspaper reported: “Mr and Mrs F Moon, 21, Charlotte Place, Cadoxton-Barry, have received official information that their adopted son, Private George Hatcher (19926), 2nd South Wales Borderers, who was previously reported missing on April 11, is now posted as prisoner of war in Germany.
“Private Ernest Hatcher, another brother, is still serving in France.”
With growing column inches taken up with the updated list of prisoners, it is perhaps little surprise that it is only a matter of weeks until a follow-up notice appears, appealing for help for a new scheme to fund care packages for those affected.
Printed on June 21, the article reads: “A ladies committee is being formed to take charge of the Barry War Charities’ Penny-a-Week Fund, inaugurated so that every household may assist and be interested in the charitable objects for which the Barry War Charities Committee was formed.
“The committee has undertaken to be responsible for the cost of all parcels sent to prisoners of war belonging to Barry and the district between Wenvoe and Llantwit Major.
“In connection with the card scheme, which has proved such a great success elsewhere, it is hoped every household will contribute a penny a week to the fund, and, if possible, every member in a household 1d each per week. It is proposed to limit the number of houses to be visited by each collector to about 30.
“Ladies willing to assist in this work are requested to communicate in the first instance with Mr T McGowan Hole, Meadfoot, Barry, the acting honorary secretary.
“Ministers and secretaries of women’s organisations would materially assist in making an announcement in their churches and among their members. A large number of helpers are needed.”
Throughout the war such charity groups and initiatives quickly became a staple in each town and village.
In Barry alone the announcement follows just weeks after a separate call to action by the chairman of Barry council, on behalf of the Compassionate Prisoners of War Fund.
In total £42 was raised through the use of street boxes, followed by a £4 donation by council employees, £15 from Barry Railway Shipping Office and £10 from the Greek community. Meanwhile, in the same month, an ambitious scheme was launched in Pwllheli in North Wales, seeking to raise 1,000 shillings to provide food and clothing for Royal Welsh Fusiliers prisoners of war.
Similar reports also appear in Carmarthen and Llanelli, with identical Mayor’s Prisoner of War funds starting to build momentum.
A report from the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter from June 28 reads: “Through the kindness of Lieutenant Poison, a weekly collection has been organised amongst the staff engaged at Carmarthen Barracks on behalf of the above fund, and a very handsome sum had been subscribed.
“Among the acknowledgements recently received from Germany was a postcard from Private C Wilbourne, Welsh Regiment, saying: ‘I am in receipt of your very welcome parcels regularly, and can assure you they are more than appreciated.
“They arrive in a very good state as a rule. The hot weather seems late coming here; we have not had a decent hot day yet.”
Across the UK, such was the scale of community fundraising during the four years of the war that nearly 18,000 charities were established.
As historian Carol Harris reports, the most popular causes included “comforts” or clothing, books and food for British and Empire troops, medical services, support for disabled servicemen and assistance to prisoners of war.
At the same time newspapers big and small joined the movement, running appeals for everything from sports equipment to tinned food and hard cash.
For the most part tobacco and ciga-
rettes were among the most popular appeals: one of the largest charities, the Smokes for Wounded Soldiers And Sailors Society – known popularly as the SSS – distributed more than a billion cigarettes to wounded men bought with funds raised through events such as “Fag Day”.
According to Ms Harris, even the aims of the Daily Express’ Cheery Fund were “to oblige everybody at the front who asks for things, and cheer up those who do not want anything”.
Despite the generosity of the public, however, not all fundraising was plain sailing.
As the war progressed increasing calls were made from the press, Charity Organisation Society and leading UK charities for compulsory licensing for war relief charities.
The move, it was argued, would prevent corruption and fraud and increase public confidence.
Ultimately though such calls were not heeded, with the Charity Commission heavily criticised throughout the war for not acting on legislation to tackle the large numbers of charities sitting on their funds.