POWs:‘Food donations kept us alive’

Although the war had ended, the work of the Stirlingshire Work Department, 20 Clarendon Place, Stirling, was continuing.

During the conflict, female volunteers headed by honorary secretary Miss GR Tasker, had been engaged in sending out food and clothing parcels to soldiers from the area who were prisoners or serving on the frontline.

Many returning POWs said the food supplies kept them alive during their captivity.

In a letter to the Observer, Miss Tasker highlighted a fresh and urgent appeal by the French Red Cross for clothing for French men, women and children of all ages whose homes and properties had been destroyed in war. The director general of voluntary organisations had suggested a concerted effort should be made to supply part-worn suits, dresses,underwear, boots, hats,etc plus blankets and anything else that could provide warmth.

‘This cause is one which will undoubtedly commend itself to everyone,’ added Miss Tasker. ‘The Stirlingshire Work Depot will be pleased to collect and dispatch and articles sent to 20 Clarendon Place.’

Miss Tasker added that all donated items had to be in ‘thoroughly good repair’, clean and ready for immediate use.

‘The matter is one of extreme urgency and the committee believes the response to the appeal will be both hearty and immediate,’ she said.