Cigarettes and socks

“Among old magazines and papers which belonged to my late mother,” says an Angus reader, “We found a copy of Home Notes, dated December 5, 1914 in which there is an article detailing what the soldiers at the front would welcome in a Christmas parcel.

“Demonstrating the different times we live in, cigarettes were mentioned as the number one item to put in any parcel, with writer of the article saying: ‘I think our boys would barter anything, almost, for a cigarette.’ People were encouraged to remember to add some safety matches.

“Knitted socks were also recommended to be included in the parcel. ‘The lads suffer horribly with their feet, and socks wear through in no time when you’re march, march, marching night and day,’ comments the writer, encouraging readers to knit as many pairs of socks as they could manage.

“Washing the said socks could prove problematic and so readers are advised to add a piece of plain yellow soap and some boracic powder to any parcel so that the soldiers can keep their socks clean and smelling fresh.”

Broughty Ferry reader Jim Howie has provided today’s photograph and says: “Robertson’s Furniture Store started life in the Bell Street Halls next to the YMCA in Constitution Street. This postcard shows the signage ‘Bell Street Hall, Furniture Warehouse’ on the building next to the YMCA and ‘Furniture Showrooms’ on the building behind the young girl.”