The Comforts Committee
On the Battalion embarking for active service, the Battalion Committee suggested that a Ladies’ Committee be formed to carry out the supply of Comforts which would tend to alleviate the hardships of the battle line. The members of the Chamber provided funds in a most generous manner, and the following ladies consented to form a Ladies’ Committee:—Mrs. D.S. Morton (Convener), Lady M’Innes Shaw, Mrs. J.M. Mitchell, Mrs. R.A. Murray, Mrs. W.J. Paul, Mrs. W.F. Russell, Mrs. John Reid, Mrs. Albert A. Smith, and Miss G.D. Young.
Miss G.D. Young acted as Secretary and at a later stage she was succeeded by Miss M.E. M’Clymont of the staff of the Chamber. The relatives of the men of the Battalion were notified of the formation of the Comforts Committee, and were invited to assist in knitting articles, the wool for which in most cases, was supplied by the Committee. With this help, and by the industry of the Ladies’ Committee, a very large quantity of shirts, socks, helmets, scarfs, gloves, etc., was sent abroad.
The conditions under which the men were fighting was always wisely considered, and for trench dug-outs and cellar billets, a regular supply of candles was forwarded by the Committee. Christmas presents were also sent overseas for each man. Provision was made for the time when the Battalion was out of line for rest, and a supply of weekly and monthly periodicals was regularly despatched. Needless to say, all these were very acceptable.
While thanks are due to all the members of the Ladies’ Committee, it must be placed on record that Mrs. Morton, as Convener, rendered invaluable services and it is universally recognised that to her indefatigable labours the men in France owed much.