Money is sent when specially asked for, and expended at the discretion of the commanding officers, while the continual upkeep of consignments to the different battalions means an unfailing interest on the part of the women. When the men know that the cases have arrived from Queensland and are consigned to their own particular battalion, a special value is attached to them. The very fact that they have been thought of individually is a pleasure, and from all accounts the cases assume the proportion of Santa Claus to a small boy.
Some idea of the magnitude of the work performed in Queensland, to send comforts to soldiers in the field, is realised when it is known that, in addition to the Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Fund, the following comforts funds are also in existence in Brisbane:--
2nd Light Horse 5th Light Horse 11th Light Horse 9th and 49th Battalions 15th Battalion 25th Battalion 26th Battalion 31st Battalion 41st and 42nd Battalions 47th Battalion 3rd Pioneers 4th Pioneers 9th Field Artillery Miners and Engineers
Our Colonel has to-day handed me your most magnificent parcel for distribution to friendless men of my company. The parcel, which was sent by Messrs. T. C. Beirne & Co., arrived in good order, and was greatly appreciated by the men. It really was one of the best parcels I have yet seen. Everything it contained was just what we find it difficult to get here.
(Signed) W. M. Davis, Major, 25th Batt., A.I.F.
And that’s only one of the many appreciative letters for Beirne’s Soldier Boy Hampers that we have seen.
Every Mail for the Front sees hundreds of BEIRNE HAMPERS going to make the recipients happy.
Can we send one for you? No trouble! Just give us your order. We do everything else.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOLDIERS’ HELP SOCIETY.
In a quiet obscure street leading from the main thoroughfares of the city, there is a sign hung out from the building of an old church, “Anzac Club.” A rest home is here provided for returned soldiers in particular, but all soldiers, whether recruits or men who have come through action, are welcome. It is the outcome of the efforts of the women of the Church of England Help Society, but no questions of religion are asked, and the club is open to men of all denominations and creeds.