The Times Great War Letters: Correspondence during the First World War

7 July 1915

SIR,—IN ANSWER TO YOUR anonymous correspondent a “‘Black Country’ Vicar” I beg to forward you a few facts concerning the cinema and the war. We have received the personal thanks of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for the assistance we have rendered the National Relief Fund. We have proved a rich ground for recruiting, and with our “war topicals” have stimulated many a dull imagination; the Belgian Red Cross Society use a film entitled “War is Hell” to assist in the appeals they make in cinemas. One firm (Messrs. Walturdaw, Limited) have prepared a film at a cost of several hundred pounds to stimulate recruiting, and this they are lending free and also supplying 1,000 sheets of pictorial printing to advertise it, the only condition being that a recruiting sergeant is permitted to address the audience. The Ministry of Munitions has now approached the Exhibitors’ Association and asked its help to advertise the call for workers to enrol for the production of munitions of war. In conclusion, Sir, I would suggest that money might be saved by abolishing the collection box.

Faithfully yours,

H. W. LEDGER, Royal Picture House, Egremont, Cheshire

THE WOUNDED FROM THE DARDANELLES

9 July 1915

SIR,—I NOTICE THAT questions have been asked in the House as to the adequacy of the medical arrangements in connexion with the British Forces at the Dardanelles. I have recently visited—in company with the respective officers in charge and with the concurrence of the general officers commanding and directors of medical services—the military hospitals at Malta, Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, and Mudros. I have been given the opportunity of seeing, in the freest possible manner, all the arrangements made in the Mediterranean area for the reception of the sick and wounded from the Dardanelles.