Pièce BVUK/MEM/1/1/15 - St Dunstan's Review No 13

Editorial Notes ... 3 Holidays are close upon us, and in a few weeks the busy hive of St. Dunstan's will have ceased to send forth its hum and we shall all be scattered for a season.. This time we are to have a vacation of nearly four weeks, and I am sure that many of us will find it not a day too long. The best wish that I can give to you all is that you have found your sojurn among us. I make bold to say that none could give you a better wish.
There will be no August issue of the St. Dunstan's Review. Following our custom of last year the next number will appear on September 1st. It will contain all the news up to the beginning of the holidays and the record of re-assembly. I hope you will all return refreshed and re-invigorated, ready to resume the work and play with the zeal that has distinguished you all since our last break.
Only such a very few applications have bee made for the title-page and contents of the first volume that it is scarcely worth while for me to take the matter in hand. Therefore, I advise those who want their copies bound just to strip off the covers and give them to a local bookbinder with careful instructions as to what they wish done.
All that I have to do now is to wish you a good time and a restful holiday. The Editor

Notes by the Chief ... 3 Letter featured to Sir Arthur Pearson from Edward Carson First Lord of the Admiralty talking about the value of the training blinded servicemen had received at St. Dunstan's and the encouragement they had been given to return to worthwhile occupations.

Sir Arthur mentions the efforts being made to help the many Indian soldiers blinded in WWI, with particular reference to a school for the blind run by Miss Askwith at Palamcotta. He describes his correspondence with and educated Indian who had lost his sight and although he reads Braille finds it difficult to do many other things due to the caste system in India.

Next article is about the Cruise Visor invented by Captain Cruise an officer in the RAMC. This was a curtain of chain mail which when attached to helmet gave eye protection again small shrapnel objects and was used by the Tank Corps. (page 4)

Next article discusses the increase in the number of men receiving gold watch chains for passing their Braille writing tests. From a slow initial take up, Braille was becoming increasingly popular as a form of reading and communicating amongst the men at St. Dunstan's. (page 4)

General Sir William Birdwood the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Imperial Forces accompanied by Lady Birdwood paid a visit to St. Dunstan's. (page 5).

Major-General Sir Alfred Turner visited St. Dunstan's in June 1917. He had previously been on the staff of General Von Hindenburgh and knew many of the officers in the German High Command.

St Dunstan's Gossip ... 6 There is mention of Hill 60 at St. Dunstan's being practically demolished after a thunderstorm which took place on 16th June 1917 causing extensive flooding. (pages 6& 7).

Alphonse Van den Bosch a Belgian soldier at St. Dunstan;s received (13th June) the Order of Leopold II and the Croix de Guerre for gallantry and the Battle of Louvain in 1914. These medals were presented to him at the Belgian Military Office in Notting Hill by the General aide-de-camp of the King of the Belgians. (page 7)

Captain Reginald Waud of the South Staffordshire Regiment who was wounded at Gallipoli replaced Lieutenant McMahon at the New Annexe. He was originally an artist and member of the Royal Academy. (page 9.

Matron Frances Hughes completed her fist year's service at St. Dunstan;s on 13th June.

Miss Lily Montague has undertaken to form a mandoline band in the autumn (page 10)

Jock Waddell rescused two boy scouts from their overturned canoes in Regent's Park Lake (page 10)

Corporal Frederick Quinlan of the London Regiment received the Military Medal from King George V at the open investiture in Hyde Park (page 10)

St. Dunstan's had a stall at the Exhibition of Work Done by Wounded and Discharged Soldiers and Sailors held between 20th and 27th June at Sotherby's 35 New Bond Street. The exhibition was opened by the Duke of Connaught and Princess Patricia and the Queen also paid a visit. (page 11)

An exhibition of pictures, sculptures and prints in aid of a Grand Draw for St. Dunstan's was held at Selfridges in Oxford Street. This exhibition was managed by the Chelsea Art Union. Tickets were 5 shillings each and the draw took place on 10th July 1917. Some pictures were worth £ 200. (page 11)"Mere words cannot show my respect for you and therefore I have come to St. Dunstan's to see you first before I go to speak to anyone else". These words were used by Sir Edward Shackleton when he visited St. Dunstan's shortly after reaching London following his expedition to the South Ple. (page 11)

Workshop Gossip ... 13 The first officer to take up boot repairing is Mr Rex Moore a lieutenant in the 15th Battalion of the A.I.F. He said that this was not just a hobby as he viewed it as a business opportunity. (page 13)

The New Workshop ... 13 Opened for use on Monday 4th June 1917 under the supervision of Mr Cunningham (page 13). Sir Arthur Pearson visited it on the same day. The Workshop covers an area of approx. 10,000 sq ft (page 14).

Poultry Notes ... 14 Sir Arthur Pearson arranged for the poultry farmers to visit the Intensive Poultry Culture Exhibition in the Zoological Gardens. (page 15)
On Tuesday 5th June Mr George A. Palmer a poultry farmer from Hinckley and a well known poultry expert gave a lecture in= the Outer Lounge to an audience of nearly 50 poultry farmers (page 15)
The Poultry Farm is now the headquarters of the Poultry Aftercare under the care of Mr Neville Bushell (page 15)
Mr and Mrs Neville have been installed at the St. Dunstan's Poultry Farm, King's Langley, Herts since the beginning of June. (page 15)
Sir Arthur Pearson suggested that a rabbit section be opened which consists of seven young Flemish Giants who share the tennis court with the chickens. (page 15)

Entertainment Notes ... 16 Many visits by women entertainers who proved to be equal to their male counterparts. The Ladies Orchestra was composed of women engaged in munitions work. The conductor was Mrs Douglas Hoare and there were two lady singers - Miss Dorothy Grey and Miss Milner.

On 17th June there was dancing on the lawn on a very hot day. Under the direction of Mr Bilton, The horse Guards Band provided the musical accompaniment.

On another very hot day Mr Philip Pilcer with his Ragtime Sexette Band played and there was much dancing despite the heat.

Mr Granville Rubeck arranged a concert where the men were entertained by Lady Newnes well known for her whistling (she was a member of the Newnes family who were publishers and had connections to the Pearsons). Other singers were Mr Johnson and Miss Kathleen Chadwick.

Three Sunday concerts took place during. The first given by Dr Walford Davie's Male Voice Choir conducted by Mr Harry B. Denham. The second was provided on 17th June by the Central London Choral and Orchestral Society. Miss L. Ashford was the organiser and Mr David J. Thomas was the conductor. The third took place on the 24th and was organised by Miss K.S. Richardson.

The A.I.F. Depot Band from Hurdcott Camp played on June 18th

Mr Maxwell of the Pelman Institute talked about Pelmanism as both educational and for entertainment

Trailer for a 'monster' entertainment to take place on Wednesday 4th July at 8.15 to celebrate American Independence Day 1917 (more detailed information appears in Review September 1917 issue).

"Should Blind Men Marry?" ... 17 The Chief's debate took place on 21st June with the first topic being "Should Blind Men Marry". This was amended by Sir Arthur Pearson to "Should Blind Men be Married" Numerous officers and men (including Lt. Ian Fraser) spoke and set out their thoughts and at the conclusion the Chairman announced that the meeting was in favour of blind men being married, (pages 17/18).

June Debates ... 18 A couple of debates took place. The first one took place on 7th June on the subject of "Should discharged soldiers have to pay the increased rail fares". The second took place on 14th June and discussed the topic "Does drink lead to poverty to a greater extent than poverty leads to drink"?

Boating Gossip ... 19 Describes the preparations for the upcoming Regatta and how the men were hoping to be asked to take part.

Four men who may be described as the St. Dunstan's rowing pioneers and who had all left the hostel are returning as the "Past" to race again the St. Dunstan's Present and the Worcester Old Boys. The men are Jock Steel (stroke),Tom Milligan (no. 3), Edward Bates (No. 2) and William Pettit (bow). The race will take place on the Thames at Putney on 18th July.

The annual Regatta will take place on 25th July and there will be races between St. Dunstan's and Worcester Old Boys and Emanuel School. The races will be followed by a dinner presided over by Sir Arthur Pearson.

The M.P. Mr James Boyton whose son a Grenadier Guardsman Lt. H.J. Boyton was a keen oarsman made St. Dunstan's a generous offer of race presentation oars decorated with the record of each race as they do at universities and leading rowing clubs.

His Honour Judge Wakely had presented £2 2 shillings to help buy sculls of the proper length for practice work.

Due to the number of House races on 25th July, there would be a special race day held on 18th July for me not able to row on the 25th. There would be a number of races between Australian and English teams.

An Australian Four started practicing on the lake consisting of Smith, Marshall, James and McNab.

V.A.D. Boat Races ... 20 On the afternoon of 20th June there were V.A.D. races at Putney. Events included Double and Single sculls - both St. Dunstan's and College crews. In the early morning there was a race among the coxons. After the races, the ladies were invited by Ladt Wolsey to enjoy strawberries and cream at the Ladies' Park Club.

June Boat Races ... 21 Over 30 men took part in the rowing on 20th June and the following is an account of the event which appeared in the 21st June edition of the Sporting Life newspaper. " The third regatta of the season for the blinded soldiers from St. Dunstan's Hostel took place at Putney yesterday. A proramme of five evenys was carried through under the management of Mr C.E. Rose (St. Dunstan's) and Mr R.J. Calcutt (Vesta R.C.). The sport was good, the finishes for the most part very close". This is follwed by a listing of the events and results
The events were followed by a luncheon at which the cups and medals were presented together with speeches. The cups were given my Mr Vick and Mr Boyton's (see Boating Gossip above) promise of decorated sculls and oars was also received with acclamation.

Dempartment Reports -

Braille Room Notes ... 22 A friend of Miss Oliver's has had a short story by E.W. Hornung (Note: Ernest William Hornung an English author and poet was best known for writing te A.J. Raffles series of stories) "The Chest of Silver" transcribed into Braille especially for use by the men at St. Dunstan's.

Typewriting Notes ... 22 A new room was close to completion and situated between the Braille Room and the new Workshop. The shorthand typists who were at the time having lessons in the Outer Lodge would soon be moving in to it. It is reported that men who have left St. Dunstan's were having difficulty obtaining typewriter paper locally, so arrangemnts had been made for them to order it directly from Mrs McLaren in the Typewriting Department. Available for 2shillings per half ream (250 sheets) it would be sent post free on receipt of a Postal Order.

Netting Notes ... 22 There had been a very large demand for fruit nets by the general public who wanted to grow fruit for making jam and the department had been unable to keep up with the orders.. It was intended that the men would work hard through the autumn and winter to accumulate good stocks for the next years season. Special mention was given to Purchase (this is A. B. Purchase of the Royal Navy) who at home had made a net four times larger than anything previously made at St. Dunstan's and which set a new standard for the department. The number of men in the department had increased considerably and Miss de Bruyn had kindly offered to become superintendent of the daily work.

Massage Notes ... 23 The May-June Examination results were excellent with all nine candidates passing with sufficient marks to place them in the first division. Three of the men Colley (L/Cpl. John McLean Royal Scots), Gray (Pte. David Blacl Watch) and Pugh (Sgt. Henry S. Staffs Regiment) were to start work at the Alderhey Hospital Liverpool in July.
The work of the massage students has been so well appreciate at the Middlesex Hospital where on average thirty patients a day were treated by them, that the governors have asked to a larger class to be sent down to enable more patients to receive treatment.
Proffesor Frederic Wood-Jones an eminent anatomist who examined the original class sent from St. Dunstan's accompanied by his wife paid a visit to St. Dunstan's in June.

Chapel Notes ... 24 Canon Bickersteth well known for many years as the Vicar of Leeds took part in the service and gave an address on Hospital Sunday 24th June.
Mr A. Kingston Stewart who has been a cthedral organist in Australia and has played the accompaniments in the Outer Lounge is now very kindly acting as organist. Matron has procured a large two-manual organ.

Catholic Chapel Notes ... 24 His Eminence Cardinal Bourne the Archbishop of Westminster visited St. Dunstan's on Tuesday 12th June, accompanied by his Private Secretary, Very Reverend Mongr. Canon Jackman. He visited the Chapel of Our Lady and St. Dunstan and expressed thanks to Sir Arthur Pearson for having placed the building at the disposal of his co-religionists, and to the kind benefactors who have furnished it and subscribed to the Chaplain's Fund.. An oak credence table has been made and presented to the Chapel of Our Lady and St. Dunstan by Private George Price, It will shortly have fixed to it a brass plate inscribed: "A.M.G.D.. The handiwork and gift of Private George Price, a blinded soldier trained at St. Dunstan's Hostel. Pentecost 1917.
The Rev.Perceval Howell has been appointed Catholic Chaplain at St. Dunstan's. He is leaving St. James' Church, Spanish Place W. The number of Catholic servicemen at St. Dunstan's at the time was just over 60.

Settlement Notes ... 24 It was announced that Mr. Thompson Brown would now devote all his time helping to the settle the poultry farming men using his extensive knowledge of the subject.

The Suggestion Box ... 24 A rowing man suggested that those men acting as pupli teachers should now row for the "Old Boys" rather than for St. Dunstan's. As the races they take part in are St.Dunstan's Past and Present, it is obvious that so long as they are here they must now row for the "Present".
A suggestion was made that it would be nice for men at the dances wore cotton gloves on account of the ladies dresses. It was recommended that this practice be adopted.
Arrangements should be made to inform men when others from the same locality arrived as they would have much in common to talk about
Locks should be provided for men to secure their own valuable belongings.

After-Care ... 25 A. Brown of Spalding is very busy, well and happy and finding that his new arm is a great help with digging his garden.
W. Leonard of Soham is keeping busy in his workshop making mats.
Williams of Michaelston Fewd is developing into a regular farmer as he now has a cow. He is also expecting a good harvesr of hay and keeps a number of ducks.
Evans of Newport Mon. has finished his six months work at London House Newport. He is now starting to work on his own and has a number of orers to complete. He has also bought a tandem bike, going in for exercise and continuing with his Braille reading.
Street of Evesham reports that he is busy and keeping well but is finding it difficult to keep up his rowing as it is hard to find someone to cox for him.
Fleetwood of Littleham Devon has given up poultry faring for the time being and is concentrating on mat-making with large orders from a ship owner and others from local tradespeople.
Pinner of Roehampton has started work and in his first week in his new shop has repaired eleven pairs of boots.
Sgt. Mayell and his wife have safely arrived in Canada.
R.J. Vine (this was L/Cpl Richard Vine) is getting on well with his firm (this was Messrs. Bullivant & Co. Ltd. 72 Mark Lane EC) and is also making fancy baskets in his spare time. NOTE: Bullivant were a company who invented flexible wire ropes.

A Dancing Competition ... 26 A dance competition took place in the Outer Lounge on Monday 11th June - one of the hottest days of the summer. It was organised by Mr. Vaile with Matron selecting the various prizes. The Dule of Newcastle attended the function.

News From Old Boys ... 26 Sgt. Dennison from Stoke-on-Trent says that he is selling about 800 eggs a week and hopes to increase that to 1,000 soon.
William Robinson from Welby nr. Grantham reports that he is currently working on an order for five dozen mats which will keep him bus for some time.
W. Hornsell writes that he has hatched sixty chicken this season.
J. Spinks from Ashton-under-Lyne reports that there had been a chemical works explosion 250 yards from his home and all his front windows had been blown out. Some of the walls of his house had split and his eldest some had been knocked down and buried for a while. A number of boys nearby had been kiled and he described it as an exciting experience.

A Queer Conversation ... 27 J. Spinks of Ashton-under-Lyne appears again and this time describes a 'conversation' using the finger code method he had had with an old friend who was deaf and dumb whilst out in a pub with his wife and two other relatives.

Music ... 28 The variety of music available at St. Dunstan's is described as being as good as any staged in music halls.The instruments being played include: - violins, tin flutes, mandolins, cellos, guitars, trombones, clarinets, piccolos and pianos. Vocalists sing in various tones:- tenor, bass, baritone, falsetto, tremolo etc.

The Weeder ... 28 A poem by T.H. Dennison

Newcomers in June... 29

Old Boys' Addresses ... 30