Aylmer Ladies Do Good Work for Comfort of Soldiers

Published Oct. 1, 1914
Aylmer Express Newspaper, Article

The East Elgin Ladies’ Institute members, the members of the Aylmer Travel Club, and the Mapleton, Luton, and Lyons Institutes members a week ago sent a large shipment of article for the use of the volunteers, who were then at Valcartier, and the Red Cross Society at Toronto. The ladies worked hard for the two weeks previous, and did their work in a systematic and business like manner. They are to be congratulated on the success of their untiring efforts.

The following articles were shipped to the Red Cross Society at Toronto: 80 pillows, 204 pillow cases, 12 nightshirts, 31 sheets, 6 comforters, 200 handkerchiefs and 6 towels; and the following were shipped to the camp at Valcartier, 112 hand knitted cholera bands, each 9 inches in width and two yards long, 12 red flannel bands, 6 comforters, 33 flannel shirts with a handkerchief enclosed in each, 154 pairs of hand knit socks, 3 rolls of bandages, a number of wristlets and two cases of condensed milk.

Miss Cutton, of Yarmouth, and Mrs. Lamb, of Orwell, each very kindly contributed a large feather bed, which was used in making the pillows…. It was impossible to ascertain the names of the ladies residing outside of Aylmer who worked so hard and contributed so generously but each has the personal satisfaction that she has done her duty….All articles were stamped “From the Women of East Elgin.”

Mrs. Mahlon Griffin generously threw open her home for the workers and the hum of three sewing machines made it a hive of industry. some twelve or fifteen (reminded me of four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie) ladies gathered there for work for two days, making flannel shirts, while others stamped and sorted articles sent in from outside makers.

All the cholera bands were finished by Miss Lewis who made firm on edges, stamped and placed two safety pins in each. Mrs. M, Kidd, Mrs. Chas Strong, Mrs. Elfin Clarke, and others each gave cash to purchase material. Miss V Benner donated nine flannel cholera bands and three dozen large handkerchiefs that were placed in the pockets of the shirts. Five hundred safety pins were used in the bands and shirts.