We have also raised funds for the Belgian Prisoners of War in Germany.

We have exchanged prisoners with Germany and have secured the release and internment in Switzerland of some hundreds of our worst wounded, and permanently disabled, and tubercular and consumptive men.  In Switzerland, among the beautiful mountains, they are finding happiness and health again and many of them are working at new trades and training.

We sent out their wives to see them and some girls went to marry their released men.  Some of our prisoners have escaped from Germany and reached us safely after many risks and adventures.

“Blighty” goes out to our men also in our Chaplains, the “Padres” of our forces, and many times soldiers have talked to me of their splendid “Padre” in Gallipoli, or France or Egypt.  They have died with the men, bringing water and help and trying to bring in the wounded.  They have been decorated with the V.C., our highest honor, the simple bronze cross given “For Valour.”  They write home to mothers and wives and relatives of the men who fall, and send last messages and words of consolation.

Their task is a great one, for to men who face death all the time, and see their dearest friends killed beside them, things eternal are living realities and there are questions for which they want answers.  There is so much the Padre has to give and his messages are listened to in a new way and words are winged and living where these men are.

We have so many of our men from overseas among us who are far from their own homes, and in London we have Clubs for the Canadians, the Australians, the New Zealanders, for the two together, immortally to be known as the “Anzacs,” and for the South Africans, where they can all find a bit of home.  We have also just opened American Huts and the beautiful officers’ Club at Lord Leconfield’s house, lent for the purpose.

For the permanently disabled soldier we are doing a great deal.  St. Dunstan’s, the wonderful training school for the blind, has been the very special work of Sir Arthur Pearson, who is himself blind, and Lady Pearson.

The Lord Roberts Workshops for the disabled are doing splendid work in training and bringing hope to seriously crippled men.

The British Women’s Hospital for which our women have raised $500,000, is on the site of the old Star and Garter Hotel at Richmond, and is to be for permanently disabled men.

There, overlooking our beautiful river, men who have been broken in the wars for us, may find a permanent home in this monument of our women’s love and gratitude.

WOMAN-POWER FOR MAN-POWER

“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 
She is like the merchant’s ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

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“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.