BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY CENTENARY FUND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 64, 8 December 1917, Page 6

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY CENTENARY FUND

Sir,—At tho invitation of the directors of tho British and Foreign Sailors' Society I have undertaken to issue a special appeal on'behalf of tho great national work carried on by the society for our sailors and for those who aro dear to them. Her Majesty Queen Alexandra has graciously expressed hor approval of the appeal, and her earnest hope that it will receive tho generous support of the British people. The British and Foreign Sailprs' Society is about to complete its hundredth year of service, and a sum of not less than £250,000 will bo needed to ensure the continuance of its beneficent agencies. Tho success with which this work has been carried on, before and during tho war, has won tho confidenco and appreciation of tho authorities generally, and of the scamon themselves. On tho definite request of the Admiralty authorities, the socioty is about to erect additional naval rests at various naval bases, for the welfare and comfort of sailors when on ehoro. TbV.BwMy hs« aba been ureod to

oxtond similar provision for merchant soamdn in ninny ports.

I bavo seen evidence of the splendid relief work of lliis society in providing nlothos and food for sailors interned in Germany; dispensing immediate practical assistance to disabled sailors and dependants of seamen who havo fallen on war service; in providing an education of sailors' orphans; and especially in feeding, sheltering, clothing, and forwarding to their various homes many thousands of merchant seamen whoso vessels have been sunk by eiiemy action.

Surely there is no one who would willingly turn a deaf ear to the claims of those bravo men and women, to whom the wholo nation owes so profound a debt of gratitudo? For their sako, I sincerely hope that I may rely on the co-operation of your readers in a really generous response to the centenary appeal of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society. Letters can bo nddre'ssed to me at the Mall House. Admiralty, London, S.W., marked "B.F.S.S. Centenary." Very truly yours. GWENDOLINE "JELLICOE. The Mall House, London, September 29.