The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War Read Free Page B

(Ltd.), 14 and 14a, Wrotham Road,
Camden Road, N.W.

    REGIMENTAL AGENCY
    Princess Louise’s Appeal
    SIR – At this juncture, when money is being generously subscribed for the assistance of our wounded and invalidedsoldiers as they return from the war, we desire to commend to the consideration of the public the system of distribution of benefits through the regiments in which the men have served.
    Almost every regiment has now its own association providing adequate machinery for giving relief to its old soldiers. The men are personally known in the regiment, and any assistance they may receive from this source in times of distress is not regarded as charity, but as an honourable recognition of their services with the colours.
    The Regimental Agency, of which His Majesty the King is patron, is managed by a committee of officers. It acts as the handmaid of the regimental associations. Nine of these associations carry on their work in these offices, whilst others are helped by the Agency in various ways. The Agency also serves as a clearing house, passing on to the regimental associations applications from, or on behalf of, old soldiers, to be dealt with regimentally. Donations sent to us will at once be forwarded to the regiments in which the donors are specially interested.
    We further appeal for funds, as also for personal help, for the Regimental Agency itself, to enable us to carry on our work for the regimental associations at a time when a severe strain is made on our resources and most of our helpers have been called off by the war.
    Subscriptions and donations should be sent direct to the Regimental Agency, 33 Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W.
    Yours faithfully,
    Louise, President
    Roberts, F.M., Vice-President
Methuen, Vice-Chairman of Council
Claude M. Macdonald, Chairman of Central Committee
The Regimental Agency, 33 Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W.

    1 September 1914
BRITISH AIRMAN’S GRAVE
    SIR – Last week in Belgium I saw a wrecked British aeroplane and beside it the grave of the aviator. At the time I was a prisoner with the Germans, and could not stop or ask questions. Later, with the object of establishing the identity of the aviator, I visited the place. Should after the war the family of the officer desire to remove his body I am writing this that they may know where it is now buried.
    The aeroplane fell to the road between Enghien and Ath. Belgians near the place told me the officer was shot down by a column of German infantry, the strength of which column he was evidently trying to discover. The aeroplane was totally destroyed, but on a twisted plate I found the name of an English firm. There were also in the wreck paper formsfor making out reports on reconnaissances. There was no writing on these, but the printed matter was in English.
    At the head of the grave the Germans had put a wooden cross, on which they had written ‘Herr Flier, 22 August 1914’. The Belgians had covered the grave with flowers. It should not be difficult to find. It is on the left-hand side of the road as one walks south from Enghien to Ath in a pear orchard, near a very old red-brick house with a square tower.
    One hundred yards south of the grave is a signpost that reads, pointing south, ‘Ath – 14 kil.’, pointing north, ‘Enghien – 5 kil.’ Enghien is about thirty kilometres south of Brussels.
    I am, yours truly,
    Richard Harding Davis, Correspondent, New York Tribune 10 Clarges Street, W.

    3 September 1914
HELP FOR THE BELGIANS
    Great Need of Foodstuffs
    SIR – I hesitate again to address you, but, against my own wishes, I am being urged by some of the greatest merchants in England to do so. I cannot appear as a mendicant on behalf of my country. Her actions speak for themselves.Moreover, Britain has already responded nobly in gifts of money and kind to help those suffering in Belgium. Again, many merchants have already sent me noble gifts; and, moreover, Britain has its