BLIND SOLDIERS' WORK

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21050, 29 December 1933, Page 11

BLIND SOLDIERS' WORK

"OLD BILL" FRATERNITY PRINCE OF WALES THE FIRST MEMBER (l"R0M ova. OWH CORBESPONDEKT.) LONDON, November 24. The Prince of Wales paid a surprise visit to the annual exhibition, at the Imperial Institute, of the work by disabled former service men, where he made many purchases. His Royal Highness was also enrolled as "the first gentleman member" of the "Old Bill" Fraternity of St. Dunstan's. The scheme impressed him greatly. Under it the members promise to purchase not less than 5s worth of goods made by blinded men. He asked for an enrolment form, paid his sixpence as the initial membership fee, and responded to the invitation, on the form, of the cheerful figure of Old Bill, drawn by Bruce Bairnsfather, to "Put it there, mate," by placing his signature "along the dotted line." The Prince asked to be reminded when he had to make his purchases. The Duchess of York was the first lady member of the fraternity. Members are allocated a certain period in which they must make their purchases, and by this means there is constant trade during what might otherwise be lean times. Among the purchases made by the Prince were a woman's very choice handbag in crushed calf, and a cheap zip bag in very ordinary leather. "I want to compare them," he said, "with foreign goods and see how their prices compare with yours. I feel sure that we can compete with them easily on level terms."