DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2982, 20 January 1917, Page 8

DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES

A NATIONAL AND PATRIOTIC CHARITY

We have just received a most inter" csting booklet issued by thess> homes, containing stones of some Barnardo heroes, three of whom arc Anzacs. In certain dispatches from Gallipoli, four Anzacs were recommended for bravery, while collecting tho wounded at creak personal risk. Three of those four were old Barnardo boys, and of these, two ■ distinguished themselves still further for bravery 011 the Western front, and were presented with the Military. Medal on the battlefield b.y General Birdwood. The third has been wounded. Accompanying the booklet is an earnest appeal from the h*oincs for support of this national and patriotic cliarity during the third winter of war. The charter of the homes is "No destitute child ever refused admission." They are assisting Tommy's bairns, as no one else can do. Close on 1000 war children, most of whose fathers arc soldiers and sailors, have been admitted since war broke out. Should any of those fathers I die at the front, their children, in all probability, will become permanent residents ; but meanwhile, these little ones, whom patriotism has temporarily orphaned, are being tenderly nursed and cared for. Tho War Office grant in respect to these soldiers' children is, of course, received, but it is only a few shillings weekly, and not in any sense sufficient to pay for the housing, clothing, food and training of the children during these times of high prices; and, indeed, no money could buy the care needed and given to these children. The War Office cannot nurse mothcrless "little ones. Here is a case. Private Tom Brown was at the front, when his wife died leaving six motherless children, nuitc little ones_: two were twins only live days old. f I he poor father was distiacted: what was he to do? Someone sucsested Dr. Barnnrdo's Homes Tho soldier put the case before them. Tlicre were 110 relatives who'could look after the children. The homes, . therefore, took them in immediately, and are minding them until "Daddv comes back from the war"—if he does come back! If not, the homos will caro for his bairns. "Oh. it's Tommy inthe trenches! It'a Tommy by the gun! But it'?* Tommy's bairns arc crying _ while the work is being done!" Dr. Barnardo's homes help at once without ml tape; 83,000 of the nation's destitute children hnvo been admitted m fifty years, and tho great niajoritv of them justify the care aud attention and the money which have been expended rii)on them. Nearly 8000 Barnardo boys aro serving their country in the Army and Navy and mercantile ' marine. ' Over 4000. of these are boys whom the homes have emigrated to the overseas Dominions, and who have come back to help the Empiro in the present dire, need. For tho Motherland and for the overseas Dominions alike, it is the boys and girls who will count in the years to come. Thirty of the nation's destitute children are admitted every week by these homes. We feel sure that our readers will wish to help this national and patriotic cliarity. of which Their Majesties tho King, tho Queen, aud Queen Alexandra are patrons. Ten shillings maintains the _whole of these vast homes (comprising 153 separate households—the largest family in the w;orld) for one minute: - Gifts, of all kinds, monev, clothing, blankets, etc., will lie welcomed bv the honorary director. Mr. William Baker, M.A.,.;LL.8.. at headquarters, 18 to 26 Stepney Causeway, London, E. ■.