RED SHIELD CLUBS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 134, 7 June 1940, Page 9

RED SHIELD CLUBS

SALVATION ARMY WORK

SOLDIERS AND REFUGEES

VALUABLE SERVICE

An illuminating message regarding the Salvation Army's work in the war zone has been received by Salvation Army Headquarters in New Zealand by special cable message from International Headquarters, Lohdon.

"The rapid change in the military situation in the War area," states the message, "compelled Salvation Army war Workers to abandon seventeen destroyed centres of work, one accOnV modating six hundred men. Officers accompanied thousands of fleeing refugees journeying coastward.

"Mrs. Brigadier Climpson, wife of the-Deputy Director of War Work in France, was killed by a bomb splinter while sheltering in a field during a bomb raid.on the road on which the I party" travelled: She was buried in jthe Soldierg' Cemetery outside Dieppe two hours before the town was heavily bombed. THE FiGiTCINCi At AttltAS. "Salvationists showed great bravery, returning to Arras to render further aid and finding troops defending p?e> mises. Officers, though hungry them' selves/struggled to; provide idod for fleeing refugees. The staff of one centre packed their, .belongings, and left in convoy just before the Salvation Army building was destroyed by bombs. The convoy was late? bombed and all their belongirtgi were <&tStroyed, the Salvationists again escaping. A Boulogne officer saw his own building destroyed by* A b'dmb. . _ "twenty centres remain safe in South France with 120 officers arid others waiting to move forward as the line is're-established. Our losses are estimated at £25,000. •<■■ "Britain now has 320 Red Shield Clubs seven having been opened this week, including twd ipi Service Women, fifty mobile cahteehs are operating and there iis a great demand for more. .. -~.. "At the request of the military authorities French Salvationists nave already opened forty-six bf the proposed otte hundred 'Foyers dv Sbldat* in eight sections, of the lines, all heafthe front, six being near the Magmot Line. EVACUATION OJF DUNKIRK. "For the evacuation from Dunkirk, at the request of the military authorities, six mobile canteens rushed to the sruth coast, and ministered to thbti* sands of British* French, and. Belgian soldiers. The naval and military staffs could not include the provision of refreshments which, were needed at once. Our e&titeehs were ready for immediate action and quickly began distributing tens of thousands of cups of tea and coffee and thousands of pies, cakes, and sarid/vuiches\ Which! were given free. The ,staffs, assisted by Volunteers fromi-Eoriclolft he&dqu&r* | ters, toiled incessantly &ll night and day. They saw large groups bf men fast asleep as they Stood. A local baker suspended business to bake thousands of meat pies;. Salvationists di§»j patched many telegrams to relatives telling of the safety of loved ones. "PlTlAfilE riUMAN Stftf EtttN&" "The London Red Shield Clubs wfere visited by thousands .of returning Expeditionary Force men. "Paris Salvationists also assisted thousands of fleeing refugees from Northern France. Many, .footsore and bleeding* had walked 120 miles. At the Palais dv Peuple hundreds were Washed, bathed, bandaged, amd provided with beds. Nine children accompanied one woman who Was taken to a maternity home^, where A tenth child was born. .

"The pitiable human suffering seemed endless.

'■ "Similar scenes were witnessed at the City of Jtefuge, the Young Men's Homey the Plaisance HosteV and other places. Officers met refugee trains at north and east l*aris stations, and gave every assistance to stricken; refugee!,. Canteens in South France, staffed by English Salvationists, are meeting many needs among the, troops, "ttieif activities include feeding men not otherwise; provided for* running Hid* bile canteens for men going up the line, and the cheering arid fortifying of men facing danger.

"The latest Canadiaft. war work development is the opening of a London hotel in West Central by the Hon. Vincent Massey, High Commissioner for Canada.",