DISTRICT LETTERS TO TROOPS

Evening Star, Issue 23907, 10 June 1941, Page 6

DISTRICT LETTERS TO TROOPS

HR J. B. GRANT'S EFFORT Some months ago the office-bearers of the Musselburgh Presbyterian Church began a monthly letter to their fellow memeers of the congregation who were on service overseas. Out of this action has grown a movement to send from the residents of the St. Kilda-Mussel-burgh-Tainui district a monthly letter to all men from the district and to all ex-pupils of the Musselburgh School serving in any'branch of His Majesty’s forces, and to merchant seamen, doctors, and nurses. The district is that area bounded by Moreau street and Victoria, Tainui, Portobello, and Bay View roads.

The prime mover behind the wider project is Mr John B. Grant, ex-head master of the Musselburgh School, who, in a letter which was read at last night’s' meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council, said: “I regard the preparation of these letters as a worthwhile piece of war work which I can do, and do all the better from my personal knowledge of so many of the lads who were pupils at the Musselburgh School, during my time as head master, and which I delight in doing, so that, though I cannot engage in strenuous Home Guard duties, I yet can feel that I am. hot lagging superfluous on the stage.” Mr Grant, who has financed the cost of preparing and posting about 200 district letters that have already been sent out, informed the council that he intended approaching sections of the district seeking small donations up to 2s 6d to defray expenses. He would canvass , a different section of the district each time he required funds, and could promise that no one section would be twice canvassed. He asked the council’s approval of these proposals. “ Mr Grant’s letters to the boys contain a. mass of information,” said the mayor (Mr N. D. Anderson). Copies were being sent to very nearly every soldier from the district, and Mr Grant wished to obtain the names of all the men and women who had left and were to leave, so that they, too, would be certain of receiving a letter. Several councillors spoke of the value of Mr Grant’s work, and one and all gave assurance of the council’s support. On Or E. Longworth’s motion it was decided to donate £2 2s to Mr Grant’s funds.