December 1915

Dundee Soldier Gains Coveted French Honour

The proud distinction of being the first Dundee soldier to have been awarded the French Croix de Guerre has fallen on Bombardier Robert Goodman, The Royal Garrision Artillery, who previous to the commencement of hostilities resided with his grandmother, Mrs Munro, 6, Forfar Road, Dundee.Mrs Munro, on Monday received the decoration, which is of the First Order, from the commanding officer of her grandson.

A native of Dundee, Bombardier Goodman was reared by his grandmother, his mother having emigrated to South Africa. His is 22 years of age, and was employed by Messrs David McHardy & Company, King Street, but was afterwards transferred to their Aberdeen branch. While resident in that city he enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Garrison Artillery and has been at the front since the early stages of the war.

Bombardier Goodman, in a letter to his grandmother, says that he expects to be home shortly, when his will explain the manner in which he gained the coveted honour.

Yet More Men Wanted

Hundreds of thousands of situations will have to be filled, at least temporarily, when the men of military age are withdrawn for the war. Many of these will be filled by women and by men ineligible for military service. But they must be filled by persons who have a certain training. All who wish to help our country in this hour of need should see to it that they have this training.

To fill the places of the vast army of clerks enlisting, women and men with a knowledge of bookkeeping, arithmetic, business correspondence and office routine will be required. If you wish to help, start now to obtain the knowledge. A moderate fee will enable you to enter upon a course in our People’s Correspondence College, by which in your own home and in you own leisure time you can acquire the needful instruction. If you are in earnest fill up the accompanying coupon now and post it this very day.

To the Principal, People’s Correspondence College, 7, Bank Street, Dundee.
I desire to help in releasing men for war service. Please send me particulars of your courses of instruction in clerical work.
Name, …………………………..
Address, ………………………..
………………………………….

Xmas Gifts

Numerous Articles
Suitable for Xmas Gifts
Such as
Gloves, Blouses, Silk and Wool Scarves,
Umbrellas
Furs, Handkerchiefs, &c.
Catalogues posted free on application.
Visit
The Xmas Bazaar
Wm. Hunter & Co.,
11-19, Wellgate, Dundee.

Readers Parliament

Now that our streets are veiled in semi-darkness at night, foot passengers are rather more liable to run into one another. This unpleasantness, and the resulting loss of temper, might be avoided if the public would but bear in mind the rules of the road. Unfortunately, however, comparatively few people appear to know them, and children are not taught them in schools. Permit me to state these simple rules:-
(1) Foot passengers keep to the right; (2) two foot passengers, meeting from opposite directions, pass each other left hand to left hand; (3) a foot passenger overtaking another one going in the same direction passes on the lift hand of that other one. – Alma (2s. 6d.)

D.S.O for Airman

Much satisfaction will felt by the many friends in Dundee of Squadron Commander Robert Gordon, R.N.A.S (Captain, temporary Major, R.W), at the signal honour which has just been bestowed upon him.

Commended in the despatches of Vice-admiral King Hall for his work in connection with the destruction of the German cruiser Konigsberg, Squadron Commander Gordon has been awarded the D.S.O distinction. The plucky airman was well known in the city, where, it will be recollected, he commanded the Royal Naval Air Station. Commander Gordon, indeed, the first seaplane flier to visit Juteopolis, and only relinquished his command of the local station for sterner work in March of last year.

In the account of the destruction of the enemy cruiser, Squadron Commander Gordon is commended for his indefatigable work leading up to the vessel’s final destruction, and, it appears, ran great risks in spotting and reconnoitring.

“Stop, Look, Listen”

“Stop, Look, Listen” this is the striking title of the fine revue which will appear at the King’s Theatre next week. “Stop, Look, Listen” which is the very necessary warning given to pedestrians on the streets of New York, describes the amusing adventures of a millionaire who foolishly thought he could buy a ghost-haunted mansion. The revue is in six acts, most amusing of all being without a doubt that in the haunted chamber, where the millionaire has a rather exciting time.

“Stop, Look, Listen” of course provides great scope for mechanical ingenuity on the stage, and the fullest advantage is taken of this fact, making the revue a breezy boisterous comedy.

Sunday Fires

The Dundee Fire Brigade was summoned to three outbreaks of fire in the city on Sunday. Early in the morning one of the residents in a two-storey tenement in 27, Small’s Wynd was alarmed at finding her house filled with smoke. On making investigations she discovered that the smoke was emanating from an adjacent attic. The police and the Fire Brigade were summoned and it was found necessary to carry the tenant down the stairs to a place of safety. The brigade quickly extinguished the flames, but not before a part of the roof had fallen in and the furniture in the room burned. The damage is estimated at about £200. Another outbreak, which at the time had a threatening appearance, but which, fortunately, was confined to a narrow compass through the efforts of the Fire Brigade occurred in the premises of the Dundee Shipbuilding Company early in the evening. The damage amounts to several hundred pounds.

Mill and Factory Workers’ Festival

Some 2000 operatives and young people attended the 30th annual festival of the Dundee and District Mill and Factory Workers’ Union held in the Kinnaird Hall on Thursday. Rev. Henry Williamson, the Hon. President of the Union, occupied the chair. After tea the Chairman gave a short address. He said it was scarcely necessary for him to make any remarks with regard to the Mill and Factory Workers’ Union as this organisation was already so well known in the community. It had proved of a great benefit to the working classes. As its originator, and President for many years, he had been mainly concerned about securing for them all that could be obtained in a rational way. He himself would complete in February his 50th anniversary, and during that time he had given special attention to the welfare of the working classes. The programme which was a long and interesting one, was admirably sustained.

Some More Warm Comforts Needed

Again I want to thank all those kind readers who have so generously sent us contributions of socks, mufflers, mitts &c, in answer to our appeal for warm comforts for our soldiers; but every week the demands from the trenches for these articles increases and we are not always able to meet the requests made us as we would like.

I wonder if you could help us just a little bit more? Snow storms and the biting wintry winds are now added to our soldier’s lot, but we at home can at least help him withstand these later evils by keeping him well supplied with warm comforts.

I ask you to send me donations – no matter how small,. Socks, mufflers, mitts, helmets, shirts &c., will all be gladly welcomed and will find a quick dispatch to our fighting forces.

All parcels should be addressed to:- “War Comforts”, the Editor, “People’s Journal”, 7, Bank Street, Dundee.

Hints and Tips

Concerning Socks – So many people are busy knitting socks for the soldiers that the following hint may come in quite useful. When the socks are quite finished darn the heels and toes on the wrong side by picking up the stitches and darning so as not to show them on the right side of the socks. This makes them last twice as long again before wearing into holes. L.Drybone, Edinburgh.