Ladies' football match to help DLI prisoners
Newspaper report of munitionettes' football match with poem
Transcript of article:
LADIES’ FOOTBALL MATCH
To Help DLI Prisoners
We have great pleasure in drawing attention to the Glaholm and Robson Ladies’ Football Team, consisting of employees of that firm, and to the fact that the match against the team of Messers Webster and Co., Ltd., postponed from Boxing Day, is to be played on Saturday first on the Rovers’ ground at Hendon on behalf of the Durham LI Prisoners of War Fund. The kick-off is fixed for 2.30 p.m. and Mrs Ernest Vaux has kindly consented to start the ball. We hope the match will be a great success as it deserves to be, for the players are very patriotic persons. In connection with this perhaps the following verses written by R. C., “Old Sport”, may interest and amuse our readers:-
God bless our King and kingdom and our nation now at stake. Whilst the best blood of our Empire is fighting for our sake;
When our every thought is centred on our lads so brave and true;
Are you satisfied you’re doing all you can do.
When we think how Russia faltered, after all the help we gave.
And her people were misguided, till today they simply crave.
For a Shining Light to lead them to see their troubles through.
It behoves us in Old England to be loyal, brave and true.
We have blundered and made grave mistakes – of that there is no doubt,
We have been in some tight corners, but somehow have muddled out,
Till today we stand upon the brink of failure or success,
But we’ll win, if everyone will see the patience they possess.
We surely need not grumble if we have to sand in queues;
We have all to do our little bit, and no one should refuse;
It’s a hardship in the time of war, and these today are few
Compared with what our Tom and Jack are bearing now for you.
The greatest war the world has seen – no greater war can be.
It only must have one result – defeat for Germany;
Great, mighty rulers of the past have lost their high estate,
And Kaiser Bill now sees that he is doomed to such at fate.
We have never been downhearted, and don’t intend to be;
Though submarines may sink our ships, it only lets us see
If we put our shoulders to the wheel, and with our strength united,
Give Germany the final push, all wrongs will soon be righted.
Now, the Ropery Lassies’ Football Teams –
Yes, here we are again!
Still doing all we can to help our numerous wounded men,
We all work hard throughout the week, but still we’re not contented,
Until we get the match receipts considerably augmented.
Listen! Glaholm and Robson’s girls make this strong appeal to you
To patronise their matches and support the Red and Blue;
All the games they play are “Benefits” to local institutions
And by these means we try to help with needful contributions.
Date: 14 February 1918
Author: Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette
Where to find this: British Newspaper Archive (available on Find My Past website)
Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Durham at War Volunteer
