Newspaper

War-Disabled NER Men

Scheme for Providing for the Incapacitated

Under the title of the “War Seal Foundation” a comprehensive scheme was inaugurated some time ago by a number of leading business men for the purpose of obtaining funds to build comfortable homes for the men totally incapacitated while on service with the colours, the buildings being specially designed with a view to the needs of disabled men. Medical attention appropriate to each case will be given, and baths, electric treatment, and the services of a resident masseur will be available, the sole charge of the man being a moderate rent within the limits of his army pension.

Arrangements have been made for raising funds by the sale by the staff of the North-Eastern Railways Company of what are termed “War seals” (which are adhesive stamps for using in sealing letters, etc.).

Under an arrangement with the Foundation, all money collected by the North-Eastern staff will be allocated to provide flats for the assistance of North-Eastern Railway war heroes.

The seals which are made up in packets of 6, 12 and 24 seals, at 3d, 6d, and 1s may be purchased from the company’s servants everywhere, by whom fuller information about the scheme will gladly be furnished. Larger quantities of the seals can be obtained from the chief cashier of the company, Forth Station, Newcastle (to whom also donations may be sent).

It is hoped that the efforts of the staff on behalf of their disabled colleagues will meet the support of the travelling public, who may feel assured that their gifts will directly benefit men who have served them in peace time, and now have sacrificed so much in this terrible war.

Readers who wish to translate their gratitude to the disabled heroes into something tangible should lay in a good stock of “war seals.”

Date: 24-May-1917

Author: Auckland Chronicle

Reference: D/WP 4/40 Microfilm Reference M61/40

Where to find this: Durham County Record Office

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham