Sir – My attention has been drawn by several of the residents of Banbury to the fact that one or two persons have been parading Banbury commenting in a very derogatory manner on the fact that our Red Cross nurses, on Thursday last, provided hot coffee for German prisoners. I would like to say at once that this was done entirely with my consent, and I am confident that the general public will agree that this was the right course to pursue, in the face of the fact that a message was sent to us asking if we could provide there with something to drink. It was a great kindness, almost amounted to an act of humanity to do so. No other provisions were given them. I should like the public to know that about three months ago a train of German prisoners arrived at Banbury Station in charge of a Mr Taylor of Manchester. Although the nurses had my instructions not to feed Germans at that time, the officer in charge pleaded so hard, stating it would be an act of humanity to give them even one mouthful only, that after a great deal of persuasion the prisoners were fed, the result being that within two or three days I received a letter from the officer in charge, explaining that the nurses provided refreshments only after a great amount of persuasion from himself, asking me not to censure them for so doing, and also enclosing a postal order (from his own pocket) towards any expenses that might have been incurred. As a result of our action last Thursday I have received between £5 and £6 towards our Station Refreshment Fund. This fact, I submit is the Englishman’s answer to the remarks of those who have been trying to create mischief in this town as to the action of our Red Cross society. If this explanation has the effect of inducing those persons to hand me a small donation to our society, it will be thankfully received and judiciously spent.

Whilst on this matter, I should like to say that we have provided refreshments to upwards of 180,000 troops passing through Banbury station, and in addition to this, between 3,000 and 4,000 wounded on hospital trains. I have received donations to the fund not only from people of Banbury and district, but even from Morocco and Ceylon, and from many officers who have passed through in charge of troops. I believe I am right in stating that until very recently, Banbury was pre-eminent in this work, which has recently been started at Victoria Station, where I notice that a surprise visit was paid by Her Majesty the Queen on Saturday last, showing the appreciation our Royal Family has for this work, of providing comfort for those troops who are offering their lives for their King and Country in this terrible crisis. It has been reported to me that a short time ago our King visited one of the hospitals where some wounded Germans were, and he made it known to those in charge that it was his wish that the German soldiers should be treated in the same manner as our own soldiers.

Should space permit, I should very much like you to give the public your opinion on this matter. One can only hope that a good example set on our part is more likely to have a good effect in kinder treatment of those Englishmen who are prisoners in Germany than otherwise.

Believe me, yours truly

SYD. J. MAWLE

Assistant County District Director, British Red Cross Society (Oxfordshire)

[In response to Mr Mawle’s request for our opinion, we can only say that it seems unfortunate that any apology should be found necessary for the fulfilment of the injunction to give food and drink to a hungry and thirsty enemy, and peculiarly so, considering its Source, at this particular moment in the Christian year – Editor, Banbury Guardian]

Banbury Guardian, April 1915