December 5, 19 14 
LAND AND WATER 
07ie of the 140 New 
Buildings urgently needed 
to replace the Marquees, 
now rendered untenable 
by the inclement weather. 
An Unprecedented 
Social Emergency 
THE men of the Canadian contingent on Salisbury 
Plain said they did not know what they would 
have done without the facilities afforded by 
the Y.M.C.A." 
&v 
Extract from a message sent by Lord Roberts to the National 
Council of the Y.M.C.A. the day before he left for France. 
^een ^Alexandra herself gives a building 
What the men of the Canadian contingent on 
Salisbury Plain said to Lord Roberts, everyone 
who has actually been in the War C;inips js 
saying too. They simply do not know 
what the men would do if it were not 
by 
for the accommodation provided 
the Y.M.C.A. 
The situation is absolutely unprecedented! Never, 
within living memory, has so vast a number of youn<» 
men been coucentr.ited under war conditions in these 
islands. The National Council of the Y.M.C.A., 
believing ihe necessity of meeting this supreme need 
to be laid upon them, have organised facilities for 
rest and social recreation in no fewer than 500 centres. 
Where suitable luildings could not be obtained, the 
situation has been met by erecting large marquees in 
the camps themselves. 
rhe winter is now upon us. Already the heavy gales 
of last week have liloivn down several of the marquees. 
Others are sadly ina(le(juite to provide even warmth 
and shelter. 
Unless within the next few days we can 
provide a strong temporary building for 
each of the marquees, a social work of 
immense value and helpfulness to our troops 
will be crippled and curtailed. 
We appeal to all who have the means and the will to 
give to help in this great endeavour. Her Majesty 
Queen Alexandra has already given a complete 
huihllng. Her splendid lead has been followed by a 
number of other donors. But at least another 140 
Builchnirs are needed. 
Who will give another 
New Building this week? 
The sura of ;^300 will build and equip a complete temporary 
bull Hog for one of the camps. 
Here, sSter the serious training of the day 
■% 
£300 
will build and equip a com- 
plete new building for one 
of our war camps. With 
the winter at hand, the 
need is most urgent. At 
least 140 such buildings are 
wanted at once. Will you 
give one ? 
is over, the soldiers 
gather for social 
intercourse, to read 
books, papers and 
magazines; to write 
letters home and to 
their friends ; to 
play games ; to enjoy 
music, and in hun- 
dreds of olher ways 
to find refreshment 
from the hardships 
and discomforts of 
camp life. ISetween 
six and seven million 
letters have been written tiy the troops in the marquees since 
the war broke out. 
Every donor of such a structure will receive a large photograph 
of the building which he has paid to erect, together with a full 
description of the work being done therein. 
Who will say what grateful memories for you may gather 
around that photograph in the coming days? It will be 
treasured by your children, and your children's children, as 
something you did in the stirring years when Britain fought 
and won the mightiest struggle in her history. 
You may, or you may not, miss the money ; but as long as you 
live you will never regret having rendered this unique service 
to our troops. But the need is pressing ; it is urgent. The 
winter, with its long, cold and depressing nights, is already 
upon us. To delay now is to cripple an enterprise which for 
its vastness and opportunity has never before been realised in 
our time. Will you give the tirst complete building to-day ? 
Donations should be forwarded to R. L. Barclay, Esq., Y.M.CJ^.. 
National Council Offices, 12, Russell Square, W.C. 
121 
