The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “Canadian Red Cross aids British merchant seamen. Picture shows a stranded merchant seaman from a torpedoed boat choosing books from those supplied by the Canadian Red Cross to take on his next voyage.”
The Merchant Navy Comforts Service began operation in February 1940, and supplied 78% of ‘comforts’ sent to sailors. Contributions of money enabled wool to be purchased, which was then distributed to thousands of knitting groups across the country to produce garments. Parcels were packed by the Service and sent on behalf of the next-of-kin to sailors who were prisoners of war. ‘Rescue kits’ containing an outfit of clothing were also assembled and given to escort ships, to clothe sailors whose ships were torpedoed. Between February 1940 and January 1943, over 1,300,000 articles were distributed to sailors, of which 278,000 were supplied by the Canadian Red Cross Society. See also MED01/01/2661-2669 and MED01/01/2671-2674. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Depot, Second World War
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