Gibson F4 Mandolin, 1916 [Wikimedia]
Thursday 9th September 1915: An appeal was published in last week’s Bedfordshire Times from Sergeant A. V.
Woods of C Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment asking “Have
any of your readers a mandolin they could spare for the boys out here? It would
be a real pleasure for them, as several of them can play. I know how often the
appeal comes, yet I feel sure that someone will do their best for us, and
secure, if possible, the desired instrument.” Three generous Bedford girls have
responded to the appeal and sent a mandoline to Sergeant Woods. The label
attached to the instrument reads “May this bring pleasure and real good luck to
our brave Bedfords. From Dorothy, Ruby and Nora Hartup, 6, Argyll Street,
Bedford”[1]. A grateful SergeaAnt Woods has replied, “I would like in some way to
try and thank you, but really I feel no words of mine can in any way express to
you all I would say. Of one thing you may be proud, and that is that you will
be giving to lads at the front many happy hours. Your gift is kindness itself.”
Source:
Bedfordshire Times, 3 September and 10 September 1915
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