Appeal on Behalf of Leighton Buzzard Prisoners of War

Theodore Bromhead Bassett [from Z1432/5/1/8]

Monday 29th July 1918: Mr. Theodore Bromhead Bassett, of Barclays Bank in Leighton Buzzard (formerly Bassett’s Bank), has requested publication of the following letter in the Leighton Buzzard Observer: 

“Sir, - I trust I need make no apology for bringing before your readers a matter which concerns Leighton Buzzard and district very closely.

There are in Germany at the present time six prisoners of war of the Bedfordshire Regiment from Leighton Buzzard. To keep these prisoners, not in comfort, but in health, entails an expenditure of £21 per month on parcels in addition to what is already being done by relatives. In other districts the expense is borne locally; surely Leighton Buzzard and district will be equally ready to pay its quota.

I hope that it will be possible to raise the necessary £21 monthly but subscriptions of £1 a month, 10 shillings a month, 5 shillings a month, or even 2 shillings 6 pence a month. Few people, surely, will be able to resist such an appeal for men who are helpless in the enemy’s hands. 

If any of your readers with accounts at Barclays Bank will send me orders on the Bank, I will do the rest, and, needless to say, I shall be pleased to receive any donations, large or small. I trust also that in view of the special and pressing character of this appeal, you will be ready to receive subscriptions or donations at the Leighton Buzzard Observer Office.”

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 30th July 1918