THE FOUNDATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE "BRITISH SECTION" OF THE
"BUREAU DE SECOURS AUX PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE" AT BERNE
During the winter of 1914-15, Allied and Swiss organizations were
created at Berne for the despatch of food and clothing to prisoners of
war in the Central Empires, the most important of which were the "Bureau
de Secours aux Prisonniers de Guerre," and the "Comité Bernois." The
former was founded by Monsieur Poinsard and Madame Pageot (wife of the
French Military Attaché), in the interests of French prisoners; the
latter by Madame Valentin (a Swiss lady), under the ægis of the Swiss
Red Cross Society, in the interests of Belgian prisoners.
About this time, Lady Grant Duff, after consulting the Minister and
myself, decided to organize a small depôt at the Legation, for the
despatch of parcels of food to individual prisoners of war in Germany
whose names had been brought to her notice, either directly by personal
letters of appeal, or by the French Bureau, who were in touch with some
of the camps in Bavaria and Baden through their Swiss Delegates. It was
mainly owing to these Delegates that the needs of necessitous British
prisoners came to light. The funds for this purpose were raised at Berne
from amongst a small group of British residents, Mrs. Carfrae making us
the first gift, in the shape of a £5 note.
I can recall an occasion, in the autumn of 1914, when Lady Grant Duff
invited me to inspect one of the first consignments awaiting despatch.
It consisted of fifteen small parcels weighing about 8 lb. each,
displayed with great pride by about as many ladies; but it was a matter
of much satisfaction to all of us that a move had been made in the right
direction. This modest beginning was the precursor of an organization
that was finally to provide 100,000 men with bread, and to bring hope
and comfort to so many of our suffering compatriots in Germany. Some
doubts had been expressed as to whether the Camp Commandants or the
authorities in Berlin would not demur to Switzerland being made a base
of supply to our men; but when, after a reasonable lapse of time, the
addressees returned their acknowledgment cards duly receipted,
apprehensions on this score were set at rest.
For the sake of co-ordination and obtaining immediate recognition by the
Swiss Government, Lady Grant Duff decided to join hands with the French,
and accept the warm invitation extended to her in this sense by Monsieur
Poinsard. A "British Section" was accordingly formed, and affiliated to
the French "Bureau de Secours," in April, 1915, Lady Grant Duff and
myself being appointed members of the Central Committee. The British and
French Sections were thus able to unite for the advancement of their
general interests, whilst still retaining absolute administrative and
financial independence.
At a much later date, a Russian Section was also affiliated to the
"Bureau de Secours," and Italian and Roumanian Sections to the "Comité
Bernois" when Italy and Roumania entered the war.
A Committee was now formed for the "British Section," consisting of:—
LADY GRANT DUFF _President._
LIEUT.-COLONEL PICOT (Military Attaché) _Member._
MR. PAUL D'HAUTEVILLE _Hon. Secretary._
MR. J. R. CLARKE _Hon. Secretary._
MR. L. BUCHMANN (late H.M.'s
Consul-General at Munich) _Hon. Treasurer._
Concurrently with these transactions, correspondence had taken place
with the Foreign Office and the "Prisoners of War Help Committee" in
London, informing them of the measures adopted or proposed at Berne, so
that any clash of interest or of effort might be avoided. The necessity
for close co-operation with London became all the more imperative when
the conditions of life in Germany had been fully realized. Letters from
the prisoners showed that bread was the great essential need, for, as
supplied in the camps, it was lacking in both quantity and quality, and,
in so far as the German authorities were concerned, there was no hope of
any improvement in either respect. The "Ps. of W.H.C.," as well as
regimental and private societies, were, it is true, doing all in their
power to cope with the situation, but, for reasons beyond their control,
they were not in a position to meet the demand from England alone.
Switzerland, owing to its geographical position, seemed clearly
indicated as the nearest and quickest channel of communication; added
thereto were the facilities offered by the Swiss Government for the
rapid transport of food between Berne and Frankfort. These
considerations led Lady Grant Duff to the decision that the British
Section should devote itself for the future almost exclusively to the
provision of bread, and steps were accordingly taken to give effect to
this new departure. A discussion of ways and means ensued with the
Political Department at Berne, and Lady Grant Duff was happily assured
of the fullest support of that Department by its Chief. Her attention
was, however, drawn to the shortage of wheat in Switzerland,—a matter of
grave concern at the time,—and it was suggested that all requirements of
the "British Section" of the "Bureau" should be met by direct
importation from abroad. Arrangements were accordingly made with H.M.'s
Consul-General at Marseilles for the purchase and transport of regular
consignments of flour from that place. Incidentally it may be mentioned
that this flour proved of a far higher quality than that locally
procurable. As time went on, it deteriorated in colour and quality, but
always remained superior to the Swiss admixture of flour and potato.
Pending the arrival of the first consignment of flour from Marseilles,
the Berne authorities were good enough to meet all requirements. They
also generously placed railway wagons at the disposal of the Committee
for the transport of the bread free of all charge. These wagons, after
being loaded by our own employees, were sealed for direct and
uninterrupted transit to Frankfort, where they were opened, the contents
being there sorted before despatch by rail to the camps in Germany. This
system was of immense advantage, as the ordinary delay at Bâle for
Customs examination was thereby eliminated, and a clear gain of
twenty-four hours obtained on the railway journey.
The new scheme, making bread the chief article of supply, took definite
shape about May, 1915, and the public at home and abroad were made aware
of the establishment of the "Bureau" with its widened sphere of
activity. The response was immediate, and for a time overwhelming.
Thousands of applications, with requests for the despatch of bread to
individual soldiers, poured in from all quarters. To keep abreast of
this demand was no easy matter, but the original organization showed
signs of considerable adaptability, and its development became
phenomenal.
Hitherto, the accommodation so kindly placed at the disposal of the
Committee by H.M.'s Minister at the Legation had sufficed for all
purposes. Now fresh quarters had to be sought for, and a range of eight
shops in Helvetia Strasse, together with a large music-hall, lying idle
owing to curtailment of business, were rented and equipped for the
executive work. The administrative offices remained at the Legation
until November, 1915, when a large flat was secured in the same
neighbourhood, and to this the various departments were transferred.
Eventually, the whole house, with its three sets of apartments, was
secured, and the Legation at last resumed its normal aspect, much, I
imagine, to the relief of the Minister.
The "Bureau" as a whole had now taken shape. The administrative branch,
organized and managed personally by Lady Grant Duff, dealt with the
following subjects in its eight departments:—
1. Secretarial.
2, 3. Correspondence with Regimental Committees.
4, 5. Correspondence with private subscribers.
6. Card Indexing.
7. Files.
8. Finance and supply.
The Executive concerned itself with the receipt and despatch of food and
clothing, and was organized and conducted by my daughter until the
autumn of 1915, when her services were transferred by Lady Grant Duff to
the administration. Mr. and Mrs. Jebb Scott succeeded her on the
executive. The personnel of each department consisted of a Lady
Superintendent, assisted by British and Swiss ladies and paid workers.
Several Swiss gentlemen, including an officer of high rank, also gave
voluntary service.
The work, during 1915, was chiefly concerned with meeting the demands of
Regimental Committees and other similar institutions, as well as those
of private subscribers. The system of transacting business with private
subscribers proved cumbersome from the point of view of the "Bureau,"
and unsatisfactory from that of the prisoners themselves. It entailed,
during the course of every month, the receipt and acknowledgment of
thousands of letters with their accompanying postal orders, and gave
rise to a congestion with which it was not easy to deal. Associated with
this question was the uncertainty as to the renewal of the original
order, and the possibility of the beneficiary being removed from the
"Bureau" lists for want of the necessary remittances from his friends at
home. There was little probability of this happening with men borne on
the rolls of Regimental Committees, but it was not of infrequent
occurrence in the case of private subscribers.
Another difficulty was encountered in meeting the requirements of men
recently captured, many of whom made appeals to Berne as soon as they
had reached their camps in Germany. This was overcome by bringing all
such men on to the Berne lists, and by supplying them with bread for a
period of six weeks. Meanwhile, their names were sent home to be dealt
with by their Regimental Committees, or by private subscribers, in the
usual way.
A consideration of these obstacles to efficiency induced Lady Grant
Duff, in 1915, to suggest to the "Ps. of W.H.C." that an organization
might be created in England with power to deal directly with Regimental
or other Committees, thus centralizing effort, and eliminating the
private subscriber. This organization would, it was expected, have the
further advantage of putting an end to overlapping, which was much
accentuated by minor associations carrying on work as independent
sources of supply. I am referring more especially to Switzerland. The
danger inherent in these associations was forcibly brought to the notice
of the Committee in Berne when a letter was received by Lady Grant Duff
from one of the Commandants in Germany, informing her of the arrival of
a parcel containing literature of an abusive nature. A warning was added
that any repetition of the offence would lead to the closure of the camp
in so far as supplies of bread were concerned. As neither the addressee
nor the camp were on the Berne lists, the matter was regulated without
trouble, but the incident showed the danger to which the "Bureau" at
Berne was subjected.
It was not till October, 1916, when the "Central Prisoners of War
Committee" came on the scene, and was made responsible for the
co-ordination of all effort in connection with the provision of food or
other supplies for prisoners, whether at home or abroad, that the wishes
of Lady Grant Duff were realized. Radical changes ensued. Berne doffed
its independence, and became affiliated to the "C.P. of W.C.," following
on which many of the minor associations in Switzerland, to which I have
referred, discontinued work. Copenhagen was opened as a supplementary
"Bureau of Supply," and the regimental system of registration was
adopted, the private subscriber being no longer permitted to deal
directly with the "Bureaux" in Switzerland or in Denmark.
The following figures will give an idea of the work of the "Bureau" at
Berne, from the date of its foundation, in April, 1915, to October,
1916, when the fusion with the "C.P. of W.C." took place:—
In July, 1915, 13,000 Ps. of W. were in the receipt of weekly parcels of
bread; in January, 1916, 19,200; in September, 1916, 30,000.
A few words as to the quality of the bread, and its manufacture, will
not be out of place. The flour imported from Marseilles in 1915 and 1916
was of the standard fixed by the French Government for consumption in
France, and proved of very good quality. Then a falling off was noticed,
the bread keeping less well in consequence. In 1917 the "C.P. of W.C."
arranged for the despatch of Canadian flour to Berne, via Havre, so that
a high standard of bread was again attained. Its manufacture was
entrusted to Swiss bakers, as many as forty different establishments
being employed for the purpose in Berne alone. The loaf was baked for
twenty minutes longer than was customary in Switzerland, and was
calculated to remain in sweet condition from four to six weeks, the
period varying according to the season and the quality of the flour.
Failures were inevitable, but these did not exceed 2 per cent. in 1915
and 1916, and 8 per cent. in 1917. At the end of 1917, with the advent
of Canadian flour, the former excellent record was re-established.
The question may be asked as to the method of checking these figures.
The answer is that failures were brought to light and tabulated from the
records furnished by the prisoners themselves when duly acknowledging
the receipt of their parcels.
Continental baking did not always meet with the approval of "Tommy
Atkins," for the Berne loaf contained too much crust for his taste, and
often for his teeth, but as lasting properties were of the first
importance, other considerations had to be sacrificed. It is interesting
to note, however, that when the French Government seriously occupied
itself with the supply of its prisoners, and experimental work was
initiated, the loaf turned out by Swiss bakers was selected as by far
the most satisfactory. In 1918 a biscuit, which, I understand, was
greatly liked by the men, was evolved to take the place of bread. With
the addition of water, it could be made as soft and palatable as fresh
bread, whilst it had the further advantage of keeping fresh for an
indefinite period.
Much of the success which attended the "Bureau" was due to the fact that
bread was despatched to each individual soldier in a separate package.
An alternative method adopted by the French Section was that of sending
consignments in bulk for distribution in the camps. This had not proved
satisfactory, as there was nothing to show that the consignment reached
the prisoners in its entirety, and both Monsieur Poinsard and Madame
Pageot were dissatisfied with results, though they did not see their way
to any change of method. The Camp Commandants would, they believed, be
averse to any change in favour of individual packages. Lady Grant Duff
decided, however, to put this latter system to the test, as we were very
anxious, for a variety of reasons, to get into touch with the men
individually, and a beginning was made by the despatch of a small number
of individual parcels. Letters were also addressed to the Commandants,
asking for lists of the men borne on their rolls. In both cases the
results were found promising, for receipts came back from the men at
intervals averaging about a month, and 50 per cent. of replies were
received from the Commandants. The system of dealing separately with
every prisoner was thereupon definitely adopted for good and all, and
continued without any serious hitch during practically the whole period
of the war, or, to be more correct, until the declaration of the
Armistice.
Receipted acknowledgments showed that during the first eighteen months
98 per cent. of parcels reached their destination, a fact very
creditable to all concerned. Losses may in part be accounted for by
miscarriage owing to transfers of soldiers from one part of Germany to
another. It should also be stated that undelivered parcels were returned
to Berne from Germany almost daily with the inscription "Addressee not
traceable."
The organization at Berne was, I venture to state, conducted on right
lines from the beginning, and well deserved the confidence reposed in it
by the public. Special attention was bestowed on the business side of
the enterprise, and no department was more carefully scrutinized than
that of Finance and Supply. Sir Arthur Lawley, who reported on the
"British Section of the Bureau" in May, 1916, on behalf of the B.R.C.S.,
writes as follows:—
"The system of accounting, too, is elaborate and extensive. All
subscriptions have to be paid in advance. The 'Bureau' has no general
fund on which to draw for any monies which may be wanting. Subscriptions
are received from Regimental Committees, numbering about one hundred,
and from a vast number of private subscribers, many of whom send the
smallest sums receivable, viz., 4s. for a month's supply. If private
subscribers would be content to contribute through the Committee or
Association of the regiment to which the particular beneficiary
belonged, it would be an excellent thing. It would reduce the
inconvenience which arises from the fact that there is a tendency on the
part of donors to subscribe for short periods only, or to be
intermittent in forwarding the money which is required to ensure a
constant supply…. I consider myself fortunate indeed to have had an
opportunity of thoroughly examining every branch of the excellent work
which is being carried on in the 'Bureau de Secours aux Prisonniers de
Guerre,' Berne, by Mrs. Grant Duff and her band of zealous and devoted
helpers. The record achieved is one of which they may well be proud. It
could certainly never have been attained without an incessant and
generous devotion of time, trouble, and sagacity. I should like to offer
them my hearty congratulations on the fruit of their labours."
I may be permitted here to record the names of some of those to whom I
feel a special tribute is due:—
Mr. Paul d'Hauteville, formerly a member of the American Diplomatic
Corps, who gave the whole of his time to the service of a nation not
his own, first as Hon. Secretary, then as Director, of the "Bureau."
When America threw in her lot with the Allies, he resigned to take a
prominent position in the Red Cross in France under the flag of his own
country. He was, with the approval of His Majesty, appointed a Knight
of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England. My wife, who
organized and managed the Department of Finance and Supply until her
departure from Berne in December, 1915. Miss Nesta Sawyer, who replaced
my daughter in the administration in December, 1915, and later took the
place of Mr. Paul d'Hauteville as Honorary Secretary. Her charming
personality and ability are well known. Mr. and Mrs. Jebb Scott, whose
able management added to the efficiency of the executive branch, and
enabled it to keep abreast of the ever-expanding work. Mr. Bernstiel,
who took over the management of the Department of Finance and Supply,
and successfully expanded it to meet the ever-increasing demands, and
Miss Keightley, who was in charge of an important department of the
administration throughout.
Others who gave valuable service were:—
The late Mrs. Carfrae, Mrs. Barton, the Lady Acton, the late Hon. Anne
Dalby Acton, Mrs. Wyndham, Mrs. Sawyer, Mrs. Skipworth, Mme. de Muralt,
Mrs. Clarke, Miss Mary Clarke, Mrs. d'Hauteville, Mme. de
Watteville-Pourtalés, Mr. Guy Louymer, Mme. Louymer, Mme. Courvoisier,
Mlle. Courvoisier, Colonel Courvoisier, Mme. de Segesser, Mme. Spoerry,
Mme. Raoul de Wurstemberger, Mlle. Claire de Wurstemberger, Mrs.
Broderick de Pitard, Miss Binney, the young ladies of Miss Gray's
School at Berne, Mr. and Mrs. Esdaile, Miss Dalgairns, Miss Grace
Phillips, the late Miss Alice Hanford Flood, whose end was hastened by
over-strain, Mr. and Mrs. Todhunter, Mr. Horridge, Mrs. Bradley, Miss
Chaplyn, Mrs. Macey, and Miss Swainston.
I have naturally written at length of that period of the early life and
development of the "Bureau" which is best known to me, but I think I
have shown that progress was steady and continuous. Between September,
1916, and November, 1918, the numbers of prisoners of war supplied from
Berne rose from 30,000 to 100,000, and as early as 1917 the business had
become of such importance that the "B.R.C.S.," London, found it
desirable to appoint a Commissioner to direct the operations of the
"Bureau," the successive occupants of the post being, Mr. A. Mayne,
Major-General Sir Richard Ewart, K.C.M.G., and Major H. R. Charley
(Assistant Commissioner).
Viewed from afar, and looking back on the undertaking as a whole, it
appears to me very remarkable that a handful of people, few of whom had
any previous business experience, should have initiated and elaborated
with so much success a scheme of such great significance. It demanded
both courage and imagination, and happily in Lady Grant Duff a leader
was found who possessed these qualities in a high degree, and
furthermore united with them a faculty for organization and a tact which
were never at fault. It is not to be wondered at that she was so ably
seconded by her many friends, whose unselfishness, enthusiasm, and
untiring labours, had my unbounded admiration. Lady Rumbold, who
succeeded her as President in September, 1916, identified herself with
the work in a whole-hearted manner, and devoted to it a large part of
her time and energy. It was during her Presidency that the affiliation
with the "C.P. of W.C." took place, carrying with it an immense increase
of work.
These ladies have their reward in the affectionate regard of that large
army of prisoners who were fed and comforted by them during the many
months and years of their wearisome captivity. Theirs was a good work
nobly done.