WOMAN'S OFFER TO WHISTON TRIBUNAL

[Katie]

I came across this letter published in The Prescot Reporter about five years ago, while I was researching the Whiston War Memorial. I have read it many times and it always makes me laugh.

This version was published in The Liverpool Evening Express 23rd November 1916 There is a follow up letter to this one which I will find and post.


READY TO DO HER BIT!

WOMAN’S OFFER TO WHISTON TRIBUNAL.

“I LOVE FIGHTING”

IF THE MEN HAVEN’T THE PLUCK TO GO!

Mr. A. F. Mann clerk to the Whiston Tribunal read the following letter to yesterday’s meeting of that body. The communication, which caused considerable laughter, was referred to the military representative (Major Fox).

The letter was as follows:-
Dear Honoured Sir,
I see from the reports of the tribunal there are quite a large number of women in your district in a delicate state of health, and that you are letting the men off through that same. These men have, I suppose convinced you of the truth of what they say, which surprises me not a little, because I have known some of them for more years than I care to remember, and devil a bit did I know they were anything but strong, healthy women.

Well, bowing to your judgement, I am still unconvinced as to their wives being sick, and I have come to the decision that their men folk are arrant cowards hiding behind the apron strings of their delicate halves.
Whether you are right or I am wrong does not matter one little bit. The main thing is that through one excuse or another many bucks in your district are getting off serving their King and country in this time of danger.

Our authorities tell us that the Army needs strong reinforcements, and if the men haven’t the pluck to go we women must. Therefore, it is that I kindly ask you to send me to the front.

Some members of the tribunal know me, for I have often rendered them some little service. There is no need for me to tell them who I am or what I can do. But there are others who haven’t the pleasure of my acquaintance, so let me tell them that I should make a first rate Tommyess.

I love fighting, as my intimate friends can testify. I am never happier than when in a scrap. I am not of the fair, fat and forty order. I am neither fat nor fair, and I am sure I am not 40. I can use my fists as well as a girl of 20 can do and if I am given a rifle and bayonet I would shoot the Huns as I now shoot rats which infest my pigstyes, and with more pleasure too, for while I pity the rats I should have no pity on the Boches, and I would stick the steel between their ribs as easily as I stick the skewers in my Sunday’s joint- when I get one, for I am not too fond of cow’s meat. I may say without offence, I am neither tall nor fair, or stout, so the Huns who are not good hitters would stand a poor chance of hitting me, and my corsets are almost armour proof at the back, so that in case of retreat I would not be shot in the rear.

I am not anxious to go to the front, but if you won’t send the men the women must go, so that’s all there is about it. Anyhow I am ready to do my bit, for I have neither chick nor child to keep me at home and I am as strong and as stubborn as a mule.

Kindly read this letter to the tribunal when you meet. Hoping you are well as it leaves me at present
Your sincere servant
ANNIE MACLAGHLAN
PARADISE LANE
WHISTON

P.S- I have got my young man to typewrite this for me, as I am a bad writer and you wouldn’t make out my writing.

[MaryA]

What a woman!