Sports and games for soldiers

MANY articles of use to the soldiers at the front are being dispatched by friends and others with the object of giving them little comforts. Some of these may however seem superfluous but they have doubtless their good effect and will be much liked by those who are exposed to great hardship and inconvenience. With regard to the report that British officers and men have sometimes indulged in sports and games behind the trenches, it is pointed out that these serve to keep the men in spirit and prevent depression. A writer in the Westminster Gazette says: "Let no one ignore the appeals for games. A liberal supply of footballs, quoits, cricket bats, balls and stumps will really add to the efficiency of the army. If men flag in spirit, it is when they are in the rest camps and convalescent camps and physical exercise is the best antidote…I have seen splendid results achieved by one man in a camp of this kind and when I went away he implored  me above all things to send him games".