On This Day, 21 January 1918

Birmingham Daily Post

Monday 21 January 1918

CHILDREN PARTY AT THORP STREET

There was a happy gathering at the Thorp Street Drill Hall Birmingham, on Saturday, when the children of the 5^th and 6^th Battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and of the 2^nd and 3^rd of each battalion were entertained at the annual party. The non-commissioned officers of the battalions were formerly responsible for the arrangements for the function, but since they have been on active service the gathering has been organised by the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Association of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The action of the members of the association in thus filling the gap created by the war has been very keenly appreciated not only by the children but by the parents, and many expressions of gratitude have been received by the hon. secretary (Colour-sergeant W. A. Moss) from men at the front. The company on Saturday numbered about 450, and for several hours the drab and dreary drill hall, cheerfully beflagged and decorated, presented a scene of considerable animation. After tea there were games, and just such entertainments as would delight the children. Selections were played by the band of the 2nd/1st Southern General Hospital (T.F.), Dudley Road section, by permission of Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Ellis. Exhibitions of the ever popular Punch and Judy show, ventriloquist, and other amusements followed. Finally there was a distribution of toys and sweets by “Father Christmas” impersonated Mr. H. A. Edge.