Description:Newspaper cuttings in the Sutherland Papers indicate that the scheme did have a significant impact on alleviating the suffering of Turkish soldiers.
The Pall Mall for May 1st 1877 included a copy of a letter from Dr. Crookshank, surgeon to the Sienitza Military Hospital, Bosnia. Dr. Crookshank reports the safe arrival of 550 blankets, adding that the weather in Bosnia was ‘extremely cold’ with over two feet of snow all over.
Crookshank writes that ‘the blankets are of good size, but not large enough to be divided, are thick and warm, and greatly admired, more especially the scarlet-coloured ones, which give a very cheerful appearance to the otherwise dismal looking wards’
He concludes by stating that the Turkish patients ‘desired their thanks to be conveyed to the English people for their kindness to them in their time of sickness and distress’.
In addition to the public appeal for donations of money and clothing, the final report states that 53 surgeons and supplies were also dispatched to Turkey. The report also thanks ‘the ladies and gentlemen who aided the fund by organising concerts, theatrical entertainments &c’.
In total, over £43,750 was raised, the report concluding that in the raising of such funds ‘the English characteristics of courage, devotion, and endurance have been conspicuous’.