This unposted postcard is printed on the back ‘Gazette Co. Glastonbury’ and on the front ‘St Dunstan’s Day, Bridgwater, Wednesday, April 30th 1919. Total Raised £103 17s. 5d. The two articles below explain the event in more detail.
We can probably assume the soldier sat in the centre is Private Porter, while the soldier to the left of him is Sergeant Richard Hennessey, Army Service Corps. Mrs Bryant of the White Hart Hotel is possibly the woman to the right of Porter, making the man to the right of her Mr Bryant. That would suggest the woman to the left of Porter is Mrs Knight. One of the men will be Mr George Gibbs, possibly one of the three on the bench.
Bridgwater Mercury 30 April 1919
FLAG DAY FOR BLINDED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. A flag day and street and house-to-house collection in aid of St. Dunstan’s Hostel for our soldiers and sailors blinded in the war will be held in Bridgwater and district to-day (Wednesday), under the direction and organisation of Mrs. E. Bryant, White Hart Hotel, Eastover. The local travelling organising sub-secretary on tour is Private Porter, 103, Station-road, Glastonbury. It is hoped that there will be a generous response to this most deserving appeal.
Bridgwater Mercury 7 May 1919
FLAG DAY FOR BLINDED SOLDIERS. Great success attended a flag day and house-to-house collection held in Bridgwater on Wednesday, the effort being on behalf of the National Institute for the Blind. Mrs. Edwin Bryant, of the White Hart Hotel, Eastover, had the direction of the effort, and she had the assistance of Mr. Bryant and voluntary lady collectors to the number of about thirty, all undertaking the work with pleasure and energy and contributing greatly to the success of the day. Active support was given by the local branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors, the branch, through its secretary (Mr. George Gibbs), supplying a working party, the men not only raising funds by parading the streets with two piano organs, but also by making collections in outlying districts, their efforts resulting in satisfactory sums being raised to swell the day’s total. Mrs. Knight, in particular, rendered Mrs. Bryant valuable assistance in a variety of ways. Private Porter, travelling sub-secretary, had as his lieutenant, Sergeant Richard Hennessey, A.S.C., who had only just returned from France, but willingly came forward to render every possible assistance, his services being much appreciated. A number connected with the Comrades of the Great War also rendered valuable help as collectors. Great interest in the day’s event was shown by the management of the Palace and Bijou, and Private Porter was invited to give a short address at each place of entertainment, Sergeant Hennessey introducing him to the audiences. A collection was made on each occasion, £8 7s. 2½d. being raised at the Palace and £3 2s. at the Bijou. The contents of the boxes were counted up at the White Hart Hotel in the evening, when it was found that the day’s collection had realised the very substantial and gratifying sum of £104 17s. 7d., the collections at the Palace and Bijou bringing the total to £116 6s. 7d. The local branch of the National Federation of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors contributed a donation of £1 and also collected £21 of the day’s takings.