[National Salvage Council, First World War.] Typed 'Urgent Memorandum' regarding the collection of fruit stones for 'an urgent war purpose' [i.e. for use in gas masks], addressed to councils and the Corporation of the City of London.

1p., folio. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Duplicated typescript. Headed 'Urgent. | MEMORANDUM.' and 'Town Councils. | Councils of Metropolitan Boroughs. | Corporation of the City of London. | Urban and Rural District Councils.' The twenty-eight line text begins: 'All fruit stones including date stones and hard nut shells are immediately required for an urgent war purpose. | The National Salvage Council has been requested to arrange for the collection of these materials wherever a local scheme can be put into practical operation.' The text that follows includes the suggestion that 'with the consent of Education Authorities school children might be urged to bring fruit stones and hard nut shells to some depot from which they could be despatched'. Collections should be 'packed in bags or sacks and sent to the Officer in Charge, Munitions Depot, Southend Gas Works, Southend on-Sea.' The stones were used to make the charcoal in gasmarks protecting against mustard gas. Not in the Imperial War Museum collection.