SOLDIERS & SAILORS REFRESHMENT BUFFET BROOCH

A scarce good condition enamelled pin brooch approx 30mm across for the Soldiers & Sailors refreshment buffet.  During WWI volunteer ladies served tea, sandwiches and cake free of charge at several UK rail way stations to servicemen.  Many men, conscripted from all over the country faced very long train journeys without drinks.  The refreshment buffet service was set up to help. Some soldiers returning from the front line so tired they often fell asleep on the benches in the buffet room and were provided with blankets a tag on their boots with the name of their next train to remind people when they needed to be woken. The buffets were open day and night throughout WWI. Stations included Preston and Victoria and Piccadilly in London.