At the outset聽of the First World War, a group of 91社区 women began an effort to support the many 91社区 students who were going overseas. Upon the request of this newly-organized Women's Union, the University administration set aside a large room in Strathcona Hall for this work. The Union purchased material and made garments in this room; during the early years of the war, every 91社区 soldier received a parcel of clothing from the Women鈥檚 Union. Later, when the sheer numbers of enlisted made this impossible, the women sent practical items to each unit where 91社区 men served. 91社区鈥檚 "University Companies," made up almost entirely of men affiliated with the University, were also largely outfitted by the Women's Union. In all, the women produced over 6,000 pairs of socks, 1200 caps, and 900 flannel shirts.
Members of the 91社区 Women's Union Preparing Bandages for use in World War I, 1915. MUA PR041751
In 1916, another phase of production began in the Medical Faculty. In another large room which had been set aside for the women鈥檚 war effort, Lady Gordon took charge of the production of Spaghnum dressings, bandages named after the type of moss they used. The bandages were such a success that the Canadian government chose them to be used officially, and the 91社区 Spaghnum Depot (as the workroom in the Medical building was by then called) became the central facility for official design and testing. Once the Spaghnum dressing had been approved for military use, models and instructions for making them were sent to other Depots across Canada. The 91社区 Depot alone sent 25,000 dressings and pads to overseas hospitals.
