Historical information

This manual was produced by the Mission to raise funds for the French Red Cross.
A first edition was printed in 1915, and then a second and a third.
6000 were at least sold.
This sample, held at the Rare Books Collection at Monash University is only one of two known, the second one is held at the Australian War Museum.

It is mentioned in Minutes Meetings and in a few articles but the author is unknown.
Miss Godfrey spoke French fluently and gave lessons at the YMCA along with Miss Weigall (probably Nancy, sister of Joan Lindsay). She also was friend with the French community having been invited to the Alliance Francaise (Frederica Godfrey was Secretary in 1902), to the Crivellis (Madame Crivelli created the French Red Cross), and probably with the Pignolet family, whose daughters had a French school and one of them had written a manual of French (also held at Monash for comparison maybe).

Significance

The Ladies from the Guild were educated women and had travelled to even studied in Europe, like Miss Godfrey were able to speak French. In 1915 she and two other ladies gave French classes in the YMCA training camp.
With her network Miss Godfrey knew Charlotte Crivelli, a French lady, who created a branch of the French Red Cross in Melbourne.

Physical description

French phrasebook with French flag

Inscriptions & markings

Revised edition
Price 3D
(ALL PROFITS FOR FRENCH RED CROSS SOCIETY)
To be obtained at the FRENCH RED CROSS / Commercial House, Flinders St. or at / Seamen's Institute, Australian Wharf / MELBOURNE
Compiled by the Missions to Seamen