Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS) lapel pin belonging to Mrs. A.B. De Long. Red cross on a white shield. On rear "BIRKS" Mrs. De Long organized and forwarded parcels to CEF troops who were serving overseas. The letters in this collection date from late 1918 and early 1919. They are thank you letters to her. It appears that all of the recipients lived or still had family in the North Burnaby area. After being founded in 1896, there wasn’t much for the Canadian Red Cross to do. Red Cross societies generally only worked in wartime, at this point, and Canada was at peace. Then, in 1899, the British Empire went to war in South Africa, 1899-1902, and several contingents of Canadian soldiers were sent overseas to fight. The First World War marked a major turning point for the Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS), establishing it as Canada’s leading wartime humanitarian aid organization. From the moment the war broke out in August 1914, Canadians were keen and enthusiastic supporters of Red Cross work.