Saturday, 13 September 2014

Poem ~ French Laundress & German Women - Sunday, 13 September 1914


In uniforms of short, open fronted jackets,
And baggy trousers, the French Light Infantry,
Of the Zouave - donned traditional sashes
And oriental headgear, making a colourful sight,
As they marched to fight – when among them
Was found a female laundress, of 28 years
This French woman - as reported by the Petit Parisen,
Wore the regiment’s colourful uniform.
Determined she marched with men to Meaux,
Where amid the company of the fighting regiment
This woman equally used a rifle, firing at the enemy.
When on discovery of her presence among men,
The authorities sent this French laundress back
To where she lived, despite her arguing protests,
Resuming her daily work of laundry.

News from Copenhagen announces,
That eighty German women,
Have published a manifesto - addressed
To their fellow women,
Reminding them that they are now living,
In very serious times.
The Manifesto instructs women's avoidance
Of ‘bad habits.’
Especially in ‘dressing in the French demi-monde.’
And the need,
To ‘behave nicely,’ ‘to be modest, sensitive, dignified.’
Even to make themselves
'Respected alike by friends and enemies.’


by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. Advice to German Women. The Daily Telegraph - Special Sunday Edition, [online] 13 Sept. p.3. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11077872/Daily-Telegraph-September-13-1914.html [Accessed: 13th September 2014].

Anon.,1914. Warlike Laundress – In the Firing Line. The Daily Telegraph - Special Sunday Edition, [online] 13 Sept. p.6. Col.1. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11077872/Daily-Telegraph-September-13-1914.html [Accessed: 13th September 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 13 September 2014). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered WW1 Fashion

1914_0912,1914_0911,Zouave,Meaux,Paris,Fashion,Women,Behaviour & Conduct, Home Front (French), Home Front (German)

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