Further to recent day’s news, that had warned of
imminent activity,
Comes another official statement from the Press
Bureau -
Releasing the fact that the British Expeditionary
Force is now abroad.
Their departure ten days before, was marked by a
statement from the King.
Each soldier is now aware of the message from Buckingham
Palace
The King states their parting is to fight for
honour and safety of his Empire,
Having pledged to help Belgium and France face a
common enemy.
The Kings has confidence in all his soldiers, stating
"Duty is your
Watchword and I know your duty will be nobly done."
Daily the king will follow their every move, while
he will pray
God will guard and bring them home victorious.
Alongside this release is Field Marshall
Kitchener’s advice,
In a tract to be kept in the active service
pay-book of every solider.
Each man in the expeditionary army is now a soldier
of the King,
Sent to help French comrades to defeat their common
enemy.
Courage, energy and patience they will need, to
perform their task.
Kitchener gives a reminder that their individual
conduct will honour
The British Army - their duty to be steadfast and
disciplined under fire,
They will maintain friendly relations with those
they help in the struggle.
They are informed engagements involved in, will be
in a friendly country,
Needing to conduct themselves in the true character
of a British soldier.
Further each man is ordered to be kind courteous
and considerate.
‘Do nothing to injure and destroy property,’
looting is a disgraceful act.
The tract reminds them they will be trusted and
welcomed.
Sound health is needed to do their duty and to
guard against excess.
Comes a warning of encountering new experience, as
in ‘wine and women,’
To ‘resist both temptations’ treat women with courtesy
and avoid intimacy.
Possibly this pamphlet remained unfolded in their
pay book of many men.
'Do duty bravely, Fear God and honour the King' conclude
the instructions,
That perhaps became loose guidelines as the war
moved on and
Venereal disease caused many a hospital visit, for
the war weary man.
by
Jamie Mann
George
V, King., 1914. The King and the Expeditionary Force - "Implicit
Confidence" - His Majesty's Message. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Aug. p.7. Col.4. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html
[Accessed: 19th August 2014].
Kitchener,
Lord, 1914. Lord Kitchener - Advice to Soldiers - "Fear God." -
Honour The King". The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Aug. p.7. Col.4. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html
[Accessed: 19th August 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100
years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 19
August 2014).
#WW1centenary
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