Impression sketch
of War Badge - by Jamie. See original at:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/on-war-service-badge
To enlist, was devised a simple
method;
This being the issue of ‘war badges' -
For prevention of humiliation and insults.
Workers within Inland Revenue were
not
Allowed to enlist in the forces - yet
had
Also been refused issue of such
badges.
While the emblems had been provided
To Labourers of the Port of London -
Such a questionable situation was then
Raised in a Estate Duty Officer's letter.
Written by a man who had found himself
In that situation, was provided a truthful
reasoning argument - writing to say, while
Physically fit, he could not join
the forces.
With colleagues he was disallowed to
be
A special constable; such was misfortune
Of their working in revenue department.
All were forbidden to be in
occupations
That might compromise dutiful work -
The paradox being asked to do unpaid
Overtime, in production of 'silver
bullets.'
The term, coined to encourage saving
Money; shown on posters, gave advice
to
Turn silver into bullets at the post
office.
Therefore a tier system appeared to exist
Shown by Customs and Excise
colleagues
Had been granted the symbolic badge;
One silver bullet
maker given the priviledge.
This man told how his position became
More difficult - daily agitated by
recruitment
Sergeants - even being openly insulted.
Whenever stating his position, he
would
Be asked, 'so where is this war badge?'
When he told they had not been issued,
Their accusing smile suggested he lied.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915.
War Badges. [online]
28 September. P.4. Col.1-2. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11885813/Daily-Telegraph-September-28-1915.html
[Accessed: 28 September 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 28 September 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1London
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