Friday, 4 September 2015

Poem ~ Puttee Problems - Saturday, 4 September 1915


Impression sketch of Puttees - by Jamie. See original at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25879184

In debates that had passed over
Summer months, came elemental
Changes to the Tommy's uniform -
From the previous winter months,
Soldiers had suffered in trenches.

Adoption of the leg garment style,
Had originated late in the century
Before, from British Indian army -
Worn in Himalayas as a tribal
Legging, creating practical comfort.

Taking the Hindi 'Patti', for bandage,
Basically a strip of cloth to cover
Lower legs - from ankle to the knee.
Although thought of less smart,
Took the place of previous gaiter.

Worn with the Khaki service
Uniform, less than fifteen years
Before - this style of leggings
Then became adopted by others,
To include France and the US.

With yield to higher decisions,
The debate was made over
The puttees suitability to be
Worn in the trenches, over
More unfolding winter months.

By September, the War Office
Took the decisive action,
To abandon the use of puttees-
In favour to equip long boots
To all frontline trench soldiers.

A medical correspondent
Had previously pointed
To fact of puttees, causing
Pressure on veins of legs,
In creation of trench frostbite.

Such a change was for effect
Immediately to supply soldiers -
Although a compromise came,
In that puttees would be worn
For marching and home service.

by Jamie Mann.


Anon.,1915. Puttees To Be Abandoned. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 4 September. P.7. Col.2. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11817052/Daily-Telegraph-September-4-1915.html [Accessed: 4 September 2015].

Source: File: Puttee From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puttee> [Accessed: 4 September 2015]

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 4 September 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Uniform

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