Thursday, 19 November 2015

Poem ~ A Book For The Boys - Friday 19 November 1915

Source: File: The Soldier's Pocket Companion.jpeg, [online] On original image can be seen at: <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6575968.Reginald_Brabazon> [Accessed: 19 November 2015].

With another Christmas to come,
Before any sign of a war's end,
Are practical ideal gifts to send
To every soldier based at the front.

A philanthropist editor aged 74,
The 12th Earl of Meath, whose
Name was Reginald Barbizon,
Compiled a new companion.

Described as a 'Wide Range
For the Man on Active Service,'
A Soldier's Pocket Companion,
Was 6 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches.

Wisely made with waterproofed
Binding and rounded corners.
With pictures at 160 pages 
Quality came at price of 1s net, 

Filled with useful items to cover
A soldier’s needs; by vocabulary
Of French and English-German,
Along with Aviation terminology.

Sections would cover important
Topics, to be mechanical transport,
Uses of compas and telephones
In the field - and a potted history.

Subjects to be causes of war, and
A survey of the British Empire -
Along with Europe since 1870 -
All to bolster English allegiance.

Practical, to give a background
As to facts and matters that led
Britain into fighting across fronts -
Topped off by regimental notes.

Not to forget, that this useful
Little book's origins - of church
Army - would eagerly include
A letter from Bishop of London.

No hint then, of any fun contents.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Advert - The Soldiers Pocket Companion. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 November. P.4. Col.6-7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11994411/Daily-Telegraph-November-19-1915.html  [Accessed: 19 November 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 19 November 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1books

No comments:

Post a Comment