Tuesday, 28 June 2016

Poem ~ Bullet Proof Tunic - Wednesday, 28 June - 1916


Source: File: Advert - The Bullet-Proof Jacket. [online] See an original image at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12211605/Daily-Telegraph-June-28-1916.html>[Accessed: 28 June 2016]

A long established company,
Whose origins lay as far back
As 1772, in the making of guns
And weapons; the name
Wilkinson Sword Co Ltd.

Their address of 53 Pall Mall,
London, SW, had a reputation
For keenest blades of combat
Knives - also known
As military outfitters.

In talent for their sharpest blade,
Wilkinson Sword had also made
Developments in the handgun -
The Webley and Scott
Self-loading models.

The evolution of modern warfare
Had not just affected weaponry,
But uniform development -
As in steel helmets
Against shrapnel.

June 1916, an advert appeared,
To claim Wilkinson's new bullet
Proof, khaki jacket for officers -
To make for greater,
Protective efficiency.

In a heading, for tunic's resistance 
Against '455 Government revolver
Bullet, from a 20 yards distance,
This patented tunic
Reduced wounds.

The tunic structure would halt most 
Injuries from shell fire - that if not
Fatal, to leave wearer absent
From duty over
Period of weeks.

The secret was with the lining,
Made of high tempered steel -
Whose distribution of weight,
Would conceal any
Heaviness on wearer.

This bullet proof uniform tunic,
Would be of same appearance
As any other military clothing -
Fitted by an expert
For full comfort.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1916. Advert - The Bullet-Proof Jacket. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 28 June 1916. P.7. Col.4. Available at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12211605/Daily-Telegraph-June-28-1916.html>[Accessed: 28 June 2016].

Source: File: A Brief History of Wilkinson Sword Online. Available at: <http://www.wilkinsonfscollection.com/wilkinsonfscollection.com/Wilkinson_a_brief_history.html> [Accessed 28 June 2016]

Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 28 June 2016). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Uniforms

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