Saturday 11 April 2015

Poem ~ Imminent Invasion - Sunday, 11 April 1915




Source: Invasion - Avon Tyres Advert. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 10 Apr. P.4. Col.5-7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11520509/Daily-Telegraph-April-10-1915.html [Accessed: 11 April 2015].

With a countryside view in Wye Valley
Two men, two women look back,
Pointing down to Tintern Abbey -
Pausing in an open motorcar to show
The freedom of the open road.

Above hangs the word 'invasion.'
So what’s the bother about Germans
Invading the British county? - well
Why not invade it yourself, proclaims
Some cheery tyre tube called Bill.

With the continent well and truly
Closed to tourism, the guide makes
For 'stay-at-home holidays' -
Which is stated as not only patriotic
But is totally compulsory.

Bill the tube advises how Harogate,
Baden Baden or Bath can all be
Places of cures  - how Scottish glens,
Yorkshire moors and Surrey lanes
Can offer so much more.

Equal to any continental place
Is spring of any open English Road -
With the Lakes, Devon Forests
And mountains in an Emerald Isle -
Full of neglected charm.

Such is the fortune of the fortunate
Motorist - the chosen few whose
Money can be spent liberally -
So runs the advert for those
Who can afford good tyres.

Endurance, resilience and strong
Safety in the English sounding Avon
Tyres available in British towns, with
Solid types, ideal for trade vehicles;
The Avon India Rubber Company.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Invasion -Avon Tyres Advert. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 10 Apr. P.4. Col.5-7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11520509/Daily-Telegraph-April-10-1915.html [Accessed: 11 April 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 11 April 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered  #WW1England

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