Poem ~ War On Dresses - Saturday, 11 March 1916

Impression sketch of The 'Lucie' Gown: Barkers Advertisement. The Daily Telegraph p11 col 5-7 - by Jamie. From an original image that can be seen at : <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12189272/Daily-Telegraph-March-11-1916.html> [Accessed: 11 March 2016]

Amid murmurs of shortages and needs of economy,

Came latest call for cutbacks with extravagance

Of women’s fashions - National Organizing Committee

For War Savings had highlighted wastes, already

Made in domestic places and motorcars for pleasure.

Reformed values were to be issued by Press Bureau

To highlight the crisis of wartime - to suggest

How most women realise 'bad form,’ in buying fancy

Varieties of dress - pointing out facts that many

Within the rich and poorer class kept up the habits.

Any excessive occupation in ladies buying fashion

Was to be frowned upon - advice being

To avoid boots, shoes, gloves, hats, stockings or veils

Of luxury quality - stating that only new

Clothes should be bought, when absolutely needed.

Such new clothes ought to be of durable standard

And flexibility to wear for all occasions -

National Organising Committee for War Savings said

A halt in dress expense can only be wise

In times of trade upheaval, till peace was secured.

Alongside lay another agenda, from the National

Organizing Committee for War Savings,

To set free all labour in the clothing trade, assuming

They were not caged animals, for war

Reasons, as posters proclaimed 'Bad Form in Dress.'

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1916. Extravagance In Dress. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 11 March 1916. P.9. Col.3. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12189272/Daily-Telegraph-March-11-1916.html [Accessed: 11 March 2016].

Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 11 March 2016). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12189272/Daily-Telegraph-March-11-1916.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

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Poem ~ Cuxhaven Attack - Monday, 28 December 1914

A tale came of Christmas day,

Of a daring raid by British aviators,

Numbering seven – The flyers

Took flight and descended

Towards the port of Cuxhaven,

And the stationed German fleet.

The enemy reaction became

One of immediate agitation –

The lack of German foresight,

Or any preparations was sited

On the military authorities -

Most markedly was the failure

Of Zeppelin crews, to see

The sudden British approach.

In an Admiral communiqué,

Released by the Press Bureau,

These Flight Lieutenants,

And Flight Commanders,

Made their move in daylight hours.

The seven seaplanes took to air

From carriers - a way off Heligoland.

A naval destroyer force,

With light cruiser and submarines,

Escorted the attacking mission.

As the planes delivered their

Messages for Christmas,

The British ships waited -

Until finally they were sighted

By Zeppelins - that prompted

An attack of four seaplanes,

And hostile enemy submarines.

A fight between these naval craft

Ensued - yet by swift British

Manoeuvring, enemy submarines

Were avoided-actions by Arethusa

And Undaunted sent Zeppelins,

By their gunnery, into sharp flight.

For three hours the British ships

Stood their water off the coast,

Without further encounters,

From enemy surface vessels -

There they met their three crafts

Safe return to the floating base.

Sometime later, another

Three pilots landed on water

To meet British submarines,

Leaving their craft to sink.

The safety of these six men,

Left one pilot missing -

Flight Commander F. Hewlett -

Whose seaplane last seen,

Eight miles from Heligoland -

Wrecked – his fate unknown.

What damage had been made

To the enemy port, was still

Yet to be known – but all

Craft had dropped their bombs

To hit there military targets.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. British Air Raid on the German Fleet-Daring Daring Exploit of Naval Aviators – Attack on Cuxhaven. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 28 Dec. p.9. Col.4-5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11310982/Daily-Telegraph-December-28-1914.html [Accessed: 28 December 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 28 December 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11310982/Daily-Telegraph-December-28-1914.html

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Poem ~ Siege of Ypres - Friday, 13 November 1914

12 November, 11.15pm;

Press Bureau states that

Previous few days fighting,

Has been heavy

North of the river Lys.

The names of Hollebekke-

Wytschaete - Messines,

Now makes an entry

Into English army vocabulary.

In a new style of fighting,

Fierce German infantry

Attack – to be counter-attacked.

Allied lines are maintained,

But at a considerable loss.

Zanvoorde to Frelinghien

Line sees severe encounters.

Allied strength is backed

By reinforcements,

And more reinforcements.

The belief being

That the other side,

Has far heavier losses;

In successive waves,

German infantry rises,

Only to heavily fall.

On the 8^th 100 prisoners

And 6 machine guns are taken.

Pressured fighting centres

North of Ypres at Cheluveldt

And Dixmude - in the midst

Stands Belgium town of Ypres.

In a prophetic statement,

Defence of Ypres will be

‘Reckoned  in history as one

Of he most striking episodes,

In the annals of the British Army.’

For 3 long weeks,

Ypres then had seen

Continual fall of shells,

Over both night and day.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. British Army in Flanders - Defence of Ypres – Striking Episode in Military Annals – Desperate Fighting. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 13 Nov. p.9. Col.2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11223163/Daily-Telegraph-November-13-1914.html [Accessed: 13 November 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 13 November 2014). 

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11223163/Daily-Telegraph-November-13-1914.html

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Poem ~ The 150 Mile Front - Tuesday, 8 September 1914

As officially released,

By the Press Bureau.

Are plans formulated

By General Joffre,

These are being carried out.

Moving out onto the offensive,

The allies having forced back

The Germans in North easterly

Direction, now form the opening

Battle lines in Northern France.

Details by the French Government

At Bordeaux, shows the struggle

has created a 150 mile front -

From 30 miles North East of Paris,

Reaching to the Verdun fortress.

The British are now engaged,

Allied alongside the French.

Official communication states,

The left wing army is prepared

As the enemies right wing sits,

On the banks of Grand Morin.

Centred at Lorraine and Vosges,

No changes are yet reported.

Between our advanced guard

And the German right flank

Were yesterday, engaged in fight.

Our side advanced towards

The River Ourcq, but no great

Enemy resistance was met.

The crux of the situation

At present, is plainly stated

Lying to the east, from south

Of Chalons, across to Verdun

Where it is predicted

A desperate battle will rage -

For at least a week,

Or a time considerably longer.

A lament is made that decisive

Battles no longer last for a day

From hours of sunrise to sunset

As they did at Waterloo.

by Jamie Mann

Anon., 1914. Great Battle in France. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 8 Sept. p.7. Col.3.  War p.7. Col.1.  Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11075873/Daily-Telegraph-September-8-1914.html  [Accessed: 8th September 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 8 September 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11075873/Daily-Telegraph-September-8-1914.html

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Poem ~ Reading Between the Headines - Tuesday, 25 August 1914

Cricket reports on page two describe how the home team,

Is having the great advantage - elsewhere reports of war

Conflict - of course, the truth is a casualty. A main heading

Declares how home casualties are light for troops in action.

New positions held suggest has little hint of pulling back.

Under the decreasing size of headings is described

The British army in action at Mons, with the importance

Made to ‘held their own’ - only in passing statements,

Comes admittance of how the allied army has fallen back

Yet we as the reader, should not make any assumptions,

That any defeat has occurred. Paper distraction comes

In giving an overview of the fight - how a series of battles

Are in place, from Swiss border west across to Mons.

And to mention there are only 3 British casualties so far,

The prominent one being Lord Leven being wounded

Dangerously in making a cavalry charge – Freely adding

How Austrians are in a confused retreat, taking heavy losses.

In further shrinking headings, casualties now move

From 'light' to 'not heavy'. The official Press Bureau’s

Statement declares how the British troops In Belgium,

Took ‘meritorious’ part in the recent Mons battle.

Beginning on Saturday, with an engagement on Sunday

Where steadfast British Forces held their ground.

Officially operations under commanders of the First

And Second Army Corps, being executed in great skill.

Caution comes with exact British casualty estimates -

‘But are not heavy’ yet quick to add that German corps

And cavalry were depleted and even hint at the French

Suffering the same - still though German losses

Are considerable - our artillery has affirmed its superiority.

The cavalry has not suffered at all, is a proclamation

Strangely under the heading of ‘a lively fight’

Curiously though, the final heading finally admits

‘Considerable Losses' in subdued hypocrisy.

by Jamie Mann

Anon., 1914. British Casualties - Earl Of Leven Wounded. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 25 Aug. p.7. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034792/Daily-Telegraph-August-25-1914.html [Accessed: 25th August 2014].

Anon., 1914. Daily Telegraph August 25 1914. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 25 Aug. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034792/Daily-Telegraph-August-25-1914.html [Accessed: 25th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 25 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034792/Daily-Telegraph-August-25-1914.html

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Poem ~ The King's Message - Wednesday, 19 August 1914

Further to recent day’s news, that had warned of imminent activity,

Comes another official statement from the Press Bureau -

Releasing the fact that the British Expeditionary Force is now abroad.

Their departure ten days before, was marked by a statement from the King.

Each soldier is now aware of the message from Buckingham Palace

The King states their parting is to fight for honour and safety of his Empire,

Having pledged to help Belgium and France face a common enemy.

The Kings has confidence in all his soldiers, stating "Duty is your

Watchword and I know your duty will be nobly done."

Daily the king will follow their every move, while he will pray

God will guard and bring them home victorious.

Alongside this release is Field Marshall Kitchener’s advice,

In a tract to be kept in the active service pay-book of every solider.

Each man in the expeditionary army is now a soldier of the King,

Sent to help French comrades to defeat their common enemy.

Courage, energy and patience they will need, to perform their task.

Kitchener gives a reminder that their individual conduct will honour

The British Army - their duty to be steadfast and disciplined under fire,

They will maintain friendly relations with those they help in the struggle.

They are informed engagements involved in, will be in a friendly country,

Needing to conduct themselves in the true character of a British soldier.

Further each man is ordered to be kind courteous and considerate.

‘Do nothing to injure and destroy property,’ looting is a disgraceful act.

The tract reminds them they will be trusted and welcomed.

Sound health is needed to do their duty and to guard against excess.

Comes a warning of encountering new experience, as in ‘wine and women,’

To ‘resist both temptations’ treat women with courtesy and avoid intimacy.

Possibly this pamphlet remained unfolded in their pay book of many men.

'Do duty bravely, Fear God and honour the King' conclude the instructions,

That perhaps became loose guidelines as the war moved on and

Venereal disease caused many a hospital visit, for the war weary man.

by Jamie Mann

George V, King., 1914. The King and the Expeditionary Force - "Implicit Confidence" - His Majesty's Message. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Aug. p.7. Col.4. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html [Accessed: 19th August 2014].

Kitchener, Lord, 1914. Lord Kitchener - Advice to Soldiers - "Fear God." - Honour The King". The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Aug. p.7. Col.4. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html [Accessed: 19th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 19 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html

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Poem ~ Special Press Bureau - Saturday, 8 August 1914

Now fully borne on this day comes the propaganda war.

Not subtle or half hidden, but planted indicators,

Dictating the degrees of brutalism and brutality -

Both Germany's chauvinism and dire dealings of Austria

Are made known - as in the sinking of the Amphion:

Condemned as a crime against civilization.

Such future stories, in the progress of war and conflict,

Will be placed under control of a Special Press Bureau.

Where only official releases of military and naval affairs,

Will be allowed to the reading public.

Even this day an article of a Dutch account,

Is made more colourful by a Rotterdam correspondent;

Glorifying gallant General Lieman's defence of Liege,

And how Belgium forces are fiercely holding out.

While the German invasion is failing in its plan,

France appears stronger with 3 more days of preparation.

At home the price war has now hit the officer class,

In a rising surge of complaints to Earl Kitchener,

For the extortionate prices of essential officer kit:

Unpatriotic sellers doubling prices of service revolvers.

So now keen writers turn to make new Empires songs.

'An Englishman's home' sung by Mr. Joseph Cheetham

Whose proceeds are in aid of the National Fund.

While patriotism for Englishman, Welshman, Irishman,

Sings Mr. Scott for 'One United Front'.

Across the seas Australia's offer of 20,000 men,

Are accepted for service by this Imperial Government.

Now in time of stress and emergency comes Ford,

Who unveils the universal car in the claim of

Transport built solid for all "light and powerful"

Suit all organizations, civil, local and military.

Receiving Royal patronage come organizations

For the Prince of Wales Funds for National Relief,

Disclose their gains for £250,000 in the first day alone.

While Queen Alexandra makes a Red Cross appeal,

And peers donate their country house and homes

For hospitals and convalescence -

A vision of things to come?

by Jamie Mann.

Anon., 2014. Daily Telegraph August 8 1914. The Telegraph, [online] 8 Aug. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11019813/Daily-Telegraph-August-8-1914.html  [Accessed: 8th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 8 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11019813/Daily-Telegraph-August-8-1914.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

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