British Warm

[pudsey63]

I am trying to date the Soldiers’ English-French Pocket Book by Lilian Eveleigh Nash. It looks too new to be WW1, but one phrase is “I have lost my British Warm” which suggests it may be.  When I googled it it comes up as either WW1 or WW2. Any ideas? 

[Pete_C]

I'd say the reference in that context is almost certainly Great War, though the Burberry Officer's Warm Coat was still sold in WW2.

 

Pete

Edited 9 September , 2020 by Pete_C

[FROGSMILE]

Yes it’s WW1.  The coat was unusual, in that as well as being made from a 32 ounce Melton cloth specially milled in Scotland and first developed by the firm CROMBIE & SON, it was shorter than traditional overcoats and reached only the knee, where it was less likely to encumber the legs when moving up the trenches.  As well as private purchase for officers in a mushroom or taupe shade, it was also available in a drab coloured cloth made by HAINSWORTH for special issue to soldiers of certain categories, or special duties.  The double breasted design was similar to a naval reefer and the coat issued to the soldiers was designated a Peacoat on PVCNs (inventories).

 

Edited 9 September , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[ajsmith]

The reviews I have found for this book indicate that it was published in 1940. One of them mentions the phrase about one's British Warm. Here is an example (courtesy BNA) from the Brechin Advertiser of 13/02/1940. 

[pudsey63]

Thanks all. Tony, that advert is spot on. I get the feeling that the book dates from 1940, but is harking back to the first war. Hopefully they didn’t have as much need for phrases such as “the trench is full of mud” and “shall we put any head cover to our trenches”. Not WW1 then, but a poignant little book from twenty years later. 

Edited 9 September , 2020 by pudsey63

[FROGSMILE]

49 minutes ago, pudsey63 said:

Thanks all. Tony, that advert is spot on. I get the feeling that the book dates from 1940, but is harking back to the first war. Hopefully they didn’t have as much need for phrases such as “the trench is full of mud” and “shall we put any head cover to our trenches”. Not WW1 then, but a poignant little book from twenty years later. 

The book might not be WW1, but it’s genesis most certainly was.  So much was simply rehashed for WW2.  Unsurprising really when you consider that the 1940 BEF was perceived by some as the second half of a match that began in 1914.  There were similar publications during WW1.  Ironically the days of seeing officers in trenches wearing British Warms was long gone (although still seen on some General Officers and even Churchill) so the continued inclusion of such phrases rather emphasises the lack of originality.

Edited 9 September , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[RegHannay]

September 1915, my grandfather wrote.

"I had ordered a thresher trench coat and it arrived today (9th) It consists an outer covering of sort of Burberry and two inner linings one oiled silk and another of sheepskin and has a belt behind. It cost £7.10.0 which of course a ridiculous price but if it will only keep one warm and dry it will be worth its price".

It must have done, he mentions his coat a further ten entries!.

[Guest]

 All library copies of this little book suggest it's probably published 1940- as with the British Library, if it undated then the date BL received it would go down as date of publication. The author Lillian Eveleigh Nash is a bit of a mystery-there was a publishing firm either side of the Great War called Eveleigh Nash (or More correctly Eveleigh Nash and Grayson). Quite possible therefore that the 1940-ish book/booklet is a rehash that her family had published in the Great War,

[FROGSMILE]

 All library copies of this little book suggest it's probably published 1940- as with the British Library, if it undated then the date BL received it would go down as date of publication. The author Lillian Eveleigh Nash is a bit of a mystery-there was a publishing firm either side of the Great War called Eveleigh Nash (or More correctly Eveleigh Nash and Grayson). Quite possible therefore that the 1940-ish book/booklet is a rehash that her family had published in the Great War,

 

I think it’s extremely likely that that is the case.

[pudsey63]

That makes sense.
 

RegHannay, your grandfather’s coat obviously made a big impression. 

[RegHannay]

1 hour ago, pudsey63 said:

That makes sense.
 

RegHannay, your grandfather’s coat obviously made a big impression. 

It certainly did, at times it made life far more bearable for him. so simple, something we cannot even comprehend today!!

[RegHannay]

1 hour ago, RegHannay said:

It certainly did, at times it made life far more bearable for him. so simple, something we cannot even comprehend today!!

 

1 hour ago, RegHannay said:

It certainly did, at times it made life far more bearable for him. so simple, something we cannot even comprehend today!!

 Hello Pudsey63. I have been uploading parts of his diary onto the GWF BLOG under the heading "Only With Honour". He was a prolific diarist and covered most days of his time at the front. Including his time in hospital (likely trench fever) twice. His Leave, Wounded convalescent time and personal details of his life. fantastic read. It shows the human side of the conflict.

As much as I love this forum it tends to stick to the statistical facts and shy's away from the human aspect. Lets climb off the spectrum and start talking about these people as people. (If that makes sense)

Dave

[pudsey63]

9 hours ago, RegHannay said:

 

 Hello Pudsey63. I have been uploading parts of his diary onto the GWF BLOG under the heading "Only With Honour". He was a prolific diarist and covered most days of his time at the front. Including his time in hospital (likely trench fever) twice. His Leave, Wounded convalescent time and personal details of his life. fantastic read. It shows the human side of the conflict.

As much as I love this forum it tends to stick to the statistical facts and shy's away from the human aspect. Lets climb off the spectrum and start talking about these people as people. (If that makes sense)

Dave

 

[pudsey63]

I totally agree. My research is all about the human stories, which is always better for knowing the context. It’s great to have so many experts to fill in the many gaps in my knowledge. 
I’m off to check out your blog right now. Mine is on here too, although it’s not very extensive. 
 

[RegHannay]

2 minutes ago, pudsey63 said:

I totally agree. My research is all about the human stories, which is always better for knowing the context. It’s great to have so many experts to fill in the many gaps in my knowledge. 
I’m off to check out your blog right now. Mine is on here too, although it’s not very extensive. 
 

[Grovetown]

Somewhat belatedly, here's a good example of a contemporary item.

 

This belonged to Lt Col. Kenneth Oswald, c/o of the 3rd/ 4th Queen's. We can date the purchase by the label from early July to early October 1917 as that was the period he held the rank, relinquishing command and reverting to Major after being wounded in the line at the Battle of Broodseinde on October 5th.

 

Cheers,

 

GT.

 

 

Edited 22 September , 2020 by Grovetown