Found in the field a couple of years ago, but 100 years ago it was highly prized

[Flavio]

Today I wanted to share with you a little discovery from some time ago From online research (but surely you can contribute more), we learned that it was much appreciated by His Majesty's soldiers. Our luck? Having found it with its contents still

"From the Brecon & Radnor Express, 27th May 1915.

 

 

 

Comforts for Soldiers

 

Harrison's Reliable Nursery Pomade, which has a reputation of 20 years behind it, during which time it has proved of great usefulness to the mother who values the health and cleanliness of her child, has demonstrated its efficacy at the front. Anything which adds to the health and comfort of the British Tommy at once arouses a sympathetic interest at home. Mr Harrison must be gratified at the receipt of so many letters assuring him that the British soldier has found his pomade a boon and a blessing. If there is one thing that the British fighting man values it is cleanliness. His first thought when duty is over is for a wash and shave and change of clothes. But in the trenches the troops are unable to get their customary wash or change of clean underclothing, and they find vermin a great plague. In describing the discomforts which are experienced, a British soldier writes:—"When we get relieved from our post, we are unable to get to sleep owing to irritation. You can see men walking up and down the trenches practically in agony."

 

 

 

The man who cannot sleep is not in the condition to perform the arduous duties which fall to the British soldier, and, therefore, for many reasons Tommy welcomes a remedy which so speedily removes the disadvantages under which he suffers. A sergeant of the Suffolk Regiment sends this enthusiastic letter:—I find your pomade an excellent remedy. Tell all your customers a British soldier who is fighting at the front has proved it so. I have recommended it to all my pals out here.

 

 

 

A gunner of the R.G.A. says:—"It is one of the finest articles that a soldier can have in his field kit. I have tramped the country on public works and I have never been without it, and I would not like to be without it here.

 

 

 

An experienced soldier remarks:—"If we had only known of such a remedy through the Boer War how happy we should have been."

 

 

 

A lance-corporal of the Manchester Regiment says :—"I am pleased to say I have been clear from vermin from the first day of using your famous Harrison's Pomade, and my chums, whom I have let use some, have given it great praise. I have also mentioned it to my Company Officer, with a view of getting it supplied to the Regiment.” Letters such as these, which are a mere tithe of what Mr Harrison has received, demonstrate the value of the article he is dispensing. It is sold by all chemists."

Edited 10 January by Flavio

[battle of loos]

Good evening,

Very nice discovery and still well preserved.

regards

michel

[JMB1943]

@Flavio,

I wonder if the chemistry department at your local university would care to analyze this pomade?

Does it have any identifiable smell?

Very nice once-in-a- lifetime find!

Regards,

JMB

[Flavio]

4 minutes ago, JMB1943 said:

@Flavio,

I wonder if the chemistry department at your local university would care to analyze this pomade?

Does it have any identifiable smell?

Very nice once-in-a- lifetime find!

Regards,

JMB

HI I can try asking the university pharmacy section of Padua perhaps. As for the perfume, tomorrow I'll open the container and try to smell it In the meantime I share with you an excerpt from an English newspaper of the time

"From the Brecon & Radnor Express, 27th May 1915.

 

Comforts for Soldiers

Harrison's Reliable Nursery Pomade, which has a reputation of 20 years behind it, during which time it has proved of great usefulness to the mother who values the health and cleanliness of her child, has demonstrated its efficacy at the front. Anything which adds to the health and comfort of the British Tommy at once arouses a sympathetic interest at home. Mr Harrison must be gratified at the receipt of so many letters assuring him that the British soldier has found his pomade a boon and a blessing. If there is one thing that the British fighting man values it is cleanliness. His first thought when duty is over is for a wash and shave and change of clothes. But in the trenches the troops are unable to get their customary wash or change of clean underclothing, and they find vermin a great plague. In describing the discomforts which are experienced, a British soldier writes:—"When we get relieved from our post, we are unable to get to sleep owing to irritation. You can see men walking up and down the trenches practically in agony."

 

The man who cannot sleep is not in the condition to perform the arduous duties which fall to the British soldier, and, therefore, for many reasons Tommy welcomes a remedy which so speedily removes the disadvantages under which he suffers. A sergeant of the Suffolk Regiment sends this enthusiastic letter:—I find your pomade an excellent remedy. Tell all your customers a British soldier who is fighting at the front has proved it so. I have recommended it to all my pals out here.

 

A gunner of the R.G.A. says:—"It is one of the finest articles that a soldier can have in his field kit. I have tramped the country on public works and I have never been without it, and I would not like to be without it here.

 

An experienced soldier remarks:—"If we had only known of such a remedy through the Boer War how happy we should have been."

 

A lance-corporal of the Manchester Regiment says :—"I am pleased to say I have been clear from vermin from the first day of using your famous Harrison's Pomade, and my chums, whom I have let use some, have given it great praise. I have also mentioned it to my Company Officer, with a view of getting it supplied to the Regiment.” Letters such as these, which are a mere tithe of what Mr Harrison has received, demonstrate the value of the article he is dispensing. It is sold by all chemists.

[1DepotBat]

Flavio - what an amazing find!  Do you know/recall where it was located?

[Flavio]

1 minute ago, 1DepotBat said:

Flavio - what an amazing find!  Do you know/recall where it was located?

Yes, certainly We found it in the Asiago plateau, Boscon British cemetery area