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little pile on poem Rouen


  • annapeach
    Jul 20 1:46 PM 2006
    Reply
    little piles of woodbines what are they

  • I-Like-Rhymes
    July 20, 2006
    Reply
    Woodbines were a type of cigarette very common in Britain at the time. They were probably the brand leader and were, for a time, issued in the military ration packs.
    Even to this day cigarettes can be currency among soldiers on manoeuvres where access to fresh supplies is a rarity.
    So the reference is to piles of cigarettes and in this context I can imagine them as stakes in a game of cards.

  • annapeach
    July 20, 2006
    Reply

    woodbines

    Thanks I was unsure if it meant a plant or flower? I thought it might be something to smoke but was unsure.

  • rufina caraid
    July 20, 2006
    Reply
    for a while after the War - they were available in boxes of 5 - green box as I remember and kids were allowed to get them for their Dads!!!

    • I-Like-Rhymes
      July 27, 2006
      Reply
      I worked in a tobacconist / newspaper shop after school as a kid and visited the local hospital selling from a suitcase. I seem to remember those boxes. Certainly the 10's and 20's and i think 5's as well.
      How times change Just imagine all the rules I'd be breaking if That happened now >
      Jim

  • I-Like-Rhymes
    June 5
    Reply
    One of the most famous army Chaplains of that war was G. A. Studdert Kennedy MC CF. He had a habit of distributing cigarettes on his frequent visits to front line troops and so gained the knickname of "Woodbine Willy". He was also a fantastic poet and can be found in our archives.
    http://oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Geoffrey_Anketell_Studdert_Kennedy__
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