ABSTRACT
As was the case with the First World War, the lyric form was used in all kinds of contexts. Beside the many posters reminding a civilian population that walls have ears tags like ‘tittle-tattle lost the battle’4 are both memorable and useful. Both Anne Harvey and Susan Briggs cite a comforting little piece for children on ‘Embarkation Leave’ in which
Sheila carries daddy’s gas mask Peter carries daddy’s gun…5
and its inclusion in anthologies is justified by the purpose served at the time. Though designed for children, the verse makes clear that the mother is deliberately trying to play down the problems of parting, and also acknowledges implicitly that the child is aware of the seriousness of the situation. It is certainly a war poem.
