Lord Kitchener's message to the troops - postcard 2

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c. 1915

Overview

Cream coloured postcard which has the title 'Lord Kitchener's message to the Army' in blue writing on the upper left, and the flags of Australia and United Kingdom on crossed poles on the upper right.
The rest of the card has a red decorative border inside of which appears the message in pale blue writing. The last three slogans 'Do your duty bravely. Fear God, Honour the King' appear in red for emphasis, under which is Kitchener's name and title in pale blue.
The reverse of the postcard is plain.

Historical information

Horatio Herbert Kitchener (1850-1916) was a British Field Marshal and colonial administrator who played a key role in World War I.
He was born in Ireland and trained as a military engineer. He served in the Middle East and Egypt, and became commander-in-chief of the Egyptian army in 1892.
He served as chief of staff in the Second Boer War, and later became Commander-in-Chief.
Kitchener became Secretary of State for War at the start of World War One. He oversaw the rapid expansion of the British Army through the recruitment of volunteers. He became the face of the First World War when he appeared on the 'Your Country Needs You' poster.
He died in 1916 when his ship, HMS Hampshire, struck a German mine while en route to Russia on a diplomatic mission. He was the highest ranking officer to be killed during the war.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00205

Item type

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Card

Ink

Width

88 mm

Height or length

143 mm

Inscriptions and markings

"LORD KITCHENER'S MESSAGE TO THE ARMY."

"You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to help
our French comrades against the invasion of a common
enemy.
You have to perform a task that will need your cour-
age, your energy, your patience. Remember that the
honour of the British Army depends on your indi-
vidual conduct.
It will be your duty not only to set an example of
discipline and perfect steadiness under fire, but also to
maintain the most friendly relations with those whom
you are helping in this struggle.
The operations in which you are engaged will, for the
most part, take place in a friendly country, and you can
do your own country no better service than in showing your-
self in France and Belgium in the true character of
a British soldier.
Be invariably courteous, considerate and kind. Never
do anything likely to injure or destroy property, and
always look upon looting as a disgraceful act.
You are sure to meet with a welcome and to be
trusted. Your conduct must justify that welcome
and that trust.
Your duty cannot be done unless your health is sound,
so be constantly on your guard against any excesses.
In this new experience you may find temptations
both in wine and women. You must entirely resist
both temptations, and, while treating all women with
perfect courtesy, you should avoid any intimacy.