1914 World War I Pictorial Cloth Handkerchief Map of the British Isles

This is a c. 1914 pictorial handkerchief of the British Isles illustrating the connection between British soldiers deployed on the Western Front in World War I (1914 - 1918) and their wives/sweethearts back home in Britain.

A Closer Look

A British soldier is illustrated in France carrying a rifle and waving his hat at the British Isles, which are personified by three women and a young girl. The women are impeccably dressed and are waving handkerchiefs in response. The last two lines of the chorus of the popular song 'It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary' are included along the top.

'It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary'

'It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary' was a British music hall song written by Henry James 'Harry' Williams and Jack Judge. The song is about an Irishman in London missing his 'sweetest girl' in Tipperary, a county in rural Ireland. The song was immensely popular among British soldiers during World War I, probably since it was a lament for a love left behind. Thus, it is included on this handkerchief, which was designed as a memento for soldiers.

Capturing the Historical Moment

As this handkerchief is untitled except for lyrics to a popular song, tracing its origins and rarity are difficult. Nonetheless, this piece captures a moment in history and represents the deep connections between a soldier and the homefront.