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SOLDIERS’ TALISMANS.

THt ‘■TOUCHWOOD’' CHAHM. As au old campaigner of the rank and file has pointed out to “The Tunes” that th© belief that certain things bring good or bad luck has always prevailed in the army. Formerly there were two talismans which were jcgard|ed as especially efficacious m warding off misfortunes, and particularly death and disablement m battle. These ; were, in the infantry, a button olf a I tunic, and in the cavalry the tooth of horse j but for the articles to bring *good luck or to avert evil - the man who ' wore the button and the horse to ‘which tne tooth belonged should have come successfully through a cam'paign. j A good many years ago, the old 'words “charm,” “talisman,” “amulet,” dropped out of use in the army. The French slang word, “mascot,” which originated with gamblers, and is applied to any person, animal, or thing which is supposed to be lucky, came into fashion; and in the army some animal or bird monkey, parrot, 'or goat, or even th© domestic dog or 'cat—was appointed “the mascot of The regiment.” But sine© the outbreak of the war there lias been an extraordinary revival in the army ol ! the popularity of the old talisman or charm.

j Jewellers’ trinkets in metal or stone, which lovers presented to each other and wore attached to bracelets 'or chains, to bring mutual constancy, prosperity, and happiness, were first largely bought by the public and given as protective agents to relatives and friends who had enlisted. Then a special charm for soldiers, called j “Touchwood,” and described as “ihe [ wonderful llastorn charm,” was designed, and is having an enormous 'sale, it was suggested by the old (custom of touching wood, when hopes 'are expressed ,so as to prevent disap pointment, which is supposed to have arisen from the veneration of the True Cross. “Touchwood” is the quaint little figure, mainly head, made of oak, surmounted by a khaki service cap, and with odd sparkling eyes, as if always on th# alert to see and avert danger. The legs, either in silver or gold, are crossed* and the arms, of the same metal, ore lifted to touch the head. The designer, Mr H. Brandon, states that he has sold 1,250,000 of this charm since the war broke out, Mr Brandon has received numerous letters from the soldiers at the front ascribing their escape from perilous situations to the wearing of the charm. One letter, which has five signatures, says:— “We have been out here for five months fighting in the trenches, and !have not had a scratch. We put our I great good fortune down to your lucky charm, which we treasure highly.” Though it i s chiefly bought by women to present to husbands, sous', and gwethearts going to the front, the intention of the gift is in most cates, uo doubt, just for good luck, with no touch of superstition. In Regent s Bark recently there was a curious scone. This was the public presentation of “Touchwood” to each of the 12U(J officers and men of a battalion of th City of London Rifles by a French actress. |

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19151124.2.3

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 72, 24 November 1915, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
527

SOLDIERS’ TALISMANS. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 72, 24 November 1915, Page 2

SOLDIERS’ TALISMANS. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 72, 24 November 1915, Page 2

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