CHARGE OF THE KNITTING BRIGADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1941, Page 2

CHARGE OF THE KNITTING BRIGADE

Half a stitch, half a stitch, Half a stitch onward, In the Assembly Hall Toiled the One Hundred. “Forward, the Knitting Brigade! Charge for the wool!” she said. Straight at those skeins of yarn Dashed the One Hundred. “Forward, the Knitting Brigade!” Was there a girl afraid? Not tho’ each unskilled maid For a while blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to knit or die! So at that wool four-ply Charged the One Hundred. Balls to the right of them, Balls to the left of them, Balls all about them ' Flying unnumbered! Gallant the charge they made, Dauntless and undismayed; Fearsome and fast the raid Of the One Hundred. Clicked all their needles there, Clicked as they turned in air, Jabbing a finger bare, Letting fall stitches where Someone still blundered, Stitches “two plain, two purl,” Knitted each zealous girl, Ninety-nine hundred! Wristlets to right of them, Wristlets to left of them, Wristlets all round them, Lying unnumbered! Back from the charge : came all, None did in battle fall, Answered the muster call All the One Hundred. When can their glory fade? O, the wild charge they made! All the school wondered, Honour the charge they made! Honour the Knitting Brigade! Noble One Hundred!