Absent Minded Beggar Relief Corps armband

Khaki cotton drill armband printed in red and black with a red cross in the centre within the words 'ABSENT. MINDED. BEGGAR. RELIEF. CORPS./ SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS./ 1899. 1900'. On eithrer side of the vertical arms of the cross is 'DAILY MAIL/ KIPLING POEM'.

Shortly after the after the start of the Boer War in 1899, The Daily Mail published a poem in its supplement of 31 October, written by Rudyard Kipling, called 'The Absent-Minded Beggar'. It was accompanied by an illustration produced by Richard Caton Woodville, which was quickly known as 'The Gentleman in Kharki', from the fourth line of the first verse of the poem. The poem was written to help raise money for dependents of soldiers fighting in the war through a fund known as the Absent Minded Beggar Relief Corps. Each of the four verses ended 'Each of 'em doing his country's work.../Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay- pay!'. About 250,00 pounds was eventually raised, an unprecedented amount at that time. Some of the money raised also provided comforts for soldiers in South Africa.

At Kipling's suggestion a 'catchy tune' for the poem was written by Sir Arthur Sullivan the following month. Money for the fund was raised from the sales of the poem and sheet music, and from royalties paid each time it was performed in public. Special 'art editions' of the poem included the poem, music and the Woodville illustration. As well as the poem and music a wide range of household items, postcards, souvenir china and textiles were sold, bearing versions of the 'Gentleman in Kharki' illustration, the music and the poem.