Sailor's instructional handkerchief : Royal Navy

Printed cotton 'fighting' intructional handkerchief intended for use by a sailor in the Royal Navy. The white cotton handkerchief is printed in black with a dark blue border, within which is an additional border printed with a rope design. In each corner is a medal with its appropriate blue/white ribbon: Victoria Cross, Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal and Royal Humane Society Medal. In the centre an anchor and naval crown is superimposed by a life buoy bearing the words 'ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN THIS DAY WILL DO HIS DUTY', with a large compass in the centre. The handkerchief is divided into sections that give detailed descriptions or instructions, together with line illustrations. These include: Description of Lee-Metford Rifles, Marks I & II; Backsight; Lee-Metford Accoutrements; Webley Pistol, Mark I; Semaphore Signs; Governing Signs; Naval Salute; Rules of the Road; Boat Maxims; Seamen's Clothing and Kit Layout; Saving Drowning Persons by Swimming to their Relief; Seamens Proverbs; Extempore Torniquet; Cutlass Drill; a selection of sailor's rank and category badges; and 'ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT BY YOUR BEHAVIOUR AND APPEARANCE YOU NOT ONLY DO YOURSELF CREDIT BUT YOU KEEP UP THE HONOR OF THE BRITISH "NAVY WHEREON, UNDER THE GOOD PROVIDENCE OF GOD, THE WEALTH, SAFETY, AND STRENGTH OF THE KINGDOM CHIEFLY DEPEND"'. Forty five different pipe and bugle calls for various exercises, drills and actions are printed inside the rope edging. 'FULTON-AIREY PATENT No 20771' is printed above the line of the anchor.

Instructional handkerchiefs, also known as fighting handkerchiefs, were produced in both Britain and Europe, mainly in the 1890s, for both the Navy and Army. A variety of designs were manufactured for each service. The handkerchiefs were not issued by any of the services but were purchased by individuals from army and navy stores, or given as presents.