THE FIRST W RLD WAR IN OBJECTS
NO.35
As the First World War progressed, and the numbers of wounded and ill men mounted, the sight of convalescing service personnel wearing their distinctive ‘hospital blues’ became increasingly common. Also known as the ‘blue invalid uniform’ or ‘convalescent blues’, ‘hospital blues’ were first introduced during the Crimean War. The general design of a single breasted suit and trousers with a white lining, made from flannel and flannelette type materials in an Oxford blue colour, with a white shirt, remained little altered until after the Second World War.
An integral part of the ‘hospital blues’ was a red four-in-hand necktie – such as the example seen here. As the ‘four-in-hand’ was one of the most popular types of necktie worn in Britain between 1900 and 1925, and red one of the most popular colours of the era, this has meant that many ties were retained by a soldier after his discharge. The only part of the ensemble not mandated by authorities was the headwear, which, as it signified individual rank, nationality, and regiment, could be the soldier-patient’s own. Medals were permitted to be worn on the left breast.
As the author Dr Jeffrey S. Reznick points out, the …
