Gallery Title
Gallery Title
Sports Vest
Accession Number NWHRM : 3574.1
Description
Sports vest in regimental colours used about 1935. This ornate garment in the black, red and yellow of the Norfolks and bearing their Britannia badge would have been worn by a team member competing against other units. Simpler kit would have been issued to every soldier for Physical Exercise sessions.
Read MoreSports Vest
In 1926 the 2nd Battalion instituted a yellow regimental crest sewn on the left breast for skill, clean play and sportsmanship. It was the higest award for sport available in the battalion. Fitness is obviously crucial to an infantry soldier. Pride in the regiment is needed as motivation to persevere through the worst difficulties. Henry Newbolt's poem 'Play up and play the game!' equates determination on the school cricket pitch with adult steadfastness on the battlefield. Though much parodied, it still has a germ of truth.
