Thursday 31 July 2014

Alphonse.



Alphonse is a British soldier 'doll'. He was meant to represent a prisoner of the Japanese, which is why he wears a woven raffia hat and has raffia soled black canvas shoes. Otherwise his kit is standard issue UK khaki.

Dear Alphonse was won by my mother in a Red Cross Ball raffle in London; probably around 1944/5.

He was my 'doll'; we grew up together. I've always loved Alphonse. However, for the moment he languishes somewhere in a Brighton loft, which is why I've had to revert to a rather piss-poor drawing. The top part is quite accurate, but the lower part less so.

Underneath his smart exterior Alphonse is a pukka doll, with a hard body, head, and legs, but with his individually made army uniform.

I just hope that someone will take special care of him when I'm no longer around. 

He's the original Action Man; MY Action Man.



13 comments:

  1. Lucky Alphonse. Instad of being a prisoner of war he became an Action Man.

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  2. Poor Alphonse - does he not merit a trip to that Brighton loft to try and find him and rescue him?

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  3. I have often wondered what happened to Alphonse. I always understood him to be "Mother's doll". I don't remember the raffia hat but I do remember the handle and steel band that went around his waist to make him walk.

    A shame that he is languishing in a loft - hope there are no moths there.

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    Replies
    1. The more I think of him I remember him having a cloth f/s cap that folded flat into a rectangle. I don't remember those shoes either.

      But then I haven't seen him since 1965 at the latest.

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    2. He always had that hat and those shoes. I never liked the metal band and handle.... which is probably why they became 'misplaced'.

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    3. Look forward to seeing him again (even though it will only be a photo) when you take him from the loft, especially that raffia hat.

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  4. 18 inches tall??? That was a pretty big doll. Was he jointed?

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    Replies
    1. No knee or elbow joints. I'm wondering if he isn't a bit taller even.

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  5. I do hope you get to see him again.

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  6. I think he needs to be rescued; he is part of your history. And besides your grandsons would probably love to see him.

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  7. I agree with Doc. Alphonse is more than what he appears: he is part of history.

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    Replies
    1. I suppose you're right, he's certainly the only one of his sort.

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  8. I am surprised he hasn't already been played with by the grandsons.

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