The Verse of
Rudyard Kipling


Expanded Notes


 

 Ubique

"Bank, 'Olborn, Bank, a penny all the way"
The section of the London omnibus line between the Bank of England and Holborn.

James Fulford of Ontario comments:
Both guns and public transportation were horse-drawn at the time of the Boer War, so the narrator is comparing the peaceful days in war-time to a tram-ride at home.

Maj. J.C. Graham, Indian Army (retd.) comments:
The line in the poem refers to a public omnibus route from the Artillery barracks to central London and back. Gunners walking out would use this to "go up West" when not on duty. It has now been replaced by an underground rail link operated by the municipal authorities.

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