Early in 1914, when it looked as though war was going to be inevitable, a local "poet" got to grips with the story and produced a pamphlet which was sold all over Devon to raise money for comforts for the troops. The poem is quoted below so put on your best Devonshire accent and read it through to yourself: ( Airly = early;  Dap is a sound effect; Blid = blood;  The Kaiser had a deformed left arm so could only use his right arm. and finally Drashed = thrashed)

When Kaiser Will'um was a y'uth

He com'd to Combe one day,

And at the big hotel out there

He stopped on holiday:

Young Kaiser Billy airly show'd

A liking for the sea,

So ev'ry morning for a dip

He went t'Rapparee.

One morning after Master Bill

Had had his morning swill,

He started chucking stones about

(He never could keep still.)

The bathing boxes catched his eye

"Ah! Ah!" he said with glee,

"The painted numbers on the doors

Mine target now shall be!"

He found the range, and blazed away'

Delighted wi' his skill

( He always was a decent shot

Was lordly Kaiser Bill.)

Now Philip Price the boxes keep'd

Upon this shingly shore,

A sturdy chap of Devon breed

Was Phil, no less, no more.

Now Philip's son was on the beach.

Alfie that yu'ngster's name.

And when the paint begin'd to fly,

He shouted "What's yer game?"

With flashing eyes and haughty mien

The Kaiser faced the lad,

"Do you know who I am, " he cried

And my! He looked some mad.

Bur boldly answered little Alf,

"I don't care who you be,

I'll let 'ee  know you don't command

Down yur on Rapparee."

The Kaiser up and landed Alf

A clout beside the jaw,

It knocked poor Alfie right down dap,

So sudden was the blaw.

But up he got and went for Bill

Just like a Devon bull,

I'm 'fraid he didn't stop to think

'Bout any Golden Rule:

He knacked the Kaiser on the nose

And tapp'd the royal blid

And then 'ee bashed 'un in his eye,

Upon my word, he did!

The Kaiser was a strapping chap,

Older than Alfie, too,

And though  he couldn't use his left

His right was straight and true.

For he had learned the boxing art,

('Mongst Princes 'twas the rule)

While all the science Alfie knew

Was learned at Lower School.

Now up, now down this bathing cove

They punched, they clinched, they fall'd

I s'pose it was a dreadful sight

The way they chaps was maul'd.

Our Phil looked down from top the steps

And rubb'd his hands with glee,

To see Bill Kaiser's claret tapped

Down there on Rapparee!

Bill's tutor and attendants all

Had gone off 'round the rocks.

So when they comed upon the scene

It gived 'em all gurt shocks!

They runn'd between young Alf and Bill

And stopped their little game,

The Tutor turned to Bill and said:

"Your Highness ! Fie! For shame!

Low'ring y'ur dignity like this

Fighting a peasant lad!

Whatever will yu'r mother say?

Twill make her feel quite bad."

Then Kaiser turned to Alf  and said:

"Mine friend! You'll rue this day,

For what you've done t'mine poor nose,

Mine word! I'll make you pay!,

I'll build big ships and gurt big guns

Then one day I will come

And blow this place to smithereens,

And you - t'kingdom come!"

The germ of hate once planted

In this gentle Germhun's breast,

The "Kultur" grow'd and spread apace,

He know'd no peace nor rest;

He builded Dreadnoughts and big guns,

And gurt big airships too

And teached his soldiers the goosey step,

An impressive sight I trow.

Then gazing on his handiwork

He said "Nigh is The day

When I will cross the rolling deep

And make those English pay

For what that y'ungster did to me

When I was over there;

Mine nose have never been the same

He bent it - I declare."

Bill's tutor 'fore he left the beach

Beg'd silence 'bout the job

And just to keep 'is mouth shut tight

Gived Alfie thirty bob.

My tale is told, and Germhun hate

'Tis very plain to see

Was caused - because young Alf drashed Bill,

Way down on Rapparee.