The last line on this Imperial War Museum exhibit is the most British thing you’ll see this week
A chap called Tom Wilkinson was visiting the Imperial War Museum when this bright orange escape suit caught his eye.
Except it wasn’t the suit that prompted him to share it on Twitter, it was the explanation next to it.
Most British closing sentence ever. @I_W_M pic.twitter.com/JGHrJc4rjL
— Tom Wilkinson (@tommywilkinson) April 10, 2018
And in case it’s tricky to read …
‘In 1980 Britain announced that it would replace its ageing stock of Polaris missiles with the American Trident system.
In 2014 the Royal navy were operating four nuclear submarines armed with Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles. This force makes up Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent.
This bright orange escape suit was designed to help crew members to escape if a Trident submarine sank. It was left behind in a pub in Barrow-in-Furness after a fancy dress party.’
Perfect.
Excellent. All museum captions should explain provenance.
Acquired during Imperial rule
Left in a pub
Purchased at dodgy fine art auction, no questions
Etc— Terry O’Connor (@osteoconnor) April 11, 2018
Haha, I was smiling at that in the @I_W_M just yesterday. Essential detail.
— Alastair Cameron (@HappyBritScot) April 10, 2018
Love my country for oddball shit like this 🇬🇧
— Andy (@andywatson83) April 10, 2018
And just in case …
You know why in Barrow ?
— Stuart Marshall (@Mr_snores) April 10, 2018
Go on, why?
— Andy Martin (@andyhmartin) April 11, 2018
That’s where the subs are built.
— Stuart Marshall (@Mr_snores) April 11, 2018