http://para-phenalia.com/cart/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=282

Above is link to sheet music of 1940 song I remember called 'Sons of the Old Contemptibles'

Sons of the Old Contemptibles
Carrying on the same old way
The were the old dependables
And we're very glad to say
Steady and strong they marched on to fame
They won the war, boys, and we'll do the same..."

--- from memory over 73 years. Good catchy tune. The original Old Contemptibles -
The name self-adopted by British troops belonging to the regular army in 1914, the term was supposedly derived from a comment made by the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II.
The Kaiser, upon hearing that German forces were being held up in France while en route to the French capital, is said to have exclaimed his exasperation of "Sir John French's contemptible little army" -online War Encyclopedia

I remember also that the 'big bands' [Henry Hall, Geraldo, Harry Roy et al] during their half-hour radio spots, would include their vocalists singing the genuine [if euphemistically somewhat bowdlerised] soldiers' song "Bless 'Em All".

All meant to keep up morale when things weren't going that great early in WWii.

~M~