Patrol boot polish

Nothing is known of this product’s date or manufacturer. “Guaranteed to contain Abril” says the label. Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd operate from South Wales and discovered amide waxes in April 1945 and the company was set up to exploit the new-found technology. Abril is the Spanish word for April – is there a connection with the date of discovery? The company manufactures highly specialised polymers and waxes and it seems that Abril is a synthesised wax rather than a natural wax such as bees or Carnauba wax that had been traditional components of boot polish.

Patrol Polishes Limited were certainly around in 1949 as they made an army webbing cleaning product that fulfilled the function of the old Blanco product but was wax-based rather than clay-based and so more suitable for use in tropical areas of operation.

Photos: David Pratt