Blighty > Christmas, 1918
(2) Page 2 - Grousing gunner
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| Blighty and Sea Pie > Blighty > Christmas, 1918 > (2) Page 2 - Grousing gunner |
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| Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/74462346 |
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| Description | This cartoon (by Private Wilson Fleming) shows a group of gunners struggling to carry large shells up a steep hillside. They appear to be stockpiling them. The line of men stretches far into the distance. The accompanying caption reads: 'Grousing Gunner: "WISH we FED THE BLINKIN' GUNS WITH WAR BONDS, BILL!"' The inference is that if the shells were filled with war bonds, they would be much lighter for the men to carry. It could also, however, be a comment on the nature of war bonds. To help finance the war, the Government encouraged people to invest in bonds. Emphasis was placed on the patriotism involved, since the rate of return was extremely poor. It could be the cartoonist believes that for all they are worth, the bonds might as well be placed in an exploding shell. All this speculation merely highlights how difficult it can be to interpret information contained in a cartoon that is over eighty years old. The intended audience, after all, would have had all the facts, enabling them to easily find the humour in it. |
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| Description | A humorous weekly magazine issued free to the troops in the First World War; contained short stories, poems, cartoons, paintings and drawings, with contributions from men on active service. Distributed by the War Office, the Admiralty and the Red Cross, and subsidised through donations and sales to the general public. |
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| Shelfmark | 6.84 |
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| Description | Editions of 'Blighty' (1917, 1918) and 'Sea Pie' (1917-1919), First World War magazines with pictures, stories, poems and humour. 'Blighty' was sent free to the men at the front and in the fleet. Profits from sales of 'Sea Pie' went to help sailors and their families. |
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