Its A Long, Long Way to - the C. O. WW1, H. M. Bateman
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Its A Long, Long Way to - the C. O. WW1, H. M. Bateman
Its A Long, Long Way To - The C.O. : From Private to Pensioner; or, How a British Soldier Gained the Ear of His Colonel. Satirical cartoon by H. M. Bateman commenting on the complicated chain of command men had to endure before being able to speak to the commanding officer (in this case, the Colonel). By the time this private gets to speak to him, he is an elderly, bearded, Chelsea Pensioner. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14230609
© Estate of H M Bateman/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library
Amusing Bateman Chain Colonel Command Commanding Private Privates Satire Satirical
EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical print by H.M. Bateman, titled "It's A Long, Long Way to - The C.O. : From Private to Pensioner," offers a humorous commentary on the complex chain of command that British soldiers had to navigate before they could gain an audience with their commanding officer, or Colonel, during World War I. The cartoon, published in 1915, depicts a weary and elderly private soldier, complete with a long beard and a Chelsea Pensioner's red coat and tricorn hat, finally standing before the Colonel's desk. The journey to this moment, however, is far from straightforward. The private is shown starting at the bottom left of the image, as a young, clean-shaven recruit, eagerly marching towards his Colonel with a letter in hand. However, as he progresses through the ranks, he is met with a seemingly endless parade of intermediaries, each more bureaucratic and red-taped than the last. He is stopped by a sergeant major, a quartermaster, a major, and even a batman, each of whom insists on examining the letter and sending it up the chain of command for approval before the private can speak to the Colonel. By the time the private reaches the Colonel's office, he is an old man, his uniform tattered and worn, his beard long and grey. The Colonel, seated at his desk, looks up from his paperwork with a bemused expression, as if wondering who this ancient figure before him could possibly be and what he wants. The cartoon's title, "It's A Long, Long Way to - The C.O.," encapsulates the absurdity of the situation, highlighting the frustrating and convoluted nature of military bureaucracy during wartime. Bateman's cartoon is a testament to the enduring power of humor to illuminate the absurdities of life, even in the midst of war. With its clever use of satire and visual wit, this print continues to amuse and delight audiences over a century after it was first published.
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