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Old Bill and Co. August 1940
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Old Bill and Co. August 1940
" Hey! Mind what yer doin ! Thats the second time you ve got me with that fifth column o yours!"
Bruce Bairnsfather pokes fun at rumours of German spies, as well as the bungling reputation of the Home Guard. Note that the armbands have LDV written on them: the Local Defence Volunteers were officially renamed the Home Guard in July 1940, but the old armbands remained in circulation long after.
1940
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Media ID 14405542
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bairnsfather Bayonet Bill Bruce Columns Dads Defence Defense Fence Guard Mockery Mocks Satire Satirical Sep16 Spies Spying Volunteers
EDITORS COMMENTS
August 1940: A Moment of Humor Amidst the Tensions of the Home Front This print by renowned British cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather, published by the Illustrated London News Ltd, offers a humorous take on the heightened tensions and rumors of German spies during World War II. The scene depicts Old Bill, a recurring character in Bairnsfather's cartoons, as he reprimands an unseen figure with a raised hand and the words, "Hey! Mind what yer doin'! That's the second time you've got me with that fifth column of yours!" The humor in this image lies not only in Old Bill's suspicion of spies but also in the bungling reputation of the Home Guard, as evidenced by the LDV (Local Defence Volunteers) armbands worn by Old Bill and his companion. Although the Home Guard was officially renamed the Home Guard in July 1940, the old armbands remained in circulation long after. Bairnsfather's cartoon masterfully mocks the fears and misunderstandings that pervaded the British home front during the early stages of the war. The image of Old Bill, a symbol of the ordinary British citizen, poking fun at the rumors of German spies adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise tense atmosphere of the time. This print, with its satirical commentary on the war effort, serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and humor of the British people during World War II. The fence and bayonet in the background further emphasize the sense of vigilance and preparedness that defined the home front during this period.
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