The Warriors Return, satirical postcard
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The Warriors Return, satirical postcard
A wounded soldier, drawn as a wooden puppet and carrying his own broken-off leg, looks at a WD (War Department) signpost pointing to the workhouse. A workman with his tools, also in the form of a wooden puppet, calls out Hard Lines over his shoulder. The card is a commentary on the lack of welfare provision for those returning disabled from the Boer War
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Media ID 4464475
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10415997
Boer Broken Calls Department Disabled Health Hero Invalid Pauper Paupers Pointing Poor Poverty Pro Vision Puppet Return Returning Sign Post Tools Treatment Warrior Welfare Workhouse Workhouses Workman Wounded Ingratitude
EDITORS COMMENTS
The Warriors Return: A Satirical Commentary on the Plight of Disabled Soldiers in the Aftermath of the Boer War (1899-1902) This poignant and thought-provoking satirical postcard, titled "The Warriors Return," depicts a wounded soldier, rendered as a wooden puppet, carrying his own broken-off leg as he gazes at a War Department (WD) signpost. The soldier's expression conveys a sense of disbelief and disappointment, as if he has been betrayed by those who were once meant to protect and care for him. In the background, a workman, also in the form of a wooden puppet, calls out "Hard Lines" over his shoulder, indicating the harsh reality that awaits the soldier. The workman, with his tools at the ready, represents the cold, unforgiving world of the workhouse, where the destitute and disabled were often forced to go. This image, created in 1903, serves as a powerful commentary on the lack of welfare provision for those returning disabled from the Boer War. The use of wooden puppets adds an extra layer of irony, as these soldiers, who had once been hailed as heroes, were reduced to mere objects, discarded and forgotten by society. The poverty and ingratitude depicted in this postcard were all too common in the early 1900s, with many disabled soldiers finding themselves paupers, forced to rely on the meager provisions of workhouses. The lack of health care and support for these men, who had risked their lives for their country, was a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by the poor and disabled during this period. This historical image is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in times of war and the importance of ensuring that they receive the care and support they deserve upon their return.
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