Home > Posters > Related Images
WW1 - What did you do in the Great War, Daddy?
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
WW1 - What did you do in the Great War, Daddy?
Child: " And is the War really over, Daddy? Father: " Practically, My Boy." Child: " Then may I ask you a question about it which I couldn t ask till it WAS over?" Father: " Certainly, My Son." Child: " Well, what I want to know is, what DID you do in the Great War, Daddy?" Satirical skit on the famous war recruitment poster: " Daddy, what did You do in the Great War?" after Savile Lumley, published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee. Date: 1919
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14186663
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Armchair Asks Daddy Effort Enquiring Guilt Guilty Hard Hitting Innocence Innocent Involvement Lampoon Lumley Participation Punch Questioning Questions Recruitment Ridden Satire Satirical Savile Shame Shepperton 1919 Cowardice Skit
EDITORS COMMENTS
And So, the Great War came to an end in 1919, but the weight of its impact was felt deeply by generations to come. In this poignant and satirical image, a young boy, with wide-eyed innocence, asks his father, "Daddy, what did you do in the Great War?" The father, weary and guilt-ridden, responds, "Practically, my boy. And is the War really over, Daddy?", the child inquires further. This powerful image, titled "Daddy, what did You do in the Great War?" is a skit on the famous war recruitment poster "Showing the Way: General Sir William Robertson" published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee in 1919, created by Savile Lumley. The original poster depicted a soldier, Sir William Robertson, seated in an armchair, confidently pointing the way to enlistment, with the caption "What did YOU do in the Great War?" However, in this satirical take, the roles are reversed, and the father, once a soldier, is now an ordinary citizen, left to grapple with the questions of war and its consequences. The image is a hard-hitting lampoon that explores the complexities of wartime involvement, the guilt and shame felt by those who participated, and the innocence of those who ask the difficult questions. The image, with its thought-provoking caption, invites us to reflect on the impact of war on individuals and families, and the importance of asking the tough questions, even when the answers may be difficult to bear.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
