Judge, 1915-10-23 · page 19 of 28
Judge — October 23, 1915 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects humorous cartoons from British, German, and French publications during World War I, showcasing how different nations used humor to address wartime conditions. The jokes reflect common WWI anxieties: "Arms and the Man" suggests women support wounded soldiers; recruitment humor mocks both reluctant recruits and military discipline; "Hard Times" shows economic strain (children making pennies do double duty); "Precaution" references German Zeppelin bombing raids on London, a genuine civilian threat that required air-raid precautions. The cartoons depict working-class figures—soldiers, children, servants—coping with or complaining about wartime realities. The "Wanted His Right" joke plays on class differences: a recruit expects soldiering but is ordered to bathe first. By reprinting these foreign cartoons together, *Judge* demonstrated shared wartime experiences across Allied nations while showcasing how humor helped civilians and soldiers endure hardship and fear during the conflict.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Arms and the Man A suggestion for patriotic girls who wish to show their sympathy with the wounded in a practical way.—Bystander (London). Wanted His Right The sergeant—Look here, before you're served out with your uniform you'd better nip down to the washhouses and get a bath. The recruit—Wot? I come ’ere to bea soldier—not a bloomin’ mermaid!—London Opinion. « Das neue Gefchuk. The new artillery—Meggendorfer-Blatter (Munich). Hard Times Old Dame—You've had two penn’orth of sweets, my little man, but you've only given me a penny. The Little Man—Yes, but farver says one penny’s got to do the work of two in war- time.—Punch (London). The Only Possible Objective Sergeant (sternly)—Hah, then, yer young blighter, you ain’t larfin’ at me, are yer? Young blighter—Oh, no, sergeant; no, sir! Sergeant (more sternly)—Then what the Yell clse is there on parade ter larf at?— Sketch (London). Precaution “Please, Mum, Missis says will you come in this way, ’cos the door is pasted up in case of Zepps.”"—London Opinion. ¥ a du bon! Oi progresse! That’s good! I’m getting along!—Le Rire (Paris). comicbooks.com