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Those Medals! by Bruce Bairnsfather, WW1 cartoon
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Those Medals! by Bruce Bairnsfather, WW1 cartoon
Sad, but true, and apparently unavoidable. A cartoon by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather published in The Bystander commenting that while acts of bravery during war often went unrecognised, staff officers were frequently given medals and awards. The top picture shows a lone officer holding off a group of German soldiers on his own, while the bottom picture shows a staff officer, comfortably well away from the front line (and, according to Bairnsfather, in charge of the notorious plum and apple jam) receiving notice of his impending award. Date: 1919
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Media ID 14171574
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Amusing Award Awards Bairnsfather Bravery Bruce Medal Medals Staff
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Those Medals!
EDITORS COMMENTS
, a poignant and humorous cartoon by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, published in The Bystander in 1919, captures the stark contrast between acts of bravery on the battlefield and the distribution of awards and medals during the First World War. In the top image, a lone soldier, likely an ordinary infantryman, is depicted holding off a group of German soldiers with his rifle, his determined expression and raised weapon suggesting a heroic act of bravery. Yet, unbeknownst to him, the real recipients of recognition and rewards were often those far from the front lines. The bottom image shows a staff officer, comfortably ensconced in a well-appointed room, with a smug expression and a letter in hand. The letter bears the news of his impending award, a testament to his supposed contributions to the war effort. The cartoonist, Bairnsfather, satirically notes that this officer was in charge of the notorious plum and apple jam, a reference to the luxurious supplies that were often reserved for the comfort of the upper echelons of the military hierarchy. Bairnsfather's cartoon, with its biting wit and insightful commentary, highlights the often-unfair distribution of awards and medals during the First World War. While acts of bravery and self-sacrifice went unrecognized, those in positions of power and privilege were frequently rewarded for their supposed contributions. The cartoon serves as a reminder of the complexities and contradictions of war, and the importance of recognizing the true heroes who put their lives on the line for their countries.
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