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Bystander cover-Derby scheme
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Bystander cover-Derby scheme
An illustration showing the number of men attested in 1916 for the volunteer (Derby) scheme to encourage military recruitment. The lower part of the illustration shows the number of men me who had not already attested, highlighted by the numerical cartoon characters. Date: 1916
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Media ID 14154579
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bystander Covers Derby Humourous Magazines Numbers Propaganda Recruit Recruitment Scheme Volunteer Volunteering Attestation Attested Attesting Uptake
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative illustration from the pages of Bystander magazine in 1916 encapsulates the spirit of military recruitment during World War I, specifically the Derby Scheme. The top half of the image showcases the impressive number of men who had already attested for military service, depicted as cheerful cartoon characters proudly displaying their recruitment numbers. In stark contrast, the lower part of the illustration highlights the remaining men who had yet to join the ranks, represented by numerical cartoon characters with anxious or hesitant expressions. The Derby Scheme, also known as the Derby Scheme of 1916 or the "Ballot Scheme," was an innovative attempt to encourage military recruitment in the United Kingdom during World War I. The scheme was named after the then Secretary of State for War, Lord Derby, and aimed to provide an element of choice for those who were reluctant to enlist. Under the scheme, all single men between the ages of 18 and 41 were required to register for military service, but those who passed a medical examination were not immediately called up. Instead, they could remain in civilian life until their number was drawn in a monthly lottery. This humourous and thought-provoking illustration serves as a reminder of the impact of propaganda during wartime and the role it played in shaping public opinion. The Derby Scheme ultimately proved successful, with over 1.5 million men attesting between August 1916 and March 1918. This illustration, with its clever use of cartoon characters and stark contrast between those who had and had not yet attested, effectively conveyed the urgency of the situation and the importance of volunteering for military service during World War I.
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