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Captain Bairnsfathers first meeting with Old Bill, WW1
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Captain Bairnsfathers first meeting with Old Bill, WW1
This historic incident took place during the first battle of Ypres, but the Censor held stern views about battle pictures in those days, so that it is only now that we are happily able to place it upon record in print. Cartoon by Bernard Hugh recording the (fictional) first meeting of fellow cartoonist, Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, with the character who would make his name - " Old Bill. Hugh pays a homage to Bairnsfathers most famous cartoon - The Better Ole. Date: 1919
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Media ID 14171262
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bairnsfather Bernard Bill Bruce Cartoonist Cartoonists Hole Hugh Meeting Shell
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This historic photograph captures the fictional first meeting between two legendary figures of the Western Front during the chaotic and brutal landscape of the First Battle of Ypres in World War I. In this poignant and humorous moment, Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, a British soldier and renowned cartoonist, encounters his most iconic creation - Old Bill. The image is a beautiful homage to Bairnsfather's most famous cartoon, "The Better Ole," which depicted the resilience and humor of the common soldier amidst the horrors of war. The cartoon, created by Bernard Partridge under the pseudonym Hugh, was not able to be published during the war due to the strict censorship rules. However, in the post-war era, the public was finally able to appreciate the significance of this encounter between two great figures of British war humor. The scene depicts Bairnsfather and Old Bill sharing a moment of camaraderie in the midst of a shell hole, with Old Bill's signature pipe clenched between his teeth. Bairnsfather's cartoons brought a unique perspective to the war effort, providing a much-needed respite from the grim realities of the battlefield. His work captured the spirit of the ordinary soldier and became a source of inspiration and comfort for those on the front lines and at home. This photograph, a testament to the enduring legacy of these two remarkable men, is a reminder of the power of humor and creativity in the face of adversity.
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