Tag Archives: Old Contemptibles

Punch Cartoons 33

The second full page political cartoon and several other cartoons all published in Punch on 23rd September 1914.

According to the Wikipedia  article on the British Expeditionary Force “Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, who was famously dismissive of the BEF, reportedly issued an order on 19 August 1914 to “exterminate… the treacherous English and walk over General French’s contemptible little army”. Hence, in later years, the survivors of the regular army dubbed themselves “The Old Contemptibles”. No evidence of any such order being issued by the Kaiser has ever been found. It was probably a British propaganda invention, albeit one often repeated as fact.”

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“The Great Illusion.”

Cartoon by Leonard Raven-Hill

Published in Punch 23rd September 1914

This cartoon is also by Raven-Hill:

Punch230914B

Cartoon by Leonard Raven-Hill

Published in Punch 23rd September 1914

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Artist’s signature cannot be deciphered

Published in Punch 23rd September 1914

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Cartoon by Shepperton (?)

Published in Punch 23rd September 1914

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Cartoon by Chas Grave

Published in Punch 23rd September 1914