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Home > Modern History > Core Study > World War I and its Aftermath 1914 - 1919: A Source-based Study > Primary sources for the study of World War I: recruitment and propaganda posters

Poster 1
Image of a British World War One recruiting poster, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. (Copyright the A.W.M.)	Origin: A British recruitment poster which would have come out before conscription was introduced in January 1916. Motive: To encourage men in Britain to enlist in the New Armies. Audience: Men who are eligible to enlist and who are in the right age group. This changed over time but ranged from 19-40 years.This poster would not be aimed at skilled workers in occupations required by the Government. Content: The symbol - John Bull represents the British people, note the Union Jack waistcoat. Personal appeal - Use of Question -'Who's Absent? Is it You?' The finger pointing at the reader -'You'. Soldiers waiting in the background for 'your' response. Other features to note: Brevity of language. Simple message - easy to comprehend by a reader walking past. The poster's message is obvious because many people would not stop to read a poster.

Poster 1

Image of a British World War One recruiting poster, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
(Copyright the A.W.M.)

Origin: A British recruitment poster which would have come out before conscription was introduced in January 1916.

Motive: To encourage men in Britain to enlist in the New Armies.

Audience: Men who are eligible to enlist and who are in the right age group. This changed over time but ranged from 19-40 years.This poster would not be aimed at skilled workers in occupations required by the Government.

Content: The symbol - John Bull represents the British people, note the Union Jack waistcoat.
Personal appeal - Use of Question -'Who's Absent? Is it You?'
The finger pointing at the reader -'You'.
Soldiers waiting in the background for 'your' response.

Other features to note:
Brevity of language.
Simple message - easy to comprehend by a reader walking past.
The poster's message is obvious because many people would not stop to read a poster.

Some questions to consider that are raised by this poster.

What emotions does the poster appeal to?
What methods are used by this poster to encourage recruitment?
What is the difference between recruitment and conscription?
How useful would this poster be in explaining methods used by the British Government to encourage volunteers for the army?