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WW1 - Mocking the Boche
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WW1 - Mocking the Boche
WW1 - The enemy seen here captured by a British soldier. The soldier represented as a stereotyped Englishman, Cockney Tommy. The name Tommy was commonly ascribed to the British private soldier. Date: 1916
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Media ID 14225059
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Boche Captured Cockney Enemy Mockery Mocking Mocks Private Stereotype Stereotyping Tommy Troop Base
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, taken in 1916 during the First World War, captures a moment of tension and humor on the Western Front. The image depicts a British soldier, identified as a Cockney Tommy, triumphantly standing over a captured German soldier, or 'Boche,' as they were derisively referred to by the Allied forces. The Tommy, dressed in his distinctive military uniform, is shown with a smirk on his face and a mocking gesture, while the defeated German soldier looks up at him with a resigned expression. The stereotype of the Cockney Tommy was a common representation of the British private soldier during this period. The term 'Tommy' became synonymous with the ordinary British infantryman, and the Cockney accent and working-class background were often caricatured in popular culture. This image, therefore, not only documents the military conflict but also reflects the social and cultural dynamics of the time. The photograph offers a glimpse into the complexities of war and the ways in which soldiers coped with the stress and hardships of the battlefield. The act of mocking the enemy was a way for soldiers to assert dominance and maintain morale. However, it also highlights the dehumanization of the enemy and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes. This photograph is an important historical record of the First World War and the experiences of the soldiers who fought in it. It reminds us of the human stories that lie behind the statistics and the political narratives, and invites us to reflect on the enduring impact of war on individuals and societies.
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