IF, by H. M. Bateman
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IF, by H. M. Bateman
IF - Captain Bairnsfather had been in the Navy! In an issue of The Bystander themed on the word If, an H.M.Bateman cartoon imagines the type of characters that may have been created by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather if he had been in the Royal Navy, rather than the Army. Date: 1917
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Media ID 14171670
© Estate of H M Bateman/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library
Bairnsfather Bateman Bruce Bystander Sailors
EDITORS COMMENTS
If Captain Bruce Bairnsfather Had Been in the Royal Navy: A WWI Imagination by H.M. Bateman This print by H.M. Bateman, published in The Bystander in 1917, invites us to ponder an intriguing "what if" scenario: what if the renowned British satirical cartoonist, Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, had served in the Royal Navy instead of the Army during World War I? The image, themed on the word "If," offers a delightful glimpse into the world of sailors that might have emerged from Bairnsfather's pen. The cartoon depicts a motley crew of sailors gathered around a table, each deep in thought as they ponder their "ifs." One sailor wonders, "If I'd known there was going to be a war, I'd have joined the Army," while another muses, "If I'd known I'd be a sailor, I'd have learned to swim." A third sailor, with a pipe in hand, contemplates, "If I'd known I was going to be a cook, I'd have learned to cook." Bateman's signature wit and humor shine through in the expressions and body language of the sailors, as they each consider their alternate lives. The setting – a dimly lit, cluttered mess hall – adds to the sense of camaraderie and shared experience among the men. This enchanting print provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of WWI sailors, as imagined by one of the greatest satirical artists of the era. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human side of war, and the many "ifs" that shaped the lives of those who served.
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