The aeroplane [Stunting]

This work depicts an aeroplane caught in searchlights in, presumably, the city of London. Blacked out buildings flank the image. In 1918 Proctor was situated in London and could see the lights from the top of a flat that she rented in Chelsea. Figures are gathered to the left in the foreground of the work and a look of anguish and distress visible on some of the faces. A small child attempts to hide behind a female figure. The figures to the right seem to be marvelling at the sight of the aircraft, still a relatively new technology and novelty in 1918. Searchlights first came into use in London during the First World War to create artificial moonlight to aid night combat.
Proctor was in London from 1914 and remained there throughout the First World War until 1921. It was from this position that Proctor witnessed the bombing of London, first by German Zeppelins, and later Gotha aeroplanes. This work demonstrates the impact that raids by German aircraft had on the population. Although the bombing of London was not as extensive as would be endured by the city during the Second World War, it was the first time the citizens had experienced warfare on their home soil from the air.