drawing for headpiece for "Ack-I-Foofs"

Drawing by Herbert for the inaugural header for the 'ACK-I-FOOFS' page 5 in the 'A.I.F News'. Launched in July 1941 the page was to be a 'Diggers page' for the A.I.F. Readers were invited to send in ' items of interest, amusing incidents, verse, sketches and photographs for publication...not all have to be funny...but must be original material to reflect the outlook and spirit of the 2nd A.I.F'

Herbert gave the heading an exotic background featuring palm trees and huts. In the lower left he depicted two A.I.F Soldiers sharing a joke. One facing the viewer and smiling while the other has his back to the viewer and his hand on his hat. This header featured on the page until November 1941. From then on it changed depending on page layout every couple of months. After 3 years of continuous weekly production the A.I.F News was the oldest and most successful service newspaper and widely patronised by the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions A.I.F. Other contributors included Frank Hurley, Alex Gurney and writer Alan Marshall.

The header was also reproduced in the Australian Army Education Section journal 'Salt' (Vol.6 , No.5, p4, 10 May 1943). The image appeared as an illustration in the article 'The A.I.F News' by WO/1 Harry Grover, NX66950, Chief Sub-Editor of the A.I.F News, M.E. It was titled 'Harold Herbert (Official War Artist) drew this heading for the popular troops page in the A.I.F news.