Hurry up! Boys Fill the Ranks

Depicts a young blonde soldier holding a cap aloft in his right hand, and bayonet in his left. He is kneeling on top of a rocky outcrop, with his right leg resting in a depression in the ground which contains the detritus of battle: empty shells, German pickelhaube helmets, and a kit bag. These objects indicate that the fusiliers have taken a German position. Behind the young man the feet of a dead soldier are visible.
The work is based on the tradition of illustration established in the late Victorian era of 'Boy's Own' adventure books. The masculine ideal is epitomised in this young man, who is joyfully engaged in an adventure that defends the interests of the Empire. The style of the poster reflects the artist's career; Hassall was an established illustrator of children's books during the Victorian era. The poster uses three tones: black, the tan of the paper, and white ink for the clouds. The text, printed in black, runs across the upper right and bottom fifth of the poster. John Hassall produced a number of poster designs free of charge for charities during the war. He was so well known for his posters that newspapers called him 'the poster king'.