Defeat the Enemy's attempt to starve you: Enrol in the Industrial Army To-day

Place Europe: United Kingdom
Accession Number ARTV00641
Collection type Art
Measurement Overall: 49.8 x 37 cm
Object type Poster
Physical description chromolithograph on paper
Maker Unknown
National Service
Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made 1917
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

A British First World War recruitment poster issued by the Department of National Service (NS) . It features the emblem of the NS centre top which includes a full-length depiction of Winged Victory wearing a winged helmet. She holds a shield inscribed 'Victory' in her left hand, and a palm frond in her right. The rest of the poster is text only printed in black, running from top to bottom, set against a bright yellow background and a red border.

In early 1917 a NS campaign was initiated to free up more recruits for the forces by recruiting volunteers from non essential industries and substituting them for fit men of military age employed in vital war work. It was intiated with the idea of giving government a way to control labour resources without resorting to industrial conscription. Without clear direction from the Government the NS floundered. Neville Chamberlain (later Prime Minister) was appointed first Director of National Service but resigned by August 1917 after falling out with Prime Minister Lloyd George.

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