Imaginary sketch of 'Reported Missing' Cartoon - by Jamie.
With
topical stories and cartoons,
The
Bystander magazine since 1903,
Had
set to entertained the British
On a
weekly basis - with changes
Of
the times to reflect on humours.
With varied satirists contributions
Providing
a staple diet, perhaps
It
was not long before offences
Of
the establishment would start
To
emerge, as in January 1916.
Circulated
countrywide, an edition
Of
the 26 January Bystander had
Sent
out 34,000 issues, to contain
One
particular image - to evoke
Defence
of the Realm Act 1914.
The
particular picture was entitled
'Reported
Missing' - under a tree
A
private in a sun hat lay, possibly
At
Gallipoli or south East front, drunk
Without
arms, holding a jug of rum.
The
expression of the sun helmeted
Soldier
was in hopeless drunkenness,
Signed
by the creator 2nd Lieutenant
Charles Edward
Burton Bernard, from
The 10th West
Yorkshire Regiment.
Enough to evoke
threats against
Regulations, HR
Baines and Co Ltd
And Lieutenant
Bernard were
Called to court - at the Mansion House
Where Sir David
Burnett presided.
For defence, Gordon Heart K.C.
As Director of
Public Prosecutions
Said that this magazine issues,
Would also have
reached many
Neutral countries
and Germany.
A reaction of
laughter was raised,
With challenge
of any circulation
In Germany would
prejudiced
Recruitment of British
forces in that
Country - Sir
Burnett commented.
This cartoon promoted
a great lack
Of respect for
differences during
Times of war or
peace - to depict
A drunk soldier unable
to do duty;
Before 1914 it
may have been funny.
Mr Carter the magazine
editor
Had been given
notice to leave -
In a claim that this was nothing
To do with any
Bystander picture -
Yet it seemed
oddly convenient.
The argument for
offence lay
In fact that an
officer's signature
Claimed cartoon's
creation -
A drunk private
was a gross
Slander on his
majesty's forces.
Depicted by an
officer, a drunk
And disorderly private
would
Prejudice
discipline and further
More to affect future recruitment;
To present a very
serious matter.
Sir David Burnett's
decision on
Side of the prosecution, evoked
Fines of £50 on
Mr Carter and
Lieutenant
Bernard and £100
Against publisher
Messers Baines:
Mr Hewart
declared an appeal.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1916. Military
Discipline - An Officer's Cartoon - 'Bystander' Fined £100. The Daily
Telegraph, [online] 19 February
1916. P.5. Col.2. Available
at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12161949/Daily-Telegraph-February-19-1916.html
[Accessed: 19 February 2016].
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1London
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