First World War internee satirical cartoon
Date made: 1914-1918
Description: A handcoloured pencil sketch of a satirical cartoon. The cartoon is of a NCO (probably a Sergeant Major as has four stripes on arm) with a swagger stick with the punchline "(Thotford) 20 men please!" (the joke may be that the NCO is not that polite when asking for volunteers). The name 'Thotford' may be the name of the NCO. The sketch is signed 'Hennen W'. The sketch may have been produced at Douglas or Knockaloe camp.
Background:
During the First World War (1914-1918) the Isle of Man was used as an internment base for civilian ‘enemy aliens’. They were held in two camps, a requisitioned holiday camp in Douglas and a purpose built camp located at Knockaloe near Peel on the west coast of the Island. These held at their peaks over 4,000 and 23,000 men in some cases for nearly five years between opening in 1914 and final closure in 1919.
Measurements: overall: 17 cm x 12.6 cm
Materials: paper
Object name: cartoon
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 2008-0170/19
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS