Poster, 'The British Empire At War'

This British First World War poster was produced to show Britain's allies its commitment to bearing 'her full share of the burden of war' (Auckland Star, 2 September 1916, p. 13). The Auckland Star noted that the poster had been 'extensively circulated in France' (in French), with English-version copies making their way to New Zealand. In fact, 82,000 copies of the English poster were printed, with 120,000 copies of the French version. Slightly different versions were published in May and September 1916 (see links below). There was also an Italian language version, and calendar/notebook versions were printed in Italian (1917) and French (1918). These would all have been part of a concerted propaganda effort to remind and convince viewers of the depth of loyalty and support being made by countries of the British Empire.

 

The poster includes New Zealand’s contributions to the war. New Zealand appeared in several British war posters as an ally and participant. This poster shows the ‘Men of the Empire: Their Homes and Their Battlefields’ where New Zealand joins Australia, Canada, South Africa, Newfoundland, and Crown Colonies in ‘The Overseas Army’. An emotional quote from New Zealand’s Prime Minister William Massey illustrates his deep loyalty to the British Empire: “Not only in this fight for our national honour but for all time, New Zealand is inseparably linked with the loved Homeland”.