The Comic Cards of Donald McGill and Douglas Tempest in World War One

Peter Tucker compares these two giants of the comic postcard scene

(Originally published in Picture Postcard Annual 1996)

(Reproduced by kind permission.)

6 Women's Work

As more and more men went to the front a vacuum was left at home in the work place. Women were keen to do their bit and quickly took up the jobs that were usually the reserve of men. Many went to work in the munitions factories and became, in the words of the press "Munitionettes". It was hard and dangerous work, but it had its compensations: for the first time women had money of their own and it became somewhat of a craze among society girls to work there as well. As the employment of women increased, they could be seen driving motor cars and vans, ticket collecting at the underground, as conductors on buses and trams, sweeping roads, delivering coal and working on the land. They also became nurses, policewomen and joined the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.

These changes in lifestyle demanded new fashions. Women's dresses became simpler and skirts shorter. This was both for practical reasons and because of the shortage of material. Land girls and. delivery girls adopted a male style of dress, much to the consternation of the older male workers. The new role that women had, and the new fashion, gave more material for the artists to exploit. A young Miss wearing the height of fashion, is shocked by the notice on a munitions factory gate which reads, "All workers on munitions will work in shifts". She is saying "Well, I want to do my bit, but I draw the line at that!!" On this McGill card ("Comique" series no.1784), the sender writes in 1917 "From E.P. Pip Pip, what oh, don't you know" (A bit Bertie Wooster, don't you think?) Tempest draws a girl van driver in breeches speaking to an old country gentleman on 'Witty' series no.595. "Good day Sir! Do you know if this is the way to Wareham", reply 'Aye! They look alright to me, Missy".

On a similar card 'Witty Comic' series no.683 a land girl with her hands in her breeches' pockets, is speaking to the old country gentleman's twin. "Is this the way to Oldham, please", reply "Why - don't yer wear braces Missy?" On card no.701 "Witty Comic' series we see the American influence this depicts a British soldier kissng a girl from the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps "A lot of fellows in the army chew gum, but some prefer W.A.A.C.'s."