In his talk, Malcolm covered not only Bairnsfather's family background and First World War record but also the huge and popular success of the stage shows, films and lecture tours spawned by Old Bill and his pals Bert and Alf, the central characters
in so many of Bairnsfather's cartoons.
The public's affection for him continued long after the war, which popularity enjoyed something of a renaissance during the Second World War.
Through his cartoons, Bairnsfather is often credited as the man who relieved the strain of war through humour, yet the impact they had was never officially recognised by way of military or civil honours or decorations. Perhaps the harshly realistic pictures from the front affronted the Establishment.
Born in 1887 – he died of cancer in September 1959, aged 72 – Bairnsfather soon demonstrated his artistic talent but it was only during the First World War while serving as a junior officer with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment that this truly blossomed. The earliest known drawing for which an original exists dates from Christmas 1914.
His first published cartoon appeared in The Bystander for which he was paid two guineas. More cartoons followed based on Bairnsfather's personal experiences during the cold winter of 1914-1915. So popular did they become that, soon, the first of what eventually became eight compilations was published.
After being blown up by a shell in April 1915 Bainsfather's health deteriorated to the point of him being assessed as not being fit for front line service. This did not stop him returning to the Western Front as an official war artist. Indeed, widespread recognition of the positive impact his cartoons and humour had on the morale of both the armed forces and civilian population led, first, to the French Army asking for Bainsfather to be attached to them, to do for the French what he had done for the British.
Later attachments followed to the Italian, Australian and American forces. During the Second World War the Americans appointed him official cartoonist to the US Army Air Force.
Malcolm's truly enlightening talk was extremely well received by a large and most appreciative audience.
The WFA's next meeting will be held on July 27 at 7.30pm when Peter Hart, the Imperial War Museum's oral historian, will deliver his talk, Not Again: The German Assault on the Aisne, May 27, 1918. As always, the venue will be Alnmouth Ex-Servicemen's Club. Visitors and new members will be welcomed. The suggested donation is £1, to include a light buffet supper.
