Postcard WW1 Sketches of Tommy's Life British Army At the Base 1 Channel

This is a postcard from the “Sketches of Tommy's Life” series, drawn by Fergus Mackain, and based on his own experience while serving with the British Army on the Western Front during WW1.   The cards were illustrated with delicately coloured sketches showing soldiers in various situations, sometimes humorous, and sometimes not.  Many of these situations will be familiar to anyone who has served in any army since !

This example is No.1 in the 10 card set entitled “At the Base”, and shows a young soldier talking to an older man (a veteran of the original British Expeditionary Force from 1914) while crossing the Channel to France.  It was published by G. Savigny in Paris, on quite thin paper, and is unposted.

The “old B.E.F. man” here is wearing what appears to be a two year Good Conduct stripe (or chevron) on his lower left sleeve. Regulations required that they be worn point up, so in this instance Mackain may be making a humorous observation of the soldier’s misconduct !

The card is in fair condition with minor wear to the corners and edges, and a few marks.

Please see some other military-related items, currently on sale, including other cards from the same series.