Lord Derby Scheme comic postcard 3

Donald McGill (1875-1962) was a graphic artist whose name has become synonymous with saucy seaside postcards that were sold mostly in small shops in British coastal resorts. He created over 12,000 postcards from 1904 till his death in 1962.
During World War One, he turned his attention to military humour. Although some of the puns and subject matter would now be considered politically incorrect, they are of their time.

Several of his designs are in the collection.

The Lord Derby Scheme armbands were worn by men who had formally volunteered for Army Service but who had yet to be issued with a uniform.
The scheme was introduced in November 1915 by Lord Derby, Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby (1865–1948) after which it was named. He was Lord Kitchener's choice for Director General of Recruiting.
The scheme represented a final attempt to avoid full-scale Conscription.
Men aged between 18 & 41 were asked to attest their readiness to serve in the British Army, on the understanding that all single men would be called up before the youngest married volunteers.
Unfortunately by the scheme’s closing date of December 1915, more than a million men had failed to come forward, resulting in compulsory military service being introduced in January 1916.

Many humorous postcards were released around this time to encourage men to enlist.