Lord Derby Scheme comic postcard 5

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Inter-Art Co. Ltd

1915

Overview

Colourful comic postcard featuring a cherubic child standing on a British sea shore (of sand and pebbles) with sailing boats in the background on the water.
The child has a round face, rosy cheeks and one curl on top of its head. It is wearing a Lord Derby Scheme armband as bathers and nothing else.
The caption below reads 'You won't find any 'arm in this even if you look' in black letters. There is a white border all of the way around the card.
The postcard is No. 1557 in the 'Comique' Series, published by the Inter-Art Co., Barnes, London, S.W. Although there is no stamp or postal marks, it has been sent to Julie from May and Arthur.

Historical information

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.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00254

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Postcards

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Card

Ink

Width

88 mm

Height or length

140 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front:

"YOU WON'T FIND ANY
'ARM IN THIS EVEN
IF YOU LOOK"

On reverse:

"Dear Julie
Just a line to let
you know we are having
a good time, but
I can't sleep at night,
with you so far away.
I forgot to bring your photo
away with me.
Well, I hope you are
having a good time.
Have you seen Mr Batchelor lately.
Love to all
May and Arthur."

"How is SOS"

"Inter-Art Co. Ltd, Red Lion Square, London, W.C.
"COMIQUE" Series, No. 1557, British Manufacture Throughout"

Keywords

Place made

London
United Kingdom