Who's Absent - Is It You? - British Recruiting Poster

This poster, from Britain, was produced during World War One.  It features John Bull making an appeal to eligible men (usually between the ages of eighteen and forty-one) to join the war effort.

Note the language (just a few words), the message (to the point) and the images (chosen for personal, instant impact). 

The poster was produced in 1915, the year before Britain enacted a conscription law.  Once compulsory service was in effect, eligible men were required to serve their country during the war.

Credits

Image online, courtesy Library of Congress, where the following source information is provided:

Title: Who's absent? Is it you? / printed by Andrew Reid & Co., Ltd., 50, Grey Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Date Created/Published: London: Parliamentary Recruiting Committee [1915]

Medium:1 print (poster): lithograph, color; 74 x 50 cm.

Summary: Poster showing John Bull pointing and addressing the viewer, with burning buildings and a line of soldiers with gaps in the background.

Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-11249 (color film copy transparency)

For information see "World War I Posters"

Call Number: POS - Gt Brit .P37, no. 1 (C size) [P&P]

Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Poster no. 125.