'To Berlin!', recruiting poster, 1914

This recruiting poster was published by 4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), in 1914. Not all posters were serious in their subject matter. This example was produced locally in Canterbury and aimed to raise recruits for the 4th Battalion, by making light of volunteering. The 4th Battalion was a Territorial Force unit, and ended up spending much of the war in India.

Comparing the war with a hunting trip where accommodation, travel and even ammunition costs would be provided, was designed to appeal to the adventurous, and intended to raise a smile. It highlighted the commonly held belief that the war would be over quickly and easily, culminating in the successful capture of Berlin by spring 1915.

The named recruiter is Private Daniel Sherrin, a local Kent artist who volunteered early in the war. During a recruiting event, he participated in a wager against a local butcher to see if he could paint an oil painting of a yacht on the sea faster than the butcher could carve a roast beef. Sherrin only lost by 10 seconds.