'Rugby Union Footballers are Doing Their Duty', 1915

Chromolithograph recruiting poster, published by the Publicity Department, Central London Recruiting Depot, printed by Johnson, Riddle and Company, London, 1915.

The notion that war was a sporting contest writ large was commonly expressed during World War One and thousands of men enlisted to 'play the greater game'. Like their counterparts in cricket and football, rugby players flocked to the colours. Twenty-seven players who had been capped for England were killed in the conflict.

Text transcription: ''This is not the time to play Games' (Lord Roberts)/ RUGBY.UNION.FOOTBALLERS/ are/ DOING.THEIR.DUTY/ over 90% have enlisted/ 'Every player who represented England in Rugby international matches/ last year has joined the colours.' - Extract from The Times, November 30, 1914./ BRITISH ATHLETES!/ Will you follow this/ GLORIOUS EXAMPLE?'