'Your King and Country Need You'

This poster was published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee (PRC) in October 1914. The PRC was formed at the outset of the war to kick-start the massive recruitment drive needed to expand the army. Chaired by the Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, this cross-party committee utilized the existing infrastructure in parliamentary constituencies to support recruitment through the distribution of leaflets and posters, and by the organisation of rallies, processions and public meetings.

The first PRC posters, published in September-October 1914, followed a traditional format for official government proclamations, consisting of a concise patriotic message printed beneath the Royal Monogram. Their official status was reinforced by the use of red and blue text against a white background to imply the colours of the Union Flag.

At this stage in the conflict, many men joined up under the assumption that the war would only last a few months and that it was their duty to volunteer for 'King and Country' until Germany was defeated.