First World War Signs and Symbols

A DigitalNZ Story by Dylan Owen

This set of images illustrates the range and use of national (and other nations) symbols and propaganda devices in posters, postcards and other ephemera during the First world War.

Image: Edsall, (Mr), active 1916: Greetings from Sling Camp, 1916 - 1917. Kia-Ora. Christmas and New Year. Bennett Bros, Military Printers, Salisbury [Front cover. 1916]

Edsall, (Mr), active 1916: Greetings from Sling Camp, 1916 - 1917. Kia-Ora. Christmas and New Year. Bennett Bros, Military Printers, Salisbury [Fro...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Postcard]. Souvenir from France. Fabrication francaise. To my dear brother Charles, from Jack. France, 6.15.1917. [Embroidered postcard]

[Postcard]. Souvenir from France. Fabrication francaise. To my dear brother Charles, from Jack. France, 6.15.1917. [Embroidered postcard]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :The spirit of his fathers. New Zealand Observer, Christmas issue, December 1915.

Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :The spirit of his fathers. New Zealand Observer, Christmas issue, December 1915.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A Gallipoli souvenir. Bravo Anzacs! Lt Gen Sir W R Birdwood, "the soul of Anzac"; The Southern Cross; a New Zealand trooper. Rotary Photographic Series. Printed in Britain [Postcard. ca 1915]

A Gallipoli souvenir. Bravo Anzacs! Lt Gen Sir W R Birdwood, "the soul of Anzac"; The Southern Cross; a New Zealand trooper. Rotary Photographic Se...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: 1917 Souvenir de France. [Embroidered postcard to Olive McDuff from Lance/Sgt Walter Henry Saunders].

1917 Souvenir de France. [Embroidered postcard to Olive McDuff from Lance/Sgt Walter Henry Saunders].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :"Come out!". "N.Z. Observer" postcard [1914].

Blomfield, William, 1866-1938 :"Come out!". "N.Z. Observer" postcard [1914].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Roll of Honour presented to men from the Omata District Taranaki. The Great War 1914-18 [ca 1920?].

Roll of Honour presented to men from the Omata District Taranaki. The Great War 1914-18 [ca 1920?].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Postcard. New Zealand, Camp, Sling, Bulford / Fred Wright, Andover [photographer. ca 1919].

Postcard. New Zealand, Camp, Sling, Bulford / Fred Wright, Andover [photographer. ca 1919].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Souvenir programme. Patriotic sports carnival. Domain, Saturday July 3rd 1915 in aid of the Auckland Hospital Ship & War Relief Fund. Price 6d. [Front cover. 1915]

Souvenir programme. Patriotic sports carnival. Domain, Saturday July 3rd 1915 in aid of the Auckland Hospital Ship & War Relief Fund. Price 6d. [Fr...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Payne, Henry Joseph, 1858-1927 :"Kia ora". Hancock's "Imperial" ale, stout. Calendar 1917.

Payne, Henry Joseph, 1858-1927 :"Kia ora". Hancock's "Imperial" ale, stout. Calendar 1917.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Postcard]. Britain's call. The call - the response. "Philco" series no 2560. Printed in England. [ca 1914].

[Postcard]. Britain's call. The call - the response. "Philco" series no 2560. Printed in England. [ca 1914].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: British Empire Union :"Once a German - always a German!" Remember! This man, who has shelled churches, hospitals, and open boats at sea; this robber, ravisher, and murderer, AND this man, who after the war, will want to sell you his German goods, ARE ONE AND THE SAME PERSON! / David Wilson & W.F.B. Written and published by E Bowden-Smith, British Empire Union, London W.C.2 [ca 1915].

British Empire Union :"Once a German - always a German!" Remember! This man, who has shelled churches, hospitals, and open boats at sea; this robbe...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Young, W., fl 1917 :For ever and for ever. ANZAC. W. Young, 14. 4. [19]17. Wellington, C. M. Banks Ltd Chromolithos. [ca 1918?]

Young, W., fl 1917 :For ever and for ever. ANZAC. W. Young, 14. 4. [19]17. Wellington, C. M. Banks Ltd Chromolithos. [ca 1918?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Sling Camp (England)] :Remember ANZAC, Gallipoli, 25th April, 1915. Christmas 1916, New Year 1917 / [Cover on menu / list of members].

[Sling Camp (England)] :Remember ANZAC, Gallipoli, 25th April, 1915. Christmas 1916, New Year 1917 / [Cover on menu / list of members].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: 'The Empire Needs Men!' poster

'The Empire Needs Men!' poster

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: New Zealand War Contingent Association :"Also we will make promise so long as the Blood endures ... Rudyard Kipling. [ca 1915].

New Zealand War Contingent Association :"Also we will make promise so long as the Blood endures ... Rudyard Kipling. [ca 1915].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Poster, 'Clear The Way!!'

Poster, 'Clear The Way!!'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Postcard. Christmas greetings from New Zealand. Ake ake. In my loneliness I ponder, Think of you by night and day, Of you bravely fighting yonder; May God keep you safe I pray / Roslyn. Published by Frank Duncan & Co., High St., Auckland [1914-1918]

Postcard. Christmas greetings from New Zealand. Ake ake. In my loneliness I ponder, Think of you by night and day, Of you bravely fighting yonder; ...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Postcard]. Tipirere. N.Z.M.E.C. Hokowhitu-a-Tu. [ca 1915].

[Postcard]. Tipirere. N.Z.M.E.C. Hokowhitu-a-Tu. [ca 1915].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Moule, D, fl 1919 :Record of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War. 4th Aug. 1914 [to] 28th June 1919 / D Moule del. Published by the Government Life Insurance Department. [ca 1919].

Moule, D, fl 1919 :Record of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War. 4th Aug. 1914 [to] 28th June 1919 / D Moule del. Published by th...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: World War One postcards and Christmas cards

World War One postcards and Christmas cards

Auckland Libraries

Image: Christmas postcard, 1918 : digital image

Christmas postcard, 1918 : digital image

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Poster, 'An Appeal To You'

Poster, 'An Appeal To You'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Exposition Des Allies'

Poster, 'Exposition Des Allies'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Your King and Country'

Poster, 'Your King and Country'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Boys Come Over Here'

Poster, 'Boys Come Over Here'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, "You're proud of your pals in the Army of course!"

Poster, "You're proud of your pals in the Army of course!"

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: 'I Want You' poster

'I Want You' poster

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Come into the ranks'

Poster, 'Come into the ranks'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Feed a Fighter'

Poster, 'Feed a Fighter'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'She helps her Boy to Victory'

Poster, 'She helps her Boy to Victory'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Joan of Arc Saved France'

Poster, 'Joan of Arc Saved France'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, '1805 "England Expects" 1915'

Poster, '1805 "England Expects" 1915'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'The British Commonwealth in Arms'

Poster, 'The British Commonwealth in Arms'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Men Wanted for the Army'

Poster, 'Men Wanted for the Army'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'The Spirit of '18'

Poster, 'The Spirit of '18'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Newspaper

A COSTLY POSTER. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 September 1915)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Poster, 'We're both needed to serve the Guns!'

Poster, 'We're both needed to serve the Guns!'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Sir - don't waste while your wife saves'

Poster, 'Sir - don't waste while your wife saves'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'England Expects Every Man To Do His Duty'

Poster, 'England Expects Every Man To Do His Duty'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Must children die and mothers plead in vain?'

Poster, 'Must children die and mothers plead in vain?'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa