The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
First World War poster issued by the Canadian Government to sell Victory Bonds. Depicts a soldier standing in reflection at a grave site on a poppy strewn field in France. In the background to the left are some ruined farm buildings. The title runs across the bottom of the poster, and is printed in yellow ink. The quote "If ye break faith we shall not sleep" printed in dark blue in the top left corner of the poster is inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields', which was written by Canadian poet, physician and artist Lieutenant Colonel John Alexander McRae in May 1915 after his friend was killed during the battle for Ypres. The poem was first published anonymously in the 8 December 1915 edition of 'Punch Magazine'. The third verse was taken up and used as inspiration for the furthering of the war effort in several allied nations, especially in Canada and the United States.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands, we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields'
A version of this poster was also released in French.
Depicts a soldier and a laborer in the foreground, and a torch-bearing angel in the middle ground. In the background is a town, with a cross from a church clearly visible. The Canadian soldier in the
Depicts a soldier and a laborer in the foreground, and a torch-bearing angel in the middle ground. In the background is a town, with a cross from a church clearly visible. The Canadian soldier in the