Are you a Man or Are you a Mouse?

In the Museum we have a variety of propaganda posters on the walls, from both the First and Second World Wars. Whether its 'Careless talk costs lives' or 'Daddy, what did you do in the Great War?' the posters highlight the mechanism for getting a message across to a large proportion of the population, before the advent of television or social media. As I walk round the gallery, the scale and design of these posters always make an impression on me, even today in 21st centruy Britain. I wonder what sort of impression they made when they were printed and put up in towns and cities around the UK all those years ago?.

One of the original posters we hold in the collection is the very local 'man or mouse' poster in the colours of Lord Lonsdale, who actively recruited soldiers from the local area. Infact, the wording on this poster is so of its time that we have had it reproduced on ceramic mugs which we currently sell in our shop. The original poster is actually quite small - no pictures but different sizes of writing to stand out - 'HURRY UP!' for example in bold capitals to give maximum impact. 

The fact that the poster is saying are you a 'gallant patriot' or a 'rotter or a coward' after the 'man or mouse' header, is really making a strong statement. In a time of need there is no room for men who do not want to defend their country. After all 'the country has never been in greater peril' and local men are needed to join up and protect their families, towns, country. It packs no punches. Get down to your recruitment office with your friends and enlist (in Carlisle, the office was based in Devonshire Street). For Cumberland, this new Lonsdale Battalion, which eventually became the 11th Battalion, The Border Regiment actively recruited from the area. From Carlisle, Penrith, Keswick, Workington, Maryport and many more villages and towns in Cumberland, men were encouraged to sign up and join the Lonsdales. This was our local 'pals' regiment, where men trained and fought together. Part of the volunteer army of the First World War. 
 


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