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The Lighter Side by Bernard Hugh
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The Lighter Side by Bernard Hugh
A Tommy (on furlough pending discharge): Blimey! I should fancy I had my bathing costume on. A soldier returning home weighed down with a greatcoat, boots, rifle, rucksack and (in the case of this particular man) a number of Christmas presents, must have found civvies a strangely enlightening experience. Demobilised soldiers could choose to keep their greatcoats or to hand them back to the Army in return for a payment of 1"
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Media ID 4475039
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10429081
Bernard Civilian Civvies Demob Demobbed Demobilisation Demobilised Discharge Great Coat Home Coming Hugh Presents Ruck Sack Tommies Tommy
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Lighter Side" by Bernard Hugh: A Soldier's Homecoming and the Surprising Delights of Civilian Life This poignant and humorous photograph by Bernard Hugh, titled "A Tommy (on furlough pending discharge): Blimey! I should fancy I had my bathing costume on," captures the moment of transformation for a weary soldier as he steps into civilian life after demobilization during the aftermath of World War I. The soldier, burdened with a greatcoat, boots, rifle, rucksack, and an assortment of Christmas presents, stands before a shop window, his expression a mixture of wonder and confusion as he gazes at the civilian clothing on display. Demobilized soldiers like this man could choose to keep their greatcoats or to hand them back to the Army in exchange for a payment of one shilling. The uniform that once signified duty, discipline, and the harsh realities of war now seemed an unnecessary burden as he prepared to embrace the unfamiliar world of civvies. The soldier's rucksack, filled with the mementos of his military service, serves as a reminder of the experiences and sacrifices he made during his time in the Army. The photograph, with its historical significance and subtle humor, offers a glimpse into the lives of the Tommies – the common British soldiers of World War I – as they transitioned from military life to the civilian world. The image invites us to reflect on the profound impact of war on individuals and the human spirit, as well as the simple joys and surprises that awaited these soldiers as they embarked on their new lives. Bernard Hugh's "The Lighter Side" is a poignant and engaging snapshot of history, offering a unique perspective on the homecoming of soldiers and the profound changes that accompanied the end of the war.
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