An historically significant First World War recruiting poster, Lord Kitchener’s Appeal, August 1914. One of the very first (possibly THE first) recruiting poster issued by the British government following the declaration of war on Germany, 4 August 1914. Unlike later pictorial posters issued by the official Parliamentary Recruiting Committee from September 1914, this poster takes the form of a printed proclamation and is issued in the name of the newly appointed Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener.

At this stage in the conflict, enlistment remained voluntary resulting in a massive publicity campaign to encourage young men to join the army for the duration of the war. Kitchener’s initial request for 100,000 volunteers was quickly met and by the end of August over 300,00 had joined up.

The poster is dated ‘8/14’ (August 1914) in the print code at the base and has an additional contemporary annotation ‘Aug 1914’. 30,000 copies were printed but almost none have survived making this one of the rarest British recruiting posters of the war.

A higher resolution image is available for viewing on request.