British Empire Union / Once a German - Always a German! 1918.

ARTIST: DAVID WILSON (1873-1935) SIZE: 19 3/4 x 30 1/8 in./50 x 76.5 cm PRINTER: Globe Printing, Finsbury DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1915 as the “Anti-German Union” before renaming itself “British Empire Union,” this group promoted patriotism, social reform, industrial peace, and anti-socialism; they also published a regular journal from 1922 to 1952. The BEU published this poster, featuring numerous atrocities committed by German soldiers, aristocracy, and even average businessmen. The text reads: “Once a German - Always a German! Remember! Every German employed means a British Worker idle. Every German article sold means a British article unsold.” There is also a vignette of Edith Cavell’s grave; the British nurse is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination, and for helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium, for which she was arrested. (War & Propaganda)