The National Portrait Fund

[George Armstrong Custer]

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Interesting choices for all 3 services.

[George Armstrong Custer]

Interesting choices for all 3 services.

As C-in-C Haig was really the only choice for the Army, as was Trenchard for the fledgling RAF and Beatty as C-in-C of the Grand Fleet for the Navy. Jellicoe, of course, was gone even as First Sea Lord by the final year of the war. The Haig/Beatty combination is also used on the ubiquitous peace mugs:

[George Armstrong Custer]

The National Portrait Fund scheme was designed to raise funds for former officers in financial difficulties, but other similar schemes utilised the Haig name to raise funds for other ranks who were facing difficult times. The one below was issued in the form of a memorial card after Haig's death, and was in the form of an introduction card from the ex-serviceman himself asking for a job or, failing that, financial help from the purchase of the card itself at 2d. The idea seems a little like an early version of the concept behind 'The Big Issue' vendors seen on our streets today.

ciao,

GAC