Charles Bruce Bairnsfather

Military
media-30090.jpeg UPL 30090 B-17F 42-29673 'Old Bill' after taking a 20mm round in the nose. nose art was painted by Bruce Bairnsfather. Sgt Willis Todd in the nose. Sgt Zimmerman on the steps.

Object Number - UPL 30090 - B-17F 42-29673 'Old Bill' after taking a 20mm round in the nose. nose art was painted by Bruce Bairnsfather. Sgt Willis Todd in the nose. Sgt...

Prominent British humorist and cartoonist. Served with Royal Warwickshire Regt being hospitalised with shellshock and hearing damage sustained during the 2nd Battle of Ypres.

His best-known cartoon character is Old Bill. Bill and his pals Bert and Alf featured in Bairnsfather's weekly "Fragments from France" cartoons published weekly in "The Bystander" magazine during the First World War. When WWII broke out, the British armed forces having no position for him, he was snapped up by Stars and Stripes magazine and joined American Expeditionary Force in Ulster. Finished two books with the US Army - " Jeep's and Jest's" and the other called "No Kiddin'! ". Also appearing in a film - "A Letter From Ulster."

From Ulster, he was relocated to Chelveston with the 305BG where he applied his 'Old Bill' cartoon both to the mess wall and to the nose of B-17 42-29673.

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Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Murree, Pakistan 9 July 1887 Son of Major Thomas Henry and Jane Bairnsfather.

Died

Worcester, UK 29 September 1959

Enlisted

Charles Bruce Bairnsfather: Gallery (6 items)