Bruce Bairnsfather’s work humanised war and stood apart from traditional war art that glorified heroism or focused on dramatic battle scenes. His work highlighted the camaraderie, grievances and coping mechanisms of soldiers in a way that was authentic and realistic.

Through his publisher, 'The Bystander', many of Bairnsfather's cartoons became merchandised as china ornaments, although the artist himself was to make little financial gain from these.

This...