Seeing It Through (Train driver)
A tribute poster issued under the London Transport roundel: a uniformed Underground train driver in profile at the controls, with a verse addressed to him. The tell for glittering generalities is the verse's praise terms ('bravely', 'master of a trying trade', 'you carry on'), which are virtue words with no figures or stated task, and the poster asks for no action beyond appreciation. It is a morale and gratitude piece for the home front, not a call to act.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- London Transport (roundel), printed by The Baynard Press; artist Eric Kennington (signed EHK 44); verse by A. P. Herbert
- Region
- Western and Central Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Corporation
- Regime
- Churchill Government
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Reassure
- Themes
- Home front, Labor
- Event
- World War II
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Held by NARA, Unrestricted; UK wartime publication, hosted by owner decision
London Transport; artist Eric Kennington; verse A. P. Herbert; printed by The Baynard Press, National Archives and Records Administration, 44-PF-384b.
Text on the object
SEEING IT THROUGH Pilot, all alone you ride Through the bowels of the town, Up into the black outside Where the bombs are whistling down. Bombs and blizzards, fogs and frights- "Dead man's handle" at your breast- Lights-and lights-for ever lights- On you ride and never rest. On to Barking, on to Kew! Master of a trying trade, Seldom do we think of you, Never do we feel afraid. A. P. Herbert [imprint:] 144-113-1500. 42625-THE BAYNARD PRESS
