The Jest Behind The. Tragedy

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 184, 25 October 1927, Page 13

The Jest Behind The. Tragedy

War Tears Turn To Laughter There is a place in London where the instruments of the Great War daijy call to mind the humorous side of those four years of terrible tragedy. It is the Imperial 'War Museum, South Kensington. This effect is precisely the reverse of the original when the museum was created immediately after the Armistice. When it was first opened—at Crystal Palace—the horrors of war were uppermost in the public mind, and the most vivid and easily stirred memories were of terrors, privations and pitiful destruction. “I can offer no explanation for the change other than that merciful Providence has made Time a great healer through forgetfulness,” said Major C. J. Foulkes, the curator. “More and more people are visiting the museum regularly, and more and more the reminiscences inspired have to do with humorous situations which eased the burdens of the fighting men in the dark days. “Unlike other museums, we do not need lecturing guides. Father, or an elder brother, takes the family round the exhibits and tells them all there is to be told. Then it is you hear the funny yarns, and one would imagine that the war must have been a succession of jokes. “The museum has become a personal possession in a way no other sort of museum possibly could. The new angle of viewing it for many is purely historical, but the sense of personal interest is nearly always present. “Some of our visitors supply us with important corrections. Others have shown some pique when they thought we had overlooked fighting units in which they had served. “One man grumbled to me because he had seen nothing which could recall the exploits of trawlers. When I showed him our complete list of every British ship which took part in the war, and found his for him, he was delighted, and burst into reminiscences —humorous again. “On August Bank Holiday, 8,000 people came to the museum. And I am proud that that record beat the Tower. “Our average daily attendance used to be about 700. Through industrial troubles last year was a bad year, but now the people have renewed their interest and the daily average is creeping up. Already it is over the 1000, and on holidays we are crowded out. “Even on gloriously fine days, when people ought to be out in the countrj’, they come here in their thousands, and always you can hear laughable reminiscences, told with gusto amid the grim relics of . merciless war.”