The ‘Would to God Brigade’ was a series of cartoons highlighting the hypocrisy of politicians, business leaders, mainstream Protestant religious leaders and others who urged young men to go to war without themselves being subject to conscription.

The series was drawn by Victorian artist Osbert Garland, and authorised by John Curtin in his role as Secretary of the Anti-Conscription Campaign. While not as famous as the ‘Blood Vote’, this series of cartoons was nonetheless influential at the time.

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The Charge of the "Would-to-God" Brigade

"One of the most stirring episodes of the Great War of a century ago was the dashing charge of the famous 'Would to Godders.' Foaming at the mouth and shouting their cries—'Would to God I was ten years younger'—'Would to God I was a man'—'Would to God I was not lame, halt, or blind'—'Would to God I could be spared from the fold'—they dashed out of the trenches of imagination waving their umbrellas and walking-stickes, throwing verbal bombs at the enemy and their own people who refused to fight, and struck terror into the hearts of the phantom army."

— Extract from the Gazabo Guardian, Aug.6, 2016.