大象传媒

The No. 2 Officer Cadet Battalion, known as 鈥淔鈥� company, trained in Cambridge, initially at Christ鈥檚 College, then at Ridley Hall Theological College. The company had a mix of nationalities, including South Africans, Australians, Canadians and British.

Their creativity and satire emerged in two publications: 鈥淭he Blimp鈥� in 1917, and 鈥淎 Medley in F鈥� the following year. Printed by W Heffer and sons in Cambridge, the cadets sold advertisements to various businesses in the city.

Poems, articles, cartoons, and a musical composition called 鈥淭he Blimp鈥� (originally meaning a non-rigid floating airship) gave an insight to the spirit of the men during their time in Cambridge. Many of the items were just signed with an initial to protect the identity of any cadet who may have overstepped the mark.

Development Officer Elaine Thornton from Ridley Hall discovered the magazines during a search through the archives.

Location: Ridley Hall, Newnham Walk, Cambridge CB3 9HG
Image shows the front cover of 鈥淭he Blimp鈥�
Photograph courtesy of Elaine Thornton

Show less