1917. Bruce Bairnsfather's cartoons were to the general public during World War I what Bill Mauldin's cartoons were to be in World War II. His "If you know of a better 'ole-get to it" may be the most famous cartoon of all time. His humorous portrayals of ordinary soldiers in the trenches were a great morale booster and were still serving as an inspiration years later during the dark days of the Second World War.