This unpleasant-looking character is called the Squander Bug, and it was created during the Second World War by artist Phillip Boydell, an employee of the National Savings Committee. The Committee raised funds by urging the public to save their own money and invest it in the war effort.

The cartoon bug appeared in press adverts and poster campaigns as a menace who encouraged shoppers to waste money rather than buy war savings certificates.

The campaign was extremely popular and the cartoon was adapted for use in other countries, including Australia and New Zealand. The American children’s author Dr Seuss created his own version of the Squander Bug for use in war savings campaigns in the United States.

Here are six different faces of the Squander Bug.

Posters

The Squanderbug alias Hitler’s pal

'Wanted for sabotage - the Squanderbug alias Hitler's Pal'.

Posters

Don’t be a Squander Bug!

'Don't be a Squander Bug - keep up your war savings'.

Posters

Don’t listen to the Squander Bug

'Don't listen to the Squander Bug - buy war savings'.

Souvenirs and ephemera

Target practice

An air rifle target of a Squander Bug, made to look like Hitler.

Posters

Squash the Squander Bug

'Squash the Squander Bug - put your money into war savings'.

Posters

Kill that pest

'After 'im - kill that pest with war savings'.

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