During the Second World War, Snaffles served in the Home Guard and helped with the camouflage of airfields and gasometers. He likely drew this scene from a training exercise undertaken by the Parachute Regiment. Churchill directed the War Office to investigate founding such a regiment in response to the success of German airborne operations and training of the 'Paras' subsequently took place at the No. 1 Parachute Training School, RAF Ringway. Much was expected of these soldiers, who were often outnumbered and outgunned when parachuting into action, hence Snaffles' exclamation: 'Gosh! They do ask them lads a question!'.