With thanks to Alan Wilson and others, here is a list of the books and magazines compiled and some published by Samuel Evelyn Thomas, some known to feature early work by Carl Giles as well as other greats, such as Roland Davies and David Langdon.
This item was last updated on Friday 4th September 2026
Samuel Evelyn Thomas was a prolific British compiler, writer, and publisher active from the 1930s through the 1950s, known for creating lighthearted diversion during and after World War Two. Some of his books were published by other publishers.
Samuel Evelyn Thomas as a publisher was based at 87 Gloucester Place London W1.
Do note that some covers shown do not feature work by Giles but include his work inside. You can find copies on eBay and other collectables online sites such as Abe Books, or check your local charity or vintage book shops.
Be aware that the humour in these books or magazines is contemporary and some themes or individual cartoons are out of step with, in particular, women, and may cause offence. We present the titles here for historical reference.
Additional information such as publication dates and images, including larger covers, are very welcome | Information here on how to contact us
In the 1940s a whole series of “Laughs around the …” cartoon and jokes anthology paperbacks, all compiled by S. E. Thomas, were published with the aim of raising morale during and just after the World War Two, many featuring work by Giles, the Daily Express editorial cartoonist also providing some covers. They each focused on one area of life or group of workers, including Laughs with the Forces, Laughs on the Home Front, Laughs with the Home Guard and so on.
Publishers of Thomas’ titles also included George G. Harrap, London, and John England, St Albans.
They all reveal something, not only of the wartime humour, but also the preoccupations, prejudices and concerns regarding the wartime changes in people’s lives and experiences. They also feature some American cartoons from American publications, perhaps to appeal to those GIs over in Britain from 1942 to 1945 fighting the war with the British.
Humours of ARP
Published by S. Evelyn Thomas, 1941
Paperback, 64 Pages
A 1941 wartime humour booklet, features 56 pages of jokes, short stories, and 22 cartoons – notably containing some of the earliest published full-colour cover artwork by Giles.
Laughs with the Workers
1940s (Wartime?)
Cover by Giles
Laughs with the RAF
Published circa 1942
RAF Parade
Published by John England Publications, 1944
Hardcover collection, does anyone have the fly paper?
Laughs around the Land
Compiled by S. Evelyn Thomas
1947, published by P.J. Press, Northolt.
Cartoon and jokes anthology compiled by S. Evelyn Thomasfeaturing a Giles cartoon on the cover showing a land girl hoeing in the a field, attracting the attention of a mounted gentleman farmer who is clearly pleased to see her.
Cricket Fanfare and Laughs around the Wicket
Published by S. Evelyn Thomas, 1948
Paperback, 64 Pages
Booklet containing articles by leading players, jokes and stories.
Cricket Fanfare Laughs around the Wicket (Revised Edition)
Published in 1949?
Paperback, 64 Pages
Football Fanfare
Published in 1948
Paperback, 64 Pages
Football humour and cartoons. Also includes articles by the likes of Stanley Matthews, Tommy Lawton, Raich Carter and many more.
Happy Birthday to You: A Feast of Birthday Humour
Circa 1950s
Laughs in Short Pants No. 1 – cover being sought, can you help?
Published by S. Evelyn Thomas, early 1950s
Fun and Fancy for Football Fans
Laughs in Short Pants No. 2
Published by S. Evelyn Thomas, 1955
More Fun and Fancy for Football Fans. Cartoons by Jack Ketton and others
Additional information such as publication dates and images, including larger covers, are very welcome | Information here on how to contact us
Publication Dates Unknown
Listed Alphabetically, Not Date Order
Good Humour Annual
Good Humour
Good Humour No 2 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Good Humour No 3 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Good Humour No 4
Good Humour No 5 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs with the Home Guard
Laughs with the Navy
Laughs with the Navy No 2
Laughs with all Lovers – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs with the Lovelies
Published by P.J. Press. Northolt, undated, circa 1945
Laughs with the Lovelies No 2
Laughs with the Lovelies No 3
Laughs with the Medicos
Laughs with the RAF No 2 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs with the Forces – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughter Ahoy
Laughter AWheel
Laughter On Holiday
Laugh while you Travel
Laugh and Live Longer
Laughs for your Holiday
Laughs for all Sports
Laughs for your Leisure
Laughs for your Leisure No 2 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs along the Lines
Features a railway-themed collection of comic strip-style cartoons, each capturing quirky moments and humorous takes on life along the English railways.
It appears at least four editions of this title were published – but online publishing information on them is a little unclear. Were they reprints of the first edition, or new collections? Can you help?
Laughs along the Lines No 2
Laughs along the Lines No 3?
Laughs along the Lines No 4?
Laughs around the Heartstrings – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs around the Home – do you have a better cover?
Laughs at the Local – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs for Light Moments – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs in Short Pants – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs in Short Pants No 2 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs of Mystery & Crime
Laughs on the Home Front
Laughs with the Forces
Laughs with the Yanks – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laughs with the Youngsters – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Laugh your Blues Away – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Many Happy Returns – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Married Mirth
Thomas takes a poke of fun at the institution and actuality of married life, and those who enter into it.
Married Mirth No 2 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
Married Mirth No 3 – Cover Being Sought, Can You Help?
More Laughs with the Forces
Head downthetubes for…
• Peter Gray’s Carl Giles Cartoonist Fansite on Facebook
• Key Military: Drawing Inspiration (Subscription Required for full article)
Britain’s greatest cartoonists punched above their weight to provide a humorous, often satirical salve to the pressures of wartime life. It may seem strange that while Britain was reeling from Hitler’s bombs, the British found ways to ‘laugh it off ’.Indeed, laughter in the face of the enemy, under the toughest circumstances, proved a morale booster and helped steel the nation for a long conflict.
Additional information such as publication dates and images, including larger covers, are very welcome | Information here on how to contact us
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.