This poster advertised Something New,a puppet show presented at the Canteen Theatre at the Royal Naval Barracks in Portsmouth. The young Private Frank Mumford (1918-2014) devised and performed his marionette shows while serving in the army's Stars in Battledress division. The War Office Central Pool of Artistes, based in London's Upper Grosvenor Street, was the organisation formed during the latter stages of World War II to provide entertainment under the title Stars in Battledress, to troops in areas of conflict, and at home, by performers serving in the Armed Forces of Great Britain.

The original Stage Door Canteen was an entertainment venue for American and Allied servicemen that operated in the Broadway theatre district in New York in 1942. Its popularity led to the establishment of other 'canteens throughout the US, in London, Paris and at Forces' barracks at home.

Frank Mumford (1918-2014) had an extraordinary career as a puppeteer from his schooldays and throughout his long life. He appeared at Wood Green Empire aged just 14, billed as Master Mumford and His Marionettes. He went on to perform with his puppets in Army entertainment during the second World War and later, with his wife Maisie, presented his speciality act the Mumford Puppets for royalty and in top nightspots including the London Palladium and the Moulin Rouge. The Mumfords played cabarets around the world, meeting celebrities such as Jean Cocteau, Josephine Baker and Charlie Chaplin. They performed for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace in Monaco, at private parties for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Paris, and for stars such as Laurel and Hardy and Ingrid Bergman. Frank also carved the early versions of the TV puppet Andy Pandy.