Spencelayh caught the mood of the nation with 'Why War?' painted in 1938 and a Royal Academy 'Picture of the Year' in 1939. The artist injected a strong note of pathos in this work, picturing a veteran of 'the war to end all wars' sadly contemplating the onset of World War II.

The narrative is skilfully fleshed out in the understated detail, a recently delivered gas mask from Lewisham Council and the old soldier's medals from Mons and other campaigns. Spencelayh's skill as a painter of miniatures is evident in the still life detail, particularly the front page of a newspaper covering Chamberlain's abortive mission to make peace with Hitler.