#battalion

“Marguerite Walitier / Vive La France 12 Aout 1918″

A Canadian soldier from the 1st Machine Gun Battalion shows off a large zucchini which was presented to the Prince of Wales. Photo taken in Valenciennes, France in October, 1918.

Original Image Source: Canadian Library and Archives

Accompanying paperwork (linked to previous photographs) for Capt Lennox Robert Murray Napier served 2nd Camerons 1911-15

He served with the 2nd Battalion in India and on the outbreak of World War 1 he remained there in charge of married families, until rejoining the Battalion, then near Dickebusch, 17th Feb 1915. After being wounded at the battle of Frezenberg Ridge, 8th May 1915, he was posted to the 1st Battalion and commanded ‘C’ Company during the trench fighting in the Bethune sector, and at the battle of Bazentin Ridge when he was mortally wounded while leading the assault, and fell into the hands of the Germans.  

Died as a Prisoner of War on the 28th July 1916 in a German Field Hospital, of wounds received in action 23rd July 1916. Originally reported missing.

(ACC 79-19)

…WAR, AS IT IS…

Whilst working at the archive and museum today I was utterly struck by the embedded intricacy of this painting. Layer upon brushwork upon detail; soldier beside solder. It manages to convey an epic sense of magnitude alongside the minutiae of war. From the ragged, upstanding, flag to bare and bereft trees…. 

Title: ‘The Seventh Battalion at Hill 70, 1915′

Painter:Joseph Gray

Background:The painting shows the 7th Camerons after taking Hill 70, one of their objectives during the battle of Loos, 25th September 1915. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel JW Sandilands, is depicted rallying the survivors of nine different battalions to hold the hill against German counter attacks. The painting was presented to the Regiment by Miss Eveline Barron. Her father, Major J Barron, died of wounds at Loos on 27th September 1915 while serving with the 7th Camerons. 

Biographical info:

‘Gray joined the 4th (Dundee) Battalion, The Black Watch Regiment after the outbreak of World War One and fought with them from August 1914 to March 1916, in the battles of Neuve Chapelle, Festubert and Loos.

There were a number of journalists who joined the 4th Battalion in the early stages of the war and they referred to themselves as ‘Fighter-Writers.’ Once he reached the trenches Gray’s talents as a draughtsman were quickly recognised. He was appointed an observer, a role which involved many expeditions into the firing line to make sketches of enemy positions. He was also called upon to duplicate trench maps, as he did before the Battle of Festubert, marking out the positions of the men of his battalion.

During 1915-1916 Gray sent back many reports to the Dundee Courier but was eventually invalided out of service in March 1916. Back home he was appointed official war artist at The Graphic illustrated newspaper and contributed drawings and articles about different aspects of trench life. All his drawings were based on original sketches made during his time in the firing line.’

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gray_(painter)

“Here are shown no… glittering swords, and noble horses, but plain, steadfast, unconquerable men, standing with their faces to the foe and grasping their fixed bayonets in the firm determination to win or die.”

WAR AS IT IS. THE SEAFORTHS AT NEUVE CHAPELLE / The Inverness Courier, 23 September 1920.