2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, the Shoveler

[Dan Morton]

This is a figure of a Canadian soldier doing what so many Great War soldiers did - endlessly - dig! This was to have been figure 4 of the Tommies in the Somme vignette but my patron nixed that - and actually he was right!

Roger has asked that the figure have the Maple Leaf collar dogs and the box and half circle upper arm insignia of the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles of the 3rd Canadian Division.

This is WIP with lots more to do. Constructive critique is welcome as always!!

All the best,
Dan

 

[vergilius]

amazing that this is one of the first soldiers actually digging! Good thinking!

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Vergilius! Life in the trenches involved lots of toil - back-breaking digging, rations and supplies carrying, road-building, wire-laying, digging mines, digging drainage, etc. I can't say I actually planned this one but I agree with Roger, a little homage is overdue.

All the best,
Dan

 

[vergilius]

There're so much stories to be told about war without actually showing the fighting.

 

[petit belge]

Is he enjoying his digging? Looks like he does!

 

[Roc]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing it finished.

Cheers
Roc

 

[billyturnip]

And I'm looking forward to painting it!
Along with the three figure vignette, better stock up with khaki paint.

Roger

 

[yeo_64]

Well Done, Dan !

NICELY DONE, Dan !!!!! Cheers !
Kenneth .

 

[flart1943]

Well done

Hi Dan
I think it is a great idea of yours to depict a WW1 soldier digging as I imagine that they spent more digging then they did bayonet charging. Well done.
Pete

 

[rafaelega]

Excellent Dan. I'll follow this one!

Rafa

 

[Ulrich]

Hi Dan

what the others said. Not always fighting scenes, this is what the most soldiers do during trench war many hours. Digging. Very good idea. And good sculpting. Roger will have to do much painting during the next time.

Ulrich

 

[Dan Morton]

Pete, Kenneth, Vergilius, the two Rogers!, Roc - Many thanks gents!!!

And I have to agree with Vergilius! Shoveling vs. being shot at - I vote for shoveling every time!

All the best,
Dan

 

[Dan Morton]

Ulrich and Rafa - Many thanks gents! Glad you like it!! Thanks for the encouragement!

All the best,
Dan

 

[billyturnip]

Luckily, I only had to shovel during my enlistment !
And now let's get to business and paint the 'lucky' bastard!

You'll have to wait 'til it gets here I'm afraid
If anyones wondering why I chose 2nd CMR it is to commemorate this man.

VERITY, JOSEPH CYRIL
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Regiment)
Age: 31
Date of Death: 01/11/1917
Service No: 687129
Additional information: Son of Watson and Mary Verity, of Warren House, Ellington, Masham, Yorks., England.

He was born on a farm near East Witton in Yorkshire and emmigrated to Canada sometime before the First World War.
Pte. Verity enlisted in Kamloops, British Columbia and his place of residence at the time was Keremeos, British Columbia. Keremeos is located in the Similkameen Valley and it's about 150 miles from where he lived to where he enlisted.
His occupation was rancher when he enlisted.

Private Verity is commemorated on the Menin Gate and also in the parish church Healey, North Yorkshire. The same church where Oberleutnant Wisseler was buried. The subject of Ulrichs latest sculpt.

Roger

 

[eissteban]

hi Dan and others
i like your shoveler and the tribute to this man is a good thing.
Vergilius sorry, but when you'll see the pictures of my new project, you'll say "one more scene of fight !", often your remarks make me smile so i'll try to do my best.
I think that if a scene of action is quite carried out it is a true pleasure of looking at it.
One more time it's a good idea Dan to do a "non fight" soldier especially a thing which has to occur from the million times during this war !
Thanks to share with us

Seb.

 

[paulyrichard]

Great progress, Dan.

 

[Dan Morton]

Roger - I'm glad you posted that! Thanks!

Vergilius, Sebastien & Paul - Many thanks!

All the best,
Dan