WIP Critique Young Somme Bust - Slightly Modified

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks Jimmy - that goes on my birthday list now!

Colin

 

[housecarl]

It's a brilliant book.
Carl.

 

[Tarracus]

Colin have you seen this book?
http://www.amazon.com/Faces-World-War-Max-Arthur/dp/1844037126

There's a little "look inside" in this review http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2007/nov/07/historybooks#/?picture=331190775&index=5
It seems really interesting for modellers

 

[ChaosCossack]

Colin,
This piece is coming along absolutely great... It's looking scary realistic. The face is awesome and all the khakis and drabs of the uniform are spot on.
I assume we'll see it in Hamilton, Yes?

Colin

 

[Christos]

Looks very good so far!!

 

[tonydawe]

Colin,

The khaki colour is now spot on. Yes, the original version was slightly too green, so you were right to change it.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

A bit more work. Starting his spade and SMLE now.

Colin

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I posted this in the lounge before but I think it belongs here too. Its my Great Uncle George Ingham's last letter home from France describing the attack of July 1, 1916, the first Day on the Somme. I found this letter on the net last year and corresponded with its owner, the Great Niece of the addressee (George's workmate Alf Plater). Alf's Great Niece Jackie Waters sent me the letter free of charge, saying that it belonged in my family and that's what Alf would have wanted.

Only two and half of four companies of George's battalion attacked the Leipzig Redoubt near Thiepval on July 1 (the other company and a half was blocked by clogged trenches), and they suffered casualties that totalled >50% for the battalion as a whole (probably 80+% for the attacking companies). In George's "A" Company, all three platoon commanders were killed and the company commander was wounded. It's clear from the letter that George was one of the few who made it into the German trenches as he comments on the German helmets and saw bayonets. A very undramatic letter from a young man who survived the worst day in British military history and a family treasure, courtesy of a very generous lady. And the letter gives me his precise unit, a very rare piece of info for British Great War soldiers as records rarely include that level of detail.

Colin

July 8, 1916

Dear Alf

Excuse me being so long in writing to you. I am in the pink and best of
spirits. Charlie told me you had been inquiring about me so I thought I
should write when I had the chance. Things have been pretty hot here
lately. We went over the top last week and I shall never forget it. I lost a good
many of my chums and it was heartbreaking to see some of the wounded men.
There were many German helmets to be got but they would be in the way. We
have quite sufficient to carry. The German bayonets are awful things one
edge is like a razor and the other like a double saw. The sight of them
makes you ratty. Well Alf I hope you don't have to come up. How many more
have listed at Thorntons. I have nothing more to write about so I will
close wishing you the best of luck.

George L. Ingham

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Colin, am I to understand that you are painting on "Family Day"? For shame... You lucky bastard!

This guy is looking absolutely phenomenal, can't wait to see it in the flesh

Colin

I am Colin - had the 5 kids here for brunch with 2 significant others. I cooked a big spread, got totally burned out and earned my time at the brushes. Hope you and your family have a good one. I am planning on Hamilton.

Colin

 

[ChaosCossack]

Wow
Kinda speachless.
What does always amazes me reading descriptions from the front from this time and earlier is how nonchalant they are in describing such horror and sadness. I guess they were just harder than we are now.

Cherish this piece of your family history... you're very fortunate to have it. you must thank Jackie Waters wholeheartedly

Colin

 

[ChaosCossack]

I am Colin - had the 5 kids here for brunch with 2 significant others. I cooked a big spread, got totally burned out and earned my time at the brushes. Hope you and your family have a good one. I am planning on Hamilton.

Colin

We cleaned the house as a family.. yaaaaay. Then I got to bleach Dylan's hair for playoffs... It's a team... thing. Should be an interesting look when he shows up on site to start his apprenticeship in April... looking like Kelly Bundy.

Can't wait to get in the den and LOCK THE DOOR

Colin

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Wow
Kinda speachless.
What does always amazes me reading descriptions from the front from this time and earlier is how nonchalant they are in describing such horror and sadness. I guess they were just harder than we are now.

Cherish this piece of your family history... you're very fortunate to have it. you must thank Jackie Waters wholeheartedly

Colin

That's what gets me too. A young man who had never even left his village, stuck in the trenches in France on that awful day. He left school at 14 to work in a textile mill and yet he writes a better letter than many high school grads would today. A 19 year old who experiences that attack and then writes a calm, undramatic account for his friend, probably aimed at dissuading him from joining up too. It didn't work though. Alf joined the army but was sent to India. He survived the war. Jackie tells me that most of his friends did not. Believe me, Jackie has been thanked and then some.

Colin

 

[ChaosCossack]

That's what get's me too. A young man who had never even left his village, stuck in the trenches in France on that awful day. He left school at 14 to work in a textile mill and yet he writes better letter than many high school grads would today. A 19 year old who experiences that attack and then writes a calm, undramatic account for his friend, probably aimed at dissuading him from joining up too. It didn't work though. Alf joined the army but was sent to India. He survived the war. Jackie tells me that most of his friends did not. Believe me, Jackie has been thanked and then some.

Colin

Like I said.... speechless

 

[pmfs]

Colin, congratulations for the conversion.
Nice painting especially the eyes, seem to have life. Regarding the letter, thank you so much to share with us, much appreciated.

Pedro.

 

[housecarl]

Looking good.
The letter is still poignant,
Carl.

 

[SteveL]

Colin, You should be very proud of this, fantastic job and such a personal one too.
Steve

 

[tonydawe]

Almost 100 years after it was written that simple letter carries so much weight and meaning. It's impossible to imagine the horrors that he so lightly touches on in his letter. "It's been pretty hot here lately" would have to be one of the biggest understatements ever!!

The first day of the Battle of The Somme is remembered as the worst day in British military history, and rightly so, although the days immediately afterwards were no less horrible.

The night before the first day of The Somme offensive, over 5,000 Australian were killed at Fromelles in a single day, the worst 24 hour period in Australian military history. My Great Uncle Walter was very lucky to survive that day. His battalion, the 32nd suffered 75% casualties in one day and the 5th AIF Division was virtually wiped out.

Your bust may just be a blob of painted resin, but you have infused it with so much personal meaning. I hope it will become a family treasure, just like the letter. They belong together.

 

[Joe55]

Wow, what a valuable family treasure! I'd be wanting to frame it and hang it on the wall, but then on the other hand, maybe put it in a safe deposit box or vault.

Joe

 

[Colin_Fraser]

The night before the first day of The Somme offensive, over 5,000 Australian were killed at Fromelles in a single day, the worst 24 hour period in Australian military history. My Great Uncle Walter was very lucky to survive that day. His battalion, the 32nd suffered 75% casualties in one day and the 5th AIF Division was virtually wiped out.

Your bust may just be a blob of painted resin, but you have infused it with so much personal meaning. I hope it will become a family treasure, just like the letter. They belong together.

Thanks Tony - I wasn't aware that your lot were so heavily engaged prior to July 1 - I thought that the Aussies and Canucks were primarily engaged once the British army had burned itself out in July and August...it always amazes me the casualty levels WWI units sustained while just soldiering on. Many men were seriousy wounded over and over. A blighty one was not always a permanent ticket home and those from the colonies had to have a real reason to be sent home.

The bust will certainly be a family heirloom.

Colin

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Thanks Tony - I wasn't aware that your lot were so heavily engaged prior to July 1 - I thought that the Aussies and Canucks were primarily engaged once the British army had burned itself out in July and August...it always amazes me the casualty levels WWI units sustained while just soldiering on. Many men were seriousy wounded over and over. A blighty one was not always a permanent ticket home and those from the colonies had to have a real reason to be sent home.

The bust will certainly be a family heirloom.

Colin

Colin just reconnected with this thread.
Did you ever finish this piece?

My great great uncle was also killed on first day of Messines v3 at La Basseville 31 Jul 17.
Another was wounded in May of that year, bringing home a gammy leg & memories that prevented him having a family.

I am planning a series of tributes to them both, as you have done here.
So keen to hear how you went about keeping their story alive & look forward to seeing final chapter

Thanks for sharing "the letter " above.

Mike