The Appointment of Official War Artist Frank Norton

Charles Frank Press Norton, commonly known as Frank Norton, was the first official artist commissioned by the Australian War Memorial to document Australia’s naval activities during wartime.

At the breakout of the Second World War, Norton was in London. In April 1940, he wrote to Lieutenant Commander R.M.B. Long, RAN:

“I have decided to return to Australia and on arrival to offer my services in the War … I have been offered a newspaper appointment in Sydney but am very anxious to serve in the War and so wish to apply for consideration for a commission as Official Artist, or any other appointment for which my qualifications may fit me, not necessarily connected with Naval subjects. Further to this, I am willing to serve in the fighting forces (preferably R.A.N.V.R.) when, and if, required.”

He returned to Australia later that year, and in March 1941 was appointed as an official war artist for six months. Norton agreed to a number of conditions, including a medical examination by the Naval Medical Authorities (but as a perk, medical and dental treatment was included as part of his service). He was to be paid two guineas per day (including Sundays) and the appointment could be terminated at any time. Other conditions stipulated that he was not permitted to do any private work, and a selection of fifty of his works “shall become the property of the Commonwealth. The artistic works so selected shall be signed by you and the copyright in them shall be assigned to the Commonwealth.”

As his introduction to working as an official war artist, he was instructed to take a train, followed by a plane, from Sydney via Melbourne to Fremantle, before returning to Sydney aboard a Royal Australian Navy ship. It was “desired” that he “make some sketches or paintings of various phases of life aboard a warship in wartime.” Back in Sydney, he was stationed in the Port of Sydney but quickly “exhausted the material at Garden Island and the Dockyards”.

It was quickly agreed that he should go overseas. His appointment was extended for six months: “This [extension] will enable you to proceed overseas for the purpose of recording the doings of R.A.N. vessels abroad, and will also enable you to complete work which you already have in hand.”  Aboard RAN ships, he spent time in the South West Pacific Area.

Norton also spent some time with Royal Australian Air Force squadrons in North Africa and the Middle East. It was here that the free medical treatment to which he was entitled came in handy, for problems with his eyes. The Surgeon Commander of HMAS Hobart, L. Lockwood reported Norton was suffering from “an inflammatory condition.” In addition to the prescribed medical treatment, it was also noted that “Mr. Norton is somewhat run-down. He has had no leave. It would be desirable for him to have seven days leave to rest his eyes and generally give himself a spell.”

In January 1942 it was questioned if Norton had been underpaid while employed as an official artist; as Norton was transferred between departments, so too was the responsibility for his payment. This was complicated by his service overseas and what was determined to have been a miscalculation of the exchange rate. In 1946, after a lengthy bureaucratic process, Norton received back-pay of 34 pounds and eight pence – not an insignificant amount.

There are over 250 works by Frank Norton in the Memorial’s collection, making him one of the most prolific contributors to the official war art scheme during the Second World War. In addition to the technically accurate depictions of ships and aircraft, his work also highlights the many different jobs required of a crew or squadron. He was an excellent draughtsman, and his highly detailed drawings and paintings capture the act of serving.

In a letter of thanks, the Chairman of the Board of Management of the Memorial, H.V Johnson, wrote: “Your war pictures will be an important addition to the Australian War Memorial collection, and will have considerable interest for the ex-service men and women and other who view them in years to come. They are a valuable record of an important chapter of Australian history.”

The Australian War Memorial registry files for the application and appointment of Frank Norton as Official War Artist in the Second World War have been digitised and are available to view here.