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Accession Number | ART03603 |
Collection type | Art |
Measurement | sheet: 42 x 61.8 cm; image: 37 x 61 cm |
Object type | Work on paper |
Physical description | charcoal and watercolour wash on paper |
Place made | France |
Date made | 1918 |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain |
4th Division Engineers making Dummy Tanks, Le Catelet
Depicts a group of soldiers constructing a dummy tank , made of timber and hessian, under the shade of trees at Le Catelet in France during the First World War. George Benson (1886- 1960) studied at the National Gallery School, Melbourne, from 1903 to 1904 and worked with the poster designer, Harry J Weston. He was subsequently engaged in cartoon work and verse illustrations for various magazines including the 'Bulletin', Australian 'Punch' and 'Sporting and Dramatic News'. Benson enlisted in September 1914, with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, serving in Egypt and Gallipoli. He served in France in 1916 with the British Expeditionary Force, later undertaking a camouflage course in England and being appointed an official war artist working as Officer in Charge of Camouflage attached to the 4th Division AIF in France in 1918. Following the war he undertook work with the Australian War Records at St. John's Wood in London. Benson returned to Melbourne in 1919 and his commission was terminated in 1920.