Private William Leslie Bowles (left), Royal Tank Corps, and an unidentified soldier, seated on ...

Private William Leslie Bowles (left), Royal Tank Corps, and an unidentified soldier, seated on motorcycles, probably whilst performing messenger duties in France. Born in Australia, Bowles was studying in England at the South London School of Sculpture when the First World War began. He enlisted in the 25th London Regiment in 1914, and was subsequently transferred to the Royal Tank Corps, with whom he served in France until 1919. On returning to Australia in 1924, Bowles was employed by the Australian War Memorial on the production of dioramas depicting significant events from the First World War. In 1925 he was appointed head sculptor of the modelling section at the Memorial, and remained in this position until 1931. Bowles produced several sculptures for the Memorial, including 'The man with the donkey', a memorial to Simpson and his donkey. With Napier Waller, Bowles also designed the initial sculptural feature for the Hall of Memory. He was also often called upon for advice on the commissioning of sculpture and memorials right up until his death in 1954.