The waggon-loading post, Vaux

Place Europe: Belgium
Accession Number ART02211.012
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 52.4 x 78 cm; image: 38.8 x 54 cm
Object type Print
Physical description lithograph on paper
Place made United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London
Date made 1917
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Depicts two Australian soldiers in uniform, near Vaux Wood, in France; one of the soldiers is a stretcher bearer, with two General Service wagons, converted to horse drawn ambulances beside the road. The stretcher bearer carries a rolled stretcher and wears a gas mask and respirator on his chest; the horses are wearing only collars and not regulation breast harness. Will Dyson was the first Australian official war artist to visit the front during the First World War, travelling to France in December 1916, remaining there until May 1917, making records of the Australian involvement in the war. He was formally appointed as an official war artist, attached to the AIF, in May 1917, working in France and London throughout the war. His commission was terminated in March 1920.