| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART02395 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | sight: 36.2 x 42 cm; mount: 62.6 x 56.4 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | brush and ink, crayon, pencil on paper |
| Place made | France |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
The Runner, dug out near Ligny Thilloy
Description
Depicts three soldiers in a dug out. One stands and holds a candle, while the other, seated, writes a message on a piece of paper. Behind him, another soldier talks on the telephone. The 'runner ' (seated soldier) is awaiting a despatch in a captured dug out at Ligny Thilloy on the second day of the German retreat in 1917. 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.