Months Gallery

Our ?Little Contemptibles?, 1914

Our ?Little Contemptibles?, 1914.Oil on canvas by William Barns Wollen (1857-1936), 1918 (c); exhibited at the Royal Academy 1918 (No 260).Composed of regular soldiers and reservists, the British Expeditionary Force landed on the Continent in August in 1914. During the early months of World War One (1914-1918) it was engaged in slowing down the German advance. This painting depicts open warfare with British infantry wearing large packs, taking cover behind a hedge; German artillery in the distance. The British Army?s experiences in the Boer War (1899-1902) had resulted in major reforms in organization, administration, tactics, weapons and equipment. Introduced in 1906, the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle, shown in this painting, enabled troops to produce very rapid, accurate fire. Infantry training now placed more emphasis on the ability to shoot straight and fast, and on mobility. These professional soldiers, drilled in new methods of attack, defence, and withdrawal, were taught to take greater advantage of cover.The title of the canvas relates to an order given by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany (1859 -1941) to the commander of his First Army, Alexander von Kluck (1846-1934), in August, 1914:- ?It is my Royal and Imperial Command that you concentrate your energies? and all the valour of my soldiers to exterminate first the treacherous English; walk over General French's insignificant [or contemptible] little Army. In fact the German advance was checked, and the men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who survived these heavy engagements proudly adopted the ironic title, ?The Old Contemptibles?. These men who served between the outbreak of war and midnight on 22 November 1914 were awarded the 1914 Star.In the 1880s, the artist, William Barns Wollen, served in the 20th (Artists?) Volunteer Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort?s Own), popularly known as the Artists? Rifles. Date: 1914

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

Fanny and Dora Watson, Kent/178

Fanny (right) and Dora (left) Watson. Taken at the Houghton photographic studio. The Watson Fanny Watson is wearing three War Service Bar stripes on her left arm. This indicates that the photograph was taken no earlier than November 1917. The Bar could be earned by serving an aggregate of 2, 688 hours in the first year (i.e. less than 13 months) and 2, 496 hours in subsequent years but could not be obtained prior to the thirteen or twelve month period being up. Fanny & Dora Watson in 1911 lived with their mother Catherine in Birchington and had private income. Late in 1917 Dora Watson married and became Mrs D. Danielson. She continued to work at Quex Park VAD Hospital. Fanny Watson worked a total of 10, 898 hours and Dora Danielson worked 10, 249 hours during their service at the hospital. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum. Date: circa 1918

© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Clacton-on- Sea

Clacton-on- Sea - Church at top of cliffs, Sea to right. Part of Box 145 Boswell Collection - East Coast. Clacton-on-Sea is the largest town in the Tendring peninsula and district in Essex, England, and was founded as an urban district in 1871. It is a seaside resort that saw a peak of tourists in the summer months between the 1950s and 1970s. Date: circa 1900

© The Boswell Collection, Bexley Heritage Trust / Mary Evans