Anno Domini 1914 - 1918
Sculptor: Portsmouth, Percy Herbert, RSA · 1874-1953
The First World War brought home the horrors of military conflict not only to the hundreds of thousands who served but also to the families and friends of these service men and women. The extent and nature of the conflict, and the scale of the casualties and of those left maimed or mentally wounded by their ordeal was unprecedented in human existence.
The British Government, early in the conflict decreed that the bodies of the fallen were not to be repatriated but would lie in the lands they had fought and died in. This ultimately led to the creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and back home to the creation of the Scottish War Memorials Advisory Scheme to facilitate the erection in local areas of tasteful and fitting Memorials to the fallen.
The Royal Scottish Academy was involved directly in this initiative and many of its Architect and Sculptor members, were involved in the design of War Memorials across the country. Portsmouth was one of those involved.
In addition to his executed designs for Memorials in Douglas (Lanarkshire), Elgin, Elrig, Lossiemouth, Thurso and Wick, Portsmouth also exhibited a number of ideas for memorials as well as other pieces in response to the First World War, including the present work.
Additional details
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Object data
Date c.1910 - c.1919 Accession 2025.0014 Type Sculpture Copper relief Materials Support copper
Secondary Support woodDimensions 15.5cm x 1.5cm Acquisition Gift Stanley, Halina -
Exhibitions
No exhibition data for this record.
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