Fletch and Dan coming back to Igri Corner from Lagincourt

Places
Accession Number ART02236.015
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 49.7 x 63.4 cm (irreg.); image: 47 x 62.6 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description crayon, pencil on paper
Place made France
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 soldiers of 2nd Australian Division in full kit going along a communication trench near Igri Corner, France. Drawn near the front line at Bullecourt. 'Fletch' was possibly the head of the Postal Service, Capt C J Fletcher; 'Dan' - Daryl Lindsay; 'Igri' is an Arabic word for 'hurry-up'. It is likely that the work was drawn near Noreuil, France in April 1917. Above them is a dark sky, filled with shell bursts. The soldiers in the trench are possibly named 'Dan' and 'Fletch' according to an inscription by the artist. 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.