Artist: Dr Eric Westbrook, Cb
Size: 67 x 77 cm
Museum: Shrine of Remembrance (Melbourne, Australia)
Technique: Drawing
Eric Westbrook was born in England in 1915 and studied painting in London and Paris in the years prior to the Second World War. Despite his own initial enthusiasm for active service, he was rejected by both the International Brigades and the British Army on account of his size and stature. Nevertheless, Westbrook was able to contribute to the war effort as an intelligence liaison offer and army educator. In 1956 Westbrook arrived in Australia to take up the position of Director of the National Gallery of Victoria. Throughout his career he continued to draw and paint but rarely exhibited any of his works during his lifetime. The title of this drawing refers to army recruitment slogans first popularised during the First World War. The drawing depicts a new recruit swearing an oath of allegiance to the King. The oath was required to be sworn by all new recruits who had passed their physical examination. The recruit, still dressed in his civilian clothes, holds a copy of the Bible while he recites the oath in the presence of two officers, one of whom appears to be a Recruiting Sergeant identifiable by his red sash and staff. The oath, taken by all recruits enlisting in England included the following solemn promise:I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs, and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs, and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity, against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God.
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