Reproduction
Object numberRCSSC/P 569.13A
CollectionSpecial collections
CategoryVisual works
Object nameReconstructive Surgical Procedures, Wounds, Gunshot, Portraits, Clinical subjects (visual works), Pastels (visual works)
DescriptionPortrait of Gunner John Dyson, by Henry Tonks, 1917-1918.
This is part of a series of portraits made by Henry Tonks (1862-1937) showing patients treated by Harold Gillies and colleagues at Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot and Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, during and after the First World War.
Gunner John Dyson was serving with the Royal Field Artillery when he was injured on 22 September 1917. His lip and chin were badly wounded leaving the fractured mandible visible. Transported by the sick and wounded convoy, he was admitted to the Queen’s Hospital, Sidcup, just three days later. Dental surgeons – an important part of the interdisciplinary team at Sidcup – operated twice in early October 1917 to extract damaged bone and to fit a splint to his lower jaw. Unfortunately Dyson developed an abscess under his chin, which had to be opened on 8 November 1917. In February 1918 plastic surgeon Cecil Rumsey began work to repair Dyson’s soft tissue, uniting membrane and a flap to rebuild his lower lip; he operated again in June 1918 to correct the red line that resulted. After Rumsey performed his final procedure on Dyson on 26 July, an X-ray revealed a gap in his jaw; this was corrected with dentures fitted and adjusted on 17 September. Gunner Dyson was discharged on 4 October 1918.
A second drawing is on the reverse of the sheet (see related record for RCSSC/P 569.13B).
Production date 1916 - 1918
Artist
Tonks, Henry, 1862-1937, artist, Sidcup
Sitter/subject
Surgeon/clinician
Associated institution
transferred
War Office (1921)
Related objectsRCSSC/P 569.13B
Physical Location
LocationNot on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionPastels on paper, obverse and reverse, 28.6cm by 21cm. Mounted in set of four with P 569.14, 15 and 16. Frame dimensions: 890mm height by 680mm width by 20mm depth.
Dimensions
paper height: 286 mm
paper width: 210 mm
paper width: 210 mm
Bibliography
SourceBennett 1986
NotesThe article contains a biographical account of Tonks and a description of his work with Harold Gillies, and colour reproductions of all of the drawings in this series.
SourceChambers 2009
580
