Reproduction
Object numberRCSSC/P 569.33
CollectionSpecial collections
CategoryVisual works
Object nameReconstructive Surgical Procedures, Wounds, Gunshot, Portraits, Clinical subjects (visual works), Pastels (visual works)
DescriptionPortrait of Private Robert Davidson by Henry Tonks, 1916-1918.
This is part of a series of portraits made by Henry Tonks (1862-1937) showing patients treated by Harold Gillies and colleagues at Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, during and after the First World War. Davidson was a 26-year-old private in the Royal Army Medical Corps when he was wounded on 28 April 1916. He underwent seven operations before being discharged in March 1919.
Robert Davidson was serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps as an orderly when he was wounded on 28 April 1916, losing his upper lip and left cheek. He arrived at the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot, two months later, his face in a condition that surgeon Harold Gillies considered ‘most repulsive’; furthermore, iodine applied around Davidson’s wound discoloured his skin. The first step was for Leonard King, one of the first dental surgeons stationed at Aldershot, to fit a dental prosthesis to help Davidson speak and eat. On 14 August 1916 surgeon Harold Gillies set about making Davidson an upper lip by bringing flaps of skin from his cheeks. Davidson went under general anaesthetic via a hole in his larynx; it could not be delivered orally (as was usual) because of his injury. Gillies followed this with an operation in September to enlarge the corner of Davidson’s mouth, and noted the satisfaction he felt upon hearing ‘this man speak his native brogue again’. Davidson endured five operations as well as pleurisy and pneumonia. His scars healed but chewing was difficult and Gillies noted ‘deformity severe’. Initially reluctant to mix with his fellow patients, after his discharge in 1919 Davidson continued to work at the hospital in Sidcup until the 1960s, having married a Sidcup resident.
Production date 1916 - 1918
Artist
Tonks, Henry, 1862-1937, artist, Sidcup
Patient/subject
Surgeon/clinician
Associated institution
transferred
War Office (1921)
Related objectsRCSSC/P 569.34RCSSC/P 569.35RCSSC/P 569.36
Physical Location
LocationNot on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionPastels on paper, 26cm by 20.9cm. Mounted in set of 4 with P 569.34, 35 and 36. Frame dimensions: 890mm height by 680mm width by 20mm depth.
Dimensions
paper height: 260 mm
paper width: 209 mm
paper width: 209 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.
SourceGillies 1920
84-86
