Reproduction
Object numberRCSSC/P 569.36
CollectionSpecial collections
CategoryVisual works
Object nameReconstructive Surgical Procedures, Wounds, Gunshot, Portraits, Clinical subjects (visual works), Pastels (visual works)
DescriptionPortrait of Private William Kearsey, 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 Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, during and after the First World War. Private Kearsey served with the Australian Imperial Force. He was wounded in France in October 1917 and was transferred to the hospital in November the same year. After undergoing treatment he was discharged and returned to Australia in May 1919.
On 17 October 1916, at the age of 26, Private William Kearsey set sail for Europe with the 33rd Infantry Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. He was wounded by a shell on 2 October 1917, losing bone from his nose and between his eyes. After treatment at Croydon War Hospital, Kearsey was admitted to the Queen’s Hospital, Sidcup, on 6 November 1917. Kearsey underwent five operations before being transferred to the Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford. Discharged as a Corporal, he returned to Australia in May 1919 to work as a coachbuilder; possibly because of his appearance, his fiancée left him.
Production date 1916 - 1918
Artist
Tonks, Henry, 1862-1937, artist, Sidcup
Sitter/subject
Surgeon/clinician
Associated institution
transferred
War Office (1921)
Related objectsRCSSC/P 569.33RCSSC/P 569.34RCSSC/P 569.35RCSHM/Z 176
Physical Location
Location
Not on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionPastels on paper, 26.5cm by 22cm. Mounted in set of 4 with P 569.33, 34 and 35. Frame dimensions: 890mm height by 680mm width by 20mm depth.
Dimensions
paper height: 265 mm
paper width: 220 mm
paper width: 220 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 2002
17
SourceChambers 2009
586
