Cyril Leyshon-White 'Greetings from France' Xmas 1916 postcard 1

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1916

Overview

One of four postcards designed by war artist, Cyril Leyshon-White, and commissioned by the Australian Y.M.C.A., sending 'Greetings from France' for Christmas 1916.
This one features a depiction of an Australian soldier in uniform, webbing, puttees and slouch hat, holding his .303 rifle, smoking a cigarette and looking happy and relaxed. Next to him is a unarmed German soldier wearing his uniform, arms by his side, with an unhappy expression. Presumably he is being held prisoner by the Australian soldier.
The artist's signature and date are directly below the illustration. The phrase 'Greetings from France Xmas 1916' is printed above the two soldiers, while 'A "Bird" in hand is worth two in - their trench!' is printed below, both in upper case dark brown letters.
The reverse of the postcard is plain other than a line separating the areas for writing and address, information about the maker of the card printed vertically on the left hand side, and 'Printed in Britain' in the top right corner where the stamp would be affixed.

Historical information

Cyril Leyshon-White was born on 29 June 1896 in Melbourne.

He was a 23 year old artist from Melbourne when he enlisted with the 2nd Field Ambulance, Section C, Australian Imperial Force, on 22 February 1915. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A31 Ajana on 4 June 1915. He served in Gallipoli and France and was awarded the military medal for his service during the Lone Pine Bombardment, along with another soldier, William James Benwell.

The citation from the 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62 dated 19 April 1917 reads as follows:
'These two men [3156 W.J. BENWELL and 3160 C.L. WHITE] during the Lone Pine Bombardment were doing duty as dressers at out Brown's Dip advanced Dressing Station. They continued to dress and evacuate patients during the bombardment. These men were especially conspicuous being under shell fire the whole time.'

When the war concluded he was transferred to A.I.F. Headquarters, Australian Section, 3rd Echelon British Expeditionary Force.

He was an official war artist and after the war had ended he was granted leave with pay and subs from 15 May to 1 September 1919 to attend the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts (National School of Fine Arts) in Paris for two and a half months, and the Glasgow School of Art for an additional month to further his art education.

He contributed artworks including cartoons to 'The ANZAC Book' and several other publications. He did the cover art for the unit history of the 4th Division, Australian Army Medical Corps, 'With the Diggers, 1914-1918' and also produced a series of four comic postcards entitled 'Greetings from France, Xmas 1916' including this one, which are held in the collection. He also contributed work to the London magazine, 'The Bystander'.

He returned to Australia 8 September 1919 on board the former cargo ship, SS Raranga.

Upon his return to Australia, he operated a commercial art school in Melbourne, and then with a number of other artists formed 'The Art Training Institute' from 1925-1935. He reportedly also became a mentor to the young Sydney Nolan.

He enlisted again, aged 44, in World War Two (service number V4797), on 31 July 1940, by which time his occupation was given as an instructor of industrial art at a technical college. He was made a probationary Lieutenant on 1 July 1941. He served with the 17 Garrison Battalion which guarded the camps around Tatura holding German internees and prisoners of war. He was discharged on 14 March 1944.

He died, aged 59, on 20 December 1955. His cremated remains were scattered at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00692

Item type

Themes