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British biplane in battle

Artist A Alexander

Datec 1922

Object number00027424

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper

DimensionsOverall: 178 x 210 mm, 0.03 kg
Image: 133 x 210 mm
Sheet: 178 x 253 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Geoffrey Martin

Terms

DescriptionThis watercolour depicting a British biplane in battle was part of a portfolio of watercolour and ink sketches by Hallett Robertson Bartlett involving studies of shipping and early aircraft. The watercolour depicts a light brown biplane, aircraft registration code '161' with British markings flying to the right. The aeroplane has two crew members and bombs under its carriage with enemy bombs exploding around it. The signature reads ' A. Alexander'.HistoryAn album of approximately 90 water colours drawn during the years 1919 to 1922 by Hallett Bartlett. This album illustrates, in the popular style of the period, portraits of ships and some aeroplanes. The ships are mainly those of the Australian coastal trade although many inter continental vessels on the Australian run are featured.There are troop ships,naval ships, passenger vessels and freighters.The artist has also incorporated company house flags and pennants into the works. The aircraft depicted are those seen in Australian skies at the conclusion of WWI. Hallett Robinson Bartlett was born in 1906 and attended secondary school at the Kings School Parramatta between 1922-1923. His father was Colonel Charles Falkiner Bartlett (died 1916). Hal Bartlett initially wanted to be an architect, however he went on to enlist in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in early 1941, and arrived in Cairo, Egypt on 5 July. Flying Officer Bartlett served as a cipher and security officer, and on 13 December 1940 was badly injured by an explosion, along with a number of other men. He was taken to a German field hospital where his wounds were treated, and was returned to the British forces. He was then transferred to a General Hospital in Tobruk, and was eventually evacuated to Alexandria on the hospital ship SOMERSETSHIRE on 16 December. After recouperation, Bartlett was recommended six months light duties and was returned to Australia on 6 May. Bartlett transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in September 1942, however as a result of his injuries he was resticted to light duties before eventually being discharged in February 1945.SignificanceBartlett was an amateur artist painting as a young man with considerable skill. The topics are ships and aircraft, of which Bartlett would be involved with as a Flying Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.