Agnes Gladys Holman (1885-1966) [Aw150]
ARTILLERY, MARCH 21, 1918
Watercolour; signed lower left: A. Gladys Holman; inscribed on reverse: A.G. Holman, 107 Ladbroke Grove W11 March 21 1918; drawn from personal narrative of Lieut. W.M. Holman R.G.A. No. 27 in Royal Artillery Exhibition R.I. 1919 (H. 17cm, W. 26cm)
Walter Manley Holman (1884-1970) served as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, who were responsible for long-range heavy artillery. The painting records Holman’s description of the Spring Offensive (March 21, 1918), a series of German attacks along the Western Front. On this day, Holman was wounded in action. A shrapnel injury to his left forearm left him partially disabled, unable to extend the fingers of his left hand or straighten his elbow. He was promoted to Lieutenant in June 1918 and demobilised in the autumn of 1919.
Exhibited: Royal Institute, Royal Artillery Exhibition, 1919, no. 27
Provenance: Given by Adam Crick (1957-2016) to Winchester College, 2007