A PAINTING created in 1920 to commemorate the Battle of Gheluvelt, is the first major artwork to be moved to a new location as the Worcestershire Soldier Gallery counts down to its closure this Sunday.
JP Beadle’s Gheluvelt painting bought by the 2nd Battalion the Worcestershire Regiment, commemorates 31 October 1914, the day ‘The Worcesters saved the Empire’.
In order to create the painting Beadle exchanged correspondence with the surviving members of 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment so he could understand who was present, where events took place and details of uniforms and weaponry.
Dr John Paddock, Curator of the Mercian Regiment Museum said: “The Gheluvelt painting’s move marks the final days to closure of the current Worcestershire Soldier Gallery.
“We are delighted that the painting will remain on permanent display at The Guildhall and we look forward to seeing it in its new location.
“In the meantime we urge people to head to the current exhibition and take a look at their favourite objects, paintings, weaponry and uniforms before our specialists condition check and pack the collection to safely store it until we can create our new exhibition at The Commandery.”
Some of the key individuals mentioned in Beadle’s letters are Captain Senhouse-Clarke, Major Hankey, Major Reddie and Captain Bowring.
Alongside creating the Gheluvelt painting, Beadle painted portraits of the officers, which he included in the painting.
In his letters he complains about making changes to Hankey and Reddie’s portraits due to inconsistencies in their descriptions of their uniforms.
Several officers also sent Beadle sketches of Gheluvelt and what they remember of the event.
Unable to sell his painting to the Royal Academy, Beadle sold his painting to the 2nd Battalion.
In his letters, Beadle said: “You know my primary object in painting the picture was patriotic, I think these deeds of our men should be handed down historically in paint as well as by every other means, and I think it deplorable that there should be any other opinion possible.”
The Gheluvelt painting has move permanently to The Guildhall in Worcester this week.
The current exhibition at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum will close on Sunday (August 31).
The Worcestershire Soldier at the Commandery will see the creation of a brand-new exhibition of Worcester’s regimental displays.
Visit worcestershireandmercianregimentmuseum.org/the-worcestershire-soldier-at-the-commandery for more information.
