Context
About the Painter - George Horne Russell, RCA (April 18, 1861 – June 25, 1933)
George Horne Russell (or G. Horne Russell by which he was known) RCA was a Scottish-born Canadian painter who came to Canada in 1889 on invitation, settling in Montreal where he established a studio and painted portraits of many noted and well-to-do Canadians. By 1900 he was painting large scenes of the Rockies for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was a close friend of Sir William Van Horne. From 1922 to 1926, he was the president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
About Lieutenant Melville Ernest (Brietzke) St. Clair Ward:
Lieutenant Melville Ernest St-Clair Ward was a McGill University Engineering student who attested with CGG in 1915 and joined the 87th Battalion overseas. While recovering from trench fever, he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers for a brief time before being appointed as Brigadier General Frank Stephan Meighen's Aide de Campe (ADC). In 1918, he returned to the 87th Battalion (CGG) and was wounded in action with a severe gunshot wound to his right arm.
WARD, MELVILLE ERNEST ST.CLAIR – Lieutenant - (1894-Unknown) – Lieut. 87th Bn / Lieut. CE / Lieut. 87th Bn CGG
Eastwood, Ontario, Canada
b. 16 Jul. 1894, Eastwood, ON, CA d. Unknown – Student – Anglican - 5ft 11in, Brown Hair, Brown Eyes
1914 – Served with McGill COTC as part of MacDonald Engineer program
1915 – 26 October – Joins 1st Regiment, Grenadier Guards of Canada as Lieutenant
1915 – 27 October – Attested to 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) CEF as Lieutenant (1 year 7 months 9 days)
1916 – 4 October – Embarked in Halifax and sailed for UK aboard HMS/SS Empress of Britain
1916 – 10 August – Proceeded overseas to France (Le Havre) aboard SS Archangel (St Petersburg)
1916 – 28 December – Admitted to No20 General Hospital Camiers diagnosed with Trench Fever (PUO)
1917 – 14 March – Attached to 1st Canadian Command Depot and received request to transfer to Canadian Engineers
1917 – 22 March – Posted as Temporary Lieutenant with Canadian Engineers (RCE)
1917 – 3 May – Struck off establishment of 87th Battalion (CGG)
1917 – 26 July – On command and attending Can. Eng. Officer Training Courses at Chelsea, Crowborough, UK
1917 – 16 September – Struck off strength from Canadian Engineers (RCE) and posted to 23rd Reserve Battalion Shorneham, UK
1917 – 17 September – Appointed temporary Lieutenant in Canadian Infantry
1917 – 20 October – Attended and completed CEF Signals Course with a view of being appointed 87th Bn (CGG) Signaling Officer
“A Cheerful energetic officer that has worked hard and has been keen to learn. He handles his troops well and would be a fit Company Commander after some experience of work with a company in the field.” – CEF No1 School of Instruction Commandant
1917 – 28 December – Appointed as Aide de Campe / ADC to Brigadier General Meighen, 1st Quebec Regiment Commandant, Bramshott, UK
1918 – 31 July – Relinquished ADC appointment and struck off strength of CCHQ and posted to 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF
1918 – 5 September – Posted to 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) and joins unit in France
1918 – 27 September – Wounded in action with a gunshot flesh wound to right arm bicep
1918 – 1 October – Evacuated to UK and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital
1918 – 7 October – Struck off strength with 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) and posted to 1st Que. Regt’l Depot
1919 – 15 February – Struck off strength from OMFC and transferred to CEF Canada as part of Military District 3 (MD3)
1919 – 1 March – Sailed to Canada
1919 – 29 March – Discharged from CEF as part of general demobilization
1920 – Portrait painted by George Horne RussellName/Title
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