Sale
Item: ON11630
Original WWI Canadian Seaforth Highlanders Bronze Sculpture "Blighty" by Robert Tait McKenzie
-
Original Item: Only One Available. An identical sculpture in the same series made at the same time (1916) by the same foundry Roman Bronze Works N.Y. was sold at auction in November 2016 by Bonhams for $20,000, you can see the record of sale and price at this link.
Designed by the American/Canadian Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938) this sculpture depicts Private David E. Cunningham of Canada's 4th Battalion of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Private Cunningham died in battle on July 26, 1918. The sculpture is bronze with brown patina and measures 15.5 x 11.5 x 7.25 inches. It is inscribed on base with foundry mark: R. Tait McKenzie 1916 / Roman Bronze Works N.Y. Sculpture is offered in excellent condition and is not only an incredible depiction of a soldier during the Great War but also a classic work of Great War American / Canadian Art.
Robert Tait McKenzie was a Canadian physician, educator, sculptor, athlete, soldier and Scouter. Born in Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada, he attended McGill University in Montreal as an undergraduate and medical student, and was an instructor in its medical school beginning in 1894. In 1904, he moved to the United States to teach at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the 1930s, he returned to the county of his birth, retiring to the Mill of Kintail in Almonte.
In 1915, with the outbreak of the First World War, McKenzie made his way to England to enlist with the Canadian Forces. Eager to volunteer his services as a physician and surgeon, McKenzie chose instead to enlist with the Royal Army Medical Corps after encountering some red tape and delays in his paperwork.
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group, 3rd Canadian Division. Based at the Seaforth Armoury on Burrard Street in Vancouver, the regiment serves in both times of war and civil emergency, such as disaster relief after earthquakes or floods. It also contributes individual volunteers or "augmentees" to Canadian Forces operations around the world.
The regiment was formed in 1910 and served overseas in both World War I and World War II. Members of the Seaforth Highlanders have deployed on many missions since World War II including Korea, Egypt, Cyprus, Croatia and most recently in Afghanistan.
During The Great War the 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF was authorized on 10 July 1915 and embarked for Britain on 23 April 1916. It disembarked in France on 13 August 1916, where it fought as part of the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 30 August 1920.
The 231st Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), CEF was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Britain on 11 April 1917, where, on 22 April 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the 24th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion disbanded on 11 April 1918.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
