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Notes
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This painting shows soldiers awaiting orders on board the sinking troopship 'Birkenhead'. They remain organised even as the vessel breaks up, despite the despair evident on the men's faces. Note the way they grasp each other's arms by way of comfort. Captain Edward Wright of the 91st Regiment, who was on board the ship, noted that during the ordeal 'everyone did as he was directed' and was impressed that all was conducted 'with so little noise and confusion'. The Duke of Wellington later praised those on board for their conduct. The tradition of 'women and children first', known as The 'Birkenhead' Drill, comes from this event. In 1896 Rudyard Kipling wrote, in his poem 'Soldier an' Sailor Too', 'But to stand an' be still to the Birken'ead drill is a damn tough bullet to chew.
The Black Watch Castle & Museum
Perth
Title
Wreck of the 'Birkenhead'
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 62 x W 92 cm
Accession number
A2714
Acquisition method
gift from Lieutenant Colonel C. L. Melville, DSO, 1961
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
L. C.
The Black Watch Castle & Museum
Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth, Perth and Kinross PH1 5HR Scotland
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