Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
George Washington Thomas Lambert reports, ca. 1917
MLMSS 97/4/Item 4
[Transcribers note: These reports by George Lambert set out the work he was doing in England, an argument he appears to be having as to where his headquarters should be and then discussion on the work he was doing in the Sinai Peninsula. He writes of the paintings he has made in this area and the hospitality afforded to him by the English Officers. Finally he is seeking a workable plan" to proceed with the work he has been commissioned to do.]
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Lambert Family Papers
George Washington Thomas Lambert
Papers re War Service, 1915-1919
Reports submitted by G.W. Lambert c. 1917
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Confidential
Copy
Board of Trade Timber Supplies Dept.
Balfour Buildings,
Haverfordwest.
1st. December 1917
List of Haverfordwest Administrative Staff other than Officer in charge as existing Nov. 30th with summarized description of duties.
Names Duties Remarks
Mr J. Richards Accountant. Records & accounts of wages for Foreign & British Labour, local bills & payments, Banking record & general acturial work. Present Wages £5.10.0 per week To be given greater responsibility & entire charge of bookkeeping with rise of 10/- bringing wages to £3.0.0. G.W. Lambert
Miss E.W. James Correspondence Clerk & Clerk over general records, also to assist with accounts. Present Wages 25/- per week, recommended for rise. G.W. Lambert
Miss V.A. Bland Correspondence Clerk, Typist, also to assist with records of local bills & payments etc. Present Wages 20/- per week, recommended for rise. G.W. Lambert
L. Lewis Clerk over Transport, records of goods received by rail, also record of Dept. & other haulage, messages, telegrams, & general factotum. Recommendation, that responsibility & wages be increased if present progress maintain. Rise recommended 5/-. Present Wages 25/-.
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Copy of Monthly Force Report Summarized.
As on last Saturday of month of November-Dec. 1st 1917.
Estate. Wiston Mill. Pitwood Working.
Employment Men Govt. Horses etc. Govt. Remarks on Weather etc
Felling. Cross Cutting 35 Most unfavourable
Hauling to Mill. Horses 3 3
Sundry
Office, etc. 1 Foreman
Construction 15 Hutting
Construction 15 Railway etc. Hut Construction
Other Labour 7 Kitchen Staff etc.
Total 76 3
Signed D.R. Evans
Foreman
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Copy of Monthly Force Report Summarizes.
Estate. Slebech Mill. Warren Wood Mill, Pickle Wood Pitwood etc. Camp Construction.
As on last Saturday of month of Nov.-Dec. 1st 1917.
Employment Men Govt. Remarks on Weather etc.
Felling. Cross Cutting 43 Most unfavourable.
Sawing
Labour in Sawmill 2
Sawmill 2
Enginemen 2
Labour out 3
Stacking 2
Sundry
Office etc. 1 Foreman
1 Camp Clerk
Construction 35 Camp construction, Hutting etc.
Other Labour 10 Kitchen Staff
4 Navvys etc.
105
Signed. William Watts
Foreman.
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Copy of Monthly Force Report
Estate. Haverfordwest. Administration
As on last Saturday of Month of Dec. 1st 1917
Employment Men Govt. Horses etc. Govt. Remarks on Weather etc.
Hauling to Mill
Horses 4 19 The horses stabled in HWest do chiefly hauling on road, material Plant etc. As soon as stables in Wood Completed this Plant will be moved out. 3 horses entered on Wiston Sheet there are 12 Govt. in all.
Sundry
Office etc. 3 Accountant, Transport Clerk, Cleaner.
2 Girl Clerks
Other Labour 5 Finishing Loading, Treffgarne Fuelwood
14 10
Signed. G.W. Lambert
105
76
14
195
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Notes and Suggestions to Successor.
Station Loading Gang to be either discharged or reduced, recommendation, that Rodney be retained on some useful work such as checking of Stores and Plant etc. until such time as timber is again consigned from Haverfordwest or other Station near Neighbourhood.
The man Jenkins at present with Station Loading Gang is available for Benton Wood and this should be put in train at once.
It is most important that Bangor and London Office should get reminders re Hay, see my letter to Transport London, File, Copy of Letters, date, 23rd. November 1917, meanwhile efforts should be continued locally and the necessity advertised not only in Haverfordwest but in other Centres within reasonable rail distance.
If additional horses is are required, requisition afresh, my original requisition was for 16, 12 sent and this was considered to complete same requisition.
[The following sentence crossed through.] Specification for Oak Sleepers, 9 x 10 x 5 to be cut ½ inch over one side, must be bevelled not more than 1 inch wane.
Specification Oak Sleepers, suitable Wiston Slebech etc.
9 x 10 x 5 to be cut 1/8" over one side to be bevell square.
The other could carry 1" wane that is ½" each edge. [See image for drawing.] wane ½.
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As regards allowances during the period June 7th-Aug. 11th. In no sense can Aberystwyth be looked upon as my Headquarters for this period.
If reference is made to letters and telegrams of parallel date it will be seen that the choice of Headquarters and a clear definition of my position was pleaded for.
I was forced to stay at an Hotel while the London Office was reorganising the Division and I was waiting to hear definitely what my position was and where my Headquarters were to be.
During this unsettled period I worked at developing the Hafod and Crosswood Workings from early morning to late at night the while planning out in co-operation with Mr Penney the scheme for working the Haverfordwest and Cardigan Workings.
By continually asking the London Office for a definite ruling on this matter of Headquarters, I eventually received visits from Capt. Stabers and later Mr Robert Money and although these two gentlemen were sympathetic and approved of my plans for the future, settlement of Headquarters was still further posponed, and it was only after I had been in charge of the Haverfordwest area some considerable time that it was settled that I was to look upon Haverfordwest as my local Headquarters.
When this assurance was given I immediately made arrangements accordingly.
For further evidence, if required, please refer to Prof. Fraser Story, Arvonia Buildings, Bangor.
In conclusion I beg to state that since taking Office under The Board of Trade Timber Supplies Dept. all my time and energy has been expended in serving the Dept. to the fullest extent and I do not consider it to be just or fair that the disorganisation in the Department which obtained during the period alluded to, should result, in my case, in the curtailment of allowances which I now claim.
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Explanation No. 1.
May 16th-June 7th
During this period I stayed at Castle Hotel Tunbridge Wells. In accordance with instructions received I placed myself at the commands of Mr Long who had been instructed to take me round and give me every opportunity for studying his Workings.
I accompanied him almost daily and worked hard at acquiring knowledge of the differences, technical and other, between Australian and English production of Timber.
Every day spent at Tunbridge Wells being fully occupied in accordance with instructions.
Places and Workings visited and revisited, Squerries Park, Wychcross, Buckhurst, Faircrouch, Snapewood Wadhurst, Burnt Wood Mereworth, Hampstead, Flame Wood, Guestling, Possingworth etc. Full notes and thorough studies made with the view to fitting myself to take over Division 14 (old number) as soon as possible.
I was in daily expectation, after the first few days, of commands from H.Q. which would have taken me to Wales.
If reference will be made to correspondence it will be seen that I was eager to take up my duties in Div. 14, and my somewhat prolonged period of innitiation at Tunbridge Well was not of my choosing, and no definite period was outlined by H.Q. at the time of my appointment. Therefore I consider I am justified in claiming the full allowances.
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Re- Hay purchased of Jenkins, Dew Street.
A small rick now partly cut into, was purchased on condition that only that part suitable for horses be taken and paid for.
Another rick at his farm was purchased at the same time, on the supposition that it had been released; this was evidently a misunderstanding. I was informed later that the Military had commandeered it.
A sum of £40. was advanced to Mr Jenkins on the two ricks.
My suggestions are, that strong representations should be made to Headquarters (see my correspondence on this subject) and that they should get the Military to release the rick at the farm.
Perhaps remainder of small rick could be used, the best of it could be cut into chaff and 25% straw added, the poor patches might also be used in the following manner:- pour boiling water on that amount of hay required for one feed and feed straight away.
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4. By
4. By travelling 1st. class I was enabled to meet men with whom I had departmental business; the result of these meetings was advantageous to the work of the Department.
In one case I managed to get facilities from Mr Wilkinson, Crosswood Estate Agent, for bridge building Maenthur Wood and other advantages connected with this Working.
In another case I met the Military Representative of this District and the R.O. and in these interviews settled matters which would have been carried forward almost interminably by correspondence.
If however the rule is a hard and fast one, then please deduct difference.
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C.
(From a report, presumably addressed to Captn. Smart.)
An Officer, an Major Stodart, the 1st Brigade L.H., had been detailed to see me over the Desert Battle grounds & was waiting for me at Wadi Hanin near Deiran.
After two days rest in which I managed to do pencil portraits of Col. Newton & Rev. Maitland Woods I proceeded with Major Stodart to rail to Belah where I was most cordially received and entertained by Gen. Grant of the 4th. From here Gaza was visited & a painting made, also Ata Whina was sketched. Pencil Portraits, Brig. Gen. Grant, Brig. Gen. Wilson & Gen. Hodgson small pencil sketch also Major Featherstonhaugh & other notes made at Gaza Races. From Belah also we went to Beersheba accompanied by Major Lawson who took part in had led the charge of the 4th over the trenches. The ground over which the 4th carried out the now famous charge was gone over carefully & two records in oil made. The day following was the morning following was occupied in making colour & pencil notes of Tel El Saba which was the scene of such brilliant fighting by Anzac Mtd. Div. on the right flank of the
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Beersheba affair. In the afternoon of this day we returned to Belah & after mess I went over to Aust. Div. & made a pencil portrait of Gen. Hodgson. The day following About this time I was fortunate to witness Divisional Sports & also a rehearsal for the review by the Duke of Connaught. We then now moved on to Kelab where we were the guest of Major Chauter [Chaytor] & the Mess at the school there. From here we visited Raafa were furnished with horses & visited Raafa where a record in colour was made. Unfortunately for the purpose of records the old battle ground was covered with encampments, Salvage dumps, P of W enclosures etc. so that to get a representation of the ground as it was during the action was it was necessary to eliminate all that had grown up during the period between occupation & my arrival. Returning to Kelab a painting of a notable troop horse (Starlight") was executed & the next day we reluctantly left our hosts who had given us shown afforded us so much hospitality & assistance, & proceeded by train to El Arish with a view to making visiting Magdhaba.
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Here we found difficulty in getting transport & on the advice of Major Stodart we proceeded to Romani leaving Magdhaba for the present time being while arrangements for camel transport & escort were being made. At Romani we were the guests of the Camp Commandant who in addition to extending his hospitality, arranged for the for camels & attendants & we visited the battle grounds of Romani. Here two paintings were made & the ground studied. A water colour sketch of Kattib Gannit", a sand hill & hod was also made near Romani, was also made. Returning to El Arish we found that everything necessary for our journey had been arranged by the English Officers stationed there & the Governor of El Arish. We proceeded on Camels to Magdhaba along the bed of the Wady El Arish a distance of some 20 odd miles arriving at sundown. The day following I completed a canvas of 24" x 20" of the most picturesque view of Magdhaba & the day following made two water colour sketches.
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I paid a brief visit to the front line which was then at Nalin in the hills (7th L.H. in occupation) & also to a brief visit to Jerusalem was made but my further itinerary should take me over the old battle grounds before mentioned as it was considered by G.O.C. most important that these should be recorded pictorially being as you know the scenes of fighting where the Anzac Australian & New Zealand troops did conspicuous work. This work then was proposed & recommended to me by the by the G.O.C. to me as the representative of the Commonwealth pictorial records in Egypt & Palestine in conformity with the mission or responsibility imposed upon me by the Commonwealth through Australia House. There would be no necessity for G.O.C. to write you on this subject the plan being made & carried out in accordance with the wording of the Contract Past Present & Future Operations" you will remember.
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On the return journey, during the midday heat, I made a small oil painting of the Laffan side of the Wady at about at the ruined hut about half way between Magdhaba & El Arish.
The day following an oil painting, small, was made of El Arish Town was made, also a water colour of the mouth of the Wadi El Arish. Our visit to El Arish was marked by the most kindly hospitality & thoughtful assistance in our work freely & generously extended to us by the English Officers Military & Administrative. This brings the itinerary as arranged by G.O.C. to a finish & I parted from the Major who has been so keen a guide & so delightful a companion he to return to his regiment I to proceed to Cairo en route to England.
While waiting for embarkation I spent some days at Abbassia & made studies of horses camels & gear. I also had a very pleasant stay at Ghezira kit stores where I made studies of horses, gear, & several pencil portraits.
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It was while working here that I heard of the operations then in progress at the front & I immediately asked H.Q. A.I.F. for permission to go up. This was given but I was asked to catalogue pack & deposit at the Kit Stores all my pictorial records before going up. This work used up three days & when I at length reached the front after a journey (a matter of 3 to 4 days journey) the operations before mentioned were over & I was only able to record the ground. But from the point of view of local & military interest the visit was most profitable as I was enabled to make sketches of the other side of the Jordan, the Jordan, the Jericho Plain, the Dead Sea & other sketches of interest.
The time limit was now drawing perilously near & I returned to Cairo, there to find that I had missed a wire asking advising me that passage had been arranged. After one night in Cairo I left for Alex & proceeded to London.
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It does not profit to criticize the management of the Australian Art Records despite the fact that apparently there is a gap somewhere, which allows an artist compels one of its artists to be neglected and his output stopped for a month. Mine apparently is not the only case. I repeat that criticism is not profitable & I feel that from your point of view side has difficulties in that your power of administration is curtailed by having to refer continually to Australia for funds & authority for the slightest move. Yet I will make proposals now for a working plan for myself which I hope you will immediately put in train. This procedure has precedent in that my work being of a military nature, facilities as regards models, equipment, & suitable conditions working conditions were granted me when with the A.I.F. E.E.F. Despite my unsettled state I have since My cartoon of the Beersheba Charge" is now more or less complete & it is my desire to get on with this at once.
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To carry out this work it will be necessary for me to be sent to some camp or unit in England where I can have told off for my work a batman & a groom both Australian L.H. with horses available day by day for models & reference with full marching orders outfit. If possible a hut should be provided where the big picture about 10 feet by 4½ or 5 could be painted. Army pay should be immediately continued or half the commission price for the picture paid in advance. In the former case all sketches could become the property of Aust. War Memorial & in the latter they would naturally remain property of the artist. It may be asked by the Commissioner [?] why after five 4 months work in Palestine further studies are required for a big picture. The reason for this is that the artist wisely concentrated on recording the battle grounds on the spot making such studies of men & horses etc. as time would allow leaving to such avoiding the use of valuable time in pursuit of technical details until which could be as well done in England as in Palestine.
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The question Whether I am to paint these several pictures & also additional pictures of recent events of for which also I have material is a question naturally to be decided. The Contract said if I remember one or more.
This brings one to my present situation. You already know that I have carried out my work over there conscientiously & with satisfactory results but for your reference I send under this cover a rough resume of my work & wanderings.
[The following sentences crossed through.] I have been in London now one month without pay. It is now about. I returned a month ago.
I agree that it will be better if I paint at least one picture before I return to Palestine. But I must point out that I have now been in London one month cooling my heels, without anything definite being settled & without receiving any pay or remuneration.
I am now at the end of my resources. I am at times inclined to think that had I been less honest & less loyal to Australia Australian to the Commonwealth I should have
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at this juncture more support & sympathy.
I have refused offers from other official sources for work similar to that I am now supposed to be doing for the Australian Govt. I have refused to sell time & again offers to purchase some of my sketches. Although these number about some a hundred over the minimum required by the Contract. I have reserved them for you in accordance with my undertaking. Innumerable commissions to paint horses etc. were turned down by my me in Palestine. Portrait commissions proposed to me on my return I also have turned down. All this you know but I must again record it in writing.
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The foregoing has been written not only with the idea of recording the present state of affairs as regards my position as an official Artist of the Commonwealth but chiefly with the honest desire to get at a workable plan under way which would enable the Commonwealth to reap the utmost produce for its undertaking outlay.
I beg therefore that you will place this letter and the accompanying memorandum & the accompanying letter before the High Commissioner urging the necessity for immediate action.
[Transcriber's note:
Wadi Hanin also spelt Wady Hanein P. 11
Ata Whina also spelt Atawineh P. 11
Raafa also spelt Rafa P. 12
Kattib Gannit also spelt Katib Gannit P. 13
[Transcribed by Judy Gimbert for the State Library of New South Wales]