Life drawing of woman

Category

Library Item

Item no

38375

Title

Life drawing of woman

Description

This pencil sketch of a draped female figure was framed. It concealed a map of World War Two Local Defence Volunteers (Home Guard) posts and road blocks.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1942

Size

33.0 x 33.0 cm

Type

Pencil work

Marjory Langdon donated this sketch to Edinburgh Libraries along with a World War Two map of Local Defence Volunteer posts that she found hidden behind it. The sketch is done on paper printed with the name George Watson's Ladies College on it. Mrs Langdon's Uncle-in-law Dudley Langdon, was a music teacher at the college so perhaps the sketch was done by a student.

During World War II many men and women were recruited to groups to form Britain's civil defence. These people included air raid wardens, nurses, the home guard and fire fighters. The aim was to ensure that Britain would be prepared in the event of an enemy attack.

The Local Defence Volunteers (later known as the Home Guard) were set up in May 1940 as a defence against German paratroopers attacking Britain. Men who were not eligible for military service and between the ages of 17 and 65 were called upon to volunteer their time to patrol their local area and fight off the enemy in case of attack. Thousands of men in Edinburgh became part of the Home Guard, initially signing up at their local police station and then being divided into districts and companies. The home guard in Edinburgh even manned anti-aircraft rocket batteries.

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Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hairstyles

People > Adults > Women