GEORGE SPENCER WATSON ROI RP RA (1869-1934) Portrait of Majo...

Hammer

£1,800

GEORGE SPENCER WATSON ROI RP RA (1869-1934) Portrait of Major Charles Arthur Tisdall (1875-1914), wearing uniform, a landscape beyond, signed and dated 'G. Spencer Watson 1914', oil on canvas, 50 x 41 in
Provenance; The sitter's family, by descent.

Charles Tisdall was a member of the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards , killed in action in Belgium during the retreat from Mons, aged 39.

' Major Tisdall was killed in the forest of Villiers Cotterets on 1 Sept 1914.The Irish Guards with the 2nd Coldstreams were holding the northern edge of the Forest in a rear-guard action at a spot called Rond de La Reine.Two other officers of the regiment-Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon G.H.Morris and Major Crichton were killed at the same time' (De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1919))
The battle at Villiers Cotterets is also recorded in a extract from 'Who answered the Bugle Call' by Raymond Metiers. 'The 1st Bn. Irish Guards journeyed immediately on the outbreak of hostilities, as part of the British expeditionary Force. Following the disastrous battle of Mons on Monday 23rd August.The Irish Guards were functioning as rearguard during the withdrawal. They resisted firmly in a skirmish at Landrecies the following day, and in a more serious engagement in the thick woods at Villiers Cotterets. Despite the gravity at Villiers Cotterets, Kipling reminds us in his comprehensive study on the Guards that Irish humour prevailed. When the Germans began their heavy artillery fire on the troops, Lt. Col. Morris shouted out his words of encouragement " D'you hear that ? They're doing that to frighten you". A voice responded " If that's what they're after, they might as well stop. They succeeded with me hours ago". The Commanding Officer and his second in Command were killed, The Guards suffering a loss of one hundred men. Major Charles Arthur Tisdall also died at Villers Cotterets.There is a plaque to him in the Chuch of Ireland's parish church at Julianstown.Co. Meath'
Charles Tisdall joined the Irish Guards as a young man.. He had inherited the Charlesfort Estate in 1895 when he was 20 years old, a total of 3962 acres in Meath, 493 in Limerick and 5775 in Kilkenny.

Major Tisdall joined 2nd Royal Irish Rifles from the Militia in April 1900 and was transferred to the Irish Guards in July 1901, becoming Lieutenant in Feb 1902. Capt in Sept 1909 and Major in Sept 1914.He had earlier served in the South African War 1899-1901 . (Major Tisdall's WW1 medals : A 1914 Star; War Medal; and Victory Medal named to 'Major Charles Tisdall' are sold with this portrait )

Charles's brother William Tisdall (1876-1954) inherited the Charlesfort Estate at Kells, County Meath, Ireland upon Charles's death.

This portrait may have been a posthumous commission by William. Perhaps commissioned at the same time that a 1914 sketch of his brother William Tisdall was drawn by George Spencer Watson., (one of seven works by the artist, offered for sale at Minster Auctions in March 2024 ).
The artist George Spencer Watson was related to the Tisdalls by marriage. His wife Hilda was the sister of Elizabeth "Elsie" Tisdall (Nee Gardiner) (1876-1940), first wife of Charles Tisdall's brother William Tisdall (1876-1954)