By the way, can anyone tell me the title of the painting used by Michel as his avatar? My French is not good enough to ask him directly!
Nanny Jan
Just to go off topic a minute it's the
"The Last Absolution of the Munsters " .......... but please don't get him going on that .... we'll be here all day !!
From Orange, Green and Khaki -
"On the evenng of 8th May, under command of Lt-Col. V.G.H. Rickard, 2nd Munsters once again marched towards the Front. At a French wayside shrine, Rickard halted the the Battalion and formed a hollow square before it. On three sides were the rifle companies, and facing them on horseback were Col. Rickard, his adjutant, Capt. Filgate and the Chaplain, Father Gleeson. Gun flashes added to the semi-light of a spring evening; gunfire and shell explosions reminded all of the ordeal to come. All bared their heads and the light breeze ruffled hair and caused to flutter the green company standards. Father Gleeson's stole made a splash of soft colour. The chaplain raised his right hand and intoned general absolution and all sang the Te Deum. Then, to the barked command of RSM Ring, the march resumed towards the sound of the guns."
The scene was well captured on canvas by Fortunino Matania
Beautiful isn't it ?? ... very poignant .... as the battalion were practically wiped out the next morning !
