Painting of Richard Travis VC

Painting of Richard Travis VC

Sergeant R C Travis, VC, DCM, MM, painted by Richard Wallwork, circa 1920. Richard Travis received a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC) for destroying an impassable obstacle and capturing two machine guns at Rossignol Wood on 24 July 1918. He was killed by shellfire the next day. This painting is based on a photograph of Travis thought to have been taken in 1916.

About the artist

Englishman Richard Wallwork (1882–1955) moved to Christchurch in 1911 to take up a teaching position at the Canterbury College School of Art. He and his wife Elizabeth (also an artist) both enjoyed long and successful careers in New Zealand. A member of the Canterbury Society of Arts for 42 years, Wallwork was director of the Canterbury College School of Art from 1928 until 1945. Richard Travis was one of two New Zealand VC recipients he was commissioned to paint following the First World War. The other was Samuel Forsyth.

Community contributions

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Ann-Loftee

Posted: 06 Jan 2014

Dick Travis was a local of the Ryal Bush community and worked at the Ryal Bush Dairy factory at the time that he went to war. His name features on all 3 memorial/honours board within the district. The community also has a magnificent photo of Dick in the community centre.