BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

The Cherry's, an Artistic Family

Good work by Soldier Artists
(by Editor)

The Gold Stripe, Volume Two
May 1919

     "Getting the wind up," as every man of the ranks knows, has nothing to do with the barometer, but it is just the same, an ominous sign that nervous pressure at headquarters is far from normal. There are, of course, times when offical uneasiness has saved the mere Tommy from an unpleasant experience. Punch cites the case of an unfortunate, who in the absence of apprehension on the part of those higher up, ventured too far into a village and spent the weary hours of dark hiding from a German posse, chewing up the yard square of precious map in his possession. Too often, however, officialdom has "got its wind up" over what seems to the victim a mere trifle. Such was the feeling of Mr. Edward Cherry who started in as a relief from piling up profits for the Brasso Co., to sketch some charmings bits of architecture around the Ablain St. Nazaire district. But officialdom, as he ruefully explains, "got the wind up," and he was compelled to return again to his button polishing.

     Mr. Arthur L. Cherry, who is as adept in his exquisite miniature work as in his pen and ink drawings, had a happier lot in France than his brother. And in the aristocracy of the service, the flying corps, did admirable work, both in the service of art and of Empire, as shown in the particularly choice bits from this portfolio here reproduced. His work has so particularly direct an appeal that it delights both connoisseur and untrained appraiser. Mr. Edward Cherry, fortunately, has arranged to return to France, by and by, in a more auspicious role than infantryman in the 29th Battalion, to which he was transferred from the 103, with which he left Victoria , in August, 1916. This pleasing prospect is equally a source of pleasurable anticipation to admirers of his art who expect that France will yield him as many charming themes as have the quaint old manor houses and inns of Exeter, where he spent his hospital days. Of these picturesque bits is notable the Elizabethan manor sketch here reproduced.

     The entire Cherry family have established an exceptionally fine military record from father to grandson. The latter, a son of Mr. Frank Cherry, the noted black and white artist, director during the war of camouflage at New York, was with the Westminster Rifles, although under age; while besides the two artist sons, was Mr. Wilfred Cherry, an erstwhile Bantam, who, impatient at not getting away to France, "stowed away" in a troop train and joined up with his brother's unit. Later, after discharge through subsequent medical unfitness, he got past the U.S. medical authorities and finished up the campaign with the Doughboys. Of two sisters, Miss Bertha Cherry, is a miniature painter of note, and Miss Gertrude Cherry, formerly of Vancouver, served as Red Cross nurse.



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