The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Official war artist James Quinn was instructed to paint the portrait of Brigadier General Henry Gordon Bennett, CB, CMG, DSO, who was mentioned in despatches eight times.
A member of the Citizen Military Forces, Bennett had the rank of Major at the onset of the First World War. Volunteering with the Australian Imperial Forces, he was second-in-command of the 6th Battalion and served on Gallipoli. In May 1915 he was promoted to the temporary lieutenant-colonel in command of his battalion. Transferred to France, he was promoted to command the 3rd Infantry Brigade in December 1916 – the youngest brigadier-general in the British Empire armies. Despite a sound reputation as a front-line commander, Bennett was also known by his superiors for his prickly temperament, and argumentative nature.
Following the war, Bennett pursued interests in business, politics and the military. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Bennett was the senior citizen soldier, and received command of the 8th Division. He is generally acknowledged as a poor leader who underestimated the Japanese and when Singapore came under attacked, Bennett abandoned his troops and returned Australia. After a successful career serving with the AIF in the First World War, his behaviour and choices during the Second World War discredited him.
See A.B. Lodge, The Fall of General Bordon Bennett (Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1986)
Portrait of Brigadier General Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott, CB, CMG, DSO, DCM, Commanding 15th Brigade (earlier also 7th Battalion and 1st Brigade), 1st Australian Imperial Force. Elliott was at the
Portrait depicting Brigadier Murray John Moten, CBE, DSO and Bar, was in command of a Citizen Military Force unit at the outbreak of war and was second to command the 2/27th Australian Infantry Battal
Profile portrait of Brigadier General William Grant, C.M.G., D.S.O. He served at Gallipoli and then in Sinai in command of the 11th Light Horse Regiment. In August 1917 he took command of the 4th Brig
Official war artist James Quinn was instructed to paint the portrait of Brigadier General Thomas Henry Dodds CMG CVO DSO, as part of an ongoing series of portraits that acknowledged senior military le
Portrait sketch of Brigadier General Alfred Joseph Bessell-Browne, commanding officer of the 5th Division Australian Field Artillery, seated at a desk at the 5th Division AIF headquarters in St Gratie
Official war artist James Quinn was instructed to paint the portrait of Brigadier-General James Heane CB(M) CMG DSO as part of an ongoing series of portraits that acknowledged senior military leaders
