Boer War Watercolour of Imperial Yeomanry

A watercolour of a mounted soldier in South Africa during the Second Boer War by Alfred Stuart-Little, dated 1900.

Stuart-Little had some skill as an artist although the work is obviously that of an amateur. The horse is well painted but out of scale to its rider whose feet are nearly dragging on the ground. However, the anatomy and proportions of the both the horse and the rider are well considered. It is probable that Stuart-Little wasn't confident at doing faces as the rider's is vaguely painted. Yet details from the horses veins to the hobnails on the soldier's boots are added.

Alfred Stuart-Little was a Private in the newly formed Imperial Yeomanry, who were mounted infantry, and fought in South Africa. The Imperial Yeomanry was raised on the 2nd of January 1900 and was formed from volunteers from the existing Yeomanry and new recruits mostly from the middle classes. They underwent 2 or 3 months training in horsemanship and firearms etc. in domestic yeomanry regiments before departing for South Africa. The second contingent, sent out in 1901, received their training in the field and suffered for it.

Stuart-Little was first in 39 Company of the 10th Battalion and then is listed as a Lieutenant in the 30th Battalion. He was promoted from Lance Sergeant to Lieutenant on the 14th of January 1902, so painted this picture whilst still in the ranks. He returned home on the Dilwara in 1902 and resigned with the title of Honorary Lieutenant. He joined the Hampshire Regiment at the outbreak of the First World War and was made Captain on the 29th of August 1914.

It was possible that this water colour is a self portrait of Alfred Stuart-Little, as a reminder of his time fighting for Queen and Country in the Second Boer War. The title 'S. Africa 1900' is painted to the bottom middle and the artist's name 'A. Stuart-Little' diagonally across the bottom right corner. It is framed in oak with a gilt slip. Dated 1900.

Frame size is given.