Portrait of William Malcolm Chisholm

Australian war artist George Petrou OAM became aware of William Malcolm Chisholm’s story last year. He learnt about Chisholm from a former curator of the Sir John Monash Centre in Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Chisholm was the first Australian casualty on the Western Front in World War One. However, his identity as an Australian and an Old Sydneian has been clouded, because he was an officer serving with a British regiment who had spent several years in England at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. At Grammar, he had been an enthusiastic member of the Army Cadet Corps.

In the words of George Petrou: “I think this is an absolutely wonderful (but sad) story of dedication and sacrifice.” He added: “It was truly an absolute joy to paint and write about these amazing Australian men and women.”

Upon hearing the story, George instantly wanted to paint Chisholm’s portrait and donate it to the Remembrance Association in Ligny-en-Cambrésis in north-eastern France where he is buried. He was told they would gratefully accept it if he should complete the portrait.

George wanted to make a statement that Chisholm was Australian, despite his British uniform. So, the Australian flag was an obvious background choice, but he also wanted to incorporate another Australian icon – so why not include his Sydney Grammar School crest. This way there was no doubt about his country of origin, or his associations there.

George hoped his portrait would be presented on behalf of the Australian government, or himself, depending on what was finally decided. They also planned to donate one of his other portraits to the Naours Museum in France during the Anzac Day period 2023, which he hopes to attend.

For Grammar, the connections go a little deeper still. When George made contact with the grand-daughter of another Old Sydneian, the famous General Sir Harry Chauvel, she said she knew of a “digger” named William Chisholm. Amazingly, she added: “he was my father’s cousin”!

George sees the portrait as a reference point that boys at Grammar might use for art, history, storytelling, and photography.

His other work, focussed on the Australian experience of war and conflict, can be explored at his website www.georgepetrou.com.au.