Objects: Personal and regimental effects.
Oil on board, weathered
Private Samuel Stamp was in the 6th Battalion from 1932. This battalion was one of three of the Royal Norfolk Regiment sent to Singapore in 1942 and Samuel subsequently became a Far East Prisoner of War. His Soldier’s Small Book, lists the various ailments that afflicted him whilst a POW, including Dysentery, Beri Beri and tropical ulcers.
The side drum was taken to Singapore by the Regiment in 1942 and buried during Japanese occupation until 1946, when it was retrieved. Having completed the painting, Grant buried it in his garden for several weeks. This could have completely destroyed it, but it proved resilient. This act reflected the jeopardy of the Far East Prisoners of War and the story of the drum.
Grant is a musician as well as a visual artist and played in a marching band.
