Overall: 49.5cm (19.5in) x 47cm (18.5in)
Photolithograph. Art print portrait of canine war veteran Scottish Terrier ‘Nonie’ after Cecil Aldin, inscribed upper right beneath aircrew observer’s brevet, ‘R.A.F. Record of service, Jutland Battle (H.M.S. Lion), Messines Ridge (Tank Corps), Channel Flights, R.A.F., B.E.F. France 1917. Publication details in the margin: - ‘Copyright, Published by Richard Wyman & Co. Ltd., 16 Bedford Street, Strand, London W.C.2.’
A sketch and brief biography of ‘Nonie’ appears on page 70 of Aldin’s canine classic ‘Dogs of Character’ (1927):- ‘Nonie, a scotch terrier, a rather well-known canine character during the war, who belonged to a Colonel in the RAF. When this dog came to me to sit he was a very proud personage, wearing all his medals in the form of engraved discs attached to his collar. He had had rather an exciting career, as he was born on H.M.S. Lion during the battle of Jutland, and when he was full grown had constantly been 'up' bombing over the German lines, had flown the Channel, and even been into action in a tank.’
Cecil Aldin (1870-1935) was educated at Eastbourne College and Solihull Grammar School. He studied art at the Royal College of Art and under Frank Calderon. He illustrated hundreds of books with characterful humour and precision throughout his lifetime, one of his first major commissions being Kipling's 'Jungle Stories’. At 22, he took on a studio in Chelsea and began to obtained regular illustrations work from many magazines during the 1890s. In 1895 he married, moved to Chiswick and became one of a circle of artists who formed the London Sketch Club. Aldin was keen on hunting. In 1910 he became Master of the South Berkshire Foxhounds. He also carried the horn on foot with harriers, beagles and bassets. At the outbreak of the First World War Aldin was the sole Master of the South Berkshire and became a Remount Purchasing Officer in charge of an Army Remount Depot. Such was the military demand for horses Aldin’s own mounts were among the first to be given up to the Army.