Lot 336: *Williams (Christopher David, 1873-1934). Portrait

*Williams (Christopher David, 1873-1934). Portrait of Lieutenant Harry Atheling Russell Boustead, R.F.C., 1892-1917, oil on canvas, signed lower right, and dated 1918, 112 x 81cm (44 x 32 ins), some minor flaking to upper left corner, contemp. gilt moulded frame, incorporating laurel leaves and berries (with framer's label of Chapman Bros., 241 Kings Road, Chelsea, to verso), small handwritten label to verso 'Lieut. Har. Boustead R.F.C., mentioned in Despatches, painted by Christopher Williams, 71 Eardley Rd., S.W.5'. Harry Boustead was the fourth and youngest son of John and Leila Boustead. He attended Harrow School, where he became Head of House and won the champion senior swimming cup. He went on to University College, Oxford, winning the 100 yard swimming race for Oxford v Cambridge in 1913, and gaining his BA in 1914. On the outbreak of war, Boustead obtained a commission in the 2/8 Middlesex Regiment, and travelled with them to Egypt in August 1915, where he saw active service on the Western Frontier Campaign against the Senussi. On his return in 1916, he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and after a month's training obtained his wings and was posted to France in October 1916. He saw six months flying service, once bringing down two German machines in one day, but was killed on April 5th 1917 in an aerial fight with two hostile machines. His observer was killed, and though terribly wounded, he fought off the enemy and succeeded in re-crossing British lines, making a safe and successful landing, where he died an hour later. Lieutenant Boustead was subsequently mentioned in Despatches on December 13th, 1917. His Wing Commander wrote to his father 'Your son was a very gallant officer and died a magnificent death, and even if he receives no official recognition of his gallantry, the story of his last fight will remain as fine a memorial as any official reward could be'. See Harrow Memorials of the Great War, pub. 1918-21. Christopher David Williams (1873-1934) a portrait, figure and landscape painter, was born at Maestag, and educated in Cardiff and Oswestry. He studied painting at the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. (1)
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