A Bundaberg artist has showcased his latest artwork depicting local war heroes at a special exhibition ahead of Anzac Day commemorations.
Ross Driver is well known for his striking historical representations of noted district First World War servicemen and women and was also commissioned to provide a large mural on the water reservoir adjacent to the Bundaberg War Nurses Memorial.
His latest display was recently on show in the Mt Perry Art Group Gallery and featured his paintings of war heroes from around the district.
While the displayed artworks evoked a range of emotions for those viewing the exhibition, one drawing in particular had special significance for Bundaberg man Les Elsey.
The drawing featured Corporal Leslie Charles Eastaughffe, Les’ grandfather, who was attached to a gunnery section when wounded and later awarded for bravery during action in France in WW1.
“He was a Childers boy and when the war started he jumped a train from Childers to Enoggera in 1914 where he enlisted and was quickly shipped out to Egypt,” he said.
“He went to Gallipoli towards the end of that campaign but then went on to active service in France.
Les said his grandfather was a Corporal in charge of a field gun in a Gunnery Section when, on September 19, 1918 at St Emilie they came under fire from German guns.
“One German shell landed near an artillery wagon which promptly caught fire. My grandfather pulled every shell out of the burning wagon while wounded in the shoulder and suffering extensive burns to his hands,” he said.
“He was awarded the Military Medal in 1919 and the medal was actually presented by his father Alexander Eastaughffe who was a long serving Shire Chairman in Childers.”
