TOPIC:

Hello
I am new to this forum and very pleased to have found it.
I recently found a few pencil sketches by Victor Houston.
Included were 3 of warships, one of a camp scene at Mefeking and one of a British soldier shooting another
I can't find this artists name in war records but would like to know more about him and also the 2 ships depicted in the sketches and their role in the 2nd Boer War as I can only see refrences to them being in Mediteranean and China Station.
It may be that the Boer war sketches are not linked to ships but they are all dated around the same time.
Many thanks
Paul

Paul,

Welcome to the forum!

These are very nice drawings. I like to one of HMS Victorious in particular.

I am having trouble finding any information on this man. He does not appear to have served in the Boer War. The two Boer War pictures are very much in the style of the time so I wonder if he copied them from other as he does not appear to have been in Mafeking?

Intriguing.

Best wishes
David

Hello David
Thank you
I was beginning to think the same as I couldn't find any record of him.
The only census record that might fit has him born in Cheshire in 1875, living in Birkenhead in 1881 and possibly married in Wandsworth in 1912.
I agree they are nice little sketches but could well be copied as you say.
Were either of the ships involved in Boer War do you know?
Thanks again
Paul

Paul,

No, neither Blenheim nor Victorious were involved in the Boer War.

HMS Blenheim served 1890 - 1926 in various locations including China in 1900, in the Channel Squadron until 1908 and then the Mediterranean fleet. She was involved in the Gallipoli landings.

HMS Victorius served 1896 - 1920 and appears to have has a quiet life. She was in the Mediterranean in 1898 and then went to the China Station, returning to the Mediterranean in 1900. Back home in 1904, she served as Flagship of the Channel Fleet. She was mobilised for the Great War in August 1914 but withdrawn from front line service in January 1915.

Great
Thank you David
I think the idea that he copied the images from photographs of the time is probably the best conclusion then
It was great to get your help with this I am very grateful
Best wishes
Paul