Army Book Belonging to James McBey
AuthorWritten by
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
Date1919
Object NameJournal
Mediumcard, paper and ink
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions18.9 x 11.8 x 0.4cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG009040
About MeArmy book kept by James McBey, which documents some of his time as Official War Artist in Egypt. McBey set sail from Marseilles on 26 May 1917, and arrived in Egypt on 1 June. This journal documents McBey's experiences after World War One ended, from 1 January 1919 to 28 February 1919.On Tuesday 2nd January at 2.00pm McBey began travelling to Jerusalem by donkey with a friend, arriving at sunset. He stayed there until 8 January, drawing and going to nearby areas to sketch, such as travelling into the city by car on 7 January to sketch the Jaffa Gate. That day McBey also saw the doctor, explaining that he sketched him, creating a picture which was later reproduced as "Bacteria."
From 9 January, when McBey "put in a day of correspondence" writing thirteen letters, until 11th January, McBey stayed at General Headquarters. From 12th January McBey travelled around nearby areas, such as "Semakh", "Yarmuk", "Jisr Mejimie", and "El Afule", returning to G.H.Q on 16 January.
McBey stayed at G.H.Q until 24 January, spending some time travelling to "Haifa" on 20 January. McBey went to Kantana, Cairo on 25 January, and stayed there until travelling to Port Said on 2 February.
On 3 February, McBey was on a boat ready to sail home, and at 2pm on 4 February the ship raised anchor and a band played as they slowly slipped down the canal. McBey was then at sea until he arrived in Marseilles on 10 February. He travelled to Paris on 11 February, then moved from Paris to Rouen on 13 February.
McBey finally arrived back in England on 15 February, visited the Imperial War Museum London on 17 February, and was still in London on 28 February, when the last journal entry was made. During his time in London McBey had mainly been drawing, working on portrait commissions, and shopping briefly. He also looked at a studio to rent in Broad Street on 22 February but deemed it too expensive.
This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this journal.
1841
