01 work, the art of war, William Skeoch Cumming's Drummer James Roddick of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, with footnotes

William Skeoch Cumming (1864-1929)

Drummer James Roddick of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, defending Lieutenant Menzies during hand-to-hand fighting in Kandahar, 1880, c. 1894

Pencil and watercolour, heightened with touches of bodycolour

height: 71.1 cm (27.9 in); width: 107.9 cm (42.4 in)

Private collection

Sold for GBP 10,625 in Oct 2008

After taking part in Major-General Frederick Roberts' famous march from Kabul to Kandahar in August 1880, the 92nd Highlanders were immediately sent into action in order to relieve the besieged garrison. During the subsequent fight, Lieutenant Menzies, on hearing voices on the other side of a locked door, shot the lock open. Immediately a shot came from inside the room, wounding the lieutenant. Drummer Roddick, the closest soldier to Menzies, drew his claymore and stood over the officer while a group of Afghans rushed through the door. Roddick fought them off until a second soldier arrived, thus allowing Menzies to be carried to safety. More on this painting

Drummer James Roddick, of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his courage in protecting his senior officer, Lieutenant Menzies. The two officers had broken down the door of a house in Kandahar from which they had been fired upon, and Lieutenant Menzies was shot in the groin. The two Highlanders were then attacked by a group of Afghans: 'The leader fired and knocked off Roddick's helmet but he called out to the wounded officer, "You're all right sir, as long as this blade lasts," and ran the Afghan through with his claymore.' More on Drummer James Roddick

William Skeoch Cumming (28 December 1864 Edinburgh – 10 April 1929 Edinburgh), was a Scottish watercolourist, mainly of portraits, military subjects and Scottish Military History. Between 1912 and his death, he turned his hand to the designing and production of four large tapestries.

William enjoyed sketching exercises with his father before studies at the Edinburgh School of Art and the Royal Scottish Academy School, and began his art career at the Theatre Royal as a scene painter. His sketches on Scottish life appeared in the Black & White magazine of 1896.

He served with the 19th Company Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War. On 23 His watercolour sketches recorded incidents during the campaign and his portraits depicted characters involved in the war. More than 300 of his photographs are to be found at the Imperial War Museum.

Cumming returned from South Africa having suffered no more than a bout of dysentery. Once home he joined the Scottish Horse

From all accounts Cumming was a cheerful person, enjoying his freedom and his music. He lodged with his elder sister and her family and only married Belle Sutton, another watercolourist, shortly before his death. His studio was at 28 Queen Street before he moved to 31 Buckingham Terrace.

He is buried in the 20th century extension to Dean Cemetery near its centre. More on William Skeoch Cumming

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