An Antiques Roadshow guest left expert Mark Smith visibly moved after sharing the tragic story behind a set of watercolour paintings created by a teenage soldier during the First World War.
The episode, broadcast on October 25, was filmed at Bangor Castle in Northern Ireland. Among the items brought in were a rare grasshopper-shaped vase and two recliner chairs intended for use on the Titanic, but it was the story behind the paintings that floored Smith.
A Gift from a Soldier's Mother
The guest explained how she came to own the paintings: "Sixty years ago my mother was visiting a lady and she shared with her that I'd just been accepted for art college and the lady said 'I'd like to give her something'. She gave the watercolour pictures inside this piece of cardboard, which I think probably came from the battlefield."
The six illustrations were made by a teenage soldier named Archibald McMillan Hanna on the battlefield during the First World War, with many featuring gravestones and fallen fighters. The soldier never returned home, as he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme when he was just 19.
Expert's Emotional Response
The guest explained that the lady who gifted her the paintings was Archibald's mother. Archibald was believed to have been around 17 to 18 years of age when he created them.
"Such a fantastic artist cut down," Mark said. The guest concurred, adding: "I think they show the horrors of war and the sadness of it."
Mark went on: "They really are fantastic, I mean that's really what caught my eye. They're such good drawings." Visibly moved, he continued: "What an artist he may have been if life had been a bit longer. It's such a legacy for such a short life."
Valuation and Future Plans
Coming to the valuation of the paintings, he shared: "I don't like valuing these things but they are really good drawings. If they came up for sale with the story of him and the 1st July where he was killed I think you're probably looking at somewhere around about £400 for these little drawings."
The guest barely reacted to the valuation, stressing that she hoped to get them sent over to a museum. Mark seemed satisfied with her plans too, remarking: "I think that's probably where they deserve to be."
Antiques Roadshow airs Sunday nights at 8pm on BBC One with episodes also streaming on BBC iPlayer.
