This half-length portrait shows Sergeant Johnson in profile against a vivid sky-blue background, wearing full uniform and paraphernalia of the Royal Marines. On his right arm a number of badges are visible which give clues to his rank: three embroidered v-shaped lines signify his rank as Sergaent, above which is 1st Class marksman insignia – two crossed rifles underneath a crown. He is carrying a rifle in his hand and is heavily laden with a backpack. On his head he is wearing a white Pith helmet, most commonly worn by Royal Marine’s serving in hot climates. The portrait is signed and dated on the bottom right hand side of the composition, and is still in the original mount and frame given by the War Artists Advisory Committee. [The original WAAC number is LD. 1453].

William Dring (1904-90) earned his reputation as a fine draughtsman and portrait painter whilst studying under Henry Tonks at the Slade School of Art between 1922 and 1925. He worked as a teacher of drawing and painting at the Southampton School of Art until 1940 when he was employed by the War Artist Advisory Committee, first as official war artist to the Admiralty and later to the Air Ministry. He made a large number of portrait drawings of individuals and groups, all remarkable for their informality. Dring travelled extensively to complete his commissions. The drawing is always precise and carefully modelled using pastel, a medium in which he specialised, and which allowed him to capture the likeness and spirit of his subjects quickly and under a variety of circumstances.
[The original WAAC number is LD1453]