NAM.2006-05-45-1

‘P.& B.T. with compliments from/ E.B’, Sergeant Major Betts, Senlis, France, 1918 (c). Pencil drawing by Sgt Ernest Blaikley, 28th Bn, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles), nd. Three quarter length profile portrait of a man in exercise kit with crossed swords and crown insignia in top left corner. Back reads, ‘1st Army S.O.&S. School./ Sergeant Major Betts. of the Army Gymnastic Staff./ (He didn’t like this, & wouldn’t take it as a gift.)’. Hesketh-Prichard mentions Betts in his book on sniping, The physical training of the school was in the hands of Sergeant-Major Betts (Coldstream Guards), on of Colonel Campbell’s magnificent gymnastic staff’. Associated with First Army School of Scouting, Observation and Sniping, Senlis, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918).