The Sketch, 1916-1919

172, Strand, London, W.C.

The Sketch continued to publish Blampied's work until the end of 1916, when he and Marianne travelled to Jersey so that Blampied could enlist. Conscription had been announced in January 1916 and he probably preferred to be enlist with fellow islanders, even if he was to be sent to a British regiment. He was classified as B2, so was found to be unfit for general service but was able to do garrison duties. In July 1917 aged 31 years he signed up to serve in the Royal Jersey Garrison Battalion. His height was recorded at 5 foot 4½ inches (164 cm). The minimum height to enlist was 5 foot 3 inches.

After a few months service Blampied found that he was able to continue to produce illustrations to sell to publishers and started a substantial period of work for Thomas Nelson and Sons. Only two of Blampied's illustrations appeared in The Sketch in 1917 and 1918, but it shows that he was still in touch with London publishers and was sending them his work from Jersey, probably with the help of Marianne. Lance Corporal 244 Blampied and his wife were living with his aunt and cousins at 2 Winchester Villas in St. Helier, Jersey. Edmund was released from the Militia on 27th January 1919 but he and Marianne didn't return to London until September. There he began a remarkably productive seven years of work for books, magazines, prints and paintings, but not for The Sketch.

Dipping the Colours (click to enlarge)

— 1916 —

Issue: 15-Mar-1916, vol. 93, no. 1207, The Sketch Supplement, p 10. Type: MO1. Price: 6d. Author: none. Title: Wonderful woman. She used to scream at the sight of a mouse; now she faces shell-fire with a smile.

[No image available]

Issue: 12-Apr-1916, vol. 94, no. 1211, The Sketch Supplement, p 8. Type: CO1. Price: 6d. Author: none. Title: The red turban.

Issue: 10-May-1916, vol. 94, no. 1215, The Sketch Supplement, p 8. Type: CO1. Price: 6d. Author: none. Title: Once in a blue moon.

[This drawing was reproduced in the French magazine Fantasio in September 1916.]

Issue: 5-Jul-1916, vol. 95, no. 1223, p 19. Type: MO1. Price: 6d. Author: none. Title: The eternal question! "Have I been long, dear?".

Issue: 22-Nov-1916, vol. 96, no. 1243, p 161. Type: MO1. Price: 1/-. Author: none. Title: The old, old story. - And not a single hat to wear.

[The original drawing, in ink and watercolour, was sold at Christies, South Kensington on 18th November 1998, lot 57. It is illustrated to the right of the image published in the magazine.]

Issue: 11-Dec-1916, vol. 96, no. 1244, Christmas Number 1916, p 3. Type: MO1. Price: 1/-. Author: none. Title: The Sketch Chrismas Number (title page).

Issue: 11-Dec-1916, vol. 96, no. 1244, Christmas Number 1916, p 19. Type: MO1. Price: 1/-. Author: none. Title: Before the Christmas Ball. A touch of rouge.

Issue: 11-Dec-1916, vol. 96, no. 1244, Christmas Number 1916, p 30. Type: MO1. Price: 1/-. Author: none. Title: Appointed A.D.C - to date Christmas. Under the mistletoe.

— 1917 —

Issue: 12-Sep-1917, vol. 99, no. 1285, p 239. Type: CO1. Price: 7d.Author: none. Title: Dipping the colours.

— 1918 —

Issue: 9-Jan-1918, vol. 101, no. 1302, p 23. Type: MO1. Price: 9d.Author: none. Title: The 1918 Girl.

— 1919 —

Issue: Dec-1919, vol. 108, no. 1400A, Christmas number 1919, p 41. Type: MO1. Price: 2/-.Author: none. Title: Great expectations! The cat: and kitten!.