A Private of The Royal Welch Fusiliers, by a sangar, 'L'Derry', 25 June 1972

Carbon by Ralph Lillford, 1972.

This fusilier wears a Korean War vintage fragmentation vest, or flak jacket, and he carries a manpack radio on his back. This drawing is a study for elements of the painting 'Irishmen, Avenge Irish Dead' (NAM 1989-08-33) and shows the artist's fascination with the new 'street furniture' such as this sangar, that was one consequence of 'the Troubles'.

The white hackle (feather plume) on his beret is particular to The Royal Welch Fusiliers, but in the painting the badge is very similar to that of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, whose 3rd Battalion was also stationed in the city during the summer of 1972. However their hackle bears red over white feathers.

Between 1971 and 1976, drawn by an interest in the civil conflict, Ralph Lillford made repeated trips to Northern Ireland to draw what he saw in the streets.