Two Sowars of the 15th Lancers (Cureton's Multanis), 1915

Pen and ink with wash, signed and dated lower centre, '- Paul Sarrut-1915', by Paul Sarrut (1882-1969), 1915.

Paul Sarrut served in the French Army during World War One (1914-1918) and was posted to the British Army as a Military Liaison Officer and interpreter for the French, Indian and British troops on the Western Front.

The Indian Army Corps started to arrive in Marseille in late September 1914, and from 1 October 1914 Sarrut sketched their arrival, life in camp and departure for the Western Front. In 1915 Sarrut moved up to the front and continued to sketch the Indian soldiers there.

Part of the 3rd (Lahore) Division, the 15th Lancers arrived at Marseille in France on 26 September 1914. The regiment served during the 1914 winter operations and at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and Festubert in 1915. In December of that year they were transferred to Mesopotamia where they attempted to relieve the besieged garrison of Kut al Amara.

After the War, Sarrut had a selection of his drawings engraved and issued as a portfolio, 'British and Indian Troops in Northern France, 70 War Sketches, 1914-1915', published by H Delépine of Arras, France, in about 1919.