Here is my completed bust of Lt. Alexander Dunn, the first Canadian and Commonwealth born winner of the Victoria Cross. Dunn won his VC in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava and he was a participant in the first VC investiture in 1857. He is VC # 17, the order being determined by regimental precedence.

Dunn purchased a commission in the 11th Husssars in 1852 and took part in the famous charge on Oct. 25, 1854. He was known as one of the handsomest men in the British army and he stood an alarming 6' 3" at a time when the average height of a cavalry man was much less. He carried an extra long custom made sabre. In the charge, Dunn saved two soldiers of his own regiment at great personal risk and was a unanimous vote for the VC when the survivors were polled by Colonel Douglas. A short time after the charge, Dunn resigned his commission and returned to Canada, taking Mrs. Douglas with him. He had an interesting career being the founder of the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment and serving as the first non_British born Colonel of a British regiment (33rd Duke of Wellington's). He died on the Abyssinian campaign while on hunting expedition, officially due to accident but according to some through murder.

The bust is constructed of sculpey firm, magic sculpt, twine and chain. There is an SBS on my vbench. The scale is about 1/6 and the piece is painted in acrylics and inks.

He still needs a base and perhaps some minor touch ups as I note faults. I will post a few photos of the final project once he is based and labelled.

Colin

Colin, an amazing piece of work! Some extremely complex lacework and giltwork superbly executed, along with a top paint job!

Steve

Outstanding, dear Colin!
I watched your SBS and I enjoyed the Master in action! Congrats my friend and I hope to see this beauty in Hamilton!
Cheers and see you soon!
Zeno

Colin this is a beautiful piece of work, but I think your error is the title. 'Pro Valore' is for the VC awarded by Canada as you know and has not yet been awarded. Dunn won an Imperial VC and therefore it should be 'For Valour' to be correct. It would be more correct to await Canada's first award before using this title.Dunn's VC was made from the Chinese cannon bronze whilst the canadian issue also has Canadian metals added so not correct there either.
These comments do not however take anything away from this lovely piece of work, just me being pedantic
Tom

Stunning lacework.
Cheers
John

Wow, stunning work and painting, fantastic.

Bob

I believe that the medal has been made from a bronze cannon, captured from Sevastopol.

Hi

Thanks for your comments Tom. I am aware of the facts you note and agree with them. Pro Valore was chosen as a title because in my thoughts it links the history of the VC with Canada. Canada did not exist as an independent nation before 1867 so Dunn was a British citizen and British army recipient of the award, which of course carried the words "For Valour." I know none of the Canadian versions of the VC have been awarded yet, although it may be sooner than I like if our hawkish PM has his way. I liked the words as a title in any case. Latin is always classy

Cheers

Colin

Stunning work all around.

Marc

Wiki on the VC has a discussion on the accuracy of the Sebastopol tradition vs Chinese cannon captured from the Russians in 1855.

Colin

Awesome !

Colin,

I'll venture to say that you have outdone yourself!



Joe

Bravo Colin
As I said in the WIP thread, hands down, this is by far the best work you've done to date.
Regardless of how, where or when the VC was awarded, Dunn is an interesting character... somewhat of a rogue... I like that

From putty to paint this is awesome. Your attention to detail have paid off in spades and the speed at which you work is still astounding. Look forward to seeing the final product in the Hammer.

Bravo again

Colin

Wow! I like this.



Steve Deyo

As always l eat up everything you do. I love all your works but this takes the cake. This is seriously good. The detail in his dolman? Is second to none. This is one of my favorite figures ever.

Great stuff, Colin. The detail work is extremely well done

Stunning!!!! work Colin. So much great detail,beautifully done.
Regards,
John

Outstanding piece of sculpting and painting, if only it was available commercially!

Mike

Agreed!