Appointment of official military artist Frank Norton

Charles Frank Press Nortoncommonly known as Frank Norton, was the first official artist commissioned by the Australian War Memorial to document Australia’s naval activities during the war.

At the beginning of the Second World War, Norton was in London. In April 1940 he wrote to RMB Captain Lt Long, RAN:

“I have decided to return to Australia, and on my arrival offer my services in the war…I have been offered a job on a newspaper in Sydney, but I am very anxious to serve in the war, so I wish to apply for a commission as an official artist, or any other position, for what my qualifications may suit me, not necessarily related to naval subjects. In addition, I am ready to serve in the combat forces (preferably the Russian Armed Forces), when and if necessary.”

He returned to Australia later that year and in March 1941 was appointed official war artist for six months. Norton agreed to a number of conditions, including a medical examination by the naval medical authorities (but as a bonus, medical and dental treatment was included in his service). He was to be paid two guineas a day (including Sundays) and the appointment could be terminated at any time. Other conditions stipulated that he was not allowed to engage in any private work, and a selection of fifty of his works “became the property of the Commonwealth. The works of art so selected must be signed by you and the copyright in them shall pass to the Commonwealth.’

Early in his career as an official war artist, he was instructed to take a train and then a plane from Sydney via Melbourne to Fremantle before returning to Sydney on a Royal Australian Navy ship. It was “desirable” that he would “make some sketches or pictures of the various stages of life on board a ship of war during the war.” Returning to Sydney, he was stationed at Sydney Harbour, but quickly “exhausted material at Garden Island and the dockyards”.

They quickly agreed that he should go abroad. His appointment was extended for six months: “This (extension) will enable you to continue your work overseas to record the actions of RAN vessels overseas and will also enable you to complete the work you already have.” He spent time aboard RAN ships in the South West Pacific.

Norton also spent some time with Royal Australian Air Force squadrons in North Africa and the Middle East. This is where the free treatment he was entitled to for eye problems came in handy. HMAS Hobart Surgeon Commander L. Lockwood reported that Norton was suffering from an “inflammatory condition”. In addition to the prescribed treatment, it was also noted that “Mr. Norton is somewhat neglected. He had no vacation. It would be desirable for him to have seven days of leave to rest his eyes and to do fortune-telling in general.”

In January 1942, it was questioned whether Norton was underpaid while working as an official entertainer; as Norton was transferred between departments, so was the responsibility to pay him. This was complicated by his overseas service and what was determined to be a miscalculation of the exchange rate. In 1946, after a long bureaucratic process, Norton received a salary of 34 pounds and eight pence – no small sum.

THERE ARE more than 250 works Frank Norton in the Memorial’s collection, making him one of the most prolific contributors to the official military art scheme during the Second World War. In addition to technically accurate depictions of ships and aircraft, his works also highlight the many different tasks required of a crew or squadron. He was an excellent draftsman and his highly detailed drawings and paintings capture the act of service.

In a letter of thanks, the chairman of the Memorial’s board, HW Johnson, wrote: “Your war photographs will be an important addition to the Australian War Memorial’s collection and will be of great interest to ex-servicemen and women and others who view them years from now. They are a valuable record of an important chapter in Australian history.”

The Australian War Memorial Register files for the submission and appointment of Frank Norton as an Official World War II War Artist have been digitized and are available for viewing here.