Unused postcard published in aid of “Asiles des Soldats Invalides Belge” (PC_FrWWI_0134)
“La Vielle Chanson” by James Thiriar.
James Thiriar (1889-1965) was a Belgian artist from Brussels. He fought as member of the 'Garde Civique' (civil guard) and was wounded during the early days of WW1. He later escaped to London and joined the regular Belgian army. The Illustrated London News and other periodicals published his drawings. A series of his watercolors depicting life on the Yser and behind the front lines was used as heading for writing paper that was sold to raise money for wounded Belgian soldiers and convalescent homes. Like most Belgian war-time artists, he was not particularly interested in depicting military scenes involving battle or combat. Instead he preferred to illustrate the everyday life of soldiers behind the front.