At the start of World War One McBey's poor eyesight prevented him enlisting as a soldier but in February 1916 he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant while employed with the Army Printing and Stationery Service, based in Rouen.
While on leave there he completed two series of sketches, France at her Furnaces, showing the munition works at Harfleur, and some views of the Somme.
After these drawings were shown in London, McBey was appointed an official war artist to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
Throughout 1917 and 1918 McBey accompanied the Allied advance in Palestine, from Gaza to Damascus.
Working in both watercolours and oils McBey produced some 300 pieces, many of which are now in the Imperial War Museum.
As well as portraits of the Allied commanders, McBey painted notable portraits of Emir Faisal, and T. E. Lawrence.
McBey spent five days on a reconnaissance mission in the Sinai Desert with an Imperial Camel Corps patrol, consisting of rough-riders from the Australian outback, and witnessed Allenby's entry into Jerusalem in December 1917.
At the start of World War One McBey's poor eyesight prevented him enlisting as a soldier but in February 1916 he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant while employed with the Army Printing and Stationery Service, based in Rouen. While on leave there he completed two series of sketches, France at her Furnaces, showing the munition works at Harfleur, and some views of the Somme. After these drawings were shown in London, McBey was appointed an official war artist to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Throughout 1917 and 1918 McBey accompanied the Allied advance in Palestine, from Gaza to Damascus. Working in both watercolours and oils McBey produced some 300 pieces, many of which are now in the Imperial War Museum. As well as portraits of the Allied commanders, McBey painted notable portraits of Emir Faisal, and T. E. Lawrence. McBey spent five days on a reconnaissance mission in the Sinai Desert with an Imperial Camel Corps patrol, consisting of rough-riders from the Australian outback, and witnessed Allenby's entry into Jerusalem in December 1917.
James McBey