Harold Abbott Patient awaiting plastic surgery

This portrait by Harold Abbott of World War II veteran Mark James O’Bryan (1917–2008) is now in the collection of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra under the title Patient awaiting plastic surgery (Private Mark O’Bryan).

An official war artist for the Australian War Memorial from 1943 to 1945, Abbott joined the 2/9 Australian Field Regiment and served in the Pacific Islands and Singapore. This portrait is one of the first he produced as a war artist.

Born in Victoria, O’Bryan was a driver with the 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion, 6th Australian Divisional Army Service Corps. He was recognised for exceptional services in the field in New Guinea, after he was shot in the face and left shoulder during a battle.

In October 1943, O’Bryan was transferred to the 115th (Heidelberg) Military Hospital in Victoria, where Abbott documented his horrific injuries. O’Bryan eventually received plastic surgery, which only left a slight scar.