Private Suave

Henry Tonks did a number of studies depicting servicemen both before and after their treatment by Gillies and his team at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup.

Here is Private Suave. The name Tonks has written upon the “after” pastel may be Guave. We do not have any other records. What is certain is that he received a devastating injury to the lower jaw and lip. Unable to close his mouth, Tonks depicts him in the “before” image dribbling uncontrollably from an incontinent oral cavity. In common with Private Deaks, Tonks perfectly captures the look of horror betrayed in this man’s eyes. 

After treatment, Tonks depicts Suave a man transformed by his repositioned, reconstructed, continent, lower lip and jaw. The eyes now seem bright and full of hope, despite the visible scars he will bear for ever.