1944 St Francis of Assisi

My very first attempt age 20 at woodcarving in my bedroom at 1 Langdale Avenue, The Coppice, Oldham where I lived with Mum, Dad and sister Shirley from about 1936 until I left in November 1947 to sail to Australia.

The wood was a block of English elm – probably a staircase newel post – carved with the most basic of tools. Mum must have been very tolerant of the mess I must inevitably have made.Elm has a very beautiful cheesy smell when carved which adds to the joy of carving – my room must have really smelled like a cheese factory, but fortunately I have no recollection of it.

Aesthetically somewhat romantic – I had a lot to learn.
Adam now has it (his photo)