These photographs may have been taken in Beun's studio. Carrick's teacher at the South Kensington College, Professor Eduard Lanteri, may well have provided Carrick with introductions in Belgium.
Lanteri was an important figure in early 20th century British sculpture and his book 'Sculpting and Modelling the Human Figure' was influential. As well as Carrick Lanteri's pupils included Rodin himself, Charles Sergeant Jagger and Sir Charles Wheeler to name a few.
The clay of the trenches
Above - Carrick seated in the centre with RGA comrades and (above right) the dauntless Gunner Carrick. Most of the important post war artists and sculptors served as officers during the Great War. Carrick was unusual in serving as a humble Gunner, the Artillery's equivalent of the army rank of Private.
Left - 'The Gunner' made from the clay of the trenches. The Belgian artist and photographer Leopold Beun who helped him with his maquette of 'The Gunner' lived in Poperinge and founded the 'Circle of Art Hoppeland' with the famous artist Jules Boudry.
I don't know how many Gunners were cast but one was sold at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin in July 1926.
