A Bunyan-stannard First-aid Envelope for Protection against Infection in Burns, as issued to the RAF 1943

Ethel Léontine Gabain painted this oil on canvas, A Bunyan-stannard First-aid Envelope for Protection against Infection in Burns, as issued to the RAF, sometime during the Second World War. The painting depicts a scene inside what we can assume is a Royal Air Force bomber, with four separate panels showing members of the crew performing tasks, most likely in preparation for, or during, a bombing raid. The artist has chosen a pragmatic approach, focusing on the minutiae of military life and the human effort involved in the Allied bombing campaign. The painting also provides a social commentary on the role of women in the war effort. Gabain was one of the few women artists commissioned to document the war, and she often focused on the contributions of women in various roles. To fully appreciate Gabain's work, it's helpful to examine official war documents and personal accounts from the period. These resources reveal the social dynamics of wartime Britain. By studying these sources, we gain insight into how artists like Gabain captured and communicated the realities of the war effort.