Jacob Epstein

Born in America to Polish refugee parents, Jacob Epstein moved to Europe in 1902 and became a British subject in 1911. He was already a very famous sculptor in his own right. He volunteered to join the Jewish Legion after it was formed and came to Plymouth to train with the unit at Crownhill Fort. His Commander J H Patterson DSO said of him "The famous sculptor, Jacob Epstein, was one of my most promising recruits, and after he had served for some months in the ranks I recommended him for a commission. When the 38th Battalion left Plymouth for Palestine, Epstein remained behind with the second Jewish Battalion then formed, but owing to some bungling the commission was never granted." He returned to a career of sculpting after the war and went on to sculpt some of the most important people in Imperial History such as Jan Smuts in London and Winston Churchill. Indeed this particular bust has been displayed on numerous occasions in the Oval Office.