The Art of SGT. Ann B. Tilson
Overview
Ann Beryl Tilson was born on 8 August 1912 in Hale County, Texas. Displaying an artistic bent from an early age, Tilson attended the Dallas Art Institute from 1930-1934 and worked as a freelance artist before the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1942 she enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, or WAAC.
Tilson’s initial work with the Army had nothing to do with her artistic talents—she made training aids for the WAAC Administrative School and created broadsides about camouflage for the 3rd Army Air Force. However, she also helped create posters and submitted drawings to unit newspapers that garnered much fanfare and praise.
In April of 1944 she was given the official duty of “Artist” and transferred to the Office of the Chief Engineer, Historical Section and later to the WAC Director’s Office in the European, where these works were painted.
Her work was praised by many high-ranking officers and for it she received an official letter of commendation. The watercolors she produced during this time offer a one-of-a-kind look at the various WAC detachments that conducted vital work on the road to victory in World War II.
After the war, Tilson continued to serve the United States government as a civilian employee for 23 years before retiring in 1972. Her work remained in the creative field, serving as Arts and Crafts Director with the Division of Morale and Welfare. She died in 1980 at the age of 67 and is buried in the Tilson family cemetery in Upshur County, Texas.
We would like to thank the Tilson family, without whose support this exhibition would not be possible. Our continuing relationship with the Tilson family began when a few of her descendants conducted an internet search to learn more about their ancestor, a painting of hers owned by the Army Women’s Museum came up in the results. Her family lovingly curated a book of her work—Ann Beryl Tilson: WAC Sergeant and Combat Artist—which you can view here.
It is with gratitude to the family and the honorable service of Sgt. Tilson that we present this exhibit to you.
Frankfurt, Germany
APR 1945
This painting shows the IG Farben Building in Frankfurt, Germany. Beginning on 26 April 1945, this building was used to house the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, or SHAEF. Nicknamed the “Pentagon of Europe,” the IG Farben Building housed SHAEFs Supreme Commander, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, and was responsible for overseeing the Allied war effort in Europe during World War II.
Bovington, England
APR 1945
During World War II, WACs were recruited to “free a man to fight” by taking over non-combat jobs traditionally held by men. The important job of flight clerk was one such role, and this picture captures a WAC flight clerk checking passengers on a C-47 flight from London to Paris. While the need for flight clerks was great, only twenty WACs were official Air Crew Members, making this an exceptionally rare scene.
Bovington, England
MAY 1945
The Air Transport Command (ATC) was a United States Air Force unit responsible for delivering aircraft, supplies, and equipment to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) and ferrying military personnel to all theaters of combat during World War II. This painting shows the living quarters, called “billets,” of a WAC detachment working for the ATC in 1945. Note the air raid shelter on the right hand side of the painting.
Namur, Belgium
MAY 1945
This piece, painted in May of 1945, shows a WAC posing in front of what had once been a religious school in Namur, Belgium. Under German occupation, the school and chapel had been converted into a German gymnasium before the area was liberated. When the WAC detachment arrived, they were housed here, as all of the other buildings surrounding this area had been destroyed by Allied air raids.
Namur, Belgium
MAY 1945
The WACs pictured here belonged to a detachment of the 9th Bombardment Division, which flew B-26 “Marauder” bombers during the liberation of Europe. The scene took place in May of 1945 and depicts WACs operating a captured German switchboard set up in a mobile trailer in the city of Namur, Belgium.
Namur, Belgium
MAY 1945
Another scene from the 9th Bombardment Division, this work depicts WACs of the Air Sea Rescue Services set up in a mobile trailer dubbed “Radio City” in Namur, Belgium. These WACS had the stressful job of helping aircraft in distress to land safely. This job entailed excellent map reading skills, the ability to quickly calculate by hand, as well as coolness in what could easily turn into a very tense situation.
Cherbourg, France
MAY 1945
This painting shows a WAC detachment with the Harbor Boat Service of the 4th Port, Cherbourg, France. WACs worked as clerks in the building in the foreground, controlling the boat traffic that brought hospital and Liberty ships into the harbors of Cherbourg. Once again, the surrounding buildings had been heavily damaged by bombing. The scene was painted in May of 1945.
Cherbourg, France
MAY 1945
Many Americans believed that women lacked the physical and emotional strength and stability to endure military service, thus WACs were initially subject to more intense and grueling physical examinations than their male counterparts. While the Army worked to make sure medical requirements were fairly enforced, physicals were still required at various times, as depicted in this painting showing WACS in bathrobes waiting their turn.
Cherbourg, France
MAY 1945
These WACS, attached to the 4th Port, Cherbourg are shown in their living quarters, enjoying a few minutes of down time. These billets were in a private home which had been used by the German army during the occupation of Cherbourg. Like most building in Cherbourg, it had been heavily bombed.
Rouen, France
APR 1945
This painting offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of the women of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion, the only African American WACs stationed overseas during World War II. These WACs are hard at work in the Central Postal Directory at Rouen, France. This battalion ran over half of the Central Postal Directory of the European Theater of Operations.
Rouen, France
APR 1945
Rouen, France. With the exception of the doctors, these African American WACs had to perform all medical duties for those who answered sick call or suffered other medical maladies.
Rouen, France
APR 1945
In Rouen, France the WACs of the 6888th were housed in the barracks shown here in the background. Some of the barracks dated back to the days of Napoleon Bonaparte and the WACs slept on canvas cots with empty mattress covers that had to be filled with straw from nearby barns. As one member of the 6888th recalled of the improvised living situation, "Little stumps a WAC."
Verdun, France
APR 1945
In April of 1945, Sgt. Tilson was sent to observe the WAC Detachment assigned to the 12th Army Group at Verdun, France. The 12th Army Group comprised four different American armies and was the largest army formation ever assembled. This scene shows members of the WAC detachment playing volleyball in the field behind their billets, which are shown in background.
Verdun, France
APR 1945
Another scene from the 12th Army Group at Verdun, this April 1945 painting portrays WAC cooks in the kitchen. While WACs did all of their own cooking, French employees thankfully performed the dreaded duty of KP, or kitchen police.
Verdun, France
APR 1945
This work shows a typical room that WACs with the 12th Army Group lived in during their time at Verdun. Note the absence of wall or foot lockers—without such commodities, WACs hung their clothing on nails in the wall.
Reims, France
APR 1945
In April of 1945, Sgt. Tilson traveled to Reims, France to paint scenes of the WAC Detachment working at SHAEF Forward, where the German surrender would be signed just weeks from when these scenes were painted. This watercolor shows an outdoor mess scene where Allied personnel in various uniforms are cleaning their mess equipment.
Reims, France
APR 1945
Another April 1945 scene depicting the entrance to WAC billets at SHAEF Forward. This billet housed not only WACS, but also members of the British women’s services: the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), Women’s Royal Navy Service (WRNS), and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). All are shown in this painting.
Paris, France
APR 1945
Dancing was a favorite pastime of all World War II service members, and WACs stationed in Paris were permitted monthly dances with their male GI counterparts. This sketch shows the monthly dance at the Hotel Bohy-Lafayette, one of several locations in the "city of lights" where WACs were billeted.
Paris, France
APR 1945
The Windsor Hotel provided some of the most sumptuous accommodations that WACs stationed in Paris were fortunate to experience. These soldiers belonged to the WAC Detachment of the Communications Zone Headquarters, European Theater of Operations. The scene was painted in April of 1945.
WACs - Camp Painting
This camp scene placed the descendants of Ann Tilson in touch with the US Army Women’s Museum. While searching the internet for more information about their family history, this watercolor appeared in the results, thus linking the family with the museum. Had this contact not been made, this exhibit would not have been possible.
Commendation
Here the WAC Staff Director commends Sgt. Tilson for her work, stating their importance in capturing the "spirit and work" of the WAC.
