George Stephen was a former teacher of Automotive Mechanics at Danforth Tech. George was born in Scotland and enlisted for three wars. He enlisted in the Boer War, but was found to be underage and sent back home to Scotland. When his family came to Canada, he enlisted with the 48th Highlanders, serving in both the First and Second World Wars. George was the Regimental Sergeant-Major of the 48th Highlanders from 1948 to 1951.
During the First World War, George served in the UK, France and Belgium. He was wounded at St. Julian in April 1915 and again at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. During the Second World War, George served in the UK, Sicily and Italy. Danforth’s archives have about 10 pieces of correspondence that he had sent to the school during the Second World War. He often wrote in green ink and signed his letters as Steve.
The painting is by Fred Savard, a former student at Danforth Tech who later taught Art at Danforth. Fred was an Art student at the school during 1927 to 1928 when the school was named Riverdale Technical School. Fred’s Permanent War Record form that is held in Danforth’s War Memorial Library indicates that he enlisted with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada on August 30, 1942. He was an Infantryman until he was seconded by either the Intelligence Unit or Headquarters of the regiment where his artistic ability was useful in interpreting maps and topography. When he was able, Fred sketched and painted scenes from the battlefield and a major portion of his wartime artwork is displayed by his former regiment in a room named after him at the John W. Foote, V.C. Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario. One of his more famous paintings is titled “Brewed Up” that depicts a shattered Sherman tank after it had caught fire and exploded.
The oil on canvas portrait of George Stephen was painted circa 1950 and signed and dated by the artist in 1953. The canvas is located in the hallway to the War Memorial Library.
