Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
Page 35
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
Page 39
Page 40
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
Page 45
Page 46
Page 47
Page 48
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 52
Page 53
Page 54
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2015 47 Id suffered rebound pain ironically from taking those medications. The embers of his artistic fire quickly flamed as his long-time discomfort receded. If you have an artistic talent its something youre almost driven to do. I started fiddling with pro ects but needed direction to really get motivated. Fate would again smile in Tylers favour. An assistant inside Veterans Affairs staff knew me from the Port Perry area. By coincidence the Minister asked her one day if she knew a sculptor to take on an upcoming commission. She responded she knew the perfect guy one who already had a piece in the War Museum. Events moved swiftly from that point. It was a rush ob only five weeks to complete but also a once in a lifetime opportunity which gave me that direction I badly needed. Exhaustive research preceded starting to work. The Ministry supplied pictures of Colonel Sharpe but they were pre-War studio shots and missing key details of his uniform. The military museum in Oshawa came to the rescue they provided a picture with his troops which we enlarged to show all the details. As youd imagine historical accuracy is critical. As an aside I was astounded by the difference which those years in the trenches had made in this man. Hed lost a lot of weight and aged a great deal. Colonel Sharpes tragic history touched a chord in Tylers soul which he channeled into his work. Sharpe committed suicide toward the end of the War the result of what wed now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD. I could somewhat relate. On the res- cue truck I saw horrible things just as he mustve. Thats part of the human condition you cant walk away from those experiences and not be profoundly affected. I found sculpting him was emotional as well as therapeutic. WeliveinmuchdifferenttimesthanColonelSharpe he continues. Nowadays wed look sympathetically on his condition but in 1918 his condition melancholy they called it and subsequent suicide represented disgrace. His name was virtually wiped off the history ...................... Please turn to page 50 Top photograph of Colonel Samuel Sharpe in his younger years and one of a few that inspired Tyler. Left Tyler Briley at home in his work shop and right the intricate detail of the sculpture. PHOTOSCOURTESYOFTYLERBRILEY 4179 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa 905-655-3291 Scugog Community Recreation Centre 2nd Floor 1655 Reach St. Port Perry T 905-985-8698 x 103 F 905-985-2697 www.scugogshoresmuseum.com Scugog Shores HERITAGECentre Archives The Museum is honoured to preserve the history of Scugogs men and women in military service.