Walter MacKay Draycott was born 24 February 1883, in Leicester, England and served with the 60th Rifles and Engineers during the Boer War before immigrating to Canada. With difficulty finding work, Draycott turned to farming and was recognized as a pioneer to the Lynn Valley, British Columbia area. On the outbreak of the First World War, he was back in England with his old regiment and while waiting to be commissioned as an officer, was claimed by Lieutenant-Colonel Farquhar of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry because he was a Canadian Citizen.
Draycott was quickly recognized for his ability to sketch enemy positions accurately, take photographs, create charts, and topography that was vital to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry operations at the front. He was appointed Military Topographer and sought by General Macdonell for service in the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Appointed the only official Sketcher in the Canadian Army, he was wounded three times, arrested several times as a spy while sketching and gassed twice.
The last dose of gas sent him to England where, after recovering, he conducted a school to teach officers the art of Military Sketching and Topography. After the war, he moved back to Lynn Valley. Walter died on 21 October 1985 at the age of 102. He left behind many photos, sketches, charts and narratives which give rare insights into the life of a soldier during the First World War.
Your Ancient Scribe statue is a lifelike depiction of Walter Mackay Draycott. It was created by Kevin Head who apprenticed for the statue with well-known sculptor and foundry specialist Jack Harman who lived in Lynn Valley at the time. The work was created at Jack's foundry on Alexandra Street in Gastown and unveiled in November 1986.
