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Solomon Joseph Solomon
Born:
29 Elul 5620 (16 September 1860)
Died:
27 Tammuz 5687 (27 July 1927)
Basic Information
Unique reference:
SOL9829
Gender:
Male
Birth
Date of birth:
29 Elul 5620 (16 September 1860)
Death
Date of death:
27 Tammuz 5687 (27 July 1927)
Died in combat?:
No
Places
Schools
Name:
Heatherly School of Fine Arts
Name:
Royal Academy of Art
Name:
Munich Academy
Name:
Ecole de Beaux-Arts
Other Organisations
Name:
Society of British Artists
Name:
Royal Academy
Name:
New English Art Club
Solomon's Artwork
https://artuk.org/discover/artists/solomon-solomon-joseph-18601927
Solomon's Wikipedia Page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Joseph_Solomon
Camouflage (from wikipedia)
During World War I, Solomon was a pioneer of camouflage techniques. Having originally signed-up at the start of the war as a private in The Artists Rifles, a home defence corps, he promoted his ideas on camouflage, initially in the press and then directly to senior army officers.
In December 1915, General Herbert Plumer arranged for Solomon to visit the front lines and investigate techniques in use by the French. His ideas were accepted, and he was asked to set up a team to start the production of camouflage materials in France. On 31 December 1915, General Haig, Commander-in-chief of the British forces in France, instructed that Solomon be given the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel to enable him to carry out his new duties.
The new unit's first task was the design of armoured observation posts disguised as trees, following the pioneering work of the French Section de Camouflage led by Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola. The first British tree observation post was put up on 22 March 1916. Solomon was effective at the artistic and technical tasks of designing trees and nets, but not as a commander. He was replaced in March 1916, instead becoming a technical advisor, a role that suited him better. In May 1916, he was sent to England to help develop tank camouflage. Solomon doubted that tanks could be effectively camouflaged since they cast a large shadow. Instead, he argued for the use of camouflage netting, with which he gradually became obsessed, claiming that the Germans were hiding huge armies under immense nets. Camouflage netting was at first considered unimportant by the army; it was not manufactured in large quantities until 1917. Eventually, in 1920, he published a book, Strategic Camouflage, arguing this case, to critical derision in England but with some support from German newspapers.
In December 1916, Solomon established a camouflage school in Hyde Park which was eventually taken over by the army.
In December 1915, General Herbert Plumer arranged for Solomon to visit the front lines and investigate techniques in use by the French. His ideas were accepted, and he was asked to set up a team to start the production of camouflage materials in France. On 31 December 1915, General Haig, Commander-in-chief of the British forces in France, instructed that Solomon be given the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel to enable him to carry out his new duties.
The new unit's first task was the design of armoured observation posts disguised as trees, following the pioneering work of the French Section de Camouflage led by Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola. The first British tree observation post was put up on 22 March 1916. Solomon was effective at the artistic and technical tasks of designing trees and nets, but not as a commander. He was replaced in March 1916, instead becoming a technical advisor, a role that suited him better. In May 1916, he was sent to England to help develop tank camouflage. Solomon doubted that tanks could be effectively camouflaged since they cast a large shadow. Instead, he argued for the use of camouflage netting, with which he gradually became obsessed, claiming that the Germans were hiding huge armies under immense nets. Camouflage netting was at first considered unimportant by the army; it was not manufactured in large quantities until 1917. Eventually, in 1920, he published a book, Strategic Camouflage, arguing this case, to critical derision in England but with some support from German newspapers.
In December 1916, Solomon established a camouflage school in Hyde Park which was eventually taken over by the army.
Family
Spouse
Ella Solomon (female)
Children
Mary Solomon (female)
Iris Rachel Solomon (female)
Siblings
Lily Delissa Solomon (female)
Parents
Mother: Helena Solomon (female)
Father: Joseph Solomon (male)
Military Record
Military service:
Army
Rank at discharge/death:
Temporary Lieutenant
Assignments
Regiment:
Artists' Rifles
Regiment:
Royal Engineers
Medals:
Order of St Anne, 3rd Class
Other Occupations
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Documenting & commemorating the contribution British Jews made during the First World War.
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