George Henry Paulin

George Henry Paulin, often called Harry Paulin, or 'GHP' (his sculpting insignia) was a Scottish sculptor and artist of great note in the early 20th century.

Born on 14 August 1888 in Muckhart manse, the eldest son of the Reverend George Paulin (1839–1909) and Jane Craig Panton (1853–1923), his father being the local Church of Scotland minister. He attended Dollar Academy from 1900 to 1905 where he displayed great artistic talent, primarily as a sculptor and carver. During his youth he attracted the interest of a neighbouring artist, Sholto Johnstone Douglas who lived at Birkhill, Muckhart, where the Paulin family moved following Rev. Paulin's death. He pressed the family into sending Harry to Edinburgh College of Art. As a result, Harry was withdrawn from school a year early and dispatched to Edinburgh.

At the end of his college period (1912), he was awarded a Diploma in Sculpture and a travelling scholarship to Paris and Rome. He attended L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris for 12 months, where he shared a flat with fellow artist James Gunn, later to become Sir James Gunn RA. Harry then moved to Florence, setting up studio there for 4 years, during which time he frequently visited Rome.

At the outbreak of war in September 1914, Harry had no need to leave, as Italy was initially neutral in the conflict. However, he returned to Scotland and enlisted in the Lothians and Border Horse as a trooper.

At the end of November 1914, he was trampled by a frightened horse, and as a consequence, had a kidney removed in a field hospital. He was invalided out of the army in December 1914. However, after a period of convalescence he re-enlists as an officer, rapidly rising to a Captain in the Royal Flying Corps. With his keen eye he trained as an Observer and navigator. There is evidence that he served in Italy, and this is logical given his strong command of Italian, working at least some of the time for Military Intelligence in Brindisi.

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