Canada, CEF; France. “Village of Aix Neulette, France, 1917” Watercolour by Pte. Jukes

A Watercolour on paper presenting a street with multiple buildings exhibiting war damage, signed “Jukes 1917” and “AIX NOULETTE”, with surrounded matte pressed board, measures 180 mm (w) x 230 mm (h), reverse plain, matte board presents minor damage surrounding the watercolour, remains very fine. 

Footnote: In 1917, Aix-Noulette, France was a significant location during World War I, serving as a base for British and Canadian Field Ambulances and a site for heavy fighting and a large number of casualties. The area was near the Arras front and was the site of the creation and extension of several war cemeteries, including the Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension and the Bois-de-Noulette British Cemetery.

Reuben Jukes (Jucksch) was a Canadian soldier and artist who served in the First War, and is known for his unique watercolours, presenting soldiers, buildings, and sights from the first hand experience of an individual at war and on the front lines. 

Jukes was born July 5, 1887 in Hanover, Ontario.  Prior to enlisting at the age of 27, he listed his trade as an artist. He joined the 20th Battalion in Toronto on November 10, 1914, with previous service experience in the 31st Regiment. 

He was hospitalized in March 1916 for shell shock and was not discharged until October 16, 1916. He was struck off strength to the 5th Reserve Battalion at Bramshott on January 31, 1917. He returned to the 20th battalion, and active service in May 1917. 

While serving with the 20th battalion overseas, relieving the 20th battalion, he was wounded by shell gas. He was admitted to the No. 56 General Hospital at Etapes on April 25, 1918. The records state he “vomits occasionally, particularly on bending, some headache, stitch in R. breast, some loss of appetite and weakness.” He was evacuated to England and remained hospitalized until July 26th. 

Jukes returned to the 20th battalion in October, 1918, at Thun-Levesque. When the war ended on November 11th, he was in Saint-Symphorien. The advance from La Bouverie resulted in the loss of 1 officer, 11 other ranks killed and 30 wounded. About 10 soldiers were taken prisoner, just before the cease-fire. 

The battalion rested in Mons, France for roughly a week following the Armistice. They then continued the March to the Rhine. 

Jukes was demobilized in May 1919, ultimately returning to Canada. After the war, he worked in Vaudeville both as a set painter and in various acts. In 1924, he married Amelia Louisa Hagen. In 1940, he opened his own business painting signs in Kitchener, Ontario. Jukes died in May 1959, at the age of 71, in Kitchener. 

His watercolours have been exhibited in multiple museums and offer a unique first hand account of the front lines, and life as a soldier during the Great War.