This painting depicts veterans as objects of public interest and curiosity after their return to canada. The setting is the intersection of davisville avenue and yonge street in toronto, outside the orthopaedic military hospital, which had 180 beds and an artificial limb factory. The graffiti "wizz-bang corner," derived from the name for small caliber enemy shells during the war, may indicate a common gathering spot for veterans to meet, rest, or beg. "fragments from france," in small lettering above the bench, refers to a publication by famous british cartoonist bruce bairnsfather. It also betrays a dark sense of humour, as the veterans pictured here include permanently wounded soldiers, one of them an amputee. Wounded first world war veterans sit outside the orthopaedic military hospital and artificial limb factory in toronto. Some veterans informally called the intersection of davisville avenue and yonge street, whizz-bang corner, after a similarly-named spot on the western front. The streets of toronto were not nearly as dangerous, but veterans had new challenges to face as they reintegrated into postwar society. Object Type: painting. Date: before 1919. Dimensions: height: 66.2 cm (26 in) ; width: 96.6 cm (38 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Canadian War Museum. Stanley Turner-A War Record (CWM 19710261-0766)
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