This fascinating sketch was made in preparation for Dollman’s most famous painting, A Very Gallant Gentleman commissioned by the Cavalry Club in 1913 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1914. It is one of the most remarkable depictions of heroism from the early twentieth century and became widely known through illustrations and prints. At the t.mes of its exhibition, the plight of Captain’s Scott’s ill-fated polar expedition was known to all. Dollman’s painting was based on Scott’s account recorded in his journal: ‘Friday, March 16 or Saturday 17. ? Lost track of dates, but think the last correct. Tragedy all along the line. At lunch, the day before yesterday, poor Titus Oates said he couldn't go on; he proposed we should leave him in his sleeping-bag. That we could not do, and induced him to come on, on the afternoon march. In spite of its awful nature for him he struggled on and we made a few miles. At night he was worse and we knew the end had come. Should this be found I want these facts recorded. Oates' last thoughts were of his Mother, but immediately before he took pride in thinking that his regiment would be pleased with the bold way in which he met his death. We can testify to his bravery. He has borne intense suffering for weeks without complaint, and to the very last was able and willing to discuss outside subjects. He did not - would not - give up hope to the very end. He was a brave soul. This was the end. He slept through the night before last, hoping not to wake; but he woke in the morning - yesterday. It was blowing a blizzard. He said, 'I am just going outside and may be some t.mes .' He went out into the blizzard and we have not seen him since.' Captain Lawrence Edward Grace "Titus" Oates walked out into a snow-storm, on or around his Thirty-second birthday on 16-17 March 1912.

For the present sketch, Dollman persuaded a member of the expedition crew to pose, dressed in the expedition’s outfit. The figure is clearer in this sketch than the finished painting where Oates is being engulfed in the blizzard.

Dollman’s memorial commission was mentioned in a letter from Commanding Officer of the 5th Dragoon Guards, Lieutenant Colonel G.K. Ansell, to Captain Oates’s mother on 13 December 1913;