1907 Sleepoopsky

 

In 1907, when Vasco left Australia for his extended overseas travel, he caricatured himself as 'Sleepoopsky'. En route to England on the Medic he formed an association with five other young men, who called themselves the 'Savages'. They were 'Evil Eye' Short, 'Paleface' Cassidy, 'Knotted Knee' Cox, 'Musical Noke' Alpen and 'One Lung' Moley. Presumably the references are to popular culture characters and songs of the time. George Alpen remained with Vasco for a time in England. It is possible that George later established a business in Belgium and was subsequently caught up in the German invasion of 1940, an event reported in some Australian newspapers. 

 

Questions:

1 Vasco probably drew most folks on board the Medic on its 1907 voyage from Australia to Britain. Have any of those drawings survived?