Veterans

In the Spring of 2023, after returning from a family trip to Normandy, I began a personal journey to meet with some veterans of the Second World War. I hoped, too, that my young sons would get the opportunity to meet some of the men and women who had fought to bring peace and freedom to Europe.

I have illustrated those I have been able to make contact with and given them the original painting, my own small offering of thanks for all they sacrificed. Below is a selection of some of those I have visited, and I hope that it will continue to visit as many as I can for as long as is possible.

If you know of a Second World War veteran that would appreciate being illustrated please do drop me a line via my contact form.

  • Alfred 'Bill' Billet

    Bill served in the anti-tank platoon of 5 WILTS, seeing considerable action around Hill 112 and Mont Pinçon in Normandy.

    Sadly, Bill died not long after this visit, and so the opportunity to have heard his stories feels even more poignant.

  • Richard Aldred

    Trooper Richard Aldred served as a Cromwell tank driver with 5 INNIS DG, he fought from Normandy all the way to Berlin.

  • Alfred Briscoe

    Alfred served in the REME, landing alongside the 151st Infantry Brigade at Gold Beach. He is pictured holding his illustration on his 100th birthday.

  • Ray Hobbs

    Ray served with the 95th Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force. He flew out of HOrham in Suffolk, where I met him to present him with his illustration. Ray flew all the Operation Chowhound missions to take food and aid to the Dutch people.

  • Casey Bukowski

    Sgt Casey Bukowski was a waist gunner in the B-17 ‘Friday the Thirteenth’ that was part of the 381st Bomb Group. He flew out of Ridgewell in Essex, where I met him to present him with his illustration. Casey flew 15 missions before being shot down over Germany.

  • Bill Gladden

    Bill served as a Despatch Rider in the 6th Airborne Armoured Recce Regiment, landing at Ranvile, near to Pegasus Bridge, on D-Day 1944. He remained in the area for about two weeks before he was seriously wounded by a Tiger tank.