Saturday 17 November 2012

Remembrance!

My computer broke down, but at last I'm back on line and trying to catch up with everyone's blogs!

My news is that the Gallery 'lady' called me up and wants to meet next week!! My prints are beginning to sell on-line (computer permitting).


I went to Melbourne in North Yorkshire for Remembrance Sunday - where we pay our respects to those Service men and women who died in times of war. Melbourne was a World War 2 airfield from which my old Squadron (10 Squadron) flew bombers. The farmer who now owns the old airfield donated a piece of land on which we have built a memorial funded by our donations. The wartime element of our association were represented by 92 year old Doug Evans DFC (nearest camera) a bomber pilot. Furthest from the camera, Tom Thackaray a 92 year old Flight Engineer

The nickname of the Squadron has always been, 'Shiny Ten,' hence the Shiny 10 on the memorial.




 The Squadron sent the Colour Party to parade the Squadron Standard.

We all adjourned to the pub (The Plough) in which the wartime crews had a lot of serious fun. A good lunch and a good day ... We Will Remember Them! ...Bomber Command lost 57,000 aircrew ... many from 10 Squadron.

They flew Halifax bombers and I posted S-for-Sugar, in an earlier post. 

The best known British bomber was the Dambusters Lancaster which I have just drawn

32 comments:

  1. Dear John, I hope your art... flights brilliantly!
    In your case it is the right word.
    Your drawings are always so beautiful they deserve admiration but also sale success!

    The month of November is dedicated,even for us , at the Remembrance.
    The images and what you write, are very touching for me!
    Have nice Sundays,Rita.

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  2. Such a beautiful post, John. I'm glad your computer is up and running!!!! and wonderful news that your prints are selling! I had no doubt.! It looks like a wonderful remembrance day..I thank you all for your service, John! and love your drawing of Dambusters Lancaster! So many little details that only you can do..a beautiful piece.

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    1. Such a relief to see you safe and well, Hilda. Thank you for your kind remarks

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  3. I always love to learn a little more about history from your blog, John. You do write so well. Have you recently done the Dambuster? Wow - seems fast - how long did it take you?
    The Plough sounds a fun pub with lots of good memories stored in its walls.

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    1. I did the Lancaster about a month ago and sent it straight to the printers. When it came back, my computer was 'down' and this was the first chance I had to show it. I'm currently engaged in a scene from Wells Cathedral which is almost, technically, impossible to draw

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  4. Glad you are back online, John! And a great drawing again! I've sent you the e-mail again. Good luck with the Gallery lady!

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    1. Thank you, Judy. I have the second email, thanks, and will try to use is ASAP.

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  5. John, you've not a drawing that I haven't loved. My eyes (being me) are luring me to those lovely seals on the bottom left. Your work is always so amazing. It makes me smile with joy and delight to see those proud men still standing and looking so amazing in their 90s.

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    1. Thank you, Sherry. Each Squadron has its own badge in the same format as those you like ... some of them are amazing.

      There are fewer of the 'Old Guard' each year ... soon there will be none! You ought to see them on the dance floor ... John Trevolta move over!

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  6. Congratulations on your online sales. If they go well enough, a new computer will be in order.

    The day looks like a very special one. Comrades in arms sharing only stories they can fully appreciate. My deepest respect for your bravery and passionate determination.

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    1. Thanks for this, Lynn - bet you can't wait for Mexico!

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  7. Wow.. wonderful drawing. wonderful news on the Gallery owner..We KNEW it would happen. bummer on the computer but glad its back up and running.Great photos too. We have something here in America about the same as your Remembrance day.. called Veterans day that was this month too. Do keep us posted on the Gallery Lady.

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    1. In the old days the Brits called us 'ex-Servicemen'. I always complained that the Americans looked after their veterans much better than us... and veterans sounds better.

      Then, without asking, they called us veterans, and so I now insist that I'm an ex-serviceman!!!

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  8. I wondered where you were. That is good news about gallery lady, and your print sales. :)

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  9. Great photos John, glad to hear you are back on line and congratulations on the sales!

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  10. Wonderfulnews about the gallery owner andher interest in your work - yipee!
    And thank you for the Remembrance Day photos - your Lancaster drawing is a fine tribute. We must never forget.

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  11. Ahhhh the Lancaster...what a beauty! So unique. I saw one once...the window in the nose is gorgeous. War is terrible...but oh my, the aircraft! I'm glad you were there for the Shiney 10 ceremony and that you could share it with us. Those 90+ year old men have to be happy that people like you still care about history....I know I am! :)

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    1. Thanks Celeste. As you can see the Halifax and the Lanc are almost identical to look at.

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  12. Hi John, congratulations for the wonderful news from the Gallery. Your Lancaster is a great work as usual, I like it. Have a good week!

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  13. Congratulations John on the interest from the Gallery! And the fact that your prints are flying off the shelves as fast as the aircraft! It sounds like a good day was had by all - even though for sad reasons. Anyway, the aircraft drawing is quite incredible - as all of your drawings are :0)

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    1. Thanks Sandra, I was so pleased to see your successes in your last post!

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  14. Congrats on the interest from the gallery and the online sales. it sounds like a lovely way to spend Remembrance Sunday.

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    1. Cheers Nicola. How's the move to Scotland coming along?

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  15. Great news about the sales, but hardly surprising given the quality of your work. Love the Lancaster. I once built a computer game based on the Dam Busters raid. Bouncing those bombs certainly tested my maths. lol.

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    1. Thank you, John. Do you ever see the Battle-of-Britain flight? With the Lancaster 'City of Lincoln' heading the formation? Wonderful sight!

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  16. ok now...what's the next project?

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  17. Well I've put the balloon series on hold, as I have to do Wells Cathedral. It will never sell ... but this one I have to draw because I will never draw anything else comfortably until I have got Wells out of my systit's em. It's the hardest drawing I have done by far...taking ages and all my time!

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  18. wonderful.....can we see an in-progress shot?

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