Book Launch and FREE signing event – 2nd & 3rd December
Join us at the new Steventon Gallery for this special signing event!
THE SECOND WORLD WAR – An Illustrated History - Written by renowned author and broadcaster James Holland and filled with over 250 painted illustrations by award-winning artist Keith Burns.
In preparation for the event we’ve had a very LIMITED number of copies personally signed by the author, JAMES HOLLAND! Join us throughout the weekend to add even more signatures including the illustrator AND Second World War veterans…
Saturday 2nd December – with Keith Burns
Award-winning artist Keith Burns will be joining us to sign copies of the new book, meet enthusiasts and collectors, PLUS he’s bringing his easel and palette ready for some live painting!
Sunday 3rd December – with World War Two veterans
We’re offering FREE signing with the following highly-regarded WW2 Veterans:
Private MERVYN KERSH Ld’H - due to land on Gold Beach D-Day +5, Mervyn was serving with the RAOC with the 17th Advanced Vehicle company and were called to action earlier, landing on Gold Beach on D-Day +3. Charged with vehicle logistics and their transit storage post-invasion, Mervyn served through Holland and Belgium crossing the Rhine into Germany by the end of the War. Hearing that Bergen-Belsen concentration camp had been liberated in April 1945, Mervyn took the emotional trip to visit the site and meet survivors.
Leading Aircraftman BERT WESTGATE - having joined the RAF in 1943, Bert initially trained as a Lancaster rear gunner, then prior to D-Day was posted to Compton Bassett, a Radar and Radio training facility, to undertake tactical wireless operator training. He was then re-posted to Portland, Weymouth, in early June 1944 and crossed the channel to Omaha beach on D-Day +6 with American forces where he undertook radio van operator duties following the 21st Army Group through Normandy, France and into Belgium.
Able Seaman GEORGE CHANDLER MiD Ld’H - having joined the Royal Navy in 1943 aged 18, George served as a Gun Layer on MTB 710, 59th flotilla on coastal defence duties, with regular channel night-time enemy engagements. In the run up to D-Day they trained with US Rangers on the south coast, honing troop seaborne manoeuvres and on D-Day itself served as a defence escort to invasion forces in the American sector close to Omaha beach. George later served in the Mediterranean theatre, Adriatic Sea, in close operational support with the LRDG and SBS special duties sections.
Able Seaman DOUG SHELLEY - serving aboard HMS Milne, one of the biggest M class destroyers and part of the great Arctic convoys, Doug’s crew were part of escort and deception duties during the D-Day Invasion. HMS Milne was one of the large fleet supporting ships around the British and Canadian invasion beaches.
Warrant Officer 2 DAVID MORGAN - serving with the Royal Signals, David landed on Utah Beach on D-Day +5, tasked with establishing a wireless link back to the War Office in London. Once the US Forces had taken Cherbourg, David was re-assigned to a smaller unit and continued the advance into Germany. Following the War, David extended his service with deployments in Germany, Egypt, Libya and Kenya. David left the army having served 22 years.
Warrant Officer ROY BRIGGS - as a Wireless Operator on Lancasters with 576 Sqn based at RAF Fiskerton, Roy completed 10 wartime missions including raids to Plauen and Bremen before taking part in Operation Manna. As the war in Europe ended he transferred to 156 Pathfinder Sqn.
An ideal opportunity to have your copy of the new book additionall signed!
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Entry is completely FREE, all we ask is that you RESERVE YOUR TICKET in advance to help us manage numbers and make it relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
How to get here...
Skyfall, Church Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6SN (Skyfall entrance is on the right-hand-side just past the church, where there is ample free parking.)
