Normandy Veterans' & Post-War Signing Event with artist Richard Taylor – 21st August
Join us at the Wendover Gallery to meet one of the most exciting artists in the industry, pilots who flew an array of post-war aircraft, PLUS Second World War veterans who served during the Normandy Campaign!
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Our special guests include:
Aviation Artist RICHARD TAYLOR – From an early age, Richard had shown an exceptional ability to draw. Not surprising perhaps, having been brought up in a family where fine art drawing, painting, print publishing, gallery receptions and art exhibitions pervaded daily life, but in his case a very rare talent was obvious to all who saw his work. A future somewhere in the world of art seemed undoubted – his father is Robert Taylor, regarded as the finest aviation and maritime artist of his generation. However, since his first published work in 2006 Richard has been carving out his own niche in the world of aviation and military art and is seen as one of the industry’s most exciting artists.
Flight Lieutenant ANTHONY NICOL – Completing a total of 43 years in the RAF and Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service, Anthony served in the Falklands, Belize, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. This included spells with 72 and 230 Squadrons on Wessex and Puma Helicopters, 33 Squadron again on Pumas and 18 Squadron on Chinook Helicopters. In the 2011 New Year’s Honours he was awarded the Royal Red Cross for exceptional service in military nursing.
Flight Lieutenant JACK FULLER – Joining the RAF in 1950 as it began its transition to jet aircraft, Jack enlisted on a short service commission. Two years of training saw Jack qualify on Gloster Meteor NF11’s, where he was then posted to 87 Squadron based at RAF Wahn near Cologne in the then West Germany, where he flew practice high-level interception sorties and took part in tactical exercises against the Russian threat. Having completed his tour of duty with 87 Squadron, Jack was posted back to the UK to 89 Squadron at RAF Stradishall flying de Havilland Venom NF3 aircraft. Jack left the RAF in 1957 spending the next 35 years in the Civil Aviation industry.
Flight Lieutenant GEORGE COLE – George joined the RAF in 1950 and was posted to Rhodesia for flying training on Tiger Moths and Harvards. Once qualified he returned to the UK in September 1951 for jet conversion training on the de Havilland Vampire and was then posted to 3 Squadron in Germany in April 1952. In 1953 George converted to the F86 Sabre followed by a posting to 92 Squadron also flying Sabres. Training as a Flying Instructor, two tours followed flying de Havilland Vampires. A tour in Aden flying the Hawker Hunter lead to George returning to the UK as a Fighter Recce instructor. A final change in direction saw George flying the Hercules on the air bridge to the Falkland Islands. A career spanning 36 years, George retired from the RAF in 1985.
Flight Lieutenant MARTYN BOOTH – Joining the RAF in 1975, Martyn was initially commissioned as a Fighter Controller at RAF West Drayton, before becoming an Intercept Controller with detachments to HMS Antrim, Malta, Norway and Cyprus. Selected for fast-jet training Martyn was awarded wings having qualified on the Hawk T1. Undertaking conversion training on the F.4 Phantom, Martyn joined 111 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in 1982 flying the FG.1, (Fleet Air Arm), version of the F.4. Assigned to 23 Squadron still flying the F.4, Martyn completed a four-month tour to RAF Stanley between December 1988 & April 1985, returning to Leuchars, flying the Phantom F.4 until his retirement in May 1988.
Flight Lieutenant ANDY LEE – Having joined the RAF straight from school in 1975 Andy was commissioned whilst still aged 18, serving initially as a Fighter Controller at RAF Buchan and RAF Saxa Vord, Scotland. Switching to pilot training in 1979, Andy undertook advanced conversion training onto the Hawker Siddeley Andover. Posted to 60 Squadron, (the RAF’s Germany Communications Squadron), Andy flew the Percival Pembroke on covert photographic reconnaissance intelligence gathering sorties along the Berlin corridors, codenamed Operation Hallmark. Andy retired from the RAF in 1990.
Squadron Leader MIKE PUGH-DAVIES – Joined the RAF in 1976 and trained as a navigator. He flew in Canberra, Phantom and Tornado aircraft and, as a NATO evaluator, in a number of aircraft from other Allied nations including the F4f, F-15, F-16 and CF-18. In 1988 he was navigator to Wg Cdr John Brady when they set a new World Record time for a flight between John O’Groats and Land’s End in Phantom XV582, which is now preserved at ‘Black Mike’. He served on operations in the UK, Germany, the Falkland Islands, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Qatar.
Along with World War Two Normandy Veterans:
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.
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.
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.
Our guests are happy to sign autographs for collectors and items purchased at the event over £60 can be signed free of charge, all other items are subject to a signing fee.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
