GREAT ESCAPE SIGNING EVENT (With Special Guests) - 15th March

We're excited to be joined by five veterans who were all held as POW's during WWII, PLUS special guests, at the UK Gallery!

Richard's latest release 'STALAG LUFT III - THE GREAT ESCAPE' would be an ideal piece to have additionally signed!
Click here for details.

We're excited to be joined by Special Guests...

Actor JOHN LEYTON - John’s co-stars included Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence and James Coburn. John was the newcomer, a silver screen virgin. His knees might have been knocking, but he made such an impression on  Film Director John Sturges that he didn’t even have to audition for the part of ‘‘Tunnel King’’ Willie. And what a debut!

“In the classic 1963 film The Great Escape, I played tunnel designer Willie Dickes, one of only three characters who successfully make it to freedom. It was a fantastic film and everyone remembers Steve McQueen’s motorcycle jump over the security fence”.

We are delighted to be exhibiting ‘Hilts’ (Cooler King) Bikes by Mutt Motorcycles of Birmingham on the day of the event.  For all you Great Escape and motorcycle enthusiasts there will be experts on hand to give you in depth information on this stunning looking bike.

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.

Sadly, Author and Historian PHIL FROOM can no longer join us but we look forward to welcoming him back to the Gallery later this year.

And WWII Veterans...

Flight Sergeant HENRY WAGNER - as a Flight Engineer with 51 Sqn flying Halifaxes, Henry was shot down just before Christmas 1944 and spent the last 6 months of the war as a PoW in Stalag Luft VII.

Warrant Officer HARRY WINTER - after training as a WOp/AG he joined 427 Sqn on Halifaxes based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. On the night of 22nd October 1943 his aircraft was shot down near Hamelin in Germany by an Me110 Night Fighter and he spent the rest of the war as a PoW in Stalag Luft VII.

Private BRUNO GOTTHARD LEIBICH - called up for military service in 1943 he joined Grenadier Regiment 915 of the 352nd Infantry Division of the German Army. In December 1943 the unit went to Normandy where he was assigned to Signals (Melder) Company. On D-Day his unit was based at Colleville and deployed to defend Omaha Beach. The next day, using ditches and hedgerows as cover, they fired on some US soldiers but the return fire was such that his group of 6 surrendered and he spent the remainder of the war as a PoW, first in America before being sent to England where he met a local girl and has settled ever since.

Rifleman VICTOR GREGG - originally with the LRDG in the Western Desert, Victor joined the Parachute Regiment and jumped on the first day of Arnhem. Captured on the last day of fighting, he ended up in a prison camp in the centre of Dresden on the night of the Bomber Command raid. Surviving this, after the War, his extraordinary career continued working with both Russian and British Intelligence during the Cold War.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<< back to news