A Military history landscape artist who created a series of paintings depicting Second World War dogfights over the north east during the Battle of Britain, is to give a talk in Barnard Castle as part of activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in June.
Retired arts teacher turned military artist Denis Harry Fox, from Durham, spent three years on the series of 12 paintings collectively titled The Battle of Britain in North East England.
Before putting paint to canvas Mr Fox studied RAF documents, logbooks and newspaper archives, visited aircraft museums and met with families of airmen involved in the historical battle.
He said: “I was born in 1944 and I got all my inspiration for my work from my grandfather and uncles who were on active duty then.
“I took about three years of research to get the paintings right.”
The in-depth research he carried out resulted in an encyclopaedic knowledge of the true story of what happened on August 15, 1940, when the RAF were called into action to defend the north from a major attack by Luftwaffe.
Mr Fox said: “I’m going to cram as much in as I can into the hour.
“It is not just about the RAF boys; I mention the role of women in particular in the north east in the war effort.”
He will accompany his talk with illustrations featuring the powerful paintings he created of the dogfights including that of Spitfire pilot Ben Bennions, who used up all his ammunition to bring down a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 bomber at Streatlam.
The Battle of Britain in North East England talk will take place in The Witham Room, at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on Friday, June 7, at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £4 for U18s. To book or for more information visit thewitham.org.uk.
