'My remembrance tribute to the men who risked everything to liberate Europe': Wearside artist's amazing work
A Wearside artist has paid his own poignant remembrance tribute to the heroes who liberated Europe.
Seaham-born Denis Fox, who now lives in Durham, has unveiled an exhibition of his work at Ushaw Historic House in Durham.
Remembering the heroes of D-Day
The display is all about the brave fighters of the RAF who defended the skies of the North East against Luftwaffe planes.
But another of his amazing paintings pays tribute to the heroes who were in action on D-Day.
The painting is called :“Liberating Europe: D-Day 6th Airborne Division Assault” and Denis explained: “As the American airborne forces were battling it out in the fields of the Cotentin Peninsula in north-west France, 50 miles to the east the British aerial assault on Normandy was already under way.
‘It held against fierce German attacks’
“The painting shows the 6th Division Airborne troops jumping out from Douglas C47 Dakota aircraft in the very early hours of 6th June 1944.
“The 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion formed part of the 6th Airborne Division and captured Ranville despite its scattered drop on D-Day.
“However, it held it against fierce German attacks as well as relieving glider borne British troops at Pegasus Bridge.”
Defending the North
Denis series of paintings is on show until November 16. It includes “Defending the North” which shows 72 Squadron of 11 Spitfires heading over the Farne Islands to engage a large formation of enemy aircraft after taking off from Acklington Airfield.
Denis studied at Bede College Durham University, Newcastle University, and retired from teaching art at Emmanuel College, Gateshead in 2011.
To find out more about his exhibition, visit https://ushaw.org/whatson/the-battle-of-britain/