Eric Henri Kennington RA 1941 - Portrait 'Great Escaper' RAF...

Hammer

£17,000

Eric Henri Kennington RA 1941 - Portrait 'Great Escaper' RAF Squadron Leader Ian Kingston Pembroke Cross DFC, 4 April 1918 – 31 March 1944, Leader of the 'Penguin' team at Stalag Luft III. This heroic bomber pilot was taken prisoner after being shot down over Holland in 1942, rescued from the sea he was sent to Oflag XXI-B camp, becoming a troublesome prisoner he was moved to Stalag Luft III and placed in charge of the 'Penguin Team ' to oversee the dispersal of the many tons of sandy earth excavated during the tunneling operations. Escaping March 1944 as part of the ' Great Escape' he was one of the men quickley recaptured and subsequently murdered by the Gestapo. Awarded the distinguished flying cross and mentioned in despatches this pastel portrait was commissioned in 1941 and drawn by Eric Henri Kennington RA an English sculpter , illustrator and official war artist (PROVENANCE: Entered for sale by a direct descendant of the family) mounted and framed with War Artists Advisory Committee label to reverse, 57cm x 43cm excluding the mount and frame