To mark the 101st birthday of Burma Star veteran Herbert Pritchard, his daughter Jane Herbertson commissioned a special piece of art.
Now North Wales artist Bethan Adey-Surgenor has brought to life a painting of HMS Newcastle, the ship Herbert spent most of his time serving on during the Second World War.
This unique piece is in pride of place in a garden space outside the window of ex-Royal Marine’s room at the White House care home on Grove Road in Wrexham.
The reveal was also included presenting Herbert with a cake, and was attended by Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Tina Mannering.
Jane said: “There was about nine of us in his room for the grand reveal when I opened the curtains, and everyone saw the ship.
“Dad was proud and it knocked him back into the reverie of what happened on the ship, in a good way. He was really pleased and wanted to show it to everybody. It caused quite a stir.
“It’s fantastic, done in the style of a vintage poster. I’ve now rearranged dad’s room so he can sit and look at the mural.”
Jane added thanks for the support given at the White House, adding: “They do a wonderful job. Debbie Shellshear and Annette Davies are the wonderful management team who lead a great team of caring professionals. They are very fond and respectful of dad.”
Artist Bethan, 32, who has also just finished her largest piece to date, Hiraeth, on Central Retail Park in Wrexham, took more than a week, on and off, to complete the HMS Newcastle work.
She said: “My stuff tends to be quite abstract and geometric. I tend to base things around lettering, so this was quite a different project for me.
“There was a little pressure but it was more of a privilege to be asked to do the piece, knowing it’s got sentimental value to someone.”
