P/O Barton VC

Woodie

P/O Barton VC

This is P/O Cyril Barton, VC. Halifax Bomber of 578 sqdn RAF.
He won the VC because he continued his flight to bomb Germany after some of his crew baled out after misunderstanding an order as they’d had been hit and lost an engine. He got to Germany, completed his bombing run and returned to England only to be shot at flying along the English coast and crashed landed just south of Sunderland at Ryhope,, avoiding houses. He didn’t survive but 3 of his crew did. The rest of his crew survived the war as POWs in Germany. His a/c name was “E” for Excalibur.
I think there is housing complex called Halifax Place in Ryhope and The Barton Room for young people in Ryhope Golf Club, which is built where the Halifax crashed.

4th Feb 09
I’ve just read in tonight evening paper that the last remaining crew member, who lived locally and I’ve met, die from cancer last month about the time I decided to post this painting. I wonder what made me do that????
This was painted to illustrate a book on P/O Barton but land up a raffle prize for the local (Sunderland) Bomber Command Association.
Acrylic on Daler Board. 20×24inches. 1994

P/O Barton VC belongs to the following groups:

"Exceptional Ekphrasis", Aeronautics & Aviation, Hand drawn or painted vehicles, North East England, Realist Traditional Art, War and WARBIRDS Available for sale as

Greeting Cards
P/O Barton VC by Woodie
P/O Barton VC by Woodie
  • Richard Veal

    Richard Veal

    Stunning work Neil, and great story also.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Richard,
    The info is off the top of my head as it is14 years since I researched the subject. Cheers Neil

  • Steve Harvey

    Steve Harvey

    Excellent Woodie, and a great story too.

  • TFFDavid

    TFFDavid

    Fantastic image Neil and very interesting story to go with it.

    Trust the Mackems to shoot down one of our own . . . . IDIOTS!!!! lol

  • Woodie replied

    I hope we can shoot down the Mackems tomorrow!!!LOL

  • Edward Denyer

    Edward Denyer

    Really excellent Neil – Love it. – Ted

  • Woodie replied

    Cheers Ted!!

  • Spencer Trickett

    Spencer Trickett

    nice aircraft shape – great light.

  • Woodie replied

    I put this up for your granddad!
    Cheers Neil

  • Spencer Trickett

    Spencer Trickett

    Cheers mate – thats much appreciated! He loved the ‘Halibag’ more so than the Stirling – although the Stirling did have a special place in his heart.

  • Steven Agius

    Steven Agius

    Fantastic work Neil !

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Steve
    Your latest work is not coming up!!
    Cheers neil

  • Barry Norton

    Barry Norton

    Fabulous artwork Neil, well done

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Barry for looking

  • robmac

    robmac

    Great story and art work Woodie

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Rob!

  • GEORGE SANDERSON

    GEORGE SANDERSON

    Great work Neil,
    Poor bloke was very unlucky, I bet he would rather have lived than received a VC !

  • Woodie replied

    His sister and relations came up to Sunderland to meet his rescuers in 1994. Organised by Sunderland’s Bomber Command Association.

  • Xadrik

    Xadrik

    Legendary.

  • Woodie replied

    4th Feb 09
    I’ve just read in tonight evening paper that the last remaining crew member, who lived locally and I’ve met, die from cancer last month about the time I decided to post this painting. I wonder what made me do that????
    Neil

  • Michael Oubridge

    Michael Oubridge

    Awesome work Neil, believe it or not, this has just shown up in my activity LOL

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Mike,
    Did you see last night’s Evening Chronicle? There was a 2 page spread on this.
    Cheers Neil

  • Walter Colvin

    Walter Colvin

    Excellent Woodie.

  • Estelle O'Brien

    Estelle O'Brien

    Great painting Neil, and the poignant story gives it even more depth.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Estelle,
    The last crewman to die was 86 year old.
    Neil

  • khadhy

    khadhy

    Excellent work Woodie.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Khadhy.

  • SWEEPER

    SWEEPER

    Superb work neil and the story completes it .

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Phil!

  • Michael Oubridge

    Michael Oubridge

    Sorry Neil, no i didn’t see the Chronicle, i will see if i can get my hands on a copy :)

  • Arrowman

    Arrowman

    Nice one Neil !!

  • Woodie replied

    Cheers Colin
    Just back from hols
    Neil

  • John Beamish

    John Beamish

    Excellent!

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks John

  • Colin Cartwright

    Colin Cartwright

    Ah, what a wonderful and touching story. Nice one Cyril!
    I’m really pleased he received his VC, albeit posthumously.
    The light and detail on this plane is superbly painted. And a hint of the land below. Excellent!

    Beautiful painting, Neil. you’ve done us proud, to commemorate this local hero.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Colin
    I think there is housing complex called Halifax Place in Ryhope and a the Barton Room for young people in Ryhope Golf Club, which is built where the halifax crashed.
    Cheers Neil

  • AlliD

    AlliD

    fantastic work! Moving story too.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks for looking Alli!!

  • TREVOR IRWIN

    TREVOR IRWIN

    Wonderful painting of the Halifax bomber. I love Second world war aircraft, and the bravery of those who piloted them and the crews. This is wonderful detail. I have taken some photographs of The Hurricane and spitfire. We often forget how much we owe to these brave men and woman who paid with their lives for our freedom. God continue to bless you Woodie as you share with us. The description information is very enlightening.

    Please visit Philadelphia Mission Africa Charity website:
    http://www.philadelphia33.org/

    Donate your art and save a child’s life!

    See all my work in groups at:http://www.redbubble.com/people/joshuatree1

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Trevor
    Thanks for looking and commenting!
    Love your folio of photos of children in Africa
    Cheers Neil

  • SMOKEYDOGSOCKS

    SMOKEYDOGSOCKS

    NICE PAINTING NEIL. ISN’T IT FUNNY HOW SOMETHINGS HAPPEN AS CERTAIN TIMES. MANY YEARS AGO, I HAD A DREAM OF A FRIEND OF MINE THAT HAD DIED. IN THE DREAM I DIDN’T KNOW WHO THAT FRIEND WAS. TWO WEEKS LATER, I ATTENDED THE FUNERAL CERIMONY AND GRAVE SITE SERVICES OF A CLOSE FRIEND WHO HAD BEEN ACCIDENTALLY OVERDOSED. I NEVER KNEW HE USED NEEDLES LIKE THAT. WHEN I LEFT THE GRAVE SIDE SERVICES AND WALKED BACK UP THE HILL TO MY CAR, I WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF MY STATION WAGON TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND B A M! DEJEVUE, THAT SCENE HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS. IT WAS EXACTLY AS I DREAMT IT TWO WEEKS EARLIER, ONLY THIS TIME, I KNEW WHO’S FUNNERAL IT WAS. I SURE DO MISS STEVE. I NEW HIM IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HE WORKED AT A RESTARAUNT ACROSS THE ROAD FROM MY DAD’S SERVICE STATION AND I WOULD GO THERE AFTER WORK AT 8:00 AM AND ORDER THE FISH COMBINATION PLATTER. STEVE WOULD SEE THAT AND COME OUT TO SEE WHO HAD ORDERED DINNER AT BREAKFAST TIME. SO, HE SAID, I’LL FIX YOU AND HE DOULBLED EVERY ITEM ON THE PLATE. DIDN’T BOTHER ME ANY, I LOVE SEAFOOD. IT SEEMS ALL OF MY FRIENDS THAT I HUNG AROUND WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL AND SOME OF THEM LATER ON IN LIFE, HAVE ALL DIED. MOST OF THEM FROM ALCHOHOL, OTHERS FROM SUICIDE AND OTHERS FROM ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ALCHOHOL. BEING ALONE WITHOUT ANY FRIENDS FROM YOU PAST SUCKS. NOW, THE PEOPLE I KNOW ARE ONLY ASSOCIATES THAT I SEE ON SATURDAYS OR SUNDAYS. DURING THE WEEK, IT’S ME THE DOGS AND MOM. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

  • Colin Hollywood

    Colin Hollywood

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Colin!!

  • Arrowman

    Arrowman

    Great news on the feature

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Colin
    Not as many as you though!!!LOL
    Cheers Neil

  • Spencer Trickett

    Spencer Trickett

    Hi Neil – Congrats on you feature – well deserved!

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Spencer!

  • RichardRizzo

    RichardRizzo

    Beautiful work, I’m slowly getting into aviation art and admire others talent in the field.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Richard.

  • ISMAIL ALAOUI ABDALLAOUI

    ISMAIL ALAOUI ...

    awsome;, i love your planes,
    gorgeaous

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Ismail
    Love you portfolio!!!
    Cheers Neil
    Thanks for favouriting

  • Irene Burdell

    Irene Burdell

    Congratulations you have been featured in the Retired and Happy Group

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Irene my dear!

  • Tom Newman

    Tom Newman

    Magnificent artwork Woodie ,and a great story, congratulations on your feature :-)

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Tom

  • Angie Muccillo

    Angie Muccillo

    Magnificent painting :-)

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Angie,
    Thanks for looking and favouring this painting.
    Love you portfolio very much!!!
    Cheers Neil

  • kwin

    kwin

    What a fantastic painting Woodie….& what a story to go with it.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Keith,
    cheers Neil

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Tags:

578, acrylic, barton, halifax, po, pow and vc