Army veterans painting raises £500 at auction - The Redditch Standard

Army veterans painting raises £500 at auction

Redditch Editorial 15th Oct, 2021   0

AN army veteran from Redditch has auctioned off artwork depicting the soldier with a young girl in Afghanistan and raised £500 at The Parachute Regimental Association dinner.

Kevin Wills, from Oakenshaw, hopes his painting pays tribute to what the armed forced achieved in Kabul in such a short space of time.

“They proved to everyone that the British Army can rank themselves among the best in the world.

“They carried out operation pitting with professionalism, courage and with swift execution and being a veteran myself I understand how they achieved it.




“The photo was taken by a journalist at Kabul airport and thought it deserved to be painted because it’s such a poignant image that shows the other side of our soldiers.”

Through the Veterans Foundation in Edinburgh, Kevin managed to track down the soldier and his family.


“I have spoken to them personally and they are overjoyed and so proud of their son and of the painting, I will be sending them a framed print for them to treasure for many years to come.

“I’ll always be connected to the armed forces and have many friends still serving now so for me painting armed forces pictures will always be one my passions.”

The artwork, titled ‘Operation Pitting’ was auctioned off at The Parachute Regimental Association dinner which was attended by MP Johnny mercer and explorer Levison Wood.

But Kevin’s success doesn’t end there.

“My painting is on the front cover of Pathfinder magazine, a magazine for veterans.

“And the commanding officer of 2 Para Regiment in Colchester, where the soldier in the painting is from, wants me to present them with a framed print of the artwork to hang in their headquarters in Colchester.

“I’m absolutely over the moon with all of the success this painting has had.”

Podcasts

Now, every week, you can also listen to a roundup of Redditch Standard Local News.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

YouTube

Check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel.