Hunt begins for mysterious artist behind Falklands painting that stunned veterans
A search is underway for the mysterious artist responsible for creating a striking painting which depicts the reality of the war in the Falklands.
The piece of art, which was discovered inside a classroom at HMS Raleigh by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) staff, depicts a graphic scene from the Bluff Cove air attacks during the Falklands War in 1982.
Now everyone wants to know who the talent is behind the picture, and the DIO is trying to track them down.
"My hope is that someone will see the picture and it will make them remember something," said DIO's facilities manager at HMS Raleigh, Jon Rickman-Dawson.
Mr Rickman-Dawson was responsible for finding the painting, and hopes the artist behind the picture can be identified.
He said: "I went into a disused building while demolition work was happening nearby to check the building was still in good condition.
"I walked into what was a classroom and on the wall I noticed a very unusual piece of artwork.
"I took photos of it and started to ask questions to people who have worked on the site for a long time as to what they knew about it and what it is of.
"It would be great to credit someone. Other sites have so much history, they might have great gold-framed oil canvases, but we have got this."
The picture shows what is believed to be the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad on fire, which was the greatest loss of British life throughout the entire conflict.
During the attack, 56 personnel lost their lives, with 48 of them being on board RFA Sir Galahad when it was bombed by Argentine Skyhawk jets.
Mr Rickman-Dawson found the picture in Building 110, which is also known as the Fieldhouse block, named after Admiral Fieldhouse, who led the retaking of the Falkland Islands.
One veteran of the Falklands conflict is Mark Eve, who was a chief petty officer in the Royal Navy and worked on an ambulance ship during the attack.
He said: "I'll be honest, the first time I saw the painting it got me very emotional.
"There are things in the painting that I can see but nobody else can, but then when other veterans have looked at it, they see what I see.
"That's the marvellous effect it has on you. It's a little bit abstract in some respects, but it encapsulates everything about the Falklands conflict.
"Not only does this painting make me emotional, but it also makes me immensely proud of what I did during that time. It was my duty, but I am still proud of what we all achieved."
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