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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1993-06-23, Page 184 %.• Page 18 Times -Advocate, June 23,1993 Dedication of portrait collection at Legion By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff EXETER - In just eight months local artist Harry Burke has com- pleted the latest portrait collection of Exeter's history. The focus of this collection is on Exeter and area men who were killed during the First World War, the Second World War and the Ko- rean War. The 60 portraits will be put on public display for the first time this Sunday during a special dedication at the Roy- al Canadian Legion in Exet- er. Before the project began, Burke estimated it would take at least three years to com- plete om.plete the portraits. "There was a quick re- sponse from people sending photos," he said. On average it took five days to do each one. But it wasn't as simple sketching out a portrait. His son Thomas also researched the history of the men by looking through old newspa- pers and scrapbooks. "This collection was far less tedi- ous to do," the elder Burke said, "because most of the information was easily found or accompanied the photos." This allowed him to begin the work almost immediately. The artwork is done with a what is called prisma colour pencils and oil pastels. "I use the two mediums together. And a few tricks .of the trade," he said. He got the idea to do this collec- tion shortly after finishing the 75 portraits of distinguished communi- ty members that now hang in the Old Town Hall. He saw a dedication plaque with the names of men in the area who had died during these periods. The first one he did was of Sgt. Thomas Harold Carling Bissau. "1 was pleased with the outcome and decided to do the rest," he said. A portrait of R.E Pooley will lead the District Hospital and University rospital, Burke is donating repro- ductions of the portrait of the Red Cross Nurse. "The staff at both hospitals were fantastic," he said. Before leaving the hospital Burke had taught himself to write and sketch a bit with his left hand. "He has always had the ability to adapt," said Thomas of his father's recovery. This ability has lead to a versatile career as an artist. At the age of 14, Burke trained at what is now the Ontario College of Art. "He was a child prodigy," Thomas said. The elder Burke then en - Nlisted during the Second World War. After serving for six years he left the military and worked at a number of jobs teaching art. He then took a position with the Ministry of Trans- �� ` portation where he worked as a special projects artist for 37 years before retiring. .4.1987, the family moved to 8ttete r and the father and son team began examining the history of Ex- eter. collectio n that will • be permanently housed at the legion followed by a portrait of a Canadian Red Cross Nurse during the Fust Wald War and an unknown soldier. The Red Cross nurse is special, he said, because it is the only por- trait of a women in the collection. Burke had just finished the final portrait of the collection in early March when he suffered a stroke. He had been recovering at Uni- versity Hospital in -London hospital before returning home on May 28. In appreciation of ,the care given to him while at the South Huron In the future Burke would like to do a collection of portraits of the Silver Cross Mothers - women who lost husbands during the Second World War. He is also thinking about doing portraits of the heroes who sur- vived the Wars. "There are so many projects I want to .do..I just have to find the time." Harry Burke, seated and son Thomas display some of the 60 portraits that will be permanently displayed at Exeter's Legion on Sunday. WWII . aircraft` land in Huron Park By Erin Lobb 'T -A Staff HURON PARK - Despite the windy day, some valuable pieces of history were able to visit Hu- ron Park on Friday. About 13; World War 11 aircraft flew in for. the 4th annual rendezvous with the Exeter Recreation Aircraft Association of Canada (RAC), at TerryAir. The planes came from the Ca- nadian War Plane Heritage Mu, scum in Hamilton, and froth owners in Tillsonburg, Sault Ste. Marie, and Stratford. The convoy included several B-25. medium range bombers, an L. 16, two AT -6 and a Beach 18,. among others. Wayne Steeper, past president and current co-ordinator of the event said this was not a fly -in but a rendezvohs point for the pt! lots prior to airshows. We ere all pilots and have the love of planes in common." said Steep- t. who stressed the pricelessness of the planes. ' oday we just had some lunch and relaxed" Steeper says the objectives of the RAC are to -promote safe flying •to promote the building, re- storing, and flying of light aircaft • to hold social events for pi- lots •to keep pilots of all types to- gether - The group has 35 members and a dozen planes in the process of being built or rebuilt. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • i It • S. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • c. e a a t. s: C • • • • rg Pki i 11 rig left I Irtif ri 'link i rie 011ifie I Count on these fin firms for qvalue andervice To advertise dour business call 235-1331 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• ••••••••.. t t f. 0 f • r • • • • 0 • • • • • • • • • v • • • • • • • • s • • • • • • • • ra IIII `!`qtr".� yiiv CUSTOM 'KILLING and • - : SLAUGHTERING JUI Doy - Tuesday Specializing in home cured and smoked meat Abattoir and Meat V e a l s Market 235-1123 BUILDER BUILDER 'Doug Geoffrey Construction Ltd. • Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • Renovations DESIGN BUILD Consultant on R-2000 Homes '; i114t3lRT3 . 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