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The Great Escape by Richard Taylor. - Cranston Military Prints

The Great Escape by Richard Taylor.


The Great Escape by Richard Taylor.

Everyone here in this room is living on borrowed time. By rights we should all be dead! The only reason that God allowed us this extra ration of life is so we can make life hell from the Hun.. ... three bloody deep, bloody long tunnels will be dug - Tom, Dick and Harry. On will succeed! With those words the chief escape officer in Stalag Luft III, Squadron Leader Roger Bushell RAF, announced his plan for perhaps the most daring escape attempt of the war - the mass break-out of 200 men through the digging of three long tunnels - nicknamed Tom, Dick and Harry - an audacious feat of tunneling that would be long and dangerous. Tom was discovered by the Germans and destroyed. Dick was abandoned. The escape would fall on Harry, and just after 22.00hrs on the night of 24th / 25th March 1944, the first escapee broke through to the surface - only to find it well short of the surrounding trees. The escapees would have to crawl to the cover of the trees under the noses of the patrolling sentries. It was obvious that not everyone would have time to get away. 76 men had made their escape when at 04.55 the escape was finally discovered by the guards. As shots rang out, those already in the trees began running for their lives. Of the escapees, three would make it home to the UK, the rest were recaptured. And of those, sadly 50 were executed by the Gestapo, but The Great Escape was already immortalised in history.
Item Code : DHM1904DThe Great Escape by Richard Taylor. - Editions Available
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Limited edition of 200 prints Paper size 22 inches x 17 inches (56cm x 43cm)
Ash, William
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash
Volunteer American pilot Bill Ash joined the RCAF and flew Spitfires with 411 Squadron gaining 3 confirmed victories. Shot down in 1942 he became a POW and was sent to Stalag Luft III where he took part in 'The Great Escape', and later was involved in more than a dozen escape attempts from POW camps in Poland, Germany and Lithuania. A constant trouble maker to his captors, Bill Ash became a real life 'Cooler King' after many hours spent in solitary captivity.
Signature Value : £15
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Richard Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £15
£75.00

Quantity:
Escapers edition of 76 prints Paper size 22 inches x 17 inches (56cm x 43cm)
Ash, William
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash
Volunteer American pilot Bill Ash joined the RCAF and flew Spitfires with 411 Squadron gaining 3 confirmed victories. Shot down in 1942 he became a POW and was sent to Stalag Luft III where he took part in 'The Great Escape', and later was involved in more than a dozen escape attempts from POW camps in Poland, Germany and Lithuania. A constant trouble maker to his captors, Bill Ash became a real life 'Cooler King' after many hours spent in solitary captivity.
Signature Value : £15
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Churchill, Dick
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Squadron Leader Dick Churchill
'Penguin' and No.63 out of the tunnel, later recaptured.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Lyon, Jack
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant Jack Lyon
Jack Lyon was a 'Stooge' and was waiting as No.88 in the queue ready to escape.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Rees, Ken
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Wing Commander Ken Rees
Ken Rees was one of the team of tunnel diggers. He was one of the POWs who were caught inside 'Harry' after the escape was discovered.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Wade, Ron
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Warrant Officer Ron Wade
'Penguin' and 'Stooge' for the digiing of 'The Great Escape' tunnels, but was moved from Stalag Luft III before they were used. At the end of the war he went on the infamous Death Marches.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Richard Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £105
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
Limited edition of 10 remarques Paper size 22 inches x 17 inches (56cm x 43cm)
Ash, William
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash
Volunteer American pilot Bill Ash joined the RCAF and flew Spitfires with 411 Squadron gaining 3 confirmed victories. Shot down in 1942 he became a POW and was sent to Stalag Luft III where he took part in 'The Great Escape', and later was involved in more than a dozen escape attempts from POW camps in Poland, Germany and Lithuania. A constant trouble maker to his captors, Bill Ash became a real life 'Cooler King' after many hours spent in solitary captivity.
Signature Value : £15
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Churchill, Dick
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Squadron Leader Dick Churchill
'Penguin' and No.63 out of the tunnel, later recaptured.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Lyon, Jack
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant Jack Lyon
Jack Lyon was a 'Stooge' and was waiting as No.88 in the queue ready to escape.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Rees, Ken
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Wing Commander Ken Rees
Ken Rees was one of the team of tunnel diggers. He was one of the POWs who were caught inside 'Harry' after the escape was discovered.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Wade, Ron
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Warrant Officer Ron Wade
'Penguin' and 'Stooge' for the digiing of 'The Great Escape' tunnels, but was moved from Stalag Luft III before they were used. At the end of the war he went on the infamous Death Marches.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Richard Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £105
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
Tribute proof edition of 25 prints Paper size 22 inches x 17 inches (56cm x 43cm)

Extras....

Mounted Signatures :



Ash, William
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash
Volunteer American pilot Bill Ash joined the RCAF and flew Spitfires with 411 Squadron gaining 3 confirmed victories. Shot down in 1942 he became a POW and was sent to Stalag Luft III where he took part in 'The Great Escape', and later was involved in more than a dozen escape attempts from POW camps in Poland, Germany and Lithuania. A constant trouble maker to his captors, Bill Ash became a real life 'Cooler King' after many hours spent in solitary captivity.
Signature Value : £15
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Churchill, Dick
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Squadron Leader Dick Churchill
'Penguin' and No.63 out of the tunnel, later recaptured.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Lyon, Jack
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Flight Lieutenant Jack Lyon
Jack Lyon was a 'Stooge' and was waiting as No.88 in the queue ready to escape.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Rees, Ken
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Wing Commander Ken Rees
Ken Rees was one of the team of tunnel diggers. He was one of the POWs who were caught inside 'Harry' after the escape was discovered.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Wade, Ron
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Warrant Officer Ron Wade
'Penguin' and 'Stooge' for the digiing of 'The Great Escape' tunnels, but was moved from Stalag Luft III before they were used. At the end of the war he went on the infamous Death Marches.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Barthropp, Paddy (matted)

Died : 2008
Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp DFC AFC (deceased)
At the outbreak of war Paddy flew obsolete Hinds, Hectors and Lysanders in combat, but converted to Spitfires and joined 602 Squadron at Tangmere. During the Battle of Britain he flew with some of the great aces - Douglas Bader, Sailor Malan, and Bob Stanford Tuck. In 1941 he was a Flight Commander with 610 Squadron. Continuing to fly Spitfires, now with 122 Squadron based at Hornchurch, he flew fighter sweeps and escort missions. On 17th May 1942 he was shot down over St Omer. He baled out
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
James, B A Jimmy (matted)

Died : 2008
Squadron Leader B A Jimmy James MC (deceased)
Squadron Leader B. A. Jimmy James, MC, survivor of the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III. Bertram Arthur James was born in India on April 17th, 1915 where his father was a tea-planter. He was educated at Kings School, Canterbury, and worked in British Columbia from 1934 until volunteering for flying training with the RAF in 1939. He was commissioned and posted to 9 Sqn flying Wellingtons from Honington in Suffolk. In June 1940 his aircraft was badly hit by flak over Holland while on a bombin
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Trent, Leonard (matted)
Group Captain Leonard Trent VC DFC ADC
Leonard Trent was in the war from the start, and at a time when aircrew losses were appalling. In May 1943, before Trent took off for the Amsterdam power station raid, he said - Im going over the target whatever happens - Of the twelve Ventura aircraft that set out against murderous fighter attacks and heavy flak, only Trent made it to the target - he was as good as his word. Trent was shot down on the return home, but his VC ranks amongst the most courageous of all.
Signature Value : £85
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Richard Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £285
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE


Some other related items available from this site.

 Lancaster LM360, piloted by Bill Reid, is raked by fire from stem to stern by a Luftwaffe Fw190 fighter.  Bill Reid had already sustained injuries to his head, torso and hands from a previous attack by an Me110, but, with this rest of his crew unscathed from the previous attack, he had not mentioned his injuries.  In the attack depicted here, the Fw190 makes a lethal attack on the already damaged bomber, killing one crew member and fatally wounding a second.  Despite this, Bill Reid flew on to his target of Dusseldorf - a further 200 miles - successfully dropped his bombs, then turned for home.  With the aid of the bomb aimer and flight engineer, the Lancaster made it across the Channel and headed for an airfield, with one leg of the damaged undercarriage failing on landing.  Bill Reid was awarded the Victoria Cross for this mission.

Bill Reid VC by Graeme Lothian.
 Heavily damaged by flak and with one engine out, a Lancaster slowly makes its way home far behind the main force.

Alone at Dawn by Gerald Coulson.
 Published to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings on 6th June, depicting Spitfires of 44 Squadron led by Johnnie Johnson.

The Longest Day by Adrian Rigby.
 Sailor Malam leading 74 Squadron engaging Me109s of I/JG52 during the Battle of Britain, September 1940.

The Right of the Line by Graeme Lothian.
Signatures on these products
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature and is for the unmatted version where available. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
NameInfo
Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash
*Signature Value : £15

Editions signed :

Limited edition of 200 prints
Escapers edition of 76 prints
Limited edition of 10 remarques
Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Ash, William
(Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash)

Volunteer American pilot Bill Ash joined the RCAF and flew Spitfires with 411 Squadron gaining 3 confirmed victories. Shot down in 1942 he became a POW and was sent to Stalag Luft III where he took part in 'The Great Escape', and later was involved in more than a dozen escape attempts from POW camps in Poland, Germany and Lithuania. A constant trouble maker to his captors, Bill Ash became a real life 'Cooler King' after many hours spent in solitary captivity.
Squadron Leader Dick Churchill
*Signature Value : £25

Editions signed :

Escapers edition of 76 prints
Limited edition of 10 remarques
Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Churchill, Dick
(Squadron Leader Dick Churchill)

'Penguin' and No.63 out of the tunnel, later recaptured.
Flight Lieutenant Jack Lyon
*Signature Value : £20

Editions signed :

Escapers edition of 76 prints
Limited edition of 10 remarques
Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Lyon, Jack
(Flight Lieutenant Jack Lyon)

Jack Lyon was a 'Stooge' and was waiting as No.88 in the queue ready to escape.
Wing Commander Ken Rees
*Signature Value : £20

Editions signed :

Escapers edition of 76 prints
Limited edition of 10 remarques
Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Rees, Ken
(Wing Commander Ken Rees)

Ken Rees was one of the team of tunnel diggers. He was one of the POWs who were caught inside 'Harry' after the escape was discovered.
Warrant Officer Ron Wade
*Signature Value : £25

Editions signed :

Escapers edition of 76 prints
Limited edition of 10 remarques
Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Wade, Ron
(Warrant Officer Ron Wade)

'Penguin' and 'Stooge' for the digiing of 'The Great Escape' tunnels, but was moved from Stalag Luft III before they were used. At the end of the war he went on the infamous Death Marches.




Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp DFC AFC (deceased)
Died : 2008
*Signature Value : £60

Editions signed :

Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Barthropp, Paddy
(Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp DFC AFC (deceased))

At the outbreak of war Paddy flew obsolete Hinds, Hectors and Lysanders in combat, but converted to Spitfires and joined 602 Squadron at Tangmere. During the Battle of Britain he flew with some of the great aces - Douglas Bader, Sailor Malan, and Bob Stanford Tuck. In 1941 he was a Flight Commander with 610 Squadron. Continuing to fly Spitfires, now with 122 Squadron based at Hornchurch, he flew fighter sweeps and escort missions. On 17th May 1942 he was shot down over St Omer. He baled out but was captured, spending the next three years as a POW. One of the RAFs best known and best loved characters, though the bane of certain senior officers, Paddy Barthropps RAF service spanned the period from bi-planes to supersonic jets. Joining the RAF in 1938, his first squadron was 613 flying Hinds, Hectors and Lysanders. In 1940 he was released to fly Spitfires with 602 Squadron where he shared in the destruction of two aircraft. He was posted to 610 Squadron, and then to 91 Squadron, shooting down two Bf 109s during summer 1941 and receiving the DFC. In August 1941 he returned to 610 Squadron as a flight commander. He was shot down three times, the third time being taken prisoner ofwar. He had by then brought his total to 9. Scraps in the air were accompanied by scrapes on the ground, and appearances in Magistrates Courts for disorderly conduct. Addicted to fast cars and lively ladies - and the sworn enemy of stuffed shirts everywhere - he was the irrepressible life and soul of any party, and a persistant thorn in the side of overweening authority as the Germans were to discover. The war over, he was posted to the Empire Test Pilots School where he flew over a hundred different types of plane in ten months. Soon, he was out in the Sudan and in serious trouble again - under arrest after taking a hippo to an upper-crust party. As a boy, he had been taught to ride by champion jockey Steve Donaghue and now, posted to Hong Kong, he rode winners on the track at Happy Valley, and seriously thought of turning professional. Then it was back to the U.K. to take up an appointment as a Fighter Station Commander, and to lead the Coronation fly-past over Buckingham Palace. He left the RAF to set up his own luxury car-hire firm. He died on 16th April 2008.




Squadron Leader B A Jimmy James MC (deceased)
Died : 2008
*Signature Value : £50

Editions signed :

Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


James, B A Jimmy
(Squadron Leader B A Jimmy James MC (deceased))

Squadron Leader B. A. Jimmy James, MC, survivor of the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III. Bertram Arthur James was born in India on April 17th, 1915 where his father was a tea-planter. He was educated at Kings School, Canterbury, and worked in British Columbia from 1934 until volunteering for flying training with the RAF in 1939. He was commissioned and posted to 9 Sqn flying Wellingtons from Honington in Suffolk. In June 1940 his aircraft was badly hit by flak over Holland while on a bombing raid to Germany and he was forced to bail out. He was captured and taken prisoner but then embarked on what was to become a prolific period of escaping including the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III. Jimmy James was one of 76 officers who escaped from Stalag Luft III on the night of March 24, 1944, and was fortunate not to be among the 50 executed on Hitlers order on recapture. He was sent instead to Sachsenhausen concentration camp from where he tunnelled his way out, only to be caught again after 14 days on the run. He was awarded the MC and mentioned in dispatches for his escape attempts. Squadron Leader B. A. Jimmy James retired from the RAF in 1958 and held a number of posts in the Diplomatic Service. He was the general-secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office-sponsored Great Britain-USSR Association, until joining the Diplomatic Service in 1964. He held posts in Africa, Western and Eastern Europe and London. He retired in 1975, when he visited Sachsenhausen with Jack Churchill and other survivors. He served as the British representative on the International Sachsenhausen Committee until shortly before his death. He died on January 18th, 2008, aged 92


Group Captain Leonard Trent VC DFC ADC
*Signature Value : £85

Editions signed :

Tribute proof edition of 25 prints


Trent, Leonard
(Group Captain Leonard Trent VC DFC ADC)

Leonard Trent was in the war from the start, and at a time when aircrew losses were appalling. In May 1943, before Trent took off for the Amsterdam power station raid, he said - Im going over the target whatever happens - Of the twelve Ventura aircraft that set out against murderous fighter attacks and heavy flak, only Trent made it to the target - he was as good as his word. Trent was shot down on the return home, but his VC ranks amongst the most courageous of all.

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