John went to Art School in 1946, after National Service in the Army. During the conflict, he became a Prisoner of War and after escaping from an Italian POW Camp, he crossed the Alps to Switzerland with the help of Italian Partisans. As a result, he spoke a little of both Italian and German on his return and could still remember the songs from the rice fields in Lombardy.

While a prisoner, he continued an early ability with drawing and a desire to become an artist. Surviving drawings indicate his developing talent. After the war, he trained as an artist at Glasgow School of Art and was a contemporary and friend of John Cunningham.

While at Jordanhill Teacher Training College, he won a commission to design a kinetic mural with sound effects for the Student refectory.

In 1965, he moved to Tarbert, Loch Fyne to take up post as principal teacher of Art at Tarbert Academy. He was a well known member of the community and exhibited many harbour views, landscapes and seascapes. He sang in Gaelic choirs, taking part in the Mod over several years and was a member of a local barber’s shop quartet. Many people in Tarbert may still have one of his paintings on their wall.

Reconnection with Italy

Late in his life, John was able to journey to Italy and meet the families and friends of those who helped him escape.

A Gallery of John’s work