Painting of The Battle of the Flyover at Anzio 44.

Hi to all, I've known about this painting for quite some time, but never really got around to getting a decent copy that will do it justice in a large frame on my wall. I do understand that it will probably only apply to forum members that are mad about Anzio. Owen has given me a link to have a look through, but has yet I've not had a chance to do so. If anyone can come up with a top notch copy, or any ideas has to how i can get this small print enlarged, then i will be over the moon!

The above is on The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Lancashire Infantry Museum Website. Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire. The caption reads has follows;

The Battle of the Flyover showing the ground over which 1 Loyals fought. In the foreground is a Bren gun team 2 North Staffs comprising Reg Grocott & his No2 Fred Mason, the (artist) who painted the picture. In 2004 Fred, from Walsall (UK) presented the picture to the Anzio town Military museum, where it was discovered some years later during a visit by friends of the above museum.

It is reproduced here in tribute to all who fought at Anzio, by kind permisssion of Mr Fred Mason.

Regards,
Stu

 

I imagine that your only recourse is to write to the museum and ask what donation you might have to make to get them to have them provide you with a higher resolution image.

 

The original is small and only 96 dpi so even using pro-level software such as ON1,Genuine Fractals or Photoshop to resize wouldn’t be much help. I’ve already tried.

You could ask the Lancs museum if they have the original photo as it’s been reduced for the web.

 

Thank you to you all. Gary, I'm not giving up on your advise..

Frank, have you seen a copy of the above painting before at the Anzio museum? I think we got diverted, & was unable to go & see the museum?

Regards,
Stu.

 

Seroster, I'm lucky that it will only take me 30 minutes to drive to the museum & Its on my (must) to do list for the New Year! I'm hoping that they do have a decent copy? If i can get one, then i will come back & post it on here. They can have what ever donation they like has long has its is reasonable. I have even delivered to the barracks in the past, but I'm not 100% sure that the museum is in the grounds.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu.

I have not but I recognise Fred Mason's name. Are you in touch with him - you mentioned that you had his permission.

Regards

Frank

 

The image on their website is a photo of the original in Anzio from 2008 - if you extrapolate the original on their website you can see the frame. They may have the original photo but your best bet is to write to the museum in Anzio (I think this is what Seroster meant) and ask them for a copy. Of course the original may only be 6x4 in but if they can get a high res scan it is easy to enlarge it.

 

Owen, thanks for putting the link up.

Frank, if only i was in touch with him. The only vets that I've meet in past, are from my Grandfather's old outfit.

I've emailed the curator at the Lancashire Infantry Museum to see has to how he can help me out? I've offered to make what ever donation is reasonable, or pay a price if he can come up with a decent resolution (the higher the better.) If he cant come up with one, then i'll ask for the email address of the museum in Anzio. Failing that, its a detour when I'm next in Anzio.Or when someone else is.

Regards,
Stu.

 

If only I was so prescient! I did not understand that the original is in Italy.

 

Frank.

thank-you for the info you have given me. One ( must get a wiggle on) as soon has possible regarding the old boy!

Fingers crossed. What a top chap that you are.

Regards,
Stu.

 

I've put a letter in the post to the old boy & I'm hoping he is still going strong?

Lets see whats comes back. I do hope the Lancashire Museum comes back with some information?

R,
Stu..

 

For those who are following this thread, I would just like to say that the old boy Fred Mason has just rang me up.. We had a quick chat & he seems to be going strong. Not sure how he his going to get me a copy, but one is on its way. What a phone call that was. I did offer to make a donation, but he would have none of it. I was that shocked, i didn't ask him his phone number.

Thank-you Frank.

Happy days.

 

Just done that (THREE TIMES) to make sure. I'm over the moon.. He remembers my Grandfather's old mob rather well.. I forgot to mention that.. Once I have sorted a decent copy, then i will post one.

Regards,
Stu.

 

More of the update regarding the conversation that i had with Fred, this morning. The old boy is in his 96th year & his memory is good.I think he was born in 1924? I've gleaned that from his email address. He has emailed me a copy of the original that he has & I think it has a resolution of about 2.4 M.B. I will have to double check that?

I was only on the phone for a short period of time, but i think he only saw action with the 2 North Staffs in the Anzio Campaign? He seems to be interested in the War diaries of his battalion that one has. I will send them on in time. I'm glad that he his switched on to the workings of the internet. He also mentioned that it was OK to ring him up from time-to- time. Has the saying goes, you should never rush a tradesmen. Edit: regarding Fred's, age. He is 94 going on 95.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu.

Fred Mason was indeed in 2 N STAFFS during their time at Anzio.

Regards

Frank

 

Frank.

What i meant was that he only served with the 2 North Staffs in the Anzio Campaign. He did not follow the First Division from Aug 44 through till Jan 45. Florence to Monte Grande. Sorry if there has been a misunderstanding .

I had another chat with Fred, tonight, & I was hoping that he would get a wiggle on & come to Anzio in June. The only problem is, he has legs that are not keeping up to speed & ( that is rather a pi****) for me. He mentioned that he first went back to Anzio in 1968 & has been back about seven times in- all. (His wife got fed up after a few!) He his still after going back, but I'm not 100 % sure how he his going to get their. He did mention via by the British Legion, or the Italy Star Association? I do hope to meet up with him in the very near future. I've sent him enough reading to keep him going for a while.

Regards,
Stu

 

Stu.

Well done indeed.

Regards

Frank

 

Frank

Do you still have much dealings with the Italy Star Association? I've noticed that you have been busy from time to time. I came about it by chance. I'm not sure if it is well known on this board?

Regards
Stu.