Barry John MBE is a Welsh soldier and artist.[1] He served in the British armed forces for over 23 years.[2] In the 2010 New Years Honours List Barry John was awarded the MBE.[3][4] He is mainly an abstract artist.[5]
Barry John was born in Neyland, Pembrokeshire and was a pupil at Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest before joining the Army at the age of 16. His first posting to was to Hong Kong, and further postings to Korea, Malaysia, Jamaica, USA, Northern Ireland and Kosovo followed.[6] The experiences he has had during his service have formed most of the content of his art.[7]
For a time, John worked as a recruiting officer in Haverfordwest, but later rejoined the Welsh Regiment.[8]
In 2013, John organised the Neyland Armistice Project, a collaborative art project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.[9][10]
After 24 years of service in the Army, John set up The VC Gallery in 2014.
- ^ "West Wales' stunning landscapes captured on canvas to raise money for hospice charity ". WalesOnLine.
- ^ "Barry gets MBE for military work". Western Telegraph. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015.
- ^ "New Year's Honours recognises work of Pembrokeshire". Western Telegraph. 31 December 2009.
- ^ "New exhibition displays Art of Remembrance". Milford & West Wales Mercury.
- ^ Saturday Portfolio: The art of war, as seen by real soldiers - News - Art - The Independent
- ^ BBC News - Royal Welsh soldier Barry John's art inspired by war
- ^ "Veterans and the community join forces through art". Western Telegraph. 24 May 2014.
- ^ "Soldier's art raises thousands for wounded". Western Telegraph.
- ^ Neyland community backs military artist's project (From Milford Mercury)
- ^ Neyland military artist to honour war dead at Somme (From Western Telegraph)