David F. Edwards - Private 53rd South Wales Borderer - Normandy

[smudger1960]

Recently,a close friend of mine Chris Edwards posted a newly sculpted figure 120mm produced by Red Crown figures and sculpted by Lucas Bezzera which was based on his father.
Chris asked me if I would be interested in painting the piece for him,which I was happy to accept even though I haven’t painted in this scale for a number of years.
There is a story about Chris’s father in the attachments I have enclosed with the pictures
I scratch built the foxhole he was in at the time in Normandy,this I managed to deter from the B/W photo of him,bits of groundwork and spares from the box helped me to set the scene,all that was required then was positioning of the figure and painting,I wanted the colours to be muted and not over exaggerated to tie the figure in with the groundwork which I was happy about.




Brian

 

[Scotty]

Excellent work and that is one cool photo.
Scotty.

 

[Rob]

Very nicely done, a wonderful tribute.

 

[Briggsy]

Fantastic figure and a wonderful tribute to a very brave man, very meaningful especially this month when we honour those that now reside in Valhalla. Those that didn't come home and those whose place was saved in that hallowed hall by their service. Very moving indeed.

Cheers Simon

 

[MoboSchreuder]

Beautiful work

Mobo

 

[taff edwards]

What can I say what a beautiful piece of work and such an appropriate time of the year and they’d month of remembrance and the month dad passed away
The added extras all done without asking Brian the watch beret poncho and the cig , the colours muted tones the wear that is the hallmark of an living in a hole in the ground infantry soldier
Thank you Brian can’t wait to show it to mum thank you so much
Normandy

53rd Welsh DIV
This figure depicts a private of the 53rd Welsh Division 2 Mon South Wales Borderer in his fighting position not far from Hill 112 in Normandy, his unit was a Anti Tank Section equipped with Bren Carriers and 6pounder anti tank guns.
He is wearing a German Holster with a Walther P38 also nearby is a German MP 40 ,which they tended to use as there was lots of 9mm ammunition about.
This particular soldier was to be wounded in the ferocious fighting around Hill 112 four days after this picture was taken .He was sent back to the UK for six weeks were he recovered from his leg wounds and returned back to his Battalion and remarkably to his Regiment and Unit , as they had suffered significant losses .
He then fought into Holland and was involved in the fierce fighting to liberate Hertogenbosh .
The Battalion pushed into Germany crossing the Rhine were he was wounded again in the face but remained with his unit until the unconditional surrender of Germany weeks later.
His name was David Fothergil Edwards Knight of the Legion of Honour born in April 1925 in Abergavenny Monmouthshire the eldest of four siblings .
On returning home he joined the Police and served for 33 years retiring as a Sergeant.
He married Diana and they had two sons Michael and Christopher
David Edwards has school named after him and his best friend Tom Griffith,
“Ecole Edwards Griffith” in Mondrainville Normandy .
David Edwards passed away peacefully at his home with his family on November the 17th 2020 at the age of 95.
When he talked about his experiences he always referred to being P B I the Poor Bloody Infantry but was so very very lucky.
I hope you enjoy the figure and this information puts a name and a bit of life to a black and white picture of a 19 year old in a trench in Normandy my dad
Chris Edwards Red Crown Figures

 

[misfit151]

Superb figure and display Brian..... Mike

 

[smudger1960]

Excellent work and that is one cool photo.
Scotty.

Thank you scotty

 

[smudger1960]

Very nicely done, a wonderful tribute.

Thank you rob

 

[smudger1960]

Fantastic figure and a wonderful tribute to a very brave man, very meaningful especially this month when we honour those that now reside in Valhalla. Those that didn't come home and those whose place was saved in that hallowed hall by their service. Very moving indeed.

Cheers Simon

Thank you simon

 

[smudger1960]

Beautiful work

Mobo

Thank you mobo

 

[smudger1960]

What can I say what a beautiful piece of work and such an appropriate time of the year and they’d month of remembrance and the month dad passed away
The added extras all done without asking Brian the watch beret poncho and the cig , the colours muted tones the wear that is the hallmark of an living in a hole in the ground infantry soldier
Thank you Brian can’t wait to show it to mum thank you so much
Normandy

53rd Welsh DIV
This figure depicts a private of the 53rd Welsh Division 2 Mon South Wales Borderer in his fighting position not far from Hill 112 in Normandy, his unit was a Anti Tank Section equipped with Bren Carriers and 6pounder anti tank guns.
He is wearing a German Holster with a Walther P38 also nearby is a German MP 40 ,which they tended to use as there was lots of 9mm ammunition about.
This particular soldier was to be wounded in the ferocious fighting around Hill 112 four days after this picture was taken .He was sent back to the UK for six weeks were he recovered from his leg wounds and returned back to his Battalion and remarkably to his Regiment and Unit , as they had suffered significant losses .
He then fought into Holland and was involved in the fierce fighting to liberate Hertogenbosh .
The Battalion pushed into Germany crossing the Rhine were he was wounded again in the face but remained with his unit until the unconditional surrender of Germany weeks later.
His name was David Fothergil Edwards Knight of the Legion of Honour born in April 1925 in Abergavenny Monmouthshire the eldest of four siblings .
On returning home he joined the Police and served for 33 years retiring as a Sergeant.
He married Diana and they had two sons Michael and Christopher
David Edwards has school named after him and his best friend Tom Griffith,
“Ecole Edwards Griffith” in Mondrainville Normandy .
David Edwards passed away peacefully at his home with his family on November the 17th 2020 at the age of 95.
When he talked about his experiences he always referred to being P B I the Poor Bloody Infantry but was so very very lucky.
I hope you enjoy the figure and this information puts a name and a bit of life to a black and white picture of a 19 year old in a trench in Normandy my dad
Chris Edwards Red Crown Figures

Thank you Chris,I enjoyed painting the piece and I’m glad you liked it

 

[smudger1960]

Superb figure and display Brian..... Mike

Thank you mike

 

[Nap]

Hi Brian

This is a lovely version and a fine tribute to the brave man , you've made Chris happy and you should be proud of the result

Thanks for sharing

Looking forward to seeing more

Happy benchtime

Nap