Mansbridge, John (Oral history)

British war artist and camouflage artist served with Air Ministry and Royal Engineers in GB, Ireland and India, 1940-1945

REEL 1: Background in GB, 1901-1939: father's role in founding of Worker's Education Association, 1903; memories of Frances Cornford and Sir William Rothenstein; question of apprenticeship with Eric Gill; opinion of teaching of Henry Tonks; memories of Stanley Spencer and story about his admiration for Piero della Francesca; interest in work of Picasso and Cezanne; story of drawing George Moore; story of keeping roll of honour at Manchester Grammar School during First World War; working with Emery Walker; opinion of William Morris; story of visit to Kelmscott and meeting with May Morris; importance of John Ruskin and William Morris; story of reading list of working men at turn of century; attitude to First World War; story of drawing portraits of first Labour cabinet; description of employment as portrait painter and designer with London Underground and Maynard Press and part-time lecturer at Goldsmith's College, London; opinions on purpose of education; opinion of Bishop Gore; attitude to Bauhaus and effect on British art education; memories of Freddie Manner and Artist's International Association; further comments on Picasso. REEL 2 Continues: reaction to outbreak of war, 9/1939; attitude to not being elected to Royal Academy; comments on modern art; story of painting portraits of pilots from 11 Group Fighter Command RAF during Battle of Britain, 1940. Aspects of period as camouflage artist with Royal Engineers in Northern Ireland, Burma and India, 1940-1945: posted to Northern Ireland; story of German soldiers in Dublin; description of camouflage painting techniques and opinion of effectiveness; further comments on painting RAF pilots; duties as camouflage artist with in India including drawings of RAF personnel; story of working in school in India; opinion of purpose of camouflage unit; role of war artists in First and Second World Wars; opinion of quality of art produced during First and Second World Wars; story about Rex Whistler; reflections on integration of artist's life and work. REEL 3 Continues: methods of camouflaging vehicles; opinion of effectiveness of camouflage.