Work by official WW2 artist goes on display

John Wood said he finds the portraits particularly striking

Paintings of World War Two which were created by an official war artist have gone on display.

Museum and Art Swindon is hosting an exhibition of the work of Leslie Cole, who was born in the town, to mark 80 years since the end of the war.

The exhibition features works from his Swindon collection and other items by him normally on show at the Imperial War Museum.

Frances Yeo, Swindon museums manager, said: "These experiences changed Leslie Cole, and stayed with him all his life. It affected him very deeply."

One painting depicts the women's section of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp just a few days after its liberation by British troops.

Ms Yeo added: "The painting of the women in Bergen-Belsen is very affecting and does stay with you.

"It's important that Cole depicted what he saw, and important that we show it."

After the war ended in Europe, Cole was posted with British and Indian troops fighting in the Far East, and went on combat patrols with them.

One painting shows soldiers cutting a path through a jungle and another is a portrait of a sergeant in the Indian Army.

Collections and exhibitions manager John Wood said: "He did a lot of portraits and this is a particularly striking image."

The exhibition at Museum & Art Swindon in the upper floor of the Civic Offices in Euclid Street is free to visit until January.