Alfred Reginald Thomson 1895 - 1979

6ft 5ins tall; He was deaf and believed to be a user of British Sign Language (BSL). His wife, Marjory Horne, was his business manager. He studied under painter illustrator and poster designer John Hassall [died 1948] and historical scenes/portraitist Sir William Quiller Orchardson [died 1910].

Known as ‘Tommy’ for his wartime paintings. Elected as a Royal Academician in 1945. Caricaturist and illustrator. Paintings include the Queen and Royal Family, official war artist to the RAF, murals for Queen Mary ocean liner, House of Parliament in session, The Beatles 1964. Mural for children’s library Darlington 1974, annual Chelsea Arts Ball.

He based some of his mural figures on the museum curators and other staff of the time. He painted two agricultural scenes, although ten years separate them, in a decorative spare stylised manner fitting well visually with both the sculptural frieze alongside based on mediaeval figures, and his book illustrations 1956 on the history of science [1956-218].