Reginald John "Rex" Whistler was a British artist, who painted murals and society portraits, and designed theatrical costumes.
10 Facts About Rex Whistler
2.
Rex Whistler was killed in action in Normandy in World War II.
3.
Reginald John Rex Whistler was born in Britain on 24 June 1905, in Eltham, Kent, the son of architect and estate agent Henry Rex Whistler and Helen Frances Mary, the daughter of Rev Charles Slegg Ward, vicar of Wootton St Lawrence, and through her mother a descendant of the goldsmith and silversmith Paul Storr.
4.
Rex Whistler's best known work during the early part of his career was for the cafe at the Tate Gallery, completed in 1927 when he was only 22.
5.
Rex Whistler was commissioned to produce posters and illustrations for Shell Petroleum and the Radio Times.
6.
Rex Whistler created designs for Wedgwood china based on drawings he made of the Devon village of Clovelly, and costumes "after Hogarth" for the premiere production of William Walton's ballet The Wise Virgins, produced by the Sadler's Wells Company in 1940.
7.
When war broke out, although he was 35, Rex Whistler was eager to join the army.
8.
Rex Whistler was commissioned into the Welsh Guards as a Second lieutenant in June 1940.
9.
Rex Whistler decided that just because he was at war it did not mean he could not paint, and he therefore carried a bucket hanging off the side of his tank for his paintbrushes.
10.
Gielgud notes that 'Rex Whistler's death is a major tragedy' adding that 'He wanted to prove that 'artists can be tough' and alas, he has done so - but the world is greatly the poorer for his sacrifice'.