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HomeVenues ArchivesWilliamson ArchiveWilliamson: Thomas Burke 1906-1945

Williamson: Thomas Burke 1906-1945

15 July – Sunday 4 October 2015 (Extended)

Thomas Burke was born in 1906 in Liverpool. During the 1920s and 30s he studied art at Liverpool College of Art and the Royal College of Art, London.

In 1941 he joined the Merchant Navy as 3rd Radio Officer on the ship the Dalesman. In May that year, the Dalesman was bombed and sunk by enemy aircraft off the coast of Crete. Burke, along with other Merchant Navy personnel, was transferred to Milag (Marine Internierten Lager, or Marine Internment Camp) at Westertimke, north west Germany. Whilst imprisoned, he produced many drawings and watercolours. These included images of camp life, portraits and set designs for theatrical productions. In 1945, Burke was repatriated to Britain and died the same year.
Dates: 15/7/15 – 27/10/15
Venue: Williamson Art Gallery and Wirral Museum

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