Painting commemorates freedom parade through city
The Adjutant General’s Corps has commissioned a special painting to commemorate their freedom march through Winchester in June 2008. A copy of the painting was presented to the Mayor of Winchester during the Council meeting on Wednesday 7 January 2009.
Anthony Cowland, an artist well know to the AGC, was commissioned to produce the piece which captures the soldiers, the band, the city’s landmarks and the various dignitaries in attendance
The painting captures the moment when the soldiers marched off after inspection along with the Corps Band and the veterans contingent. The people of Winchester are also shown supporting the troops.
The true geography of the City has been altered in the painting in order to incorporate Winchester’s many landmarks. Among the landmarks included are: Abbey House, the Guildhall; the Cathedral; the Westgate; Stone Cross; Great Hall (and the Round Table) and the AGC Museum. King Alfred and the World War One Soldier of the Cathedral’s cenotaph also appear in the painting.
The original painting graces the Winchester Room in the Headquarters Officers’ Mess of the Adjutant General’s Corps at Worthy Down.
The copy of the painting was presented by the Regimental Colonel, Colonel Steve O’Connell who said:
"It is important that the members of the Corps, who are deployed all over the world, know that what they do is appreciated. Therefore the honour bestowed on the Corps by the City of Winchester is held in high esteem and this copy of the painting is presented to cement the relationship that exists between the Corps and the City and to thank the City for its generosity and friendship."
The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Michael Read, added:
"It is a great honour to have hosted the Adjutant General’s Corps Freedom Parade. This beautiful painting shows just how much it means to the Corps to have received the support of everyone in the city on that day."