The painting should be replaced.
Incidentally, an old Vulcan mate told me that "the dog" has had it's grave moved at least 3 times to his knowledge to various parts of Scampton. Also while we all know where "the dog" is buried, what about it's erstwhile owner. Guy Gibson, was a VC, and dead before his 27th birthday having been shot down in a Mossie while acting as a Master Bomber. Question is, how many of you history and heritage folks know where he is buried, or how well his grave is tended?
On 19 September 1944 a plane crashed near Steenbergen, Holland. On board, though this was not known at the time, was Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, DSO, DFC. With him was Squadron Leader J.B. Warwick, DFC, who was identified because of a gold wedding ring found at the site.
The two bodies were buried in Steenbergen cemetery with a simple wooden cross marking the grave. The inscription read:
156612 J. B. WARWICK
AND UNKNOWN SOLDIER
19 - 9 -1944
When Steenbergen was liberated in November 1944 details of the crash were passed to the Identification Squad, along with the engine number of the plane. In February 1945 the name of Guy Gibson was added to the cross.
In September 1967 Jan van den Driesschen was reading to his young son from a youth magazine. In it was a story about Guy Gibson and Jan was astonished to learn that Gibson was buried not far away. He and his wife visited the cemetery and found the grave – overgrown, and in an appalling state of disrepair - and decided there and then to look after the graves for as long as they were able.
In 1974 Eve Gibson read in an English newspaper that Jan and his wife had for some time been tending her husband’s grave. They met, became close friends and when Jan decided to write his book he asked Eve Gibson for an insight into the character of Guy Gibson.