ATTRIBUTED TO SYDNEY KNOWLES (BRITISH, 1921-2012)
X Men detaching a warhead
Oil on board
Inscribed in pencil to verso 'Taken from Lay Apart Store / HMS Vernon / Painted by S. Knowles..'
18¼ x 21½in. (46.5 x 54.5cm.)

A similar painting signed by Knowles is located in the Historic Diving Museum, Alverstoke.

At the outbreak of WWII Knowles was serving as a stoker and, as such, took part in Operation Pedestal (the relief of Malta). In 1942 he joined the Underwater Working Party under the direction of Lt Cmdr Lionel "Buster" Crab, based in Gibraltar. Their main responsibility was to check for limpet mines left on allied shipping by Italian frogmen and manned torpedo men who were very skilled - Knowles was played by Michael Craig in the 1958 film The Silent Enemy which is about this unusual theatre of the War. In 1955 Crab took him to survey the Russian cruiser Sverdlov during a visit to Britain, a year later Crab disappeared in controversial circumstances diving alone on her sister ship, the Ordzhonikidze.

Condition Report
Needs a clean.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.