By Julie Waters
THE artist behind a new mural honouring Lieutenant Colonel Blair Mayne hopes his artwork will help secure a posthumous Victoria Cross for the Newtownards war hero.
Johnny Hamilton, who is known creatively at Jossiepops, brought to life the artwork at Belfast’s Disraeli Street, as part of a reimaging project by Alternatives Restorative Justice.
The Bangor artist was recently thrilled to enjoy a visit from Fiona Ferguson, niece of the founding member of the Special Air Service during World War II, as he worked on her uncle’s mural last week.
Mayne was a legendary soldier and sportsman who was known for his bravery and leadership in daring raids behind enemy lines.
Following the success of the BBC television series SAS Rogue Heroes, which shines a light on Lieutenant Colonel Mayne’s wartime bravery, there has been a renewed support for the campaign to award him the posthumous Victoria Cross.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon has thrown his weight behind the campaign and raised the issue during a debate in the House of Commons.
Mr Hamilton is hopeful the mural will help the local war hero get the recognition he so richly deserves.
“Maybe this mural will help give that extra push to get him his much-deserved Victoria Cross,” he said.
The Blair Mayne mural is one of the first that Johnny has painted outside Ards and Notth Down. His past work includes homegrown musical and sporting heroes such as Olympian Rhys McClenaghan, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody and singer songwriter Foy Vance.
The artist said he was ‘over the moon’ to be commissioned to create the tribute.
“Blair Mayne has been on my wish list for the past couple of years,” he said.
“I’ve always looked up to him and after recently binge- watching the BBC series about the SAS I felt compelled to paint the legend. I felt he deserved the recognition.”
Mr Hamilton explained he had been trying for over a year to secure funding for the mural but to no avail.
“I kept hitting the usual walls. Then I was approached by Alternatives Restorative Justice, in Shankill, to paint their next reimaging project. When I found out it was Blair Mayne, I jumped at the opportunity.”
He described the Blair Mayne mural as the ‘perfect storm’ as it allowed him to both honour a personal hero and paint his first mural in Belfast.
“It meant I could spread my wings and create my first mural in the renowned Shankill area while also getting the funding needed to honour a local hero from Ards.”
The artist had previously visited the War Years Remembered Museum, in Newtownards, where he learned more about the SAS hero’s life and had first met Mayne’ niece.
Said Mr Hamilton: “Meeting Fiona really hammered home just how powerful and
respected the Lieutenant Colonel was. After that I knew the painting needed to happen.” The new mural may be in Belfast but Mr Hamilton hopes that Mr Mayne may soon be
honoured in his hometown. “While this mural isn’t in Newtownards, I’m already in talks about creating a different take on Blair that could be installed in his hometown too.”
