My portraits of 457 heroes
by
WHEN he was a soldier risking his life for his country, Kev Wills’ only experience of art had been his GCSE.
But almost 30 years on, the veteran has rediscovered his love of painting.
Now he is on his most important mission yet – to create portraits of all
457 soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Kev, 44, has painted 13 so far and has been touched by the response from the families of those he has immortalised.
The former private said: “It’s important that we keep the memory alive of those who laid down their lives. To me, a painting is far more emotive than a picture, so this is my way of ensuring that happens.”
Dad-of-four Kev joined up at 16 and was in the Royal Logistics Corps for six years.
He now lives in Redditch, Worcs, and works for Jaguar
Land Rover but spends most of his free time on his tablet creating digital oil paintings, which he offers to families for free. His mission was inspired by the acclaim he received for his portrait of lockdown charity hero Captain Sir Tom Moore.
One of Kev’s subjects is Warrant Officer Gary O’donnell, a bomb disposal expert who won the George Medal twice.
His widow Toni, 53, said: “The picture is lovely. He’s got Gary completely. The cheeky face I remember looking like he’s in his element and loving life.
“My boys will love to see this. What an amazing thing to do and what a talent.”
Another subject is Warrant Officer Darren Chant, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Grenadier Guards, who was shot by a rogue Afghan cop.
Wife Sheeni, 45, who was pregnant with their son George when he died, said: “I can’t thank Kev enough. He has captured Darren’s features perfectly.”