Sydney Robertson-Rodger

Sidney Bertram Robertson-Rodger (1916–1981) was an English painter notable as a War Artist, principally for his painting Bombers Escorted by Fighters on a Daylight Sweep over the Channel depicting the Battle of Britain. He was also known as S Rodger, SR Rodger or S Robertson-Rodger.

Childhood and education

He was born in Burgh Heath in the North Downs in Surrey, the son of a painter and antiques dealer.

After completing final examinations at Malvern College (a senior school with sixth form) in the Malvern Hills he attended the private Byam Shaw School of Art (1934–1938) where he studied with Frances Ernest Jackson ARA (1872–1945) and Patrick Philips RI, ROI (1907–1976).

Military service

Rodger received military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1940. He painted as part of the large War Artists' Advisory Committee (WAAC) during World War II. The WAAC bought his work. His key work, Bombers Escorted by Fighters on a Daylight Sweep over the Channel, is owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Career

According to his biography by Goldmark Gallery, he exhibited at two major painting societies in the Federation of British Artists (FBA): the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI), and Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).

The gallery found little is known of what became of the artist's reputation and professional status after the war. It found that he kept on painting and exhibiting into the 1960s and beyond.

Works

In his works he was also known as S Rodger, SR Rodger or S Robertson-Rodger.

• Bombers Escorted by Fighters on a Daylight Sweep over the Channel

• PICTURE OF MAN AND DONKEY PASSING A HOUSE (1941–45) Oil on canvas
• SQUADRON DAF LIBYA. (1940–45) Sketch/watercolour
• NORTH AFRICA CAMPAIGN WW2 (1940–45) - Featuring Hurricane fighter planes over the merditerranean Sketch/watercolour
• WIMBLEDON CENTRE COURT - FOR CALENDAR (1965?)
• PAIR OF NAUTICAL WATERCOLOURS (1949)
• RAMSGATE (1975)

• Accession number:FA03005 Acquisition method:on loan from the Air Historical Branch (MoD)
• "BBC - Your Paintings - Bombers Escorted by Fighters on a Daylight Sweep over the Channel". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2015.