A REMARKABLE exhibition of portraits will open in Clydebank Museum and Art Gallery tomorrow to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

All the paintings, by the acclaimed artist Tom McKendrick, a former shipyard worker in the town, are of servicemen and women who have taken pride in having done their duty in service to their country.

They include portraits of Andy Mudd BEM, a member of the Royal Military Police who had his legs blown off in an attack by the IRA in Colchester in 1989; RAF police dog handler Corporal Mick McConnell who was badly injured by a landmine in Afghanistan, and soldier, the late Allan McKinlay, who later became a high ranking police officer in Dumbarton and who was decorated for bravery.

The youngest person to feature in the exhibition is Clydebank Sea Cadet Joanne Durnan, 13, whose dream is to join the Royal Navy.

For Tom, the exhibition is the culmination of six years of work.

He said: “I am very pleased that it has all come together in time to coincide with the centenary of the end of the First World War.

“There will be a private view at which many of the soldiers whom I painted will be present with their families.

“It will be a family occasion, with many bringing along their wives and children and I am sure many of them will be very proud.”

Tom said each portrait would have a panel describing the action each sitter was involved in.

Bailie Denis Agnew told the Post that although he had still to see the exhibition he knew the work on display would be outstanding.

He added: “I am delighted that in Clydebank the council has been able to mount this exhibition in conjunction with an artist of Tom’s calibre.

“It has been in the planning for several years and I am expecting the public to be surprised and moved by the portraits and the information that accompanies them.”

“Soldiers”, an exhibition by artist Tom McKendrick, will run from Tuesday November 6 to Saturday January 12 at Clydebank Museum and Art Gallery.