A WESTBURY artist has completed her portrait of Kenneth Chapman, the WW2 pilot who made the news earlier this year after his family were found just days before his burial.

After learning that Sgt Chapman's relatives had been found following an appeal led by the Ministry of Defence, Helen Chester was inspired to study his life and draw his portrait.

Mrs Chester, who works from a studio in her back garden in Westbury, contacted Mr Chapman’s family after reading the story to ask if they would like a portrait.

She said: “Not only did the story of Kenneth’s family being found inspire me, but my grandfather also used to live next door to him, which is quite a coincidence and made me want to do his portrait even more.

“As well as Kenneth's face I also drew his RAF badge, a Lancaster plane and stained glass windows from The Laverton – all things which were significant to his life.

“It took a couple of months to complete as there are lots of layers to it and I'm really happy with the finished article.

“To draw it I predominantly used oil paint and made the badge from gold leaf.”

Mrs Chester, who has a degree in fine art and has worked in art restoration, is now trying to find a place for the portrait to live and will give copies to relatives of Mr Chapman.

Lancaster JB 640, which Sgt Chapman was on, was lost on the night of January 2 1944 on a sortie to Berlin.

Relatives of Sgt Chapman attended his burial service in Berlin on April 28 this year, just days after they were found.