Sword donated to exhibition at Norwich cathedral in tribute to WW2 soldier and artist’s life
Rowley Cory-White shows the Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, the sword belonging to his grandfather, Julian Cory-White, which is to go on display at his grandfather's exhibition at the Cathedral Hostry. The Dean is on a military motorbike on loan to the exhibition as a similar bike to the one Julian Cory-White rode. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2016
The ceremonial sword of a skilled artist who died for his country in the Second World War has been donated to an exhibition celebrating his life.
It is the final object to arrive at Norwich Cathedral where visitors can browse the works of Julian Cory-Wright, of Brancaster, who died in Normandy, France, after taking part in the D-Day operation.
The exhibition has been put together by his daughter Juliet Webster, of Norwich, who said it was time to show her father's art to a wider audience.
It contains numerous sketches which depict life training in the army, as well as works produced at the family home in Brancaster Staithe.
A 1940s BSA military dispatch motorbike is also on show, which Mrs Webster requested from the military museum in Muckleborough.
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This is the same type of motorbike which Captain Cory-Wright used to tour the Brecon Beacons in south Wales one day during his time with the army there – a trip which inspired several of the sketches and which he referred to in a letter to his family, which is also part of the exhibition.
'A lot of books and exhibitions about the war focus on the battles, but this exhibition shows what life was like during training in the army,' Mrs Webster said.
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'This is the 100-year anniversary of his birth so it seemed like the right time to show his work to the public.'
The sword, a ceremonial weapon given to Capt Cory-Wright in recognition of his rank in the army, was brought to the cathedral yesterday by his grandson Roland Cory-Wright, who lives in Taverham.
It had been kept in his father's home, but was given a revamp in 2002 when Mr Cory-Wright joined the army.
'As a child I remember the sword was just kept in our umbrella stand,' he said.
'I would swing it around for a bit and then get told off.'
As part of the revamp the sword was inscribed with a memoriam to Capt Cory-Wright, and the object will be on display in the exhibition, which is launches tomorrow.
Mr Cory-Wright said: 'It's fantastic to have this exhibition and it links in with remembrance.
'I haven't seen a lot of my grandfather's work myself up until now. To see part of the stories from his life that I heard snippets of as a child is very interesting.'
The exhibition will be held at the cathedral until November 21.
Wartime Watercolours is at Norwich Cathedral's Hostry from tomorrow until November 21, 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday-Saturday and noon to 3pm on Sundays.
