Wellingborough artist receives 'proper thank you' 42 years after mystery of 'exquisite' Second World War memento is solved

The family of an American airman, who treasured a bottle decorated with the picture of his Second World War bomber, has finally been able to thank the Wellingborough artist 42 years after he created it.

In June 1978, John Stock, then a 47-year-old tyre fitter, had taken a day out of his family holiday in Great Yarmouth to travel to Bassingbourn to a reunion of members of the USAF who had been based at the Cambridgeshire camp.

With him was a bottle he had painted with enamels of a B17 flying fortress bomber - The Out House Mouse - which he gifted to one of the former crew members.

Gratefully received by American airman Joseph Frankie Jr, and his son Joe, the pair attempted and failed to find the artist to thank him, but took the memento back to Texas and put it on display in Mr Frankie's home.

In July 2020, Joe, a retired colonel in the US army, was moving the bottle and noticed that the artist's name and address were painted on the base, finally enabling the search to continue.

After contacting the Northants Telegraph via Facebook, it was discovered that Mr Stock was still alive and well and living in Wellingborough - a thank you letter was delivered to him.

The letter said: " It is a pleasure to be assisted by many people in the US and UK to eventually find you.

"You artfully and graciously painted the Bassingbourn Bottle for the June 1978 reunion of the 91st Bomb Group (Heavy) which largely took place in Bassingbourn (RAF Station 121).

"I attended this reunion with my father, Joseph Frankie Jr So I was present when one of the reunion organisers announced 'who flew on the Out House Mouse?'

"My father was the only one who raised his hand. It was remarked that a local artist had painted it in the spirit of reunion and their service during World War II. That is how we became the guardians of the Bassingbourn Bottle when it was passed on to my father.

"During the reunion we asked many of the British volunteers about the artist but no-one knew at the time.

"My father lamented over the years that we should thank the artist for the exquisite artful memento of the Out House Mouse - all we had was a name.

"It was not until recently when I was moving the bottle that I noticed your name and UK address were painted on the bottom of the bottle.

"I wished this revelation could have occured when my father was living. He passed away in November 2003. It is amazing that at the reunion and over the years that no one looked at the bottom of the bottle.

"Mr Stock thank you for your artful labor of love that has expressed so much the partnership and commonality as well as the courage of young men who gave their full measure over the skies of Europe to defeat a common foe.

"I hope you will accept this delayed thank you of my father, myself and the members/families of the 91st Bomb Group (H) 1942-1945 Bassingbourn, UK"

Sandra Kelly, receiving the letter on behalf of her father John Stock said: "He's always been fascinated by the war. His dad served in Italy after he was called up in 1941 and he served with the Royal Army Service Corps and the Border Regiment.

"He used to go to all the reunions and even now we go to Sywell. I remember that holiday and he disappeared the first day but he was always doing that sort of thing.

"We still go to the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial to pay our respects."

John, 89, who served in the Royal Navy during his National Service, said: "I went to art college in Rochdale for a year but I dropped out to get a proper job. I painted lots of bottles for friends and family. I didn't make any money though, it was a hobby.

Sandra added: "It's really nice to get this letter. It's lovely. Hopefully it will stimulate his memory."

In a letter to the Stock family, Joe added: "It is remarkable that over all the years talking about the art work, no one ever noticed your father’s full address on the bottom of the bottle.

"The 1978 reunion was remarkable and notable. I have never been anywhere in the world where people everywhere were so friendly, welcoming and grateful.

"It was a magical time for me to see the stories of my childhood come alive at a place called Bassingbourn. My father treasured your father’s token of appreciation.

"I am so relieved and happy that we’re able to provide a proper thank you."

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