John Thomas Young Gilroy (1898-1985)

Painter and illustrator, born in Whitley Bay, Newcastle upon Tyne. He studied at Armstrong under R. G. Hatton in his hometown. His father William Gilroy was a marine and landscape painter and technical draughtsman and it was obvious from an early age that his son would follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1912 he enrolled at the Armstrong College Art, Durham University where he studied under Professor K.G. Hatten. World War I interrupted his studies and he served with the Royal Field Artillery in France, Italy and Palestine. In September 1919 he resumed his studies taking a place at the Royal College of Art, London. During his time there he produced illustrations for the college student magazine and in 1920 he attained his Board of Education certificate and the RCA diploma in decorative painting. His work was also rewarded through scholarships and prizes, winning, in 1919, the North Lordbourne prize for composition and in 1921, the co