SOUTH CHINA SEA, BY VICE ADMIRAL SIR RODERICK MACDONALD

* VICE ADMIRAL SIR RODERICK MACDONALD KBE (SCOTTISH 1921 - 2001),
SOUTH CHINA SEA
oil on canvas
40cm x 51cm
Framed
Note: Malcolm Innes Gallery label verso. Note: Roderick Douglas Macdonald, always known as Roddy, was born in Java on February 25 1921. He went to Fettes, where in 1938 he captained the Scottish Schoolboys' rugby team. He joined the training ship Frobisher as a Special Entry Cadet in 1939. He retired from the Navy in 1979 as Chief of Staff to the Nato Commander, Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe.He was appointed KBE in 1978. Roddy Macdonald loved his painting almost as much as he loved the Navy. He took his brushes and paint with him in all his appointments. ''I like to paint rapidly,'' he said. ''It's much the same as naval action; lots of thinking and planning and then quick execution.'' His talent was soon widely recognised. His work now hangs in the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Signals and Submarine Museums. He had exhibitions in Naples and Edinburgh and in 2000 had a retrospective in London at which more than 100 drawings and paintings were shown. He loved Scotland and everything Scottish. On his retirement, he assimilated himself effortlessly into the community of the Isle of Skye. He illustrated a book of Gaelic poems by the local Catholic priest, Father Calum McNeill, became chieftain of the Isle of Skye Highland Games and was a trustee of the Clan Donald Lands Trust. Roddy Macdonald was a large man, with a personality and sense of humour to match. The cottage at Braes (Isle of Skye), which overlooks the sea, is where he spent many happy years during retirement. It was gifted by his estate to ''Wasps'' and now has three studios used by artists including the one the Admiral used himself.