Christmas day 1941 and a young family celebrate. Each person, 3 sisters, a brother and their mother receives a present sent more than a month earlier from their father who has been sent overseas. His ship had been on the way to Egypt and called in at Derban from where he posted presents (including olive wood camels and a small wooden aerodrome for his son). Boxing day, there is a knock at the door. It is the dreaded telegram. Mr Price has been posted missing in action in North Africa and this happened in November. Due to a mix up in place names the telegram has been around the country before getting to the correct address. Christmas will never be the same again. This family's life will change forever. I understand that Mr. Price was one of perhaps several thousand men on a ship that was torpedoed with the loss of all on board. I have no further information on this at the moment and hope to clarify this aspect. I only found all this out in the last few years. It was my mother who was there to open her present on Christmas day 1941 from a father never to return. I anticipate that this may touch a raw nerve for those concerned (and it has been emotional for me too). In some way this event leads my family to where we are now. That awful incident changed lives forever but it set them on a new course and I hope that comfort comes from the good that we have now. My painting is inspired by these events surrounding a Granddad that I never met. ♦ Me: Why not include your Granddads rank in the painting title. ♦ KB: I admit that this is partly to provoke a little more thought. Those that do not know the story might think things along the lines of the price for scrifice. ♦ Me: Will you sell this painting? ♦ KB: I would prefer to give it to the right museum if kept in context with the story and a guarantee to let it see the public from time to time. Alternatively I will consider "hosting" it somewhere suitable. You can buy it for £19,411,226 or perhaps £26,121,941 depending on how I feel. Smart readers will spot the significance of the numbers in the prices and know that, failing the right museum / gallery, I absolutely will keep this one. ♦ Me: The sky & sea are fairly calm. ♦ KB: Ideal conditions for a U-boat attack. ♦ Me: What's the blackness in the water? ♦ KB: Engine oil from a sunken ship. ♦ Me: And the poppy? ♦ KB: I don't think I need to say any more now, do I?