Pamela Drew

Born in Burnley, Lancashire, Pamela studied in London at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art and then in Paris. She painted the ‘John Knox Monument’ poster for Shell in 1936 as part of the Visit Britain campaign. This series of posters by Shell showcased interesting follies and landscapes from across the country as means of encouraging motorists to get out in their cars and see Britain.

The following year, in 1937 Pamela married Lord Rathdonnell, who was a good friend of her brother. They moved to the family seat in Lisnavagh, Ireland.  Interestingly the writer John Betjeman, who edited the Shell County Guides during the 1930s, is recorded as visiting their home in Ireland in 1941.

The following year, in 1937 Pamela married Lord Rathdonnell, who was a good friend of her brother. They moved to the family seat in Lisnavagh, Ireland.  Interestingly the writer John Betjeman, who edited the Shell County Guides during the 1930s, is recorded as visiting their home in Ireland in 1941.

Pamela Drew copyright Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

During the Second World War Pamela served as an Officer in the Wrens for the RAF Coastal Command in Plymouth. Her experience here led to her being commissioned to record RAF activities in Kenya and the Middle East.

These works were exhibited in London in 1956 at the Imperial Suite in South Kensington. Some of these works are now held in the Government Art Collection alongside her paintings ‘Coronation Night, Buckingham Palace’ 1953 and ‘Departure of HM Queen Elizabeth II on the Royal Tour’ 1954.

References

British Council - Pamela Drew

British Newspaper Archive - The Tatler

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