Canadian Artist Edgar T. Jones signed Watercolour landscape. 24.5" x 20"
From the Family estate.
 
 
EDGAR THOMPSON JONES
Naturalist-Photographer-Film-maker-Activist-Lecturer
Edmonton, Alberta
 
Born November 22, 1922- Passed September 28, 2011
 
Edgar T. Jones was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, November 22, 1922, moving to Edmonton with his family when he was still a boy. As a child he developed an early interest in nature, while accompanying his father, a landscape artist. This early interest in the natural world was later encouraged by Dr. William Rowan, a University of Alberta zoologist, who was the young Edgar’s next door neighbor. He encouraged Edgar to pick up road killed birds and mammals to use as models for Edgar’s developing sketching and painting skills and at the same time encouraged and guided him in a deeper understanding of the complexities of the natural world around him. This early childhood curiosity would later blossom into a lifelong career of international importance and recognition. As a teen, however, this curiosity lead to the development of a significant collection of scientific specimens, which, in 1941, he donated to the University of Alberta Zoology Department in recognition of the guiding influence of Dr. Rowan.
 
Not content with appreciating and sketching wildlife from a distance, Edgar wanted to be actively involved in the wildlife field, helping unlock the mysteries and wonders of nature. Under the guiding influences of Dr. Rowan, who was doing pioneer research on bird migration, Edgar, at the age of 16, began banding birds for Ducks Unlimited at Many Island Lake near Medicine Hat, Alberta. He has banded hundreds of birds annually ever since, helping scientists across North and South America to unravel the mysteries of bird migration. Direct involvement became the creed of his own later pioneering efforts in wildlife conservation.
 
At nineteen he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving his operational time as a pilot stationed with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command in England from 1941 to 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after safely returning his crew and damaged plan from a raid over Berlin, a feat documented in the book, The R.C.A.F. at War; 1939-1945, by Larry Milberry and Hugh A. Halliday. Edgar’s war career was also featured in a second publication titled R.C.A.F. Association, published by the Turner Publishing Company. After successfully completing a tour of 29 missions, he was awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross.
 
In good condition.