Edward Arthur (Ted) Milligan was born in Birmingham on 17 July 1921. Despite having no formal artistic training, Ted always demonstrated an aptitude for drawing. His transformation of simple plan and elevation drawings of the 'top-secret' Gloster Meteor jet into full artist’s impressions led to an offer to join the Gloster company but he chose instead to join the Royal Air Force.
After nearly two years of training in Canada and across the UK, on the night of 24/25 June 1944, Ted flew his first operation as bomb aimer with a 49 Squadron crew. Their aircraft was shot down by a German Junkers 88 with three of the crew tragically killed. Ted was taken prisoner and began an arduous journey east, finally arriving at Stalag Luft 7, Bankau, on 13 July 1944.
Despite the difficulties of confinement, Ted completed the first part of his BA in Architecture and embarked on a remarkable body of artworks whilst also helping to produce the POWWOW, camp newspaper, forming an art group and organising an exhibition of arts and crafts over Christmas 1944. Amongst extensive diaries he recorded the arrival of “notable” artist Adrian Heath, who provided inspiration with his “wonderful” portraits and figure studies as well as encouragement and materials.
The proximity of Russian forces initiated a forced march of 240 km in 18 days, with blizzard conditions and only starvation rations. From their destination of Stalag 3A the inmates watched at close quarters the daily bombardment of Berlin before their liberation by an advance column of Russians on 22 April 1945.
Teds wartime experiences directly influenced his successful post-war career as architect, architectural illustrator and artist. He worked on many high-profile projects, including an airport and power station, factories and shopping centres. He worked well into his eighties, including re-designing and building his own homes.
A lifelong artist, Ted’s wartime artworks came to prominence during the last two years of his life through his collaboration with artist Jon England.
Ted died on 12 July 2011, five days short of his ninetieth birthday.
