The Repair Shop restore late Bolton artist's work

Nonny Jackson-Twist, who now lives in Birkenhead having grown up in Bolton, recounted his grandad’s life on The Repair Shop episode that aired March 24.

Formerly known as Simon, Mr Jackson-Twist brought a piece of art painted by his grandad, Fredrick Alexander Twist, depicting the hills above Beirut, Lebanon, in order to have it restored to its former glory.

Fredrick created the piece in 1945 during his time stationed there in World War Two.

Mr Jackson-Twist said: “He was a very talented artist. I didn’t realise how talented he was until it was restored.

Mr Jackson-Twist with Fredrick's restored artwork

“It’s been in storage for about 15 years. It was so damaged I wasn’t sure what she was going to do. It was knackered. It was rolled up.

“It wasn’t even a proper canvas, it was taken off a burned out truck.”

On having the restored piece revealed to him, he added: “I was blown away. I didn’t think it would be that good. The detail and the colour.”

A former art teacher at Harper Green and English Martyrs in Farnworth, Fredrick was one of only eight of the 80 Royal Signals to return from the station, where he would frequently be on the frontline.

After the war ended, Fredrick went skiing in the mountains and injured his leg, leaving him stranded.

Fredrick and his broken leg and another injured man

He was then rescued by a Bedouin tribe, who returned Fredrick to his army base.

The injury prolonged his stay in the Middle East as Fredrick was not able to be transported home in a truck. He stayed at an embassy in Aley in Lebanon, and from his bed he painted the scene.

“People would come and give him a thumbs up and bring him hummus and olives,” Mr Jackson-Twist said.

Fredrick also painted a large frieze behind the altar at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Farnworth and was well known in the community.

Fredrick painting

Fredrick died in 1991, but it seems that his legacy is not only on display via his paintings, but in the artistic talents members of Nonny’s family shares with him.

Mr Jackson-Twist said: “My creativity lies in music, but my dad was an architect, and my brother is an architect, and my daughter has a degree in fine art. My sister is also a good drawer.”