Czech war hero celebrated in Art for Guernsey collaboration

Tuesday 29 June 2021

Art for Guernsey has been working with the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce to build a relationship with the Czech Republic through creativity and history, following the discovery that a Czech war hero gave his life fighting over Guernsey waters.

The collaborative journey between Guernsey and the Czech Republic will culminate in a specially commissioned piece of work inspired by the Czech solider who died in Guernsey waters.

The relationship began after the Founder of Art for Guernsey was invited on a ‘cultural fieldtrip’ to Prague, with His Excellency Mr Libor Secka, the Czech Ambassador.

It was during this trip David Ummels was made aware of a tragic story that spawned a specially commissioned painting by a Guernsey artist, an Arts for Guernsey film set to be exhibited at a major museum in the Czech Republic, and an exhibition in Guernsey of the Czech Republic’s most renowned artists.

Pictured: Guernsey based artist, Sally Ede-Golightly, has been commissioned for a Cultural Diplomacy project. 

The Story

In 1940, a Czech national called Jaroslav ‘Yardeskie’ Novak came to Britain and joined the RAF’s Volunteer Reserve. 

Mr Novak flew in the 312^th Czech Squadron during World War Two, during which he was involved in a skirmish off St Peter Port.

On 14 May 1943, Mr Novak’s squadron was called to attack a convoy of 12 German boats in our waters; with Guernsey being occupied by the Germans and heavily fortified, the mission was extremely dangerous.

Mr Novak’s Spitfire came under heavy fire from flak guns. He attempted to directly take down a gun based at Brehou Tower but was shot down. His last recorded message over the radio was ‘Goodbye boys, give my best wishes…’.

His body was never recovered.

Pictured: Mr Novak was based at Fairwood Common while with the RAF.

Guernsey-based figurative artist, Sally Ede-Golightly, has been commissioned for a Cultural Diplomacy project by Arts for Guernsey, to memorialise Mr Novak.

“I am continually aware of Mr Novak’s generosity in volunteering for the RAF’s Czech Squadrons and the enormity of this sacrifice.

“The opportunity to have this painting on display in Prague is humbling and exciting, as it allows Novak’s extraordinary story to go full circle,” she said.

Pictured: Mr Secka invited several British curators to the Czech Republic in July 2019.

Ms Ede-Golightly’s painting will be unveiled at Chamber of Commerce on 8 July.

“This fantastic initiative by Art for Guernsey further builds on the charity’s impressive efforts on the same basis and we are delighted to be part of the Czech engagement and commemoration activity,” said the Executive Director of the GCC, Kay Leslie.

“We would encourage all businesses and individuals to consider engaging with this type of cultural diplomacy to help both Chamber and Art for Guernsey raise the Guernsey ‘brand’ in an effective and appropriate way.”