John Myles Fleming, 1913-1991

• Biography

  Attribute	Value
  Biography	John Fleming was born on 23rd April 1913 in Methil, Fife. John was interested in art from an a very early age. After going to Aberhill Primary School, Methil he then went to the Redding School near Falkirk where he won 1st prize in Art for a drawing of a badger and a horse. He also became fluent in French. Later at Edinburgh College of Art, he won two scholarships, one to visit Gent, and the other to visit Venice and Milan. Whilst at ECA, he produced a 'layout' for an exhibition of students' work, which consisted of drawings of famous London buildings such as St Pauls and the Albert Hall all drawn laid out in an arch shape, even though he had never visited London and seen these buildings. A visitor from London Transport at the exhibition, saw his work and asked to meet 'Beath' who then went to London for an interview where he was offered a job but returned home as the pay was considered too low. A week later, aged 21, he accepted an improved offer and moved to London. Beath was based at St James's Park where he worked with Eric Lombers, living in Putney until he was called into the RAF around 1942. He was posted to Orkney and whilst there he produced a poster for a dance. When his Senior Officer found that he was a commercial artist in civvy street, he was posted back to London. He worked in Ruislip producing maps, including those on edible rice paper which were used by the D-Day landing troops. After the war he taught at a college in Newport, Gwent and then in 1955 he moved to Bradford College of Art, where he again met up with Eric Lombers. Beath was Head of Graphic Design and Advertising for many years and taught there until his retirement in 1978. In his retirement he designed posters for his local church's social events and renewed his interest in designing stained glass windows which he had first come across at Edinburgh College of Art, where he had designed a window to commerate the 1923 Redding Pit disaster and another based on the Italian styles he had seen on a visit to Milan. These windows were never made up. Beath died aged 78 on the 18th May 1991.
  Date of death	18 May 1991
  Place of birth	Methil, Fife, Scotland
  Education	Edinburgh College of Art, Redding School, Aberhill Primary School,
  Employment	Designed posters for London Transport, 1936-1954
  Role	Artist,