Putting the finishing touches to a life-size portrait of Gravesend mace bearer, the 61-year-old John Parkinson, the submission to the Royal Academy is Mr Arnold Mason, RA, Sgt at miss Parkinson has been made bearer at Gravesend for 20 years, and is an organising secretary of the 200 strong National Association of mace bearers. He has for the past 3 years spent most of his spare time posing for Mr Mason's portrait. 1 April 1947