Old Clee Church by Edward Eaton Brannan (1886-1957) c1930s.

A well painted, original watercolour and ink painting in a strong modern British impressionist style. Painted on heavy buff toned and textured wove paper. An original oak frame with single mount..

Edward Eaton Brannan was born in Nottingham on 2nd June 1886. He was the son of Alfred George Brannan (1855-1926), a professor of music and a conductor of orchestras and bands, and Hannah Brannan (née Ashby 1860-1942). By 1891, the family was living at Sculcoates, Hull and by 1901 they had moved to 88 Hainton Street, Grimsby. Young Edward was an auctioneer’s clerk, aged 14. In 1911, the family were living at 3 Rowston Street, Cleethorpes and Edward was a Government clerk.

In 1916, Edward Eaton Brannan married Flory Rowston in the Louth area. In 1921, Edward and Flory were living in North Shields. Edward was a Collector of Fishery Statistics for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Son, Noel Rowston Brannan was born in Tynemouth on Christmas Day 1921. In 1927, they were back in Cleethorpes and living at 71 Cambridge Street. Son, Peter Arthur Brannan was born in Grimsby on 13th December 1926. In 1939, they were living at 103 Highgate, Cleethorpes and Edward was a Chief Statistical Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Peter was still as school in Cleethorpes. (Both boys attended Humberston Foundation School.) In 1939, Noel was living in Peterborough and working as a Clerical Officer.

Edward Eaton Brannan was a fine amateur artist. He retired in 1946 to pursue his painting and exhibited his work in London, Glasgow and Paris and a number of other places. Noel Royston Brannan studied at the School of Art, Lincoln from 1947 to 1951 and at the College of Art, Leicester from 1951-1952. He exhibited his work in a number of top exhibitions. Peter Arthur Brannan studied art at the School of Art, Grimsby and the Leicester College of Art. He exhibited his work in London in 1965, 1967 and 1969.

Edward Arthur Brannan lived at 2 Manor Cottages, Welbourn, Lincolnshire when he died on 21st May 1957. Flory died at Welbourn on 26th August 1973.

Noel Rowston Brannan N.D.D., A.T.D. (1951,1952), painter potter and art master, lived in Lincoln for a time and in Burbage, Leicestershire. He died in Warwickshire on 7th August 2001.

Peter Arthur Brannan R.B.A. (1960) N.D.D. (1952), artist in oil, watercolour etc., died in Lincoln 1st December 1994. He was living at Manor Cottage, 3 Little Lane Welbourn, Lincolnshire.

Research by Grimsby and Cleethorpes Museum.