Barbara Lewis, family, and invited guests.

I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the extraordinary talent of the late Ted Lewis.

The exhibition on display here at the Sarjeant Gallery leaves us in no doubt how great that talent was.

And the paintings and writings of Ted Lewis are captured magnificently in the book published by my old friend Roger Steele, that we are launching this evening.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Ted, but I do feel a degree of personal affinity with him.
My father was in the Royal Engineers and like Ted Lewis spent much of the War in North Africa.

And like Ted and his wife Barbara, my family moved to Wanganui. We came along a few years later - Ted had just left Wanganui Boys College when I started there as a student.

In North Africa and Italy, Ted Lewis used talent as a draftsman working for General Freyberg's Divisional Headquarters. But his gift for art and for humour was also used to help his comrades deal with the horrors of war. His cartoons, published in the NZEF Times captured so well the kiwi spirit.

As the book's title tells us, Ted was no soldier. At the end of the war he handed in his rifle, which had never fired a shot. But he played as important a role as any Kiwi soldier, sailor and airman. His British Empire Medal for "outstanding and distinguished service" was richly deserved.

I want to read two diary excerpts. The first I saw for the first time today – in my father's diary. The second, Ted's poignant comment at the time of ceasefire in North Africa.

(excerpts read).

After the war Ted continued to serve, as an inspirational art teacher here in Wanganui.

His war time records and experiences may have remained a private record.

We are fortunate that his war dairy was seen and its value recognised. We must offer our thanks to two of Ted's former pupils, David Young and David Kent, for their vision, encouragement and persistence in pursuing this book project.

It brings together in a unique way the remarkable paintings, drawings and cartoons, with a well-crafted and sometimes moving text drawn from Ted's diary.

The story of the human tragedy and awful cost of war has seldom been more effectively told. Quite simply – this is an important book.

Since Ted's death in 1992, Barbara, supported by her family, has seen the project through to publication.

We can learn so many important lessons for the future, from our past. Ted Lewis has left us a wonderful legacy.

Carol and I count it a real privilege to be part of this special occasion.