A very special gift for Market Garden veteran Geoff Roberts MBE
A remarkable piece of artwork presented to Second World War Market Garden veteran Geoff Roberts MBE for his 100th birthday is now available as a limited-edition print, with proceeds supporting two causes close to his heart: the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and the Friends of the Tenth.
The story behind the artwork is one of regimental pride, enduring friendship and a shared determination to honour the men who fought during Operation Market Garden.
A friendship forged through shared history
Jim Fraser, Mike Tierney and Ed Swales all served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) in the 1990s, the same regiment as Geoff, as well as with the Airborne Forces. Their paths first crossed in 1994 when Jim attended the 50th anniversary commemorations of Operation Market Garden in Arnhem with a group of KOSB soldiers, where he met a group of around 20 KOSB veterans, including Geoff.
Geoff’s character made an immediate impression. His warmth, humour and personality ensured he was someone the friends would remember long after that first meeting. This was reinforced when Ed met him at the 75th anniversary in 2019.
As a result, in 2020, Jim, Mike and Ed planned another trip to Arnhem, but the Covid pandemic forced them to postpone their visit until 2022. When they finally returned, they were able to meet Geoff at the roundabout, that will later be named in his honour. The banter flowed, they hit it off again immediately and their friendship grew.
They met again in 2024 for the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, sharing another important moment in the place that had brought them together more than three decades earlier.
Then, in 2025, came some wonderful news. The friends were delighted to learn that they would be invited to Geoff’s 100th birthday party. They wanted to mark this extraordinary milestone with a gift that would mean something truly special to Geoff and reflect their shared regimental history.
Bringing history to life through art
Jim, Mike and Ed commissioned artist Derek Chambers to create an original piece of artwork for Geoff. They researched the wartime diaries and accounts to ensure the scene was rooted in history. They knew the White House, a location associated with the fighting around Arnhem, needed to feature in the composition. They also identified a bayonet charge that they felt would make a powerful subject for the painting.
The friends were thrilled by Derek’s early sketches, but the finished artwork surpassed even their expectations. The striking charcoal image captures the intensity and courage of the fighting, while the colours of the Leslie tartan patch and subtle touches of maroon in the beret bring a personal connection to Geoff and his Regiment. These carefully chosen details made the picture all the more meaningful.
On the day of Geoff’s 100th birthday celebration in June 2025, Jim had the pleasure of piping him into his party. Later, the friends presented Geoff with the framed artwork. Geoff was speechless. The gift moved him deeply, and the other guests were equally impressed, expressing their admiration for the quality and thought behind the piece. It was a fitting tribute to a remarkable veteran and a friendship that had endured for more than 30 years.
A limited-edition print supporting veterans
As the friends admired the finished artwork, an idea began to take shape. They realised that making the image available to others could help raise money for the charities that mean so much to Geoff.
A limited edition of just 50 prints has been produced. Each print has been signed by both Derek Chambers and Geoff Roberts, making it a particularly special keepsake for anyone with an interest in Operation Market Garden, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers or the history of the Second World War.
Ten per cent of the profit will go to the Friends of the Tenth, at the request of the artist who has family connections to the 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment. The remaining 90 per cent will be donated to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which has given Geoff so many opportunities to return to Arnhem and remember the men who served alongside him.
A small number of the 707mm by 510mm prints are still available at £250 each, plus postage. To order a print, please email info@taxicharity.org. The Taxi Charity will pass your enquiry
to Jim, who will arrange payment and delivery.
This special artwork is far more than a picture of a wartime scene. It is a tribute to
Geoff, a celebration of regimental comradeship and a lasting reminder of how shared
history can bring people together across generations. Through the generosity of Jim,
Mike and Ed, Geoff’s remarkable story will continue to inspire others while helping
the Taxi Charity take more veterans on the journeys that mean so much to them.
