Allan Walton

British painter and textile artist Allan Walton initially studied architecture in London and art at the Westminster School of Art, and then studied painting in Paris. In 1943 he was appointed director of the Art School in Glasgow until 1945.

In addition, Walton and his brother Roger formed their own company printing textiles for the furniture industry. The company became a leader in screen-printed textiles. Walton was a designer for carpets, ceramics, electric fires, furniture and textiles. He also became interested in interior design and the restoration of old buildings, and was one of the first people to be made a member of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry. Walton was also an original member of the Council of Industrial Design and was on the Council of the Royal College of Art. He died just weeks after the Olympics, before he could take up his post as professor of design at the Royal College of Art.

Walton’s entry was titled J-Class Yachts, Harwich Regatta. J-Class yachts competed for the America’s Cup from 1914-37. In the years before World War 2, regattas of large yachts were held regularly off the harbor town of Harwich.