Reginald John 'Rex' Whistler (June 24, 1905 - July 18, 1944) was a British artist. Born in Eltham, Kent, Whistler was the son of an architect. Whistler was a very successful portraitist, painting several members of London's high society, a group that came to be known as the 'Bright Young Things' (of which he was a part). He was commissioned by Shell Petroleum and Radio Times to create illustrations and posters. His best known early work is a mural painted for the restaurant at the Tate Gallery (now Tate Britain) completed in 1927 at the age of 22. When World War II broke out, Whistler signed up, even though he was 35. He was commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Welsh Guards. He was killed in action on July 18, 1944, in Normany, France, by a mortar.