Art served with the Intelligence Branch of the RCAF where he saw action in France and Germany following D-Day. The painting is taken from a photograph that appeared on the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press on Friday, August 11, 1944 which had the caption:
"Visiting a sector along the Cherbourg peninsula on a day off from his duties at a Canadian airfield in Normandy, Flying Officer Art Booth of Winnipeg struck up an acquaintanceship with this flower-laden French girl".