Painter, printmaker, verse writer and teacher, born in London, married to the artist Frances Macdonald. He studied at Goldsmiths’ College, 1931–5, under Clive Gardiner, then at Royal College of Art with Barnett Freedman, 1935–8. Taught at Bournemouth College of Art. Appelbee showed at RA, RSA, Arts Council, British Council and in small group shows at Wildenstein, 1947, and Fine Art Society, 1968. His picture One-man Band was one of the 60 Paintings for ‘51 Festival of Britain show. Had a series of solo shows at Leicester Galleries from 1948 and a notable exhibition at City Museum and Art Gallery, Plymouth, 1977. Appelbee was a distinctive portrait painter, carrying out commissions for Sir Edward Marsh, Eton College, Corpus Christi College in Cambridge and other clients.