Featured Can't identify Artist (or Location) - any ideas folks?

Had this painting for quite a few years and it's one of my know-nothing-about-it pieces. I liked the style and palette but never managed to figure out where it was painted -or by whom, as I can't read the signature.
As there are so many good eyes and researchers on the forum, I thought I'd ask if anyone had any clue to either the place or signature ....

I can read the date, '43, so painted during the WW2 era...also the painting was bought in BC Canada but lots of stuff was brought here from elsewhere so it could be from anywhere I suppose.
Oil on masonite (hardboard), size 16" x 19". Any ideas gratefully accepted!







thanks

 

James......Cutworth ???

 

ok...James Ward..??

 

Could be...im leaning towards the W

 

I don't think I've done much to help, but:

 

Last night, I tried various "W" iterations - Warnock, Womack, Whitmore, but couldn't find anything similar. Maybe I'll try Werne*

 

Somewhere where round defensive towers were built. Here's information on Martello towers which may help (but I think they were mainly coastal.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martello_tower

Debora

 

Maybe that's water (the fog) on the other side of the hill.

 

Could the 'W' be a 'Ci'?

 

Done loads of image searches to try and find location but no luck. If we could find location (if real) it would be a good starting point.

 

Somewhere where fir trees predominate

 

Other possibilities, of course, but... the most likely location for someone named James to be painting a landscape with castle tower in 1943 would be the UK. Look familiar to anyone?

Debora

 

Try James Edward

 

It could be this castle in Poland.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipowiec_Castle
And the name could be Jan 'Cz'

 

Welcome, Melpomene.


Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy

 

Hello everyone, Hello Bronwen
I'm quite a happy person, I couldn't find a muse of oil paintings

 

Just another attempt at the signature.....pretty sure you all have a "James" down, it's the last name that's the devil's work!!!!!!!!! Just a couple of slightly different takes on it......which I'm thinking isn't going to help any more either!!! The very end does look like "U script "Z". BUT WAIT.... JUST added a third idea.....a far separated drop shadow......hey, who knows!!!





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On the very end I see the number 43

 

It could be although I personally don't see that as a '4'.....but the whole line is pretty illegible.........