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War Years 1917-1918, 1939-1945
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In 1917 he joined the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment (No.57304), and during World War I, when not fighting, he entertained the soldiers. He was not one of the famous Splinters, but he knew them well. He later joined the 13th Durham Light Infantry (No. 92465) WW2 During the war he was a member of ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association), which co-ordinated troop's entertainment during the war. |
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ENSA was created by Basil Dean, with the first ENSA show being performed on 10th December 1939 at The Old Dean Camp in Camberley. The party included Frances Day and Arthur Riscoe. A week later another show including Beatrice Lillie, Annette Mills and Jack Warner was staged at the Hurlingham Club for the RASC.The first overseas show given by ENSA was headed by Gracie Fields and took place on November 15th 1939 in front of the theatre in Douai, France. Gracie was the first of a long list of famous personalities, who performed for the Forces from Iceland to Rangoon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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These included: Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, John Geilgud, Ralph Richardson, Joyce Grenfell, George Formby, Edith Evans, Michael Wilding, Noel Coward, Margaret Rutherford, Gertrude Lawrence, Anna Neagle, Vera Lynn and Ivor Novello. ENSA pulled down the curtain in July 1946 and was succeeded by CSE, Combined Services Entertainment. |
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