© Press Association
My
Why should the support of our Armed Forces from the world of celebrity matter so much? The following insight shows the great value placed on this support not only by the general public but also by the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. BY CHARLES FORD
C
elebrity support for the Armed Forces has a long and noble history stretching back well over a hundred years. But it was with the
invention of photography and the ‘wireless’ that a new type of celebrity profile was raised, bringing forth a glittering array of famous faces from music halls and theatres, many of whom became ‘Forces Sweethearts’. One particular favourite for World War I soldiers
was the actress Gladys Cooper. Postcards of the day show what a beautiful young woman Gladys was and many a soldier who was taking the troop trains from London’s Waterloo Station towards the front line carried with him postcard images of Gladys. However, it was not until the onset of World
War II that troop entertainment became a major operation and a major success with the support of Winston Churchill’s wartime government. The organisation that raised the curtain on this magnificent troop entertainment effort was the Entertainments National Service Association, commonly known as ENSA. This Association was the brainchild of the impresario Basil Dean, operating as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (the NAAFI). Throughout the war, Dean gathered together most of the famous names of the day, many of whom, because it was wartime, were pleased to be given the work which offered a modest but very acceptable performance fee and sometimes a salary. Many actors and actresses were out of work at the time, and the £10 a week fixed salary from ENSA was a lifeline. Singers and comedians were
amongst the most popular acts (with Terry-Thomas being just one of the comedy script writers, later to become a famous film star in his own right in the fifties and sixties). Other famous stars such as Vera Lynn, Tommy Trinder, Arthur Askey and ‘Stinker’ Murdoch, George
Formby and Gracie Fields all joined ENSA to aid the war effort. But despite the star line-up, many of the productions were substandard – hardly surprising in the circumstances – however, this gained ENSA the affectionate interpretations of ‘Every Night Something Awful’. Vera Lynn, perhaps the most popular of all the
Forces Sweethearts, sang her heart out with ‘We’ll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when, But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day...’. A three- minute song with music and lyrics by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles that completely chimed with the nostalgic feelings our troops had as they left their wives and sweethearts to go to war in 1939. The song was so popular that it spawned the musical We’ll Meet Again (1943) with Vera Lynn (later Dame Vera) taking the lead role. In more recent decades, this song has had covers by an array of artists who might not seem to be completely in sync with Dame Vera’s version: The Byrds, Johnny Cash, and Barry Manilow to name just a few. Also stepping up to the lights (when lights
were permitted) were newcomers Tommy Cooper, Jimmy Edwards, and Frankie Howerd, who all went on to become household names of the titter-ye-not variety club. However much they may have joked about
‘Every Night Something Awful’, the morale boost these performances gave the serving Armed Forces was tremendous, and this very British entertainment genre set a trend in comedy that lasted well into the fifties, sixties and beyond, with, amongst others, Hancock’s Half Hour, The Goon Show, and the TV sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot
I am delighted that the public have a chance to show their appreciation for those serving in HM Armed Forces. I hope the day goes really well
– Richard Wilson
brother was in the Army for many years and I have had first-hand
experience of visiting the Troops in Afghanistan. The boys and girls do a fantastic job for our country and my love and support goes out to all of them. – Claire Sweeney
I want to show my support for all the servicemen and women I met while visiting Afghanistan last year and to say thank you to the Armed Forces community for the huge contribution they make on behalf of our country. – Gary Lineker
I salute
all those in our Armed Forces, past and present,
who put their lives on the line for the rest of us. – Michael Palin
The
contribution made to our society by our Armed Forces and veterans, and the sacrifices they have made for our country’s security, are immeasurable. Armed Forces Day is our way of showing thanks, respect and pride for the men and women who serve and have served us so bravely. – Andy McNab
www.armedforcesday.org.uk SHOW YOUR SUPPORT 71
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100