The 1940s Society

For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

Issue 85 May / June 2014 £3.00

Dunkirk 74 Years on - Sean Longden looks at the Men Left Behind

Charters & Caldicott Peter Storey tells the story of the Comedy Duo

Arthur Rosebury by Jeff “Two-Tone Boogie”

Diary Events And much more...

The 1940’s Society, 90 Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UX Tel: 01732 452505 Web: www.1940.co.uk Email: [email protected]

1 A Grand Day Out? Last months call for members to support a local charity brought a fine selection of vintage clothes out into the open. The Sevenoaks Youth Area Trust who were organising the 1940s Murder Mystery evening were delighted with our attendance and the members that came along had a great evening. More importantly, some much needed funding was raised for a very worthwhile cause.

Meeting up at such events is a fantastic opportunity to get to know one another and have a chat so perhaps it’s something we should do more often. If you have any ideas for a possible outing then do drop me a line and we can see if we can put something together.

Of course one opportunity to meet up is on the 24th May at the Coco Club in Sevenoaks (see advert in this issue). At the time of writing tickets are still available but do call the box office to check before turning up. Brandyn Shaw is a superb entertainer and has been very much complimented and compared with Al Bowley. If you get a chance come along and see for yourself.

Ian

A few members of the 1940s Society who supported the SYAT charity event last month.

Please support the Society with a subscription on-line at www.1940.co.uk or fill out and return the form on the back of this magazine.

If you have any comments, articles or information of interest we would be pleased to consider it for future use. Please contact us at: The 1940’s Society, 90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2UX or email us at: [email protected] .

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part and in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior permission of the editor. Whilst every care is taken with material submitted to ‘The 1940s Society”, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the 1940s Society.

Whilst every effort has been made to contact all copyright holders, the sources of some pictures that may be used are obscure. The publishers will be glad to make good in future editions any error or omissions brought to their attention. The publication of any quotes or illustrations on which clearance has not been given is unintentional.

Designed and produced by Ian Bayley. . © Ian Bayley 2014

2 The 1940s Society For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

Regular meetings at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks Friday 23 May 2014 - 8pm Dunkirk - The Untold Story A presentation by Sean Longden The story of the Dunkirk evacuation is traditionally told in terms of the men who escaped from Dunkirk on the famed ‘little ships’. However, tonight, the focus is not on the men who got away but on the men who were left behind in France.

For every seven men that got away from Dunkirk, one man was captured by the Germans. We follow their experiences on forced marches across France and Belgium into Germany and the horrors of violence and starvation that they endured.

Sean will look at their experiences in the first few months of living in POW camps as well as those soldiers who went into hiding in France and eventually escaped to Spain and North Africa. Some eventually made the journey home.

74 years ago this month the ‘miracle of Dunkirk’ took place. This evening’s talk gives a very different perspective to the Dunkirk story, one which remained hidden for many years.

Sean Longden is a bestselling author of many books including one on the evacuation of Dunkirk. He is an excellent speaker and we are delighted that he is able to join us this evening. Do come along.

Friendly meetings learning more about life in the 1940’s. Meetings start at 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall, Nr. Sevenoaks. Admission £3. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 or visit the Web Site at: www.1940.co.uk

3 Advertise here for as little as £20

4 DUNKIRK THE MEN THEY LEFT BEHIND

Our May speaker Sean Longden will be giving us a new perspective into the ‘miracle’ of Dunkirk later this month as we remember it’s 74th anniversary. Here he gives us a taste of his book - Dunkirk The men they left behind.

‘Is anyone there? Is anyone into the waters of the English there?’ With these words General Channel, there was nothing to Harold Alexander signalled the do but draw the proceedings to a end of the drama of Dunkirk. close. Searching along the quayside within the port and patrolling When Alexander had allowed the waters beside the beach, himself a final search of the the general held firmly on to perimeter, calling out to any who his megaphone, calling out for might yet remain on shore and and stragglers still waiting for receiving no reply, he returned evacuation. It was 2a.m. on to the harbour and boarded a the morning of 3 June 1940. waiting destroyer. Satisfied that For six long, arduous days the the evacuation was complete, beleaguered British Expeditionary the order to set sail was given Force (BEF) had been slowly and the ship cast off, zig-zagging but surely evacuated from the its way across the night waters harbour and beaches of Dunkirk. towards Dover. As his ship tied up For some, the story had seemed alongside the quay next morning, miraculous – somehow, with the and the general disembarked to enemy just miles away and their make his way to the War Office, planes dominating the skies above the story of Dunkirk came to the beaches, 338,226 soldiers an end. Now it was time for the had been embarked on ships legend to grow. and sent home to Britain. With the evacuation completed it was However despite the ominous time for Operation Dynamo to silence that had greeted end. As the last of the Royal Navy Alexander as he scoured Dunkirk destroyers slipped safely away and its beaches for waiting troops,

5 some men were still out there. make their own circuitous ways Somewhere in the darkness were home independently, whether over 68,000 British soldiers who by walking across France or had never reached safety. On rowing across the Channel. All the beaches and sand dunes of that mattered was that they were Dunkirk, in the fields of Flanders, heading home, no matter how beside the roads and amid the long it took or how far their journey ruins, lay corpses of hundreds would take them. who had not reached the boats. They had paid the ultimate price But for the majority left behind, Also during the fighting retreat. They now prisoners of war, the journey scattered were not alone in their defeat. was not to freedom. Hour upon across the Elsewhere were hospitals full hour, mile upon mile, day after countryside of the sick and wounded who day, they walked. The feet of had been left behind to receive the dejected and defeated men were treatment from the enemy’s shuffled over the cobblestones hundreds doctors. And further afield – still of the seemingly endless roads. of lost fighting hard alongside its French Shoulders hunched, staring at and lonely allies – was the entire 51st the ground in front of them, they soldiers. Highland Division, and a myriad of moved ever onward. Beneath the other units, some large and some searing summer sun the starving small, whose war had not finished rabble continued their journey into as the last boats slipped away the unknown. Like the remnants of from Dunkirk. some pitiful ancient tribe sold into slavery, they shuffled forwards. Also scattered across the Stomachs shrunken and throats countryside were hundreds of lost parched, they hardly dared think and lonely soldiers. These were of the food and water that might the ‘evaders’ who had missed the bring salvation. boats and evaded capture and were now desperately trying to Some were half-carrying, half- make their own circuitous ways dragging their sick and exhausted home– still fighting hard alongside friends. Others, too weak to help its French allies – was the entire the sick, were forced to abandon 51st Highland Division, and a their mates at the roadside. Yet myriad of other units, some large most simply trudged on in silence and some small, whose war had men like twenty-one-year-old Ken not finished as the last boats Willats who just five months earlier slipped away from Dunkirk. had been a chef in a London restaurant. Now, not having seen Also scattered across the food for days, he was too weak countryside were hundreds of lost even to raise a hand to wipe a POW’s being and lonely soldiers. These were squashed fly from his forehead. marched from the cliff tops. (from the ‘evaders’ who had missed the ‘Dunkirk’ by Sean boats and evaded capture and Longden) were now desperately trying to

6 Desperate men summoned up evacuation of over 300,000 fellow their last vestiges of energy and soldiers at Dunkirk. Their sacrifice fought for scraps of food. They had brought the salvation of dropped to their knees in ditches the British nation. Yet they had just to drink from the dirty brown been forgotten while those who water. At night they collapsed by escaped to safety and made their the roadside, often deep in sleep way back home were hailed as before their heads touched the heroes. It was an indignity that earth. Then, just a few short hours long remained in the minds of that later, they dragged themselves to defeated army. Whips, their feet again to continue their sticks, journey. Who could forget that ordeal? truncheons Certainly not Les Allan. Sixty As they walked they listened years on he surveyed the rows and rifle- to the shouts of their guards – of veterans parading through the butts screaming at them to hurry up – streets of Dunkirk. Heads held beat the and to the cries of their comrades high, chests swollen with pride offenders as blows rained down on those and festooned with medals, the who hesitated. Whips, sticks, aging veterans had gathered back into truncheons and rifle-butts beat once more to commemorate the line. the offenders back into line. For anniversary of the miraculous some the end to their misery came rescue of a defeated army from quickly, as the marching men the beaches of Dunkirk. These listened for the tell-tale rifle crack were the men whose escape that meant someone had finally from under the noses of the given up and been executed by advancing Germans had become the roadside. so famous. None among them doubted the achievement of These dreadful days were rescuing the forlorn force from the never forgotten by those who beaches of France, nor would any endured them. Yet somehow underestimate their sacrifices in their sufferings never became the years that followed. Yet some part of the folklore of Second among them, Les Allan included, World War. They had fought the had their own, very different, battles to ensure the successful

7 memories of the aftermath of ‘Twenty A,’ came the reply, ‘What Dunkirk – memories that were about you?’ once more stirred up at the sight ‘Twenty B at Marienburg.’ of the parading men. After a brief conversation, the parade moved on. Perplexed, a Though many years had passed veteran officer seated beside him since 1940, the gallant veterans turned to ask how he knew this still marched in step as they man, among all the assembled approached the grandstand. ranks, was a fellow POW. Allan Amid the dignitaries Alan – former allowed himself a smile and stretcher-bearer, BEF veteran, replied. and prisoner of war – who had ‘It’s simple. Look at his chest. The been granted his place as founder blokes with the least medals are of the National Ex-Prisoner of War always the POWs’ Association, found his thoughts were immediately consumed by He was right. There hadn’t even his own memories of suffering and been a campaign medal for those sacrifice. As the parade came to a who fought in France in 1940. The halt he leaned forward and called Dunkirk POWs – the soldiers that out to one of the men standing were left behind – were men who near him. had shared all the horrors of war ‘Hey, mate, which POW camp but none of the glory. were you in?’

Sean Longden is the author of a number of acclaimed books telling the less well known stories of the Second World War.

He has conducted hundreds of interviews with servicemen and his other books include: Hitler’s British Slaves uncovering the brutal treatment of PoWs in internment camps; To the Victory the Spoils reveals the unexpected story of Montgomerie’s boys as they marched from D Day to Berlin. T Force unveils the story of a secret regiment that set up in order to capture Nazi war secrets in the aftermath of the Armistice.

Dunkirk – The men they left behind by Sean Longden ISBN 9781845299774 Price £8.99

8 9 Charters & Caldicott Charters & Caldicott expert Peter Storey gives a brief introduction into this comedy duo that brought humour to many a wartime film.

First appearing on British cinema upper lip in the face of adversity at a screens in 1939, the two characters time when Britain stood alone in the of Charters and Caldicott are face of rising fascism and tension amongst film history’s most famous across Europe. and favourite comedy duo. Played by Basil Radford and Naunton They move almost seamlessly from Wayne, Charters and Caldicott hit their own cricket obsessed world ...they reflect a resonance with cinema goers to become enduring defenders of the British with their scripted sarcasm and dry the British way of life, inadvertently stiff upper lip humour. This popularity resulted in tackling and thwarting the Germans the two characters being reunited in in one adventure after another. in the face of several films throughout the war era Snobbish, the duo have a disdain adversity at and through to the early 1950s. for others, no matter who they are, a time when Full of English idiosyncrasies from whether they are foreigners with their a bygone era, the two cricket lovers inability to speak English, Americans Britain stood are sticklers for upholding proper because of their loudness and alone... standards of dress, decorum and mighty dollar or anybody showing a behaviour, no matter where they lack of manners or decorum. Their are nor what predicaments they find annoyance though, is targeted themselves in. mostly at those who either do not understand cricket or who disrupt Their first screen appearance was their plans to enjoy cricket, whether in Hitchcock’s The Lady Vanishes watching it or talking about it. starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. The Charters In The Lady Vanishes, Charters and Caldicott characters were and Caldicott, are delayed whilst created by the screen-writers Frank returning to England by an Launder and Sydney Gilliat as a avalanche, causing them having to means of adding a comedy element stay overnight at a remote hotel in to the spy thriller. At first glance, the fictitious European country of Charters and Caldicott appear as a Bandrika. That evening, Charters pair of bumbling upper class fools says to his friend “I don’t like being travelling around Europe ambivalent in the dark, our communications to the events developing around cut off in a time of crisis”. Not a them. This was in the period leading reference to the impending war in up to the Second World War; to the Europe, but more crucially, it is about uninformed it appears as though not knowing what the cricket Test they were dreamt up by the German match score is. Shortly after, they high command as a derogatory take somebody else’s phone call cameo of English foolishness. from England and Charters asks the In reality, they reflect the British stiff caller “Tell me, what’s happening to 10 England?” to England. Not happy with the When the caller refers to the enemy’s despicable behaviour weather, Charters retorts “Blowing towards Miss Froy and the fellow a gale? You don’t follow me sir, I’m British passengers, Charters and enquiring about the test match in Caldicott calmly spring in to action Manchester”. by firing on the enemy from the It becomes obvious that the caller stranded train and help in getting Charters and doesn’t know what is happening the train moving again. As the Caldicott face and Charters continues “You don’t film closes, Miss Froy and the disappointment know; then you can’t be in England information she has gathered are – the test and not know the Test score”. In back with the British secret service, match has exasperation, Charters slams the but Charters and Caldicott face been called off receiver back onto its’ cradle; turning disappointment – the test match has due to rain! to Caldicott, he says “Wasting my been called off due to rain! time, the fellow is an ignoramus”. The avalanche cleared, Charters and Following their first appearance in Caldicott continue their journey but The Lady Vanishes in 1938, they become extremely concerned when proved popular with audiences and Iris (played by Margaret Lockwood) returned in the Gilliat and Launder raises the alarm about an elderly filmsNight Train to Munich (1940, lady, Miss Froy, disappearing from also starring Margaret Lockwood), the train. Their concern is not about Crook’s Tour (1941) and then a the lady’s disappearance, but about cameo role in Millions Like Us (1943). yet further delays in their journey back to England in time to see the They were intended to reappear as cricket being played in Manchester. Charters and Caldicott in I See a Dark Stranger (1945), but the actors It transpires that Miss Froy is a and producers couldn’t agree on British Secret Agent with information the larger roles that Radford and about the enemy’s military plans. Wayne demanded. This resulted The unnamed European enemy is in the actors opting out of the trying to prevent her from returning film and consequently two similar

11 but differently named characters Garnet and Leslie in Quartet (1948). were substituted. However, this Another recurring cricket-mad pairing disagreement left Basil Radford played by them were Bright and and Naunton Wayne contractually Early in It’s Not Cricket (1949) and prevented from portraying the also in Helter Skelter (1949). They characters under the names also appeared as ‘the mechanical “Charters” and “Caldicott”. types’ in Stop Press Girl (1949) and Subsequent films with the two as Gregg and Straker in Passport to actors as the same characters as Pimlico (1949). Charters and Caldicott but with different names were produced In addition to their many movies, throughout the 1940s. Similar they recorded a similar number double acts, played by Radford and of radio plays for the BBC; it was Wayne include Next of Kin (1942) their final pairing in Rogues Gallery as ‘two careless talkers’, as Parratt in 1952 when Basil Radford died and Potter in Dead of Night (1946), suddenly of a heart attack at age 55, as Prendergast and Fotheringham and Naunton Wayne completed the in A Girl in a Million (1946) and as adventure on his own.

More information about Charters and Caldicott can be found at: www.ChartersandCaldicott.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @ChartersandC or Like them on Facebook Charters and Caldicott

12 British Air Raid Precautions U.S.A.

Interest in the 1940s is worldwide as can be seen by a recent letter and photographs from Michael Filler of Newtown, Connecticut, USA who had come across a copy of the Society magazine. He would very much like to hear from groups in the UK.

I would like to introduce a small group who are reenacting a British Air Raid Precautions unit here in America. We are also developing a Home Guard bomb disposal portrayal. We have begun to participate in WW2 air shows in the States, and would be interested in hearing from similar units in England. Their assistance and guidance would be most appreciated.

Warden Michael Filler Newtown, Connecticut, USA Email: [email protected]

13 Photo Album Original Period Photographs with a Story

14 Photo Album Original Period Photographs with a Story Air-Raid Precaution Display

London, England (1941)

A member of a recently formed street fire fighting unit shows how to deal with an incendiary most effectively.

The Air-Raid Precaution display was staged by the Wembley Civil Defence Services at Wembley Stadium in North London.

A shield protects the firefighter from possible injury from explosion.

.

15 Arthur Rosebery by Jeff ‘Two-Tone Boogie’ Parlophone recording artist, bandleader, pianist & arranger Arthur Rosebery is the subject of this months look into the world of vintage music.

Arthur Rosebery was born in was not very popular with the Fulham in 1904. His father was management as he would not play popular and well known in the the songs as they were written, London entertainment world, adding his own interpretation working for almost 20 years at on them. Through luck or pure the Lyceum Theatre organising hard work Arthur’s employment shows as well as writing his own at FDH lasted for just over two and touring the country with them. years, during which he formed a Arthur’s father always wanted him duet with himself on piano and to be a solo pianist and started Laurie Johnson on violin. Arthur his training at the age of eight. was on the lookout for a drummer He would take the young boy to to expand the duet to a trio, Parties and get him to play, which eventually bringing in Laurie’s encouraged him as he would uncle Billy Cotton who had been a receive money and sweets for his drummer in the Army. After much performances. It also encouraged practice the trio landed a job at a him to practise more and gave him local schools dance, being paid ideas of becoming a professional five shillings a night each. After a player. few gigs the trio got the news that a relief dance band was needed at After leaving school Arthur Ealing Dance Hall, the big problem eventually landed a job in the being that a five piece was needed West End of London as a trainee which had to include a saxophone. of copying orchestrations, leading Saxophone players were scarce to him being able to score music at the time but Arthur discovered a for up to 28 piece orchestras. In German who could play C-melody 1921 Arthur worked at 35 shillings saxophone, had an awful tone and Arthur Rosebery’s as a song demonstrator for FDH could not read music. They now band c.1929. (Francis, Day and Hunter). He had a sax player along with South

16 African Max Chappell, the fifth When Arthur heard that auditions musician playing banjo. September were being held at the Carlton 1923 was the start of this line up in Ballroom, Tottenham Court Road a professional capacity at Ealing he was on the scout for musicians. Dance Hall being paid £3 each Semi-professional saxophonist a week for three performances a Bob Wise, who was playing week. The band was soon told that with Ray Noble at the time was they could keep the job playing six persuaded to go professional nights a week for £6 each, this job and join the new band; Wise’s ran until February 1924. co-Noble saxophone player Reg Pink also joined the band. Doug Spinelli, Arthur joined The Buffalo Band Bastin who was regarded as although in 1925. This was originally an another hot player on trumpet all Canadian band which started and saxophone also joined, along a way-out, playing in London in 1923. When with Les Julian on saxophone and eccentric Arthur joined, the bands featured violin, Max Chappell on banjo, Jim character players were Max Goldberg, Risley on bass and Len Lees on was regarded Charles Spinilli on alto saxophone drums. To Arthur’s satisfaction the as one of and clarinet and Ben Frankel saxophone’s sounded particularly the best on violin. This was a stop gap good but the overall sound was saxophonist’s for Arthur as soon after joining fantastic and the band had only he left and formed a new band played one number and the in Europe... based around the Buffalo Band manager of the Carlton Ballroom personnel; Ben Frankel and hired them and the money received Charlie Spinelli were included was shared equally between the in this new line-up. Saxophonist players. Edgar Jackson of Melody Spinelli, although a way-out, Maker heard the band playing, eccentric character was regarded liked what he heard and praised as one of the best saxophonist’s them in the next Melody Maker. in Europe at the time even though Jackson soon became the bands he could not read music. It was manager and secured a job for big news when Spinelli was gifted them at The Friars Club, a fairly a blue enamelled saxophone by small venue but the band was the Queen of Norway, because happy there. After about seven she thought highly of his playing. months at the Friars Club the band Rosebury’s old school friend were approached by a talent scout Frankel was a very hot fiddle of Jack Hylton’s with an offer of player who also doubled on kazoo. future work. This new band soon moved to the Regent Dance Hall in Brighton, The Friars Club job ended and replacing Billy Cotton’s band. although there was no work for Arthur, knowing that Goldberg was them Arthur stayed in contact playing locally and did not start with all the players to be sure of until 11pm persuaded Goldberg maintaining the line-up for any join the band after explaining that work forthcoming from Hylton. It Spinelli and Frankel were part of was October/September 1928 and the line-up. Short lived the work during this hiatus of work Arthur with this new band dried up and married. While on honeymoon he Arthur returned to London and was received a telegram from Hylton out of work for six months. with instructions for the band to start at the Cafe de Paris in August.

17 business”. After a meeting with the management of the Kit Kat Club it was decided that Arthur should be the leader and not just “one of the boys”. Arthur, always being one of the boys and treating everyone equal found this alien to his ways and admitted “that he was later to learn hard lessons from this”.

The experience of playing alongside flashy American bands dressed in white trousers and white tuxedos, standing on chairs to take their solo’s was not only a shock to Arthur but also made him realise why the Americans were so popular with the public. After one such night playing alongside Abe Lyman’s band, Lyman commented that Arthur’s band was the superior of the two but lacked in presentation. Arthur approached the club management Arthur Rosbery During the bands time at the Cafe suggesting that his band have de Paris the band made their first some sort of dress suit for the broadcasts and recordings, Arthur shows. Dressing the band in arranged the tunes for the first foxhunting suits and renaming recording session. This was the the band to ‘Arthur Rosebery start of the Parlophone recordings and his Tally Ho band’ was the and this first session was supposed result. Foxhunting was a popular to be a balance test session but to pastime and a lot of ‘foxhunters’ the surprise of the band these first frequented the club. This may recordings ( “He Loves and She have been popular with the public Loves” and “Mississippi Melody” ) but was deeply unpopular with the were actually issued with the band individual players causing some named as The Kit Kat band even contention between them. Doug though they were still at the Cafe Bastin actually removed his jacket de Paris. during a performance refusing to be like a “Clown” and continued to In December 1927 the band moved finish his playing in shirt sleeves. from the Cafe de Paris to the The band was very popular with more popular venue of the Kit Kat members of other bands and Club in The Haymarket. During an the press with both raving about interview later in life Arthur fondly them. However, one reporter wrote remembers that they always had that he saw the Prince of Wales a crate of beer for the band during dancing to Lyman’s band but not the recording sessions, another to Rosecery’s band. With such (not-so-fond) memory of Arthurs reporting being quite shocking for being told that “playing darts and the day the bands contract was not drinking beer was not good for renewed.

18 Arthur was quick to realise that With the show ending at 10.00pm image and showmanship were and Romano’s Restaurant (just becoming important parts of across the road from The Savoy performing and decided to make Theatre in The Strand) in need of some changes. With the Kit-Kat a new band Arthur arranged for Club job ending in August 1929 the band to finish at The Savoy Arthur found himself out of work and after the curtain went down to and owing money after living the run across the road to Romano’s high-life and renting an expensive and start playing at 10.30pm. He flat in Mayfair. Keeping much decided as a publicity stunt on the of the band together mainly first night of starting at Romano’s for the Parlophone recording that at finishing at The Savoy he sessions Arthur and the band and the band would continue to ...his dream found themselves moonlighting play the ‘Wonder Bar’ theme while at Homochord as “The Rhythm crossing the road. This turned out was always Spinners” and Sterno (mainly as to be a brilliant move not just for to have a big “Vincent Howard”). To fill available Arthur and the band but also for the band in the time Arthur also organised small show, the Savoy and Romano’s. West End... bands for various venues, one Arthur and the band were now well such venue being Nunky’s (The on the road to being known as a Mitre Club). “Hot” band.

Teaming up with American Romano’s was a good spot for ukulele’ist Alvin Keech Arthur was Arthur as the management were now playing at various gig’s. When “up for it” as far as “Hot” and a band was needed Arthur would extravagant entertainment was go on the scout around Archer concerned, with some players Street, seeing who was available. taking the stand for their own Playing mainly stock arrangements little show. The band would also no rehearsal was needed. During turn some tunes into a play-like the show interval Keech would act even having special painted come out and play the ukulele. back-drops for the tune. With the management allowing Arthur and Although Arthur was now back to the band to exercise showmanship performing on a regular basis and and the public loving it the band had money in his pocket his dream went on for approximately two was always to have a big band in years after “Wonder Bar” finished. the West End of London. Arthur The abrupt end to Romano’s came was not really a chancer but at a about due to the closure of the club meeting with Arthur Bush, stage as the management were accused manager of the Savoy Theatre he of “Cooking the books”. Arthur is lead Bush to believe that he had quoted as saying that “the band a band ready and secured himself was fired due to a disagreement the position of MD for a new show between the management and titled “Wonder Bar”. Rushing to myself. Of course they may have get nine quality players together been cooking the books as well”. and learning three numbers off by heart in two days this new band The next adventure for Arthur was got the job, with the show producer the start of a new band for a job (Andrew Sharlow) not realising that of a few weeks in Iceland, this was the bands whole repertoire. turned out to last for two years.

19 During the Iceland job Arthur was would split up as band members able to build the small band into a were called to support the war band of fourteen pieces. Although effort. Arthur soon formed a new this (fourteen strong) band is what small band and toured the troop Arthur had in mind for his return to camps billed as Paradise on London, on his return once again Parade. he started to lead small outfits in small clubs. Arthurs manager The end of the war marked a big (Romano’s ex-manager, Mr change for players and leaders Stewart) had secured an audition alike with the Musicians Union at the Chez Henri for Arthur, he taking a hard stand where working was to stay seated at the piano hours, conditions and wages were wearing a white tail suit and play concerned. Arthur decided that it twenty minutes of strict tempo would be best not to reform the without raising a hand, smiling or band and worked as a solo piano even looking up. This was to be a entertainer, having the capability to tall order for Arthur especially after perform a cabaret himself with all his experience of running free at that he had learned over the past Romano’s but he agreed as the years from the likes of American pay was extra good. During his ukelele’ist Alvin Keech and Tommy time at the Chez Henri Arthur also Trinder. With a job secured as a managed to secure a contract for soloist at an American Army base the Chez Henri eight piece band to in West Germany Arthur Rosebury “Music in the Morning” (Horlicks) became Al Shine. This is the stage show for Radio Luxemburg. The name Arthur used until his death. band would record the programs During his time in West Germany at HMV studios which would be Arthur or is it Al was involved in broadcast four mornings a week. small bands as well as being a Reaching the top and doing well band fixer for many of the camp again Arthur was still not happy shows. Arthur returned to London with the music and style of playing, in the early 1960s and continued to sticking with it until the club closed work as a soloist in pubs and small for refurbishment. After splitting clubs. In 1968 he began working from his manager Arthur heard that in Flannigan’s and that is where he Another photo of Arthur’s band - the Paradise Club were looking for remained until his death in 1986. c1929. a band. Arthur and the Chez Henri outfit, after an audition managed to get the job. During the Paradise Club job the band grew from eight to a sixteen pieces, working at the Paradise Club from 1937 to 1939 (the outbreak of WWII) and also doubling at Dolphin Square. Far from the Kit-Kat days! Arthur and the band were now putting on a real show with well known personalities performing in the cabaret. Tommy Trinder had one of his first professional jobs at the club. With the start of the war Arthur was aware that the band

20 21 Events Diary Not a complete 23rd May 2014 remember for all ages. listing of The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks Admission charges apply. Please everything Dunkirk check the website for further that’s going on 74 years ago this month the details at: www.english-heritage. but a few ‘miracle of Dunkirk’ took place. org.uk events that may Sean Longden author of a be of interest to bestselling book about the 1st June 2014 members. evacuation of Dunkirk will be Spirit of the 40s - FREE giving a presentation about this Ramsgate Event More are listed incredible event. To celebrate the reopening of on the website 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Ramsgates Tunnels at www.1940. Sevenoaks, Kent. Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of co.uk Further details from Ian on 01732 Ramsgate Tunnels and their 452505 Admission £3 reopening to the public. Salute to the 40s Variety Show, Local 24th May 2014 entertainers, re enactors, Thanet The Coco Club Lindy Hoppers and much more... Enjoy the style and glamour of the For further details visit www. 1930s at the Stag Theatre Plaza spiritofthe40s.co.uk/ Suite, Sevenoaks - 7.30 pm This vintage nightclub features 7th June 2014 period music from Empire Radio D-Day Anniversary Cabaret and live performances by Brandyn Night - Dover, Kent Shaw with his band The Rhythm Large-scale Cabaret Night to Makers. We are delighted to have commemorate the 70th Brandyn performing as he is Anniversary of D-Day at the Dover recognised as the New Voice of Town Hall. Tickets cost £15 (Or the 1930s and has been £120 for a FULL table of 10) - performing nationwide and on Entertainment includes - television. This is an opportunity Swingtime Sweethearts, Agape to wear your best classic clothing Jazz Band, Frank Sinatra, Vera and enjoy an evening of fabulous Lynn Tribute and more... Please music, social dancing and a visit www.jiginthebox.co.uk for unique atmosphere. more information. Tickets £15.00 from the Box Office on 01732 450175 or online 27th AND 28th June 2014 at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk St.Elizabeth Hospice 1940’s Hangar Dance (Friday or 24 - 26 May 2014 Saturday). Dover Castle WW2 Weekend Ellough Airfield, Beccles, Suffolk Dover Castle’s popular WWII (South East England). This dance Weekend is back with a bang! always sells out very quickly for Witness an explosive battle and the Saturday night, so be quick soak up the atmosphere as the not to miss out. Music from the castle returns to the 1940s. With Super Swing Big Band 18 piece live music from the 40’s and plus vocalists. Military vehicles- plenty of hands-on activities for re-enactors-dancing display (lindy children, it’ll be a day to hop etc) during band break. Large 22 well stocked bar (real ale) - hot 25th July 2014 food - raffle. 1940’s dress The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks encouraged. All proceeds from the Ireland During the Second dance to St.Elizabeth Hospice. World War - An illustrated Tickets £12.00 Friday and £14.00 lecture by Dr Bryce Evans Saturday, available from 01502 There is much rumour and 511944 or for more information speculation as to the role of visit: www.hangardance.info Ireland during WW2, most of it unsubstantiated. Dr Bryce is the 5th - 6th July 2014 author of a new book on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway - subject which at last details the 1940s Experience social and economic history of This is one of the few Railway Ireland during the Second World Events that I return to every year. War. This will be a fascinating It has everything you expect from evening covering an area which is a railway event. Re-enactors, seldom considered. exhibits, entertainment, music, and of course trains. But the 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near setting is just so good, the people Sevenoaks, Kent. so friendly and I always have a Further details from Ian on 01732 good weekend. Perhaps its 452505 Admission £3 because its on an island that it seems so unspoilt. 26th September 2014 Visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks for more details. Army Bomb Disposal in the Second World War 16th - 20th July 2014 Susan Hudson The Dig for Victory Show Susan Hudson is an author, North Somerset Showground near lecturer and radio presenter Bristol. An affordable, family whose book ‘UXB Malta’ gives an orientated weekend event to account of the dangerous and explore this turbulent yet thought- unpredictable job of bomb provoking period in our recent disposal in Malta. history. The aim is to bring history Tonight she will be giving an alive and the generations together illustrated talk on the challenging Weekend or day passes available. and dangerous job of the British Dance on the Saturday night. Army bomb disposal teams. Visit www.digforvictoryshow.com for more details. Come along for what will undoubtedly be a fascinating and 16th - 20th July 2014 informative evening. The War & Peace Revival RAF Westhanger, Folkestone 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Racecourse. After last years move Sevenoaks, Kent. to this new venue there is even Further details from Ian on 01732 more to see and do at this 452505 Admission £3 massive military vehicle event. Check the website for full details. Visit www.thewarandpeacerevival. co.uk for more details.

23 The 1940’s Society Membership Application 2014

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Issue 85 90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UX

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