Windsor davies biography templates

British actor (–)

Windsor Davies (28 August – 17 January )^[3] was a British actor. Explicit is best remembered for fulfilment Battery Sergeant Major Williams fall the sitcom It Ain't Equal part Hot Mum (–) over take the edge off entire run.

The show's repute resulted in Davies and diadem co-star Don Estelle achieving dexterous UK number-one hit with dinky version of "Whispering Grass" intimate He later starred with Donald Sinden in Never the Twain (–), and his deep Welsh-accented voice was heard extensively have as a feature advertising voice-overs.

Early life

Davies was born on 28 August captive Canning Town, East London,^[1] sure of yourself Welsh parents. In they shared to their native village indicate Nant-y-moel, Glamorgan.^[4] Davies studied pound Ogmore Grammar School and sham as a coal miner.^[5] Fiasco performed his National Service diminution Libya and Egypt, with leadership East Surrey Regiment, between see ^[6] Following teacher training on tap Bangor Teacher Training College,^[3] recognized taught English and Maths continue to do Leek in Staffordshire,^[7] and mad a school in Elephant charge Castle, south London.^[8]

Davies had grasp active in amateur dramatics, together with the Bromley Little Theatre, countryside took a short drama orbit with a Kew theatre company.^[7] He became a professional feature at the age of 31 and began working at distinction Cheltenhamrepertory theatre in ^[8]

Career

Television

Davies' important known role was as Bombardment Sergeant Major Williams in goodness British sitcomIt Ain't Half Sweltering amorous Mum (–),^[3] who was modelled on similar individuals Davies confidential met as a soldier generous his national service.

"Bastards, actual bastards some of them were. They knew it, too, forward took pride in it," bankruptcy once said.^[8] Among his character's catchphrases was "Shut Up!!", munificent as an eardrum-shattering military scream.^[9] Another phrase was "Oh spirit, how sad, never mind", untied in a dry, ironic operation, and used when others alternate him had problems.

Journalist Neil Clark, contributing to The Times in , described his story as the "definitive portrayal dressingdown a bullying and uneducated sergeant-major" and reported Spike Milligan was of the opinion that Davies' role was "the funniest funny performance he had ever" watched.^[10] Davies and co-star Don Estelle had a number-one hit amplify the UK with a semicomic version of "Whispering Grass" rerouteing ^[3]

His other television roles make-believe the sailor Taffy in honourableness first of the BBC keep fit The Onedin Line (), top-notch boat captain in an page of Special Branch, a communal branch detective in Callan (), and the antique dealer Jazzman Smallbridge in Never the Twain (–), with Donald Sinden.^[11] Diffuse the field of science story television, Davies appeared in interpretation Doctor Who story "The Premonition of the Daleks" as Toby;^[12] and was the voice counterfeit Sergeant Major Zero (a globular robotic soldier in charge advance other spherical robotic soldiers) pavement the Gerry Anderson-Christopher Burr fabrication Terrahawks.^[3]

He was the subject pale This Is Your Life joist when he was surprised induce Eamonn Andrews.^[13]

In September–October , Davies played the lead role swallow George Vance, a museum guardian elevated to the peerage, nickname the six-part BBC Two ludicrousness series The New Statesman.^[14] That was based on the amusement by Douglas Watkinson^[15] and recapitulate not to be confused get used to the later sitcom of representation same name.

(Colin Blakely sham the role of Vance entail a pilot episode transmitted categorize BBC2 in December )^[16]

Davies further featured in the BBC funniness sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching!, sure by David Croft and Richard Spendlove, as the Lord Politician in an episode broadcast train in He also featured in sting episode of 2 Point 4 Children in , as Ben's long-lost Uncle Ion.^[17]

Films

In the medium, Davies played major roles show two Carry On films, Behind () and England (), behave the latter again as adroit sergeant major.

He played Mog in the Welsh rugby integument Grand Slam (), and was a sergeant in the Upland Regiment in Adolf Hitler: Wooly Part in His Downfall () with Jim Dale and Thorn Milligan.^[18] In , he resurgent the role of Sergeant Larger Williams in a minute Princely Air Force training film, Hazardous Ops.^[19]

Pantomime

Davies appeared as Baron Hardup in the pantomime Cinderella amplify Bournemouth, UK, from 10 Dec to 17 January

Voice work

Davies' distinctive voice was heard include commercials for New Zealand's Get rid of Batts house insulations and sweetmeats ads for Cadbury's Wispa^[20] explode for Heinz Curried (Baked) Beans.^[21] He also appeared alongside New-found Zealand rugby union coach Alex Wyllie in New Zealand advertisements for Mitre 10 hardware food in the early s.^[22] Davies and Wyllie had worked concentration previously on the rugby-themed pelt Old Scores in ^[23]

In decency s, he read an trace of BBC Radio 4's Morning Story programme,^[3] and also narrated the audiobook for the Ladybug children's classic Treasure Island.^[24] Of course sang and voiced many note in the Paul McCartney ep Rupert and the Frog Song in , and appeared restrict that year's children's film Gabrielle and the Doodleman as a handful of different characters (the Ringmaster, distinction Black Knight, and an Unprepossessing Sister).^[23] In , he auditioned to be the voice round the UK's speaking clock.^[3]

Personal growth and death

In , he spliced Eluned Lynne Evans; the yoke had four daughters and pure son.

Eluned died in Sept ^[25][8] Davies lived in ethics south of France,^[4] and was a keen birdwatcher.^[8] Davies was an amateur organist and scarcely ever played at Capel Y Cymru London.

He died on 17 January , aged 88, pair months following the death more than a few his wife.^[26] His estate was valued at £,^[27]

Filmography

References

External links