Stars in Battledress

Stars in Battledress (SiB) was an organisation that produced entertainment during World War II for and by military personnel

History

In Britain, during the Second World War, entertainment was considered an essential to keep moral high. In 1939 ENSA was organised by Basil Dean to send groups of entertainers to factories and military camps. The artists in ENSA were civilians and consequently could not be sent to areas were fighting was occurring. This did not mean that they were in places where there was no danger from enemy action. The whole of Britain was a war zone due to the air raids.

In order to get concert parties to forward areas, "Stars in Battledress" was formed. Talent existing in serving members of the army and ATS were transferred and sent to perform in any location, even on the edge of the battlefield. Colonel Basil Brown, together with major Bill Alexander and captain George Black (son of the impresario George Black (Producer)) started up the organisation. As all the members of the concert parties were in the Armed Forces of Britain, ther was no restriction of the location of concerts.

Stars in Battledress encompassed all three services. The RAF had a group called the RAF Gang Show, which was organised by Ralph Reader (who had in the pre-war years produced the Boy Scout Gang Show). The Navy also produced many concert parties that performed both afloat and in shore establishments.

Stars in Battledress was directed during the war by Frank Chacksfield.

Post-war

Post war operation of entertainment for the forces was taken over by the Combine Service Entertainment.

Some SiB artists who became well known after the war

* Janet Brown (Actress, Comedienne, Impressionist)
* Ian Carmichael (Movie Actor)
* Frank Chacksfeild (Musician and Composer)
* Charlie Chester (Stage and Radio Comedian)
* Kenneth Connor (Film Actor)
* Michael Denison (Film Actor)
* Bryan Forbes (Actor, Writer, Film Director)
* Tony Hancock (TV Comedian)
* Frankie Howard (Stage Actor)
* Alfred Marks (Film Actor Singer)
* Spike Milligan ('Goon', Actor, Writer)
* Stella Moray (Actress)
* Jon Pertwee (Film Actor)
* Harry Secombe ('Goon', Singer, Comedian)

References

"Stars in Battledress" by Bill Pertwee - published by FA Thorpe - ISBN 0 7089 8717 6