A former Olympian from Felixstowe has published a book on film stars who served their country during the Second World War, shining a light on their hidden sacrifice.

Over the course of his 81 years, Bill Tancred MBE has worn many hats. After a childhood in Felixstowe, attending Ipswich Civic College to study his O-Levels, he first embarked on a career in the army, serving in the 1st East Anglian Regiment in Aden.

He later entered the Army Physical Training Corps as a staff instructor at Sandhurst, where he trained Captain Mark Phillips, the former husband of Anne, the Princess Royal.

Many will know Mr Tancred from his sporting prowess, having competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games as a discus thrower. Mr Tancred tasted success in successive Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal at the 1970 tournament and then silver medal in 1974. He broke the British record for discus throwing 19 times, holding this record for an incredible 25 years.

A young Bill Tancred pictured centre, with Sebastian Coe, now Lord Coe, to his right. On the left, a young David Moorcroft, former middle-distance and long-distance runner. A young Bill Tancred pictured centre, with Sebastian Coe, now Lord Coe, to his right. On the left, a young David Moorcroft, former middle-distance and long-distance runner. (Image: Bill Tancred) Bill Tancred being made an MBE by the later Elizabeth II in 1992. Bill Tancred being made an MBE by the later Elizabeth II in 1992. (Image: Newsquest)

Aside from sporting success, he is also a distinguished academic, having studied sport science first at Loughborough University and then on a NATO Fellowship at West Virginia University in America.

Mr Tancred was made an MBE for his services to athletics in 1992 and was appointed a visiting Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Suffolk.

Mr Tancred is already the author of several books, but says that his most recent, British and USA Film Stars Who Served Their Countries in World War 2 will be his last.

So, it is fitting that this final book brings together two of his passions, military history and films.

As a young man, Mr Tancred served alongside people who had fought during the Second World War and would eagerly listen to their stories of the characters they had met.

After nine months of research, Mr Tancred is now ready to share the stories of almost 100 stars who served their country in some way.

 

How did British and American film stars serve their countries?

Audrey Hepburn

German forces occupied The Netherlands, where star of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and My Fair Lady Hepburn grew up. Although not actively serving, as a child Hepburn gave money she had earned performing ballet recitals to the resistance movement – and took part in other daring activities which Mr Tancred details in his book.

Bill Travers MBE

Best known for his role as wildlife expert George Adamson in Born Free, Travers enlisted as a private soldier in the British Army at 18. While deep behind enemy lines in Burma, Travers was struck down by malaria, and volunteered to be left behind in a Burmese village. Mr Tancred describes the ingenious methods Travers employed to evade capture in his book.

Jimmy Stewart

Stewart was one of the best-known faces of Hollywood from the 1930s onwards. He also has a local connection, having been stationed in Tibenham in Norfolk. Stewart entered the war as a Private, and ended his military career as a Colonel in the Army Air Corps.

Ronald Reagan

Before he was the 40th President of the United States, Reagan had a film career spanning almost 30 years. He joined the Army’s Reserve Crops at Des Moines inn 1937 and was still an army reserve during the bombing of Pearl Harbour, although poor eyesight kept him out of combat.

Sir Norman Wisdom

Comedy actor Wisdom joined the Merchant Navy as a cabin boy, in dire need of lodgings having been sleeping on the streets. When the Second World War broke out, Wisdom was posted to a communications centre in London which involved connecting telephone calls from various war leaders to directly reach Winston Churchill.

Clark Gable

Gone with the Wind star Gable and his third wife Carole Lombard offered their services to The White House when war broke out, although they were encouraged to continue making films. After Lombard was killed in a plane crash, a distraught Gable announced his plans to retire from acting to join the Army Air Corps.

 

To buy a copy of Mr Tancred’s book, visit Stillwater Books in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, or email Mr Tancred at: billtancred@gmail.com