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National Service

Ask any man who reached the age of 18 between 1947 and 1961 what are his most vivid memories of that period, he will almost certainly answer: 'My two-year stint with HM Forces.' Tonight Acker Bilk, Ronnie Corbett, Nicholas Harman, Michael Parkinson, novelist Gordon Williams and volunteers from the general public relive their National Service experiences. In the studio there'll be music from a jazz group led by Acker Bilk; bandsmen, including journalist Nicholas Tomalin; and from a Russian choir led by Carwyn Jones, manager of the British Lions Rugby Team. Comedy routines by Rogers and Starr, who launched their career as a drag act in the RAF. Dramatised scenes from novels about life in the services: The Camp by GORDON M. WILLIAMS and The Breaking of Bumbo by ANDREW SINCLAIR Also taking part: David Caute Richard Crossman, MP and General Sir Brian Horrocks Producer TONY CASH Film cameraman IAN STONE Film editor HOWARD WATERS Director BEN REA Assistant editor TONY STAVEACRE Editor BILL MORTON

English
  • Originally Aired October 20, 1973
  • Network BBC
  • Created October 20, 2021 by
    Martina Vazquez
  • Modified October 20, 2021 by
    Martina Vazquez