Monday 7 December 2009

RIP Richard Todd

It was with sadness, as I was driving to the south of England last Friday, that I heard of the death of the British actor, Richard Todd. Apart from being a star of the silver screen of his generation, Richard Todd was also a war hero, a role he played down with considerable modesty.
He was one of the first allied soldiers to land in France on D-Day, June 6th 1944, at a little past midnight. He was an officer of the Airborne who supported the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry who's combined exploits that night were, by any measure of bravery, skill and daring, utterly breathtaking. I blogged about this quite some time ago so will link it here should anyone wish to read it again. In the famous Hollywood film, "The Longest Day", Todd played the leader of that outstanding foray into occupied France, Major John Howard, so his role in the film was something of particular significance and poignancy.
But what really piqued me was the way the BBC News on Radio 2 announced it. Some may call me a pedantic old fart, but when it comes to reporting on anything connected with what was one of the greatest Coup de Mains in history I expect, for the sake of the preservation of the memory of Richard Todd and those who embarked with him, that the bloody Beeb give greater detail to this utterly remarkable feat of arms. Lest we forget, or cause this generation to fail to grasp it in the first place.
"Up the Ox and Bucks!!"

6 comments:

Old BE said...

As boys we used to watch The Dam Busters over and again, but I never knew that Mr Todd had had a glorious military career as well.

Disrespectful and plain incorrect pronouncements by the nation's broadcasters and "opinion formers" have forced me to disconnect myself from the mainstream media. It makes for a happier existence, I assure you.

De Campo said...

Socrates once said that the unexamined life is not worth living. I like to think that the unlived life isn’t worth examining.

Richard Todd lived an incredible life worth examining and tribute.

Conan the Librarian™ said...

As I may have said earlier, my stepfather trained for a gliderborne invasion of Norway in the 52nd Lowland Division, ironically named the Mountain Division...they were deployed in Holland...

Hogdayafternoon said...

Thanks to the above comments. I have modified my original post ever so slightly in the interests of accuracy. I don't believe I've changed the main thrust of my statement or tribute. Thanks guys for chipping in

Old BE said...

Well the post still says that you are a pedantic old fart so the substance has not changed ;-)

Hogdayafternoon said...

Blue: A minor detail, caused by a rant, under the influence of an early evening G&T, that anyone could make under the trying circumstances. Corrected, in the interests of my scrupulous Health and Safety policy. (Sometimes I amaze myself, as I strive to be as popular as Bob Ainsworth on a visit to our troops in Afghanistan :-/