Figure 1.--The "Just William" stories were broadcast on BBC radio during the 1940's. Child actor John Clark who was the voice of William on radio, until his voice broke that is. Notice his "snake" belt. Perhaps because he played William on the radio, he does not have either his trade-mark cirtcle cap worn askew, his horizonatal striped tie, or his kneesocks wornnat his ankles. He is riding, however, his Hercules cycle. |
HBC has very little information about English radio programming. We have begun to collect some basic information.
One of the most famous radio, or wireless as it was called in England, broadcasts of all time took place during the 1930s in England, the abdication of Edward VIII. King George VI delivered an annual Christmas messag to the British people. Most crossed their fingers hoping that he would be able to overcome the speech impediment that troubled him. Only a few years later they heard over the radio from Primeminister Chamberlain that they were at war with Germany. the BBC allowed American correspondents broadcast from London during the World War II Blitz. Most Americans at the time recall Ed R. Murrow's "London calling ...." And for the people of Europe, the BBC was a beacon of hope during the long NAZI occupation.
We know that the British also had commercial entertainment programing similar to American programing. We have noted, for example, favorites like Just William on British radio. The stories were also broadcast on BBC radio during the 1940s. Child actor John Clark who was the voice of William on radio, until his voice broke that is. Jihn had previously played the star pupil on the "Will Hay Programme". A HBC reader reports that he remembers many BBC programs during the 1940's and 50's, especially drama plays. In particular he remembers "The War of the Worlds" and "Moby Dick" for the "Third Programme"
We notice a variety of interesting special programs. One example was a program focusing on loval communities. For example, a small village got to tell the world about itself by radio. Lamport, a village in Northamptonshire is not even marked on most maps. The village in October 1933 was opened to radio listeners all over the world. It waschosen by the BBC to open a new series of broadcasts illustrating the life of interesting villages. It was broadcast ot the Empire as well as being picked up by America. The first Lamportian to face the microphone was Chrissie Smith, a little girl of 11. She described what Lamport looks like. She will be followed by William Dickens, the oldest inhabitant.
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