ARmy Rumour SErvice

**maninblack** · 18-04-2009, 23:16

Richard Todd; played the role of Major John Howard in The Longest Day whilst an uncredited actor played the parachute battalion intelligence officer who was one of the first officers to reach Pegasus Bridge and Major Howard's unit........a young man called Richard Todd.

**hairyhandbag** · 18-04-2009, 23:17

Ross Kemp - Served with Red Troop

Robson Green - 1st Bn Kings Fusiliers

Lewis Collings - Everything and anything. (Real Nails)

**Tremaine** · 18-04-2009, 23:17

Patrick MacNee - British Royal Navy. Awarded the Atlantic Star for his service during World War II.
Michael Caine - Royal Fusiliers
Sean Connery - Royal Navy
Richard Todd (almost James Bond in Dr No)

Maninblack re Richard Todd:

Wikipedia "During the Second World War, Todd served as an officer in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and as a Paratrooper in the British 6th Airborne Division. As a member of the 7th (LI) Parachute Battalion, he was one of the first British officers to land in Normandy on D-Day and met up with Major John Howard on Pegasus Bridge. Todd would later play Howard in the film The Longest Day (1962), with another actor portraying Richard Todd."

**Werewolf** · 18-04-2009, 23:25

Gene Hackman was a US Marine, IIRC, but did not see active service.

David Niven served during WWII, but I can't remember which unit.

Charles Bronson was a USAF Tail Gunner during WWII.

Robert Mitchum served in the US Army.

**mon_colonel** · 18-04-2009, 23:29

Harvey Keitel served with the US Marines in the Lebanon.

**the_boy_syrup** · 18-04-2009, 23:31

John Lawrie & Arnold Ridley Frasier and Godfrey of Dads both wounded in WW1
Clive Dunn POW WW2

Peter Butterworth of carry on films (camping, Kyber etc) helped dig the tunnel during the wooden horse escape after being shot down
He was later rejected for a part in the film as he didn't look dashing enough

Donald Plesance was shot down to as was Denholm Elliot

Dirk Bogarde was at Arnhem and wore his own medals in the film Bridge to far

**VanHelsing** · 18-04-2009, 23:38

Originally Posted by hairyhandbag

Ross Kemp - Served with Red Troop

Robson Green - 1st Bn Kings Fusiliers

Lewis Collings - Everything and anything. (Real Nails)

Lewis Collins served with the T.A as a Para, went for selection too. Is a master of a few jap slapping styles, an accomplished skydiver. he's a top bloke. Truly Nails.

**Werewolf** · 18-04-2009, 23:40

Originally Posted by le_crabe_tambour

Christopher Lee ( Dracula) Intelligence Officer with the Long Range Desert Group later behind the lines with the Specail Operations Executive

Nails!

**mon_colonel** · 18-04-2009, 23:40

Dennis Franz grumpy old Sgt in NYPD Blue US Marines Vietnam

**the_boy_syrup** · 18-04-2009, 23:46

Originally Posted by Werewolf

David Niven served during WWII, but I can't remember which unit.

Niven was a pre war regular with the Highland Light infantry
IIRC Roy Urquhart of Arnham fame was his Coy commander in Malta
He sent his commanding officer a telegram saying something like
"Sir request permission resign commision - Love Niven" whilst on holiday in the states
He had just really made it big and he risked everything to come back he got his brother who was in the Navy to send a telegram to the studio claiming to be his old CO demanding that he return to the regiment

He later commanded a Sqn of Phantom a specialist signals unit and served overseas until 1945
He was related by marrage to Lord Lovet

Theres a couple of good threads on here about all of this

Bernard Cribbins - Para
Frank Carson - Para

Jack Palance's unusual features are said to come from the fact he bailed out of a burning bomber and he himself was badly burned

Jimmy Edwards (Whacko) won the DFC flying Dakotas at Arnhem
Audrey Hepburn lived in Arnhem