Harry Secombe

Harold Donald Secombe was born on 8th September, 1921 and lived at 7 St. Leger Crescent, St. Thomas, Swansea. At the age of 8 he became a member of the choir at St Thomas's church and continued singing there until his voice had broken. He went to Dynevor Secondary School, Swansea and first performed with a friend at the opening of Brangwyn Hall, where they sang the 'Blue Danube'. He enjoyed the experience so much that he decided upon a career in show business.

After leaving school he started work as a pay clerk at Baldwins Limited, on Wind Street and joined the Territorial Army. At the age of 21 he was posted abroad as part of the 321 Gun Battery. He spent most of the war in Italy and Africa. It was in Africa that he first met fellow Goon, Spike Milligan. Harry was stationed on a hillside above were Milligan was camped. Spike told the story that they first met when a large gun rolled down the hillside and Harry was searching for it. He stuck his head through the entrance to Spike's tent and said "Anybody seen a gun?", which could easily have come from a Goon show.

After demobilisation Harry entertained at the Windmill Theatre along with many others who would become household names including future Goon Michael Bentine. Harry also met his future wife, Myra Atherton there. Harry toured the many variety theatres of the day and became famous for his shaving routine.

Like many other London based comedians, Harry was a regular at Jimmy Grafton's pub. Spike Milligan served behind the bar and had a flat upstairs. It was here that the Goon show was born. Spike would write scripts and would join in with Harry, Peter Sellers, Michael Bentine and Alfred Marks to perform for the regulars. Jimmy Grafton was already writing scripts for the BBC and it was thanks to him that the BBC heard about the Goons and began to broadcast the shows. Alfred Marks never appeared in a radio Goon show because of other commitments. The Goon show soon became a great success and the four Goons became stars in their own right.

Harry took singing lessons and began a second career as a singer and made many records. His first successful record was 'On with the Motley' in 1955 and in 1967 he reached number two in the UK charts with 'This is my Song'. He also appeared in several Royal Variety Shows at the London Palladium and hosted the TV religious series 'Highway'.

Harry was awarded the C.B.E. in 1963 and was Knighted in 1981. In 1997 he suffered a stroke and a couple of years later was diagnosed as having prostrate cancer, from which he died on 11th April, 2001 aged 79.