This Is Your Life: Bert Matthews

Bert MATTHEWS

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Bert Matthews, Pearly King, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on the stage of the BBC Television Theatre.

Bert was employed as a rat-catcher for the London borough of Hampstead, retiring in 1949 after 40 years of service. His charitable work began in 1902 when he and his future wife Becky won a fancy dress competition at the annual Hampstead carnival.

The couple, who married in 1905, became famous as the Pearly King and Queen of Hampstead, travelling to America and Canada in 1952 on a goodwill ‘Come to Britain’ tour to promote tourism for the Festival of Britain. The following year they were invited to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

Over his 60 years as a Pearly, eventually becoming known as the ‘King of Pearly Kings’ and seeing his children and grandchildren join the tradition, Bert was responsible for raising thousands of pounds for charity.

programme details...

Edition No: 246
Subject No: 246
Broadcast date: Thu 20 Feb 1964
Broadcast time: 8.50-9.15pm
Recorded: Mon 13 Jan 1964 8.00pm
Venue: BBC Television Theatre
Series: 9
Edition: 20

on the guest list...

Betty Marsden
George Dole
Johnnie Newman
George Parmenter
Rose Smith – daughter
Ted - son
Fifi the Donkey
Edwin Uwins
Anna Benjamins
Elsie Barnes – daughter
George Smith – son-in-law
Percy Barnes – son-in-law
Emily Matthews – daughter-in-law
Linda - grandchild
Brenda - grandchild
Peter - grandchild
Christine – Peter’s wife
Paul – great grandson
Harry Tabram
Arthur Askey
Tessie O'Shea

production team...

Directors: Michael Goodwin, Mark Patterson
Producer: Vere Lorrimer
Executive Producer: T Leslie Jackson

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

A Charitable Life

the unsung heroes

Arthur Askey

Photographs of Bert Matthews This Is Your Life

Series 9 subjects