This Is Your Life: Duncan Guthrie

Duncan GUTHRIE (1911-1994)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE – Duncan Guthrie, charity founder, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews backstage at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith, having been led to believe he was there to take part in someone else's tribute.

Duncan, who was born in London to Scottish parents, spent his early adult life as an explorer, actor, poet and soldier - including working with the Special Operations Executive in enemy-occupied France during the Second World War.

When his eldest child developed poliomyelitis in 1949, Duncan made it his mission to alert society to the problems of the disease and established the National Fund for Polio Research in 1952. The fund would provide money for research fellowships, support research in the prevention and diagnosis of polio, and provide equipment for treating the disease.

programme details...

Edition No: 26
Subject No: 26
Broadcast live: Mon 4 Feb 1957
Broadcast time: 7.30-8.00pm
Venue: King's Theatre, Hammersmith
Series: 2
Edition: 11

on the guest list...

Stanley Gaywood
message from Michael Wilding
Rosamund John
Col H H Chandor
Rene Couture
Jack Moore
Prunella - wife
Peter Kneebone
George W A Dick
Janet - daughter
Walter Creighton

production team...

Researchers: Peter Moore, Nigel Ward
Writer: Larry Forrester
Director: unknown
Producer: T Leslie Jackson

related pages...

A Charitable Life

the unsung heroes

Stories behind This Is Your Life

a review of the second series

Eamonn Andrews says 'This Is Your Life' to Duncan Guthrie as he sits unsuspecting, back-stage with Jack Armstrong, Harry Lane, Joan Conquest and Anthony Viccars

Series 2 subjects