This Is Your Life: Leslie Thomas

Leslie THOMAS (1931-2014)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Leslie Thomas, author, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while opening a new wing at a Barnardo's hostel in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.

Leslie, who was orphaned at the age of 12 and subsequently brought up in a Dr Barnardo's home, studied journalism at South-West Essex Technical College in Walthamstow, London. In 1949 he was called up for National Service with the Royal Army Pay Corps, and embarked on a two year tour of duty in Singapore, where he began writing short articles for publication in British newspapers.

On his return to England in 1951, Leslie resumed his journalistic career working on the London Evening News, first as a sub-editor, then as a reporter. He left the newspaper in 1965 to embark on a full time writing career, and published his first novel a year later. The Virgin Soldiers, which was based on his National Service experiences, was a huge success and was adapted into a film in 1969, with a sequel produced in 1977.

"He's not an old Barnardo's boy! I thought you'd never ask!"

programme details...

Edition No: 507
Subject No: 504
Broadcast date: Wed 17 Jan 1979
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 1 Nov 1978
Venue: New London Theatre
Series: 19
Edition: 13
Code name: Soldier

on the guest list...

Desmond Elliott
Cyril Thorne
Ray Register
Frank Knights
Diana - wife
Matthew - son
Lois - daughter
Mark - son
Gareth - son
Roy - brother
Ken West
Hywel Bennett
David Eliades
Brian Freemantle
Leonard Morpurgo
Ted Duggan
Alan Whicker
Carl Foreman
Marie West
Furlong - dog

production team...

Researcher: John Viner
Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
Directors: Royston Mayoh, Terry Yarwood
Producer: Jack Crawshaw

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

A Novel Life

a page-turning good read

Alan Whicker

Screenshots of Leslie Thomas This Is Your Life

Scriptwriter Roy Bottomley recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, This Is Your Life: The Story of Television's Famous Big Red Book...

'This time next week, where shall I be? Sitting by the fireside, scoffing my tea. Plenty of comics, lots of books. No more Matron's dirty looks.'

So sang a group of Dr Barnardo's 'old boys' as Eamonn Andrews walked in on Leslie Thomas, himself a former Barnardo's boy, as he opened a new wing at their hostel in Kingston, Surrey, on 1 November 1978.

This Time Next Week – based on his life at Barnardo's – was the first book Leslie had written.

The former newspaper reporter rocketed to fame with the hilarious The Virgin Soldiers, and many more best-sellers were to follow. International film producer Carl Foreman – who made the hit movie of the book – and star Hywel Bennett were at the studios to greet Leslie, and hear his remarkable story.

He was just twelve when his father, a merchant navy stoker, died at sea in the war, and his mother died shortly afterwards. Leslie and his younger brother, Roy, were put into the care of Barnardo's, but in separate homes. Roy was then found a foster home. After eighteen months apart, Leslie 'did a bunk' and set out to find Roy, which he did, part of his transport being a bicycle which he 'borrowed' from outside a police station.

But it worked, and the brothers were reunited, as indeed they were the night of the Life – we flew in Roy from his home in Australia.

Series 19 subjects