This Is Your Life: Terry Fincher

Terry FINCHER (1931-2008)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Terry Fincher, photojournalist, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the newsroom of the Daily Express in London's Fleet Street, having been led to believe he was there for a meeting with his picture editor.

Terry, who was born in Oving near Aylesbury, began his career in 1945 as a messenger boy with the famous press agency Keystone Press. Following his National Service, he returned to Fleet Street, where he began submitting his own photographs for publication while working in the photographic processing labs. His career took off in 1956, when, promoted to a full-time photographer, he was accredited to British Forces to cover the Suez invasion.

In 1957, he won his first Press Photographer of the Year award while working for the Daily Herald. He joined the Daily Express in 1961, covered the Vietnam War for the newspaper over five tours, and reported extensively from trouble spots in the Middle East and Africa. He was named British Press Photographer of the Year four times over ten years, creating an unequalled record.

"Never thought I'd get caught for this! You must be joking!"

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