Percy Herbert

Percy Herbert

Stalwart of British war movies

Percy Herbert, born 31 July 1920, died of heart attack on 6 December 1992 was a British actor best known for his appearances in some of the all-time classic British war movies.

Percy volunteered for service with the Army at the start of WW2 and was sent to the Royal Army Ordinance Corps. His unit was sent to the Far East and travelled there by ship, unfortunately the vessel was attacked upon its arrival at Singapore and Herbert was forced to jump ship and swim ashore (with a broken collar bone). Upon rescue by British troops he was sent to the British Military Hospital at Singapore where amazingly he was one of only eleven (11) survivors of the Alexandria Hospital Massacre by the Japanese! Although he was ultimately captured and sent to the notorious Changi Prison Camp from where he was assigned to work on the Burma Railroad. He spent four years in captivity until freed by American troops at the end of the war.

After the war, he was helped by Dame Sybil Thorndike to secure an interview with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts where he won a scholarship. His acting career began in the theatre, which included working at John Gielgud`s Old Vic Company. He had a long career with over 90 films and television programs as credits.

Percy`s first major war movie was as Marine Lomas in the classic 1955 film Cockleshell Heroes with the superb Jóse Ferrer and stalwart British actor Trevor Howard about the commando raid on the docks at Bordeaux.

Next up we have A Hill in Korea (1956) an interesting movie which was made to publicise how vital National Service personnel were to todays army. Among other up and coming British actors in the movie we find a young Michael Caine get his first credited role under his own name! The film also had Stanley Baker and Robert Shaw. Herbert played a simple private soldier – Moon

The Steel Bayonet (1957) is set in Tunisia where a British unit is sent to defend an outlying farm against a German counter-attack. A simple scenario, highlighting the work of artillery FOOs, Herbert again plays a private soldier – Clark

The Bridge of the River Kwai (1957) needs no introduction, directed by David Lean with stand-out performances by Alec Guinness & William Holden, winning seven Academy Awards and being the highest-grossing film of 1957! Herbert played the role of Private Grogan, but when David Lean learned of his wartime experiences he was given an extra job as an advisor and paid an additional £5.00 a week. Herbert is also credited for suggesting the use of The Colonel Bogey March whistled by the prisoners as they march!

No Time to Die! (AKA Tankforce) 1958, not a movie I know about an American (Victor Mature) serving with the British Army in Libya and his adventures trying to escape the SS and get back to Allied lines? Herbert once again plays a private soldier.

Sea of Sand (1958) Classic LRDG movie about a raid on an Axis petrol dump miles behind the lines. Herbert plays Corporal “Blanco” White the running mate of Richard Attenborough`s Trooper Brody. A great film which has aged pretty well.

Idol on Parade (1959) one of a number of National Service farce type comedies of this period, Herbert plays the platoon Sergeant

Yesterday`s Enemy (1959) is a seriously gritty war movie set during the Japanese offensive in Burma, the remains of a British unit led by Stanley Baker trying to make their way back to Allied lines through thick jungle. Eventually they come upon and native village only to discover a senior Japanese officer and important information which needs to be sent back to HQ. So Baker decides to hold the village whilst his Sergeant (played by another stalwart actor Gordon Jackson) trys to get through. Herbert plays the radio operator Wilson

Don`t Panic Chaps (1959) British comedy with George Cole & Dennis Price where a squad is sent to an isolated island in the Adriatic only to find a German squad is already there. The two sides decide to make an informal peace and until the arrival of a beautiful girl complicates matters. Herbert plays the sergeant

Tunes of Glory (1960) an interesting film about officers and mess politics after the war, starring Alec Guinness & John Mills. Herbert plays the RSM Riddick

Guns of Navarone (1961) All-star cast, based on the Alistair Maclean`s novel. Herbert has a small part as a Sergeant at one the islands.

Guns at Batasi (1964) set in an unnamed African state where a group of senior British NCOs led by RSM Lauderdale (Richard Attenborough) find themselves in the middle of a coup. Some of the speeches are simply amazing, the clash between modern post-colonial attitudes and those who wish to sweep it all away is stark. Herbert plays one of the NCOs – Colour Sergeant Ben Parkin

Tobruk (1967) An American war movie starring Rock Hudson and George Peppard about an LRDG raid to knock out coastal guns near Tobruk. Herbert plays Pvt Dolan part of a light hearted duo with Norman Rossington who plays ex-jailbird Alfie Braithwaite

Too Late the Hero (1970) directed by Robert Aldrich, this film is about a commando raid into Japanese held territory by the British (led by bumbling Denholm Elliot) with the plan of getting American Lieutenant Junior Grade Lawson (played by Cliff Robertson) to the Japanese base and transmitting a fake message. The action is brutal, the cast all regular British actors (Michael Caine stars). Herbert plays Sergeant Johnson

The Wild Geese (1978) Or to quote Alan MacCoubry “Old men in funny hats” J All-star cast about a mercenary operation in Africa. Among a long list of stalwart war film actors Herbert appears as Trooper Keith

The Sea Wolves (1980) All-star cast, based on the true story of the raid into Goa Harbour to destroy German vessels interred there. Herbert plays Dennison one the Calcutta Light Horse.