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British singer and supporting or second lead actress of stage and screen, born Irene Creese in London, England. Her father was the noted automotive and aviation engineer Alfred Edward Creese (1872-1943), inventor of the first operational monoplane and associate of Albert Einstein. In addition to her work as an actress, René authored novels (including the fantasy "Wraxton Marne"), original stories and screenplays. Most notable among these was The Strange World of Planet X (1958) (a novelisation of her later television series), which cast her among the small number of female science fiction writers active at the time.

On stage from her late teens, René made her acting debut at the Savoy Theatre as a barmaid in "Wonder Bar" (1930). A frail, wistful-looking lass with expressive eyes, she tended to appear on screen in victimised, careworn or downtrodden roles. She gave possibly her best performances in The Passing of the Third Floor Back (1935) and Man of Affairs (1936). She also acted in several minor musicals, including Born Lucky (1933) and Street Song (1935), capitalising on her good singing voice. René even had a crack at Hollywood, auditioning for the part of the second Mrs. de Winter in Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rebecca (1940) (of course, losing out to Joan Fontaine).

On Broadway, she received strong critical notices for her acting in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls", directed by Cedric Hardwicke. She spent most of her wartime career on stage at London's West End. René eventually gave up acting by the mid-1950's to concentrate on the new challenges of her writing career. In 1975, she married the 2nd Earl of Midleton, which effectively bestowed upon her the title of countess. He died in 1979.

William Rose was born on 31 August 1918 in Jefferson City, Missouri, USA. He was a writer, known for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), The Ladykillers (1955) and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963). He was married to Tania Rose. He died on 10 February 1987 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Jack Higgins was born on 27 July 1929 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, UK. He was a writer, known for The Eagle Has Landed (1976), A Prayer for the Dying (1987) and The Violent Enemy (1967). He was married to Denise Palmer and Amy Hewitt. He died on 9 April 2022 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Gerald Durrell was born on 7 January 1925 in Jamshedpur, India. He was a writer and director, known for The Durrells (2016), Tarka the Otter (1979) and BBC2 Playhouse (1973). He was married to Lee Durrell and Jacqueline Sonia Rasen. He died on 30 January 1995 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Former journalist and film critic Leslie Arliss began his film career as a screenwriter in the 1930s, mainly for Gainsborough Pictures. He continued as a writer for ten years, leaving Gainsborough in 1941 when he was offered a chance to direct at Associated British. It wasn't long before he returned to Gainsborough and brought with him a young actor named James Mason, and the films they made together there garnered both of them public recognition. Their first, The Man in Grey (1943), was quite popular with wartime audiences, who found Mason's villainy just what they needed to hiss at during the depths of the war. Their next two films together, A Lady Surrenders (1944) and The Wicked Lady (1945), were also wildly successful, especially the latter with star Margaret Lockwood gaining attention for her appearance in a succession of low-cut (for 1945) dresses. It became the #1 box-office film in Britain for 1946.

Arliss then left Gainsborough for London Films, producer Alexander Korda's company; unfortunately, his tenure there was anything but productive. He and Korda did not get along at all and fought constantly (he was taken off of Korda's Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948), which was completed by Anthony Kimmins--and even Korda himself--but to no avail; it was one of the major flops of 1948). Arliss left London Films under less-than-amicable conditions and it was three years before he made another film. His latter work was a considerable step down in quality from his earlier films, and he wound up his career directing television.

Alan Whicker was born on 2 August 1921 in Cairo, Egypt. He was a writer and director, known for Whicker; Down Mexico Way (1963), Whicker's Walkabout (1970) and Whicker (1968). He died on 12 July 2013 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Jack Jackson was born on 20 February 1906 in Belvedere, Kent, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Drei D (1988), Stars in Your Eyes (1956) and Climb Up the Wall (1960). He died on 15 January 1978 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Ricki Lee was born on 22 September 1933 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Hi-de-Hi! (1980), Be My Guest (1977) and The David Nixon Show (1972). She was married to Ronnie Dukes. She died in May 1986 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Sandra Storme was born in April 1911 in London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Rope (1939), Clouds Over Europe (1939) and Murder in the Night (1939). She was married to Richard Francis Roger Yarde-Buller, 4th Baron Churston of Churston Ferrers and Lupton, Jack Lawson Dunfee and Claud Harold Berram Arthur Griffiths. She died on 1 December 1979 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Charlie Daze was a stand up comedian who was born as Charlie Douglas. Details of his early life remain sketchy: from a large family, he was brought up in Portadown, Ireland, with many journals stating it was his place of birth; however, other reports suggest he was born in Scotland and moved there at an early age.

Charlie's credits include variety shows such as Episode #4.9 (1978) and Episode #2.4 (1984), as well as appearing on a number of editions of The Comedians (1971). He had an acting role in Winner Takes All (1987).

Una Trimming was born in 1938 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Rag Trade (1961), Hancock's Half Hour (1956) and The Cedar Tree (1976). She died on 4 January 1980 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Ronnie Dukes was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England, UK. He was married to Ricki Lee. He died on 7 June 1981 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Chick Anthony He grew up in Jersey, the son of a second generation emigrant from Kerala in India. His Father became a headmaster and his mother had the foresight to buy a place for their retirement. It was there, in Grouville Jersey where Chick and Joy eventually lived.

His name, Chick, comes from his Christening - when he wore a yellow suite. This prompted someone to say he "looked a real Chick" - and the name stuck. The religion didn't, he was a life-long agnostic, not bothering with that sort of thing.

Chick met Joy, his wife, in Salisbury when he was working in his first job at the Met Office - judging the way the wind blew gas around the Army base at Salisbury Plain. He lived in a hostel for several years, spending his free time at an amateur theatre group as a stage manager. There he noticed the leading lady and married her. It was about then that he first attempted to join the BBC but there were no openings until ITV started up and there were plenty, he got in on his second attempt. At his interview he noticed his original application letter on the desk - written on blue paper. This was the start of a long relationship with officialdom at the BBC.

Joy and Chick started their married life in a flat in Acton but soon moved to Hanwell their first child, Simon was born. Chick was very pleased as the birth got him off doing Grandstand. He had a hard time coping with the Evesham training center at Wood Norton but he got through without being terminated and his first role was as a Boom Op. He was seen on telly from Jersey handing a microphone to David Jacobs on the Six Five Special - or so he said - but it was probably Pete Murray. It was a live show so no recorded evidence exists. Over the years he rose to the top Sound job of Senior Supervisor working on a wide variety of shows, from the first use of VT on air - Vera, through Grandstand and Doctor Who, via I Claudius and loads of Shakespeare and several major music productions to mention but a few - some are now lost. A fuller list is on IMDB, which is, despite it's length, not complete.

Their daughter Biddy was born in Joy's family home in Salisbury and shortly afterwards her father, William Forder ( a master builder who who built Laverstock ) helped finance a move to Ealing where the family lived for around twenty five years - just up the road from Ealing Film studios where the family sometimes had tea. Chick cycled to work at TVC with ease from there.

Chick was a leading light in the ABS, which lead to the only argument between him and Joy when a strike was called. He had used his great abilities with language to act as an arbitrator in the hope of preventing it, but as a true democrat he supported his representative's views and went on strike with them.

Outside the BBC, Chick and Joy lived an 'Upper, Lower, Middle - Middle Class' life working hard and long for many years with the Ealing Civic Society. After a decade's battle to "Put the Heart back in Ealing", they won and the - locally approved - Ealing Broadway Centre was opened by the Queen.

He was a long standing Liberal and worked for the party just as much as for the Civic Society, but not so successfully. One way or another, everyone who lived in Ealing would have had a leaflet through their door from him on his bike - often.

Joy became ill with an M.E./Thyroid related disease - for which she trail blazed a treatment regime during and after her recovery. Sadly this didn't last and her returning disability resulted in their move to Jersey where she did indeed recover somewhat. In Jersey he took up the mantle left by his Father in the Jersey Battle of Flowers association, helping with the flowering of many a Grouville float over the years. His speciality was brushing down the "Mare's Tails" used for detailed work. He was very particular about detail. Chick also became very active in Jersey Heritage, becoming Chair of the Jersey Environmental Society and making many media appearances until Joy's illness returned.

This illness then escalated to dementia and Chick acted as full time carer for many years - ignoring his own deteriorating health and keeping it secret - presumably so as not to bother anyone. He gave up cycling after his second hip replacement - he never had a car nor learned to drive, "you don't need one in London" he said. Joy disagreed and got one, but couldn't learn the thing. Before her illness, she did manage the far harder task of controlling a tricycle which defeated the rest of the family.

Both Chick and Joy were deeply proud of all four grandchildren - one of the last things he did was proof read his grandson David's Master's presentation. He was awarded a 'First' on the same day his Grandad died.

His final illness was recognised by a Doctor that he had called to attend to Joy. He was told to go to hospital at once, but, he took Joy to a nursing home by taxi first, then on the the hospital where he had an emergency bowel operation. This triggered a heart attack and he died of complications after requesting no further treatment.

He has gone, but his work shall live forever - unless the BBC wipes it again.

Kyril Bonfiglioli was born on 29 May 1928 in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, UK. Kyril was a writer, known for Mortdecai (2015). Kyril died on 3 March 1985 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Samuel Lover was born on 24 February 1797 in Dublin, Kingdom of Ireland [now Ireland]. He was a writer, known for Handy Andy (1921), Rory O'More (1911) and National Velvet (1944). He was married to Mary Wandby and Lucy Berrel. He died on 6 July 1868 in St. Heliers, Isle of Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

John Fortune Fraser was born on 5 March 1932 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor and producer, known for Sir Billi (2012). He was married to Tessa McAulay. He died on 12 January 2019 in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Alan Tredgett was born in 1919 in Kensington, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Plane Makers (1963), Taxi! (1963) and Dixon of Dock Green (1955). He was married to Joan Pickering. He died on 30 September 1975 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Billy Butlin was born on 29 September 1899 in Cape Town, South Africa. He is known for The Furry Folk on Holiday (1967), Points of View (1955) and The Ivor Novello Awards (1959). He was married to Lady Sheila Butlin, Norah Faith Cheriton and Dorothy Cheriton. He died on 12 June 1980 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Marjorie Zeidler was born on 4 August 1907 in Fulham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Ghost Train (1948), The Winslow Boy (1948) and Acacia Avenue (1948). She died on 7 March 1983 in St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Gershom Parkington was born in 1886 in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Death at a Broadcast (1934) and Music Hall (1934). He died on 23 January 1952 in Saint-Hélier, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Claude Cahun was born on 25 October 1894 in Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, France. She was a writer, known for Confessions to the Mirror (2016), Un siècle d'écrivains (1995) and Playing a Part: The Story of Claude Cahun (2006). She died on 8 December 1954 in Saint-Hélier, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Muriel Minty was born on 9 January 1890 in Fort William, West Bengal, India. She was an actress, known for A Woman in the Night (1928), The Upper Hand (1921) and The Jar (1937). She died on 25 June 1975 in Saint-Hélier, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Mike Salmon was born on 12 October 1933 in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland. He was married to Jean Bloxham. He died on 13 January 2016 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Stanley Brightman was born on 16 June 1888 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for The Deputy Drummer (1935) and Broken Bottles (1920). He was married to Beryl Harrison. He died on 31 March 1961 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

Gary Burgess was born on 13 November 1975 in Manchester, England, UK. He was married to Alan Stirling. He died on 1 January 2022 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.