Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
Laddie LUCAS CBE, DSO, DFC (1915-1998)
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Percy Lucas, commonly known as Laddie, RAF officer, politician, writer and golfer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews during a reception at London's Park Lane Hotel.
Laddie captained the golf team while reading Economics at Cambridge, and as a top amateur in the 1935 Open Championships he was considered the finest left-handed player in the world. He carved out a successful career as a Fleet Street journalist before volunteering for the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of the Second World War.
At the age of just twenty-six he led the top-scoring 249 Squadron during the Battle of Malta. He later commanded a Spitfire wing and led a Mosquito squadron operating in support of the Allied armies advancing through Europe. Following the end of the war he served as a Conservative MP for nine years and later wrote numerous bestselling books based on his exemplary war service.
"My god Eamonn! Oh Eamonn, my word! Hook, line and sinker!"
programme details...
- Edition No: 650
- Subject No: 643
- Broadcast date: Wed 11 Apr 1984
- Broadcast time: 8.00-8.30pm
- Recorded: Wed 14 Mar 1984
- Venue: Royalty Theatre
- Series: 24
- Edition: 25
- Code name: Wings
on the guest list...
- Lord Mancroft
- Lord Ward
- Lord Chelwood
- Lady Chelwood
- Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
- Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris
- Sir Denis Crowley-Milling
- Robert Stanford Tuck
- Peter Alliss
- Sir Harry Llewellyn
- Sir Arthur Gold
- Sir Nigel Fisher
- Johnnie Johnson
- Gp Capt Jack Satchell
- Tony Holland
- Jack Rae
- Jill - wife
- Jeremy - son
- Monica - daughter-in-law
- David - son
- Evadne - David's fiancée
- Ian - brother
- Sheila - sister-in-law
- Gwen - sister
- Barbara - niece
- Erica - niece
- Robin - nephew
- Ronnie White
- Arthur Perowne
- Ken Thom
- Sidney Sexton
- Charles Pretzlik
- Susan Pretzlik
- Henry Cotton
- Christopher - grandson
- Frank Jones Filmed tributes:
- Edward Heath
- Willie Whitelaw
related appearances...
- Douglas Bader - Mar 1982
- Peter Alliss - Apr 1985
production team...
- Researcher: Claire Jenkinson
- Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
- Directors: Terry Yarwood, Michael D Kent
- Associate Producer: Brian Klein
- Producer: Malcolm Morris
- names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life
a cross-party celebration
saluting the armed forces
Screenshots of Laddie Lucas This Is Your Life
Series 24 subjects
John Mills | Norman Parkinson | Chaim Topol | Pat Jennings | Susannah York | Stuart Henry | George Thomas | Richard NobleMatthew Kelly | Gloria Cameron | Geraint Evans | Matthew Lethbridge | Liza Goddard | Terry Lawless | Jim Davidson
Chris Gittins | Bob Todd | Nerys Hughes | Mike Spring | Eddie Macken | Freddie Starr | Kathy Staff
Jenny Pitman | Brian Blessed | Laddie Lucas | Danny La Rue