Famous For: All round family entertainer and 'Goon'

Trivia:

He is also one of the few celebrities to have had two episodes of the 'This Is Your Life' programme devoted to him, one in 1958 and the second one in 1990.

He appeared opposite Dame Sybil Thorndike in 'Jet Storm', starring Richard Attenborough and he starred in the title role of Davy - the last feature film made at Ealing Studios.

When he visited the Falkland Islands to entertain the troops he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant by his old regiment - some 37 years after being de-mobbed.

Biography:

Famous throughout the world it is very difficult to categorize Sir Harry Secombe - he was a comedian, writer and singer.

To Richard Burton he was "instant joy"; to Prince Charles (in his Investiture speech as Prince of Wales) he was "a most memorable Goon"; to Spike Milligan he was "that well-known danger to shipping", and to his family, friends and legion of fans he remains irreplaceable.

Born in St. Thomas, Swansea in 1921 Harry was the third child of his parents' four children. His mother was the manageress of Peacock's Bazaar in Swansea Market and his father worked in an office for a wholesale grocer. Along with his family Harry became a regular church-goer and at the age of seven joined St. Stephen's Church choir in Danygraig.

It was at church socials that he first proved his potential as an entertainer at the age of 12, when he would perform a little sketch entitled 'The Welsh Courtship', acting as "feed" to the comedienne of the family, Carol. As a child Harry was a big musical fan and an avid radio listener.

Harry attended Dynevor School in the centre of Swansea and after leaving school in 1937 became a pay clerk with Baldwins.

He joined the Territorial Army in 1938 and served as a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery in North Africa, Sicily and Italy in World War II. After the war he and fellow soldier Spike Milligan became part of the Central Pool of Artistes and toured together entertaining the troops in a concert party. After his demobilisation he met his future wife, Myra, at a dance on the Mumbles Pier in 1946.

At the end of the war Harry decided to pursue a career in showbusiness, and he moved to London to follow his dream. Eventually Harry landed an audition at the Windmill Theatre and was offered a contract by its owner Vivian Van Damme. Harry became well known for his comedy 'shaving act' and while here he struck up a friendship with Michael Bentine, who he then introduced to Spike Milligan. Harry's agent was Jimmy Grafton and along with Bentine, Milligan and Peter Sellers they devised what was to become the revolutionary 'Goon Show'.

Harry and Myra married in 1948 at St. Barnabus Church, Sketty. In 1949 their first daughter Jennifer was born. Myra and Harry eventually had a total of two sons and two daughters.

His first major break came in radio when he was chosen as resident comedian for the Welsh series Welsh Rarebit, followed by appearances on Variety Bandbox and a regular role in Educating Archie.

In 1963 he starred in the stage musical 'Pickwick' and this gave him the number two hit single 'If I Ruled the World'. In 1965 the show was produced on tour in America, and on Broadway garnered Harry a nomination for the coveted Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

At the beginning of his career as an entertainer, his act would end with a joke version of the duet Sweethearts, in which he sang both the baritone and falsetto parts. However, behind the clowning lurked a powerful tenor voice which was duly trained under the guidance of the late Italian Maestro Manlio di Veroli. He emerged from his singing lessons as one of the few bel canto tenors in Britain and has a long list of best-selling record albums to his credit.

He also starred in the film 'Oliver' as Mr. Bumble. Harry continued to work steadily throughout the 1970's and in 1972 'The Last Goon Show Of All' was broadcast on television, re-uniting the team who all remained friends. It was attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Princess Margaret, Lord Snowdon and HRH Princess Anne.

In 1981 Harry was awarded a knighthood, and two years later he began the series that would make him a household name again for the next ten years, presenting the religious television programme 'Highway' on ITV. After ten years of 'Highway', he presented the BBC's 'Songs Of Praise'.

In January, 1999, he suffered a stroke, which followed the diagnosis of prostate cancer the previous summer. However, with his typical determination and desire to help others in similar circumstances Harry agreed to film an Everyman documentary, 'The Trouble With Harry' for BBC ONE which charted his progress from February (just three weeks after he had the stroke) until September 8 - his 78th birthday.

The inspirational programme saw him bravely struggling to overcome the paralysing effect of the stroke through intensive physiotherapy, lots of determination and the help of his strong religious convictions.

Harry passed away on 11 April 2001 at the age of 79. His ashes are interred at the parish church of Shamley Green, Surrey.

A memorial service to celebrate his life, held at Westminster Abbey on October 26, 2001, was full of laughter and song.

As well as family members, close friends, show business celebrities and hundreds of fans, the service was also attended by HRH The Prince of Wales and representatives of HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh, HRH The Princess Royal, HRH Princess Margaret and HRH The Duke of Kent. On his tombstone is the very apt inscription: "To know him was to love him."

Moment of Glory: In 1981 he was awarded a knighthood for his services to entertainment and charity.

Steve Secombe London To Gary Westecott: Sorry Gary but Harry was cremated, so there is no burial place I'm afraid. Wed Nov 19 14:51:56 2008 Gary Westecott, Moore, Queensland, Australia My wife and I were great fans of the two sides of Sir Harry - as a comedian and as a singer. While in the UK in 2003, we tried to visit the place where he was buried; I believe we were told Cranleigh Parish Hall, Guildford. Whe we visited this place, we were told he was not buried there. My wife and I are visiting the UK in August 2009 and would dearly love to find Sir Harry's resting place. Can anyone with reliable information tells us where this may be and give us contact details? Mon Sep 29 16:25:44 2008 Bernard Jefford I wish to purchase the sheet music 'If I ruled the world' the version that Harry did, as it was a little faster than the norm. Tue Mar 25 10:38:59 2008 martin rogers I didn't know Sir Harry Secombe, but as there was an uncanny likeness between father and Sir Harry which led to me researching the family tree. To my amazement I found that Sir Harry's mother was in fact my father's 2nd cousin and that Sir Harry himself had traced the tree as well and visited the family in Pembrokeshire back in the 80's. I'm obviously honoured to be a relative to such an icon. Fri Oct 26 14:27:42 2007 Bob Scullen I had the privilege to meet Sir Harry when he visited the British Military Hospital in the Falklands in 1983 and got his autograph. He even signed an arrival chit giving his rank as Lance bombadier and drank black coffee. A truly funny and great man! Thu Jul 26 13:48:11 2007 Nike Hamilton I got very nostalgic after reading about Sir Harry because I lived on Dynevor Rd. in Skewen and watched him on TV all the time back in the 60's. I also loved to hear him sing as I sang a lot in my school Skewen Lower! I still watch Oliver from time to time. Mon Jul 16 11:03:41 2007 Mario Rossi-Diana, Banbury, Oxon. As a former Dynevor pupil and living now in the Oxford area, I was disappointed not getting to see this famous son of Dynevor, in his last show at the Apollo Oxford in Pickwick. However imagine my surprise when he entered the restaurant, Luna Caprese in Oxford with his wife and some members of the cast. My wife went over to him and told him how disappointed I was at not seeing him perform. He asked us over and offered us both a drink and we talked for ages about Swansea and Dynevor School. A lovely man to the end, and a sad loss. Fri Oct 13 08:53:41 2006 gail kessell from cardiff was there a recording made of harry appearing in pickwick papers Fri Jan 20 15:32:25 2006 Marie from Gloucester Sir harry was a famous person, and one of my heros. I studied him for my variety performance, although I did a different act to what he has been famous for. Tue Nov 29 15:36:09 2005 Alan Owen, Canada I am a big fan of the Goons and of Harry (Ned Seagoon) Seacombe. When I was young (20-30)I looked and laughed like Harry, and often impressed girls when I said he was my uncle when they asked if I was related to him. I am originally from Merthyr Tydfil. Thanks for the help with the girls Harry! Fri Dec 17 15:55:45 2004 Dave Watson - Ontario, Canda On one of Harry Secombe's shows of Highway was a singer from the Isle of Jersey. Her name is Emma Cooper and I was wondering if she had any CD's available to buy. Her voice is fantastic. Thanks ever so much Dave. Fri Nov 5 10:39:33 2004 Michael Bellinger (Goldcoast ) Australia I am a tenor vocalist and wanting to put a tribute show to Sir Harry on the road but have not got much information on him or about the Goon Show he used to be in as I was too young then to remember. I need this info to get it going. Thanks. Tue Jul 13 07:49:37 2004 Kimberly Williams I am looking for the track called 'Trees' by Harry Secombe - does anybody know where I can find this? Mon Mar 29 14:07:05 2004 Rosie Doncaster I followed Harry's numerous talents and he always cheered me up.I loved every thing he ever did and still miss him.My very best wishes to his family who will never fill the huge void he must have left for them. Sat Mar 27 18:12:45 2004 Dave Fox I am trying to obtain a copy of Harry Secombe singing Grenada for a very dear friend of mine. I have found out that it was released on the record titled 'Command Performance Volume Two' on the Pickwick/Hallmark label. I have been trying for the last six months to no avail. Tue Mar 9 10:00:13 2004 Lena and Harry Smith We have just seen that there is to be a commerative service for Sir Harry Secombe on March 27 in Swansea. The reason for us writing to you is because we are very much involved in a website, American based, namely www.GMMY.COM. The host of this website and friends that we have made, were not familiar with the name Harry Secombe, but we have been sending lots of Sir Harrys recordings to the host Frank E Dee, a former radio presenter and broadcaster and newspaper writer in the States, and he has been continuously playing Sir Harry's recordings for the past 2 years, even today, and there is more to be played tomorrow on their radio shows. Harry has won the hearts of so many people who are forever putting wonderful comments on the Tenors webpage message board on GMMY and we just thought how nice it would be for Sir Harry's family to know how much pleasure and how much admiration that these people feel for someone whom they had never heard of before... We have a recording of 'Grenada' if Dave Cox still needs it. Tue Mar 9 09:58:13 2004 Do you remember Harry from your days at Dynevor School? Are you a fan of Harry? Send in your comments here. 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