Not a joke, honest. "A car dating back to the Second World War which was driven across Europe and North Africa by ukulele-playing actor George Formby as he entertained troops has sold for £30,000. The 1939 Mercury Eight Series 99A Estate was used during his time in the Entertainments National Service Association. Formby drove it during a 53-day tour of the Mediterranean in the summer of 1943 after befriending its creator, racing driver Sir Michael Campbell. The motor was updated for driving in the desert with larger tyres and partially painted-out windows to lessen the sun's glare. By the time the ukulele-strumming star returned to England in October, he had entertained 750,000 troops, traversed a minefield, dined with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and been named the Eighth Army's mascot. It remained in his ownership until his death in 1961 and was mainly used as transport for grouse shooting parties. It was sold by a collector with auctioneers H&H Classics of Warrington, Cheshire. It attracted a hammer price of £26,500, with extra fees taking the final figure paid to £30,475." www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9645303/Car-used-George-Formby-visit-troops-Second-World-War-sells-30-000-auction.html
He was essentially a British Jerry Lewis, or Jerry Lewis was an American George Formby. Don't care much for either one.
Tush and ptshaww. and other derogatory noises... He was a man with a great deal of physical and moral courage. He visited the Normandy beahchead. GEORGE FORMBY IN NORMANDY One story was that he and his wife would put on a show for what ever audience there was. He was sufficiently close to the frot line for one audience of a Canadian tank crew to have go into action a few hundred yards way. After WW2 he toured South Africa and refused to perform for segregated audiences. Formby's songs were as much a part of the 1940s as Vera Lynn and sum up much unofficial British military culture and thought. Mr Wu a BAME war hero.... This is a true hymn to the browned off across the garrisons of the Empire . Bing Crosby just doesn't get it.....
Here is a documentary on Formby- this bit has him talking about his war service. It still works for the British serviceman as per the Afghanistan Branch of the George Formby Society founded by the Coldstream Guards But Formby has a lot to answer for...
