"Academy Award-Winning Actor David Niven Had to Fight" Topic

… to Serve In WWII

"A famous Hollywood star of the 1940s, through to the '80s, David Niven featured in numerous popular films, even taking on the role of James Bond. An actor by trade, when the Second World War broke out, he was determined to do his bit. Others, however, had a very different idea of what they wanted his role in the conflict to be, meaning he had to fight to be allowed to serve…."

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Armand

This is mostly a recounting of the stories in "The Moon's A Balloon," Niven's highly entertaining memoir, which includes lots of anecdotes about his Army career before Hollywood.

My favorite one is an anecdote about his detailing to serve as a parade orderly to the commandant, a general named Eric Girdwood (who had greatly distinguished himself at Gallipoli as a young brigade major). Niven had to wear a shoulder belt with a silver box, which he took to filling with cigarettes, toilet paper, matches and condoms, which he occasionally showed off as "supplies for the general." Girdwood must have got wind of this, because one day before the parade, he inspected his orderlies, and to Niven's mortification, opened the box and rummaged through it. His reaction was, "Hmm….I must say, very thoughtful, Niven."

Whether Niven's Army career was as full of these kinds of episodes as his book is, only heaven knows now, but it's very amusing.

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Armand

That's an excellent book "The moon's a balloon" I really enjoyed it and would also recommend it.

"Bring on the Empty Horses" is another Niven autobiography.
Yes, he had indeed "seen the elephant".

Thanks also…

Armand