William Hartnell, often known as Billy, was born in London on January 8th 1908 and educated privately and at Imperial Service college. He served with the Tank Corps (Royal Armoured Corps) in the Second World War from 1940-41. He trained as a jockey but turned to the stage and made his debut in 1924. He entered films in 1932 in Say It With Music, his characters were usually either brash or comic until he was given the role of the sergeant in The Way Ahead of 1944. After this he played more toughened characters such as Dallow in Brighton Rock (see picture). He later became reknowned as the first Dr Who, he died in 1975 on the 24th of April after a series of strokes.
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