DAVID NIVEN

David Niven is best remembered as a suave and sophisticated actor, known for his roles in classic Hollywood films. However, before gracing the silver screen, Niven embarked on a remarkable journey as a member of the Special Air Service (SAS), showcasing his courage and resourcefulness in the face of danger. When World War II broke out, Niven, like many of his contemporaries, felt a sense of duty and volunteered to serve his country. Initially, he joined the British Army’s Rifle Brigade and later the Royal Army Service Corps. However, Niven’s desire for more active service led him to join the British Commandos, where he underwent rigorous training and participated in covert operations.

In 1942, Niven’s exceptional skills and reputation as a soldier caught the attention of the newly formed SAS. He was selected to serve with the Phantom Reconnaissance Unit, a precursor to the SAS, undertaking hazardous missions behind enemy lines in North Africa. Niven’s role involved gathering intelligence, reconnaissance, and engaging in sabotage activities, often operating in small teams deep within enemy territory. Niven’s time with the SAS allowed him to put his bravery and resourcefulness to the test. His calm demeanor, quick thinking, and adaptability in high-pressure situations proved invaluable during his missions. Niven’s linguistic abilities also played a crucial role, as he was fluent in French and German, allowing him to gather intelligence and communicate effectively with local populations.

Despite the inherent dangers, Niven approached his duties with dedication and professionalism. His contributions to the war effort and his exemplary service were recognized with several military honors, including the Military Cross, which he received for his bravery and leadership during a particularly perilous operation. Following the war, Niven returned to his acting career, bringing with him a wealth of experiences and a newfound perspective. His time in the SAS lent an authenticity and depth to his performances, as he drew upon his own courage and resilience to breathe life into his characters.

CHRISTOPHER LEE

Christopher Lee served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the war as an intelligence officer. His intelligence background and knowledge of various languages, including German, proved valuable in his military service. Lee’s role involved gathering and analyzing information, contributing to the war effort in a different capacity. Following his military service, Christopher Lee embarked on a successful acting career, becoming known for his iconic roles in films such as “Dracula,” “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun.” His talent, deep voice, and commanding presence made him one of the most revered actors in the industry. Christopher Lee was the step-cousin of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond. When Lee’s mother remarried following his parents’ divorce, it was to a man with the remarkably English name of Harcourt George St-Croix Rose. This man was the uncle of Ian Fleming, so Lee and Fleming became step-cousins. 

While Christopher Lee’s military service was notable, it is important to separate fact from fiction. Although he had an intriguing background and a distinguished acting career, there is no substantiated evidence to support the claim that he served in the SAS. It is essential to rely on credible sources when discussing the careers and achievements of notable individuals to avoid spreading misinformation. Gavin Mortimer, a historian insisted that Lee’s military career was a “fine one.” claimed that Lee did not serve in the SAS, LRDG, or SOE. “He was attached to the SAS and SOE as an RAF liaison officer at various times between 1943 and 1945,” Mortimer wrote, “but he did not serve in them.”

SEAN CONNERY

Connery enlisted in His Majesty’s Royal Navy. He received training at the naval gunnery school in Portsmouth and was assigned to an anti-aircraft artillery crew. His first and only ship assignment was the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Formidable. After three years of naval service, Connery was medically discharged due to a duodenal ulcer.

RICHARD BURTON

Richard Burton served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He attended Exeter College, Oxford in 1943 for a six-month program, and later took the classification exam, so he could train as a pilot. Due to sub-par eyesight, however, he was put into navigator training. Burton served as a navigator for three years, serving out of a hospital in Wiltshire as an aircraftman first class, followed by a role as an instructor in Carberry, Canada. On December 16, 1947, he was discharged, and soon signed with an agent who helped him get his first major film role in The Last Days of Dolwyn (1949).

MICHAEL CAINE

Sir Michael Caine began his National Service with the British Army on 28 April 1952. A year into his National Service, Caine was given the option of either completing two further years standard National Service or completing only one year of Active Service in Korea. Caine chose to do the latter and set sail from Liverpool to the East Asian Theatre on the Empire Halladale. When he reached East Asia, he was based at Kure, the Southern Japanese mainland, for training. As part of the 1st Battalion of Royal Fusiliers, A Platoon, C Company; Caine was sent the front line of the Korean conflict in Pusan- the 38th Parallel. Michael Caine would draw upon his military experience in films such as A Hill in Korea, which tells the story of a group of British soldiers being cut off by Chinese forces.

“…attack after attack, you would find their bodies in groups of four”-commenting on the human wave tactics employed by the enemy, which often involved groups of soldiers sharing a single weapon.

“We heard them talking and we knew they had sussed us…Our officer shouted run and by chance we ran towards the Chinese. Which is what saved us; in the dark we lost each other”. Explaining how while on patrol in a paddy field, Caine and the men he was with were nearly caught by enemy forces.

ALEC GUINNESS

Guinness served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve in the Second World War, initially as a seaman in 1941, before receiving a commission as a temporary Sub-lieutenant on 30 April 1942 and a promotion to Temporary Lieutenant the following year. Guinness then commanded a Landing Craft Infantry at the Allied invasion of Sicily, and later ferried supplies and agents to the Yugoslav partisans in the eastern Mediterranean theatre. During the war, he was granted leave to appear in the Broadway production of Terence Rattigan’s play Flare Path, about RAF Bomber Command, with Guinness playing the role of Flight Lieutenant Teddy Graham.