Buster Merryfield - Revision history

Kurt at 17:15, 18 February 2023

2023-02-18T17:15:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:15, 18 February 2023
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	~~{{short description\|English actor (1920–1999)}}~~
	~~{{EngvarB\|date=November 2017}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2017}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| image = ~~File:~~Buster_Merryfield.png		\| image = Buster_Merryfield.png
	\| caption = Merryfield as '''[[Uncle Albert]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''		\| caption = Merryfield as '''[[Uncle Albert]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
	\| birth_name = Harry Merryfield		\| birth_name = Harry Merryfield
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1920\|11\|27\|df=y}}<Ref>England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007</ref>		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1920\|11\|27\|df=y}}<Ref>England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007</ref>
	\| birth_place = [[w:Battersea\|Battersea]], [[w:London\|London]], England		\| birth_place = [[Battersea\|Battersea]], [[London\|London]], England
	\| occupation = Actor, bank manager		\| occupation = Actor, bank manager
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=y\|1999\|06\|23\|1920\|11\|27}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=y\|1999\|06\|23\|1920\|11\|27}}
	\| death_place = [[w:Poole\|Poole]], Dorset, England		\| death_place = [[Poole\|Poole]], Dorset, England
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Iris Mountford\|1942}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|Iris Mountford\|1942}}
	\| children = 1		\| children = 1
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Born in [[w:Battersea\|Battersea]], [[w:London\|London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[w:Fitter (occupation)\|fitter]], and his mother Lily ({{nee}} Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.		Born in [[Battersea\|Battersea]], [[London\|London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[Fitter (occupation)\|fitter]], and his mother Lily ({{nee}} Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.

	He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688\|title=Buster Merryfield interview\|publisher=The Free Library\|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[w:boxing\|boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[w:Association football\|football]] player and [[w:Millwall F.C.\|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[w:The Old Den\|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>		He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688\|title=Buster Merryfield interview\|publisher=The Free Library\|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[boxing\|boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[Association football\|football]] player and [[Millwall F.C.\|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[The Old Den\|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==
	Before turning professional as an actor Merryfield was a keen amateur actor and director. His productions of [[w:John Osborne\|John Osborne]]'s ''[[w:The Entertainer (play)\|The Entertainer]]'', ''The World–My Canvas'' by Ruth Dixon and ''[[w:A View from the Bridge\|A View from the Bridge]]'' by [[w:Arthur Miller\|Arthur Miller]], for the now defunct amateur theatre group ''The Characters'', won Best Play at the [[w:Woking Drama Festiva\|l]] in 1966, 1968 and 1969 respectively.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Play] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051632/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref> He also won the Best Actor trophy for his roles in ''The Entertainer'' and ''The World–My Canvas''.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Actor] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051806/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref>		Before turning professional as an actor Merryfield was a keen amateur actor and director. His productions of [[John Osborne\|John Osborne]]'s ''[[The Entertainer (play)\|The Entertainer]]'', ''The World–My Canvas'' by Ruth Dixon and ''[[A View from the Bridge\|A View from the Bridge]]'' by [[Arthur Miller\|Arthur Miller]], for the now defunct amateur theatre group ''The Characters'', won Best Play at the [[Woking Drama Festiva\|l]] in 1966, 1968 and 1969 respectively.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Play] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051632/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref> He also won the Best Actor trophy for his roles in ''The Entertainer'' and ''The World–My Canvas''.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Actor] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051806/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref>

	Merryfield finally became a professional actor at the age of 57, after working for the [[w:Westminster Bank\|Westminster Bank]] (later [[w:NatWest\|NatWest]]) for nearly forty years. He started work there on 11 July 1938. He passed his banking exams in 1939. During his time with the bank he reached the position of a Senior Area Bank Manager. His banking career was interrupted by his war service.<ref name=only/> In contrast to his most famous character, Merryfield spent the war in the army, where his physique resulted in him being made a PT and jungle warfare instructor. Awarded an Emergency Commission in the Royal Artillery on 13 March 1942, Merryfield was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (228987). It was during the war that he first discovered his love of acting when he served as an entertainments officer, putting on shows for the other troops. Merryfield was demobilised from the Army on 16 March 1946.		Merryfield finally became a professional actor at the age of 57, after working for the [[Westminster Bank\|Westminster Bank]] (later [[NatWest\|NatWest]]) for nearly forty years. He started work there on 11 July 1938. He passed his banking exams in 1939. During his time with the bank he reached the position of a Senior Area Bank Manager. His banking career was interrupted by his war service.<ref name=only/> In contrast to his most famous character, Merryfield spent the war in the army, where his physique resulted in him being made a PT and jungle warfare instructor. Awarded an Emergency Commission in the Royal Artillery on 13 March 1942, Merryfield was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (228987). It was during the war that he first discovered his love of acting when he served as an entertainments officer, putting on shows for the other troops. Merryfield was demobilised from the Army on 16 March 1946.

	After the war, he married and with his wife expecting a daughter, he opted to return to his job at the bank. At NatWest he rose through the ranks, and by the time of his early retirement, in 1978, he was a bank manager at the [[w:Thames Ditton\|Thames Ditton]] branch in [[w:Surrey\|Surrey]].<ref name=only/>		After the war, he married and with his wife expecting a daughter, he opted to return to his job at the bank. At NatWest he rose through the ranks, and by the time of his early retirement, in 1978, he was a bank manager at the [[Thames Ditton\|Thames Ditton]] branch in [[Surrey\|Surrey]].<ref name=only/>
	When he retired, Merryfield persuaded a repertory company to take him on. He performed at the Connaught theatre in [[w:Worthing\|Worthing]] in ''[[w:Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat\|Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat]]'' and ''[[w:Equus (play)\|Equus]]''. Small parts on television also came his way. Merryfield appeared in ''Hannah'' in 1980, as Professor Challis in ''[[w:The Citadel (1983 miniseries)\|The Citadel]]'' in 1983 and as a Bishop in ''Strangers and Brothers'' in 1984.		When he retired, Merryfield persuaded a repertory company to take him on. He performed at the Connaught theatre in [[Worthing\|Worthing]] in ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat\|Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat]]'' and ''[[Equus (play)\|Equus]]''. Small parts on television also came his way. Merryfield appeared in ''Hannah'' in 1980, as Professor Challis in ''[[The Citadel (1983 miniseries)\|The Citadel]]'' in 1983 and as a Bishop in ''Strangers and Brothers'' in 1984.

	Merryfield joined ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' in January 1985, as the former seafaring Albert Gladstone Trotter, known as [[Uncle Albert]], who was [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)\|Grandad Trotter's]] long-lost younger brother and was known for his catchphrase of "During the war...". The character took over the role of senior citizen member of the Trotter family from [[Lennard Pearce]], who played Grandad, after Pearce died in December 1984. Coincidentally, nine months earlier, in March 1984, Merryfield and Pearce co-starred in two episodes of a ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''. Merryfield did much work for charities such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He wrote his autobiography, ''During the War and Other Encounters'', in 1996.		Merryfield joined ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' in January 1985, as the former seafaring Albert Gladstone Trotter, known as [[Uncle Albert]], who was [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)\|Grandad Trotter's]] long-lost younger brother and was known for his catchphrase of "During the war...". The character took over the role of senior citizen member of the Trotter family from [[Lennard Pearce]], who played Grandad, after Pearce died in December 1984. Coincidentally, nine months earlier, in March 1984, Merryfield and Pearce co-starred in two episodes of a ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''. Merryfield did much work for charities such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He wrote his autobiography, ''During the War and Other Encounters'', in 1996.

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-14T17:28:12Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 14 January 2023
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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{Portal\|Biography}}~~
	* {{Find a Grave\|22632495}}		* {{Find a Grave\|22632495}}
	* {{Find a Grave\|143870020\|Iris Myrtle Mountford Merryfield}} (after his wife's burial)		* {{Find a Grave\|143870020\|Iris Myrtle Mountford Merryfield}} (after his wife's burial)
	* {{IMDb name\|0581467}}		* {{IMDb name\|0581467}}

	~~{{authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Merryfield, Buster}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Merryfield, Buster}}
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	[[Category:People from Battersea]]		[[Category:People from Battersea]]
	[[Category:English male television actors]]		[[Category:English male television actors]]
	~~[[Category:Deaths from brain tumor]]~~
	~~[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]~~
	~~[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in England]]~~
	[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]		[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
	[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]		[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
	[[Category:British male comedy actors]]		[[Category:British male comedy actors]]

Kurt: /* Early life */

2022-10-27T14:17:26Z

Early life

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 27 October 2022
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Born in [[w:Battersea]], [[w:London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[w:Fitter (occupation)\|fitter]], and his mother Lily ({{nee}} Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.		Born in [[w:Battersea\|Battersea]], [[w:London\|London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[w:Fitter (occupation)\|fitter]], and his mother Lily ({{nee}} Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.

	He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688\|title=Buster Merryfield interview\|publisher=The Free Library\|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[w:boxing\|boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[w:Association football\|football]] player and [[w:Millwall F.C.\|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[w:The Old Den\|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>		He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688\|title=Buster Merryfield interview\|publisher=The Free Library\|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[w:boxing\|boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[w:Association football\|football]] player and [[w:Millwall F.C.\|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[w:The Old Den\|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>

Kurt at 14:17, 27 October 2022

2022-10-27T14:17:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 27 October 2022
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	{{EngvarB\|date=November 2017}}		{{EngvarB\|date=November 2017}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2017}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2017}}
	~~{{more citations needed\|date=December 2011}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	~~\| name = Buster Merryfield~~
	\| image = File:Buster_Merryfield.png		\| image = File:Buster_Merryfield.png
	\| caption = Merryfield as '''[[Uncle Albert]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''		\| caption = Merryfield as '''[[Uncle Albert]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
	\| birth_name = Harry Merryfield		\| birth_name = Harry Merryfield
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date~~\|df=y~~\|1920\|11\|27}}<Ref>England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007</ref>		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1920\|11\|27\|df=y}}<Ref>England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007</ref>
	\| birth_place = [[Battersea]], [[London]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Battersea\|Battersea]], [[w:London\|London]], England
	\| occupation = Actor, bank manager		\| occupation = Actor, bank manager
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=y\|1999\|6\|23\|1920\|11\|27}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=y\|1999\|06\|23\|1920\|11\|27}}
	\| death_place = [[Poole]], Dorset, England		\| death_place = [[w:Poole\|Poole]], Dorset, England
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Iris Mountford\|1942}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|Iris Mountford\|1942}}
	\| children = 1		\| children = 1
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Born in [[Battersea]], [[London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[Fitter (occupation)\|fitter]], and his mother Lily (~~née~~ Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.		Born in [[w:Battersea]], [[w:London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[w:Fitter (occupation)\|fitter]], and his mother Lily ({{nee}} Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.

	He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688\|title=Buster Merryfield interview\|publisher=The Free Library\|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[Association football\|football]] player and [[Millwall F.C.\|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[The Old Den\|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>		He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688\|title=Buster Merryfield interview\|publisher=The Free Library\|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[w:boxing\|boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[w:Association football\|football]] player and [[w:Millwall F.C.\|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[w:The Old Den\|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==
	Before turning professional as an actor Merryfield was a keen amateur actor and director. His productions of [[John Osborne]]'s ''[[The Entertainer (play)\|The Entertainer]]'', ''The World–My Canvas'' by Ruth Dixon and ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'' by [[Arthur Miller]], for the now defunct amateur theatre group ''The Characters'', won Best Play at the [[Woking Drama ~~Festival~~]] in 1966, 1968 and 1969 respectively.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Play] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051632/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref> He also won the Best Actor trophy for his roles in ''The Entertainer'' and ''The World–My Canvas''.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Actor] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051806/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref>		Before turning professional as an actor Merryfield was a keen amateur actor and director. His productions of [[w:John Osborne\|John Osborne]]'s ''[[w:The Entertainer (play)\|The Entertainer]]'', ''The World–My Canvas'' by Ruth Dixon and ''[[w:A View from the Bridge\|A View from the Bridge]]'' by [[w:Arthur Miller\|Arthur Miller]], for the now defunct amateur theatre group ''The Characters'', won Best Play at the [[w:Woking Drama Festiva\|l]] in 1966, 1968 and 1969 respectively.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Play] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051632/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref> He also won the Best Actor trophy for his roles in ''The Entertainer'' and ''The World–My Canvas''.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Actor] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051806/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm \|date=18 May 2006 }}</ref>

	Merryfield finally became a professional actor at the age of 57, after working for the [[Westminster Bank]] (later [[NatWest]]) for nearly forty years. He started work there on 11 July 1938. He passed his banking exams in 1939. During his time with the bank he reached the position of a Senior Area Bank Manager. His banking career was interrupted by his war service.<ref name=only/> In contrast to his most famous character, Merryfield spent the war in the army, where his physique resulted in him being made a PT and jungle warfare instructor. Awarded an Emergency Commission in the Royal Artillery on 13 March 1942, Merryfield was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (228987). It was during the war that he first discovered his love of acting when he served as an entertainments officer, putting on shows for the other troops. Merryfield was demobilised from the Army on 16 March 1946.		Merryfield finally became a professional actor at the age of 57, after working for the [[w:Westminster Bank\|Westminster Bank]] (later [[w:NatWest\|NatWest]]) for nearly forty years. He started work there on 11 July 1938. He passed his banking exams in 1939. During his time with the bank he reached the position of a Senior Area Bank Manager. His banking career was interrupted by his war service.<ref name=only/> In contrast to his most famous character, Merryfield spent the war in the army, where his physique resulted in him being made a PT and jungle warfare instructor. Awarded an Emergency Commission in the Royal Artillery on 13 March 1942, Merryfield was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (228987). It was during the war that he first discovered his love of acting when he served as an entertainments officer, putting on shows for the other troops. Merryfield was demobilised from the Army on 16 March 1946.

	After the war, he married and with his wife expecting a daughter, he opted to return to his job at the bank. At NatWest he rose through the ranks, and by the time of his early retirement, in 1978, he was a bank manager at the [[Thames Ditton]] branch in [[Surrey]].<ref name=only/>		After the war, he married and with his wife expecting a daughter, he opted to return to his job at the bank. At NatWest he rose through the ranks, and by the time of his early retirement, in 1978, he was a bank manager at the [[w:Thames Ditton\|Thames Ditton]] branch in [[w:Surrey\|Surrey]].<ref name=only/>
	When he retired, Merryfield persuaded a repertory company to take him on. He performed at the Connaught theatre in [[Worthing]] in ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat]]'' and ''[[Equus (play)\|Equus]]''. Small parts on television also came his way. Merryfield appeared in ''Hannah'' in 1980, as Professor Challis in ''[[The Citadel (1983 miniseries)\|The Citadel]]'' in 1983 and as a Bishop in ''Strangers and Brothers'' in 1984.		When he retired, Merryfield persuaded a repertory company to take him on. He performed at the Connaught theatre in [[w:Worthing\|Worthing]] in ''[[w:Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat\|Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat]]'' and ''[[w:Equus (play)\|Equus]]''. Small parts on television also came his way. Merryfield appeared in ''Hannah'' in 1980, as Professor Challis in ''[[w:The Citadel (1983 miniseries)\|The Citadel]]'' in 1983 and as a Bishop in ''Strangers and Brothers'' in 1984.

	Merryfield joined ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' in January 1985, as the former seafaring Albert Gladstone Trotter, known as [[Uncle Albert]], who was [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)\|Grandad Trotter's]] long-lost younger brother and was known for his catchphrase of "During the war...". The character took over the role of senior citizen member of the Trotter family from [[Lennard Pearce]], who played Grandad, after Pearce died in December 1984. Coincidentally, nine months earlier, in March 1984, Merryfield and Pearce co-starred in two episodes of a ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''. Merryfield did much work for charities such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He wrote his autobiography, ''During the War and Other Encounters'', in 1996.		Merryfield joined ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' in January 1985, as the former seafaring Albert Gladstone Trotter, known as [[Uncle Albert]], who was [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)\|Grandad Trotter's]] long-lost younger brother and was known for his catchphrase of "During the war...". The character took over the role of senior citizen member of the Trotter family from [[Lennard Pearce]], who played Grandad, after Pearce died in December 1984. Coincidentally, nine months earlier, in March 1984, Merryfield and Pearce co-starred in two episodes of a ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''. Merryfield did much work for charities such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He wrote his autobiography, ''During the War and Other Encounters'', in 1996.

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-10-24T15:40:06Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 10:40, 24 October 2022
(No difference)

en>Polygnotus at 17:23, 11 October 2022

2022-10-11T17:23:11Z

New page

{{short description|English actor (1920–1999)}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2011}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Buster Merryfield
| image = File:Buster_Merryfield.png
| caption = Merryfield as '''[[Uncle Albert]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
| birth_name = Harry Merryfield
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1920|11|27}}<Ref>England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007</ref>
| birth_place = [[Battersea]], [[London]], England
| occupation = Actor, bank manager
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|1999|6|23|1920|11|27}}
| death_place = [[Poole]], Dorset, England
| spouse = {{marriage|Iris Mountford|1942}}
| children = 1
| yearsactive = 1966–1998
| known for = ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' (1985–1996)
}}
'''Harry "Buster" Merryfield'''<ref name=only>[https://books.google.ca/books?id=qsacAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT95&lpg=PT95&dq=harry+buster+merryfield&source=bl&ots=Gt2SZYkqpx&sig=MdVfufnpWDZigHILEiDcLpFLFOM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivkOe1qrLfAhXDiVQKHRiyAOs4FBDoATAAegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=harry%20buster%20merryfield&f=false ''Only Fools and Horses: The Official Inside Story'']</ref> (27 November 1920<Ref>England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007</ref> – 23 June 1999) was an English actor best known for starring as [[Uncle Albert]] in the BBC comedy ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''.

==Early life==
Born in [[Battersea]], [[London]], England, his father, also called Harry Merryfield, was a [[Fitter (occupation)|fitter]], and his mother Lily (née Stone), was a part-time waitress. His sister Irene died when she was eight years old. He was given the name "Buster" by his grandfather, as he weighed nine pounds at birth, and it stuck throughout his entire life, not least because he refused to divulge his real name to anyone during his lifetime and it only became open knowledge after his death.

He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. In contrast to Albert's pipe-smoking and rum-drinking character, Merryfield was a teetotal non-smoker his entire life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+SUN+WON'T+SET+ON+ME+..+(UNTIL+I'M+102)%3B+STAR+INTERVIEW%3A+BUSTER...-a061102688|title=Buster Merryfield interview|publisher=The Free Library|access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child [[boxing]] star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield was also a keen amateur [[Association football|football]] player and [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] fan, regularly attending games at [[The Old Den|The Den]]. Merryfield was also able to play the piano by ear but could not read music.<Ref>During the War and Other Encounters – 1996</ref> In real life he was also a fan of disco dancing.<Ref>Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 July 1985</ref>

==Career==
Before turning professional as an actor Merryfield was a keen amateur actor and director. His productions of [[John Osborne]]'s ''[[The Entertainer (play)|The Entertainer]]'', ''The World–My Canvas'' by Ruth Dixon and ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'' by [[Arthur Miller]], for the now defunct amateur theatre group ''The Characters'', won Best Play at the [[Woking Drama Festival]] in 1966, 1968 and 1969 respectively.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Play] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051632/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_Bruzaud.htm |date=18 May 2006 }}</ref> He also won the Best Actor trophy for his roles in ''The Entertainer'' and ''The World–My Canvas''.<ref>[http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm Woking Drama Festival – Best Actor] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051806/http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/Awards/A_BestActor.htm |date=18 May 2006 }}</ref>

Merryfield finally became a professional actor at the age of 57, after working for the [[Westminster Bank]] (later [[NatWest]]) for nearly forty years. He started work there on 11 July 1938. He passed his banking exams in 1939. During his time with the bank he reached the position of a Senior Area Bank Manager. His banking career was interrupted by his war service.<ref name=only/> In contrast to his most famous character, Merryfield spent the war in the army, where his physique resulted in him being made a PT and jungle warfare instructor. Awarded an Emergency Commission in the Royal Artillery on 13 March 1942, Merryfield was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (228987). It was during the war that he first discovered his love of acting when he served as an entertainments officer, putting on shows for the other troops. Merryfield was demobilised from the Army on 16 March 1946.

After the war, he married and with his wife expecting a daughter, he opted to return to his job at the bank. At NatWest he rose through the ranks, and by the time of his early retirement, in 1978, he was a bank manager at the [[Thames Ditton]] branch in [[Surrey]].<ref name=only/>
When he retired, Merryfield persuaded a repertory company to take him on. He performed at the Connaught theatre in [[Worthing]] in ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat]]'' and ''[[Equus (play)|Equus]]''. Small parts on television also came his way. Merryfield appeared in ''Hannah'' in 1980, as Professor Challis in ''[[The Citadel (1983 miniseries)|The Citadel]]'' in 1983 and as a Bishop in ''Strangers and Brothers'' in 1984.

Merryfield joined ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' in January 1985, as the former seafaring Albert Gladstone Trotter, known as [[Uncle Albert]], who was [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad Trotter's]] long-lost younger brother and was known for his catchphrase of "During the war...". The character took over the role of senior citizen member of the Trotter family from [[Lennard Pearce]], who played Grandad, after Pearce died in December 1984. Coincidentally, nine months earlier, in March 1984, Merryfield and Pearce co-starred in two episodes of a ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''. Merryfield did much work for charities such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He wrote his autobiography, ''During the War and Other Encounters'', in 1996.

In December 1997, he fell over at the [[British Comedy Awards]] while walking to the stage to collect an award for [[David Jason]] for his part in ''Only Fools and Horses''. Despite cutting his forehead, he continued on and collected the award. Merryfield appeared in [[pantomime]] during Christmas in both 1997 and 1998 as the 'Father' in '[[Beauty and the Beast]]' at the [[Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth]]. <ref>https://Panto Archive.com|https://www.pantoarchive.com/onlyfoolsandhorses</ref>

==Death==
Buster Merryfield died in [[Poole General Hospital]] on 23 June 1999, as a result of a brain tumour. He was survived by his wife Iris, whom he had married in June 1942, his daughter Karen, and two grandchildren. He was buried in [[Verwood]], Dorset. Iris died on 5 November 2002 and was buried alongside him.

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1983|| ''[[The Citadel (1983 TV series)|The Citadel]]'' || Professor Challis || 2 episode
|-
|1984|| ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]'' || Sir Miles Honeyman || 1 episode
|-
|1984|| ''[[Strangers and Brothers (TV series)|Strangers and Brothers]]'' || Bishop || 2 episodes
|-
|1985–1996|| ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' || Uncle Albert Trotter || 37 episodes
|}

==Further reading==
Merryfield, Buster (1 October 1996). During The War and other encounters (autobiography). Summersdale. ISBN 978-1873475546.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* {{Find a Grave|22632495}}
* {{Find a Grave|143870020|Iris Myrtle Mountford Merryfield}} (after his wife's burial)
* {{IMDb name|0581467}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merryfield, Buster}}
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Battersea]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:Deaths from brain tumor]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in England]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]