What with all the hoopla surrounding the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, it left me pondering what connections the Time Lord has to the Royal Navy.
- The Second Doctor, Patrick Troughton served as a Lieutenant in coastal forces. He was first lieutenant of MGB 603 and of MTB 500, before appointment as commanding officer of RML 514. Troughton was awarded an MID for coastal forces action of the Nore on 24 October 1943.
- The Third Doctor, Jon Pertwee served as a Ordinary Seaman (CW Candidate) aboard the battlecruiser HMS Hood and left the ship to complete his officer training just before Hood sailed for her fateful encounter with the Bismarck. He spent the remainder of his career in the Naval Intelligence Division alongside future ‘James Bond’ author Ian Fleming and future prime minister James Callaghan.
- Benjamin “Ben” Jackson, companion of the First and Second Doctor (9 stories, 36 episodes), played by actor Michael Craze, is introduced as a Royal Navy rating from the ship’s company of the Type 16 frigate HMS Teazer (F23).
- Harry Sullivan, companion of the Fourth Doctor (7 stories, 26 espidoes), played by actor Ian Marter, is introduced as a Surgeon-Lieutenant seconded to UNIT from the Royal Navy. His photograph appears in the ‘Death of the Doctor’ episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures we learn that Harry continued his medical carrier and saved thousands of lives with vaccines that he developed.
- Tangentially, William Hartnell, the First Doctor, played Leading Seaman Frank in ‘Yangtse Incident: The Story of HMS Amethyst’ in 1957. At this point in his career, Hartnell was best known for the character actor roles he played, particularly crusty sergeants.
If you know of any more then send me an email or add a comment to this blog.
Naval Matters 