Legendary Welsh actor, Desmond Llewelyn, was born on this day (12 September) in 1914, at Blaen-y-Pant House in Bettws, Casnewydd, Sir Fynwy (Newport, Monmouthshire).
Who Was Desmond Llewelyn?
Desmond Llewelyn was born to Ivor and Mia Llewelyn. His father, Ivor, was a coal mining engineer. If a coal mining family background doesn’t make Desmond South Walian enough, he was also a keen and talented rugby player as a young man, even playing for Newport Rugby Football Club.
Against his father’s wishes, Desmond would pursue an acting career and would train with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from the year 1934. He would work with the Forsyth Players, where he would meet his wife, Pamela Mary Pantlin, to whom he would be married until his death in 1999.
Like many young actors of the day, his career would be put on hold for at least six years by the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. With many a Welshman, he would join the Ffiwsilwyr Brenhinol Cymreig (the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, then the Royal Welch Fusiliers). He would enter the war as a Second Lieutenant.
On the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940, Desmond would be captured by Nazi forces. For the remainder of the war, he would be held at various prisoner of war (POW) camps, such as Laufen and Colditz Castle (Oflag IV-C). He would be later imprisoned at Colditz following his attempted escape from Laufen by tunnelling out. Llewelyn would remain at Colditz until its liberation in 1945.
Following the war, he resumed his acting career. His first post-war movie was an uncredited performance in the 1947 movie ‘Captain Boycott’ starring Stewart Granger. His first named character role was as ’77 Jones in the 1950 British War film ‘They Were Not Divided’ starring Edward Underdown and Helen Mary Cherry.
As many will be aware, Desmond is best known for playing gadget-maker Q in the James Bond film series – he would appear in the role across 17 films, starting with Sean Connery’s ‘From Russia with Love’ in 1963 and ending with Pierce Brosnan’s ‘The World Is Not Enough’ in 1999. He also appeared in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ as Mr. Coggins in 1968.
Desmond Llewelyn would pass away at the age of 85 on 19 December 1999 whilst driving home from a book signing following a head-on collision with another driver. He remains an undoubted Welsh legend of cinema and, for me, the only Q. Sorry, John Cleese!
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More from Welsh Histories
Welsh Histories is a Welsh history celebrating platform which looks to promote all aspects of Welsh history. Though we focus predominantly on native Welsh history, we do also share the non-native aspects from time to time. You can follow us on Facebook; Instagram or Twitter for more. A reader? We also have our very own Welsh Histories Shop where we sell our Welsh Histories Magazine. Diolch yn fawr iawn and keep enjoying Welsh Histories.
Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.