David Niven - WW2 Military Service (& his link to the Zulu War)

David Niven was my father's Commanding Officer during part of WW2. My father also appeared driving a Bren gun carrier in Niven's film 'The Way Ahead'. So whenever I see that film, my late father, who passed away in 1974 is a young man and alive for those few fleeting moments!

David Niven was one of those film actors you couldn’t help but notice in a film. The perfect British gentleman. Great story thanks Chris

As a child of the 60s and 70s, I got used to hearing the name ‘David Niven’ spoken about with reverence and respect for doing the decent thing and coming back from Hollywood on the outbreak of the War. A true gent.

David Niven always struck me as a solid fellow, and not some Hollywood ego-maniac. This just added to that perception.

I was luckily enough to spend a weekend with David Niven while a guest Of Alan Searle in Monaco during a Royal Navy visit in the early 70's. He was so down to earth and a very nice person. Thanks for sharing this Chris

Loved David Niven,a genuine british gentleman. I read the" moon's a balloon and bring on the empty horses" in my youth. Paper tiger and 55 days in peking were masterpieces.

He was a very quick-witted man. In the early 70s streaking was a popular prank. While he was presenting on stage at the Oscars award ceremony a young man dashed across the stage behind Mr. Niven. Without missing a beat he commented, "there's someone unafraid to reveal his shortcomings." I can never think of Niven without thinking about this sublime utterance.

My mates dad was piloting a landing craft in Normandy and piloted David Niven ashore . He had beeb given a 5franc note incase his craft was sunk and he ended up ashore . David Niven autographed it for him and my mate still has it to this day 👍

For me, David Niven was and will always be, the archetypical British gentleman. There is a beautiful anecdote that certifies what I said; at his funeral, everybody noticed a magnificent wreath sent by the porters from Heathrow Airport. There was a card which read, "To the finest Gentlemen who ever walked these halls. He made a porter feel like a King". Growing up in Argentina, I was incredibly lucky to have as a father an alter ego of David Niven; it was from him that I learned to appreciate the values that make a gentleman. Like Niven, my father was polite and courteous to everyone but also inflexible in matters of honour and therefore he was highly respected, no wonder I saw my father in David Niven and I admired him. Incidentally, I would like to recommend to everyone the excellent film "Separate Tables"; David Niven´s magnificent acting there earned him the Oscar for "Best Supporting Actor". Thank you Chris for this beautiful tribute to a real gentleman. Greetings from Buenos Aires.

Urquhart was the highest ranked officer to kill another man in WWII. The scene in A Bridge Too Far when Sean Connery shoots the guy through the window really happened.

I always loved David Niven as an actor. He just seemed always to be the right stuff and your story confirms it! Thanks for posting.

Niven was a first class Scottish gentleman, resourcefully, brave, charming and great fun. What a first chap, who is fondly remembered, well done Niven.

I've always had a strange draw to David Niven and he always struck me as a stand up sort of person. This sort of patriotism is something seen so rarely now. What a legend.

Excellent! My step father was a contemporary of Niven at Stowe, and also served in the war. He gave me a copy of The Moon’s A Balloon when I was at school in the early 80’s. As I was a schoolboy, my lasting memory was of him peeing in a champagne bottle during a regimental dinner! Having endured a few such dinners myself, I always remembered that and didn’t drink too much!

good Churchill imitation,Chris . Niven was one of my favorite actors in many of my favorite movies... a great man too ...he chose to serve and risk his life . Cheers

Thanks Chris. Old enough to remember him on Parkinson’s chat show. Always personified a British gentleman.! One of my best loved ‘old films’ is his ‘A Matter of life and death’ made in 1947. Well worth the watch.!!

Another excellent eisode, Chris. Worth also mentioning as an aside, that Niven's batman was one Corporal Peter Ustinov!

The story most told at Sandhurst about Niven is the one about how he filled the Kurnol Mortar with thunderflash gunpowder charges and golf balls as an end of term prank. Apparently he intended that the balls would fall into the boating lake opposite Old College. Unfortunately he overestimated the gunpowder charge required and instead bombarded the town of Camberley, just outside the gates…

His autobiogs ‘The Moon’s a Balloon’ and ‘Bring on the Empty Horses’ are fascinating and hilarious, highly recommend. Wonderful chap.

David Niven has always stood for me as the genuine gentleman. His role in the cannons of the Naveron as a clear example. Another excellent lecture Chris👍👍👍