Bernard Cribbins Relives Days As Paratrooper

He is one of Britain’s national treasures but actor and comedian Bernard Cribbens OBE was also a Paratrooper.
During his two years in the Paras, Bernard spent time in Palestine, where his unit regularly came under fire.
A training report at the time described him as a good performer. A label which served him well as he launched his showbiz career.
The star of Carry On films and Dr Who was a guest of The Parachute Regiment after raising money for the welfare of injured Paras and their families.
The 87-year-old handed over a cheque for £17,000 to the Regiment’s official charity, SUPPORT OUR PARAS. - www.supportourparas.org
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[@deviineride]

My dad served with Bernard in Palestine in the 3rd Battalion parachute regiment, they lost touch after finishing their national service but met up again many years later when Bernard came to our town to film an episode of Tales of the Unexpected, they kept in touch until my dad sadly died but over the years he kept in touch with my mum A wonderful man RIP Bernard Cribbins 😔😔

[@rob5694]

RIP Bernard 😥 A talented, brave, and accomplished man has made his last jump ⛪️

[@tavish4699]

oh no when did he die?

[@Alexa1694edits]

@@tavish4699 Yeah.. a few days ago 🙁

[@mgrove5759]

Rip

[@beeeeeesbury]

Rest in peace Bernard

[@mike1043]

Never knew he was a para. What a legend, he'll be remebered forever. RIP

[@Elwaves2925]

If it interests you, his autobiography is a really good read. It's called Bernard Who?: 75 Years of Doing Just About Everything. There's an audiobook too.

[@aaarrrggghhhh]

@@Elwaves2925 Thanks for the recommendation, I'll try to find the book for certain. I never knew he was a para either. Another very funny and interesting autobiography was The long banana skin by Michael Bentine, a man from the same era.

[@Elwaves2925]

@@aaarrrggghhhh Potty Time. I remember it well, partly because my mum hated it. Thanks for the return recommendation.

[@Mulberry2000]

me too

[@petersmith9470]

Loved his quote " I can think of better ways of spending the day that getting shot at". RIP proper role model, para, gentleman and legend

[@dlk1dlk1]

'How can it be so difficult to get a cheese salad?!'

[@bossogg6915]

RIP Bernard. Soldier, Actor, Entertainer, Angler and Gentleman.

[@andrewgudgeonobe2721]

He was a huge character - I remember him flying to the moon in a Victorian space ship - brilliant actor.

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

Genuinely didn’t realise Bernard Cribbens was a former paratrooper. R.I.P. Bernard, you are loved, cherished and missed by many.

[@stevethomas5849]

Thank you Bernard for entertaining us from kids to adults and I salute you for your service. May now rest in peace job done.

[@rob5694]

I recall seeing Bernard wearing his Para Reg tie in an episode of Dr. Who whilst playing the character Wilfred Mott 👍

[@TheMoonRover]

There's also one scene where he (as Wilfred) describes being in a skirmish in Palestine. That was based on his own experiences.

[@rob5694]

RIP Bernard 😥

[@bossogg6915]

His Maroon wooly hat in Doctor Who also had a small Para cap badge on it.

[@Oldbugger64]

What a man, he’s been with me throughout my life, I never knew he was in the regiment, a true legend.

[@markcope3522]

That wonderful voice. He’s the voice of my TV childhood. Somehow you can’t think of him as being old, and In a sense his work never will be because of our memories and our capacities to watch him on You Tube. Probably Jackanory’s best story teller over a long period. I was interested to read this as my late Dad was in Palestine from 1944 to 1947 so their time there overlapped. Great bloke.

[@markdaniels2200]

My dad was also there. Was in Palestine in 1945 & then on to Japan for the build up to the Korean War..

[@johnwilson9688]

An absolutely top notch humble actor. Will be sadly missed.

[@billt1954]

Hell, I didn't know Bernard Cribbins was a Para! Much respect. Makes you wonder how many others in the entertainment business have illustrious military backgrounds.

[@sixbells99]

Billy Connolly was an ex Para also Richard Todd ( look him up you'll now his face) he served in the D-Day landings.

[@ajb7876]

Norman Wisdom when a member of the 10th Royal Hussars in India was the Army flyweight boxing champion.

[@naughtydorf18]

Michael Caine served with the fusiliers and served in Korea.

[@ISLWYN2007]

Frank Carson was a para.

[@arhassoc]

@jon tyler ....and was therefore well able to play his CO in the epic film "The Longest Day" (1962)

[@philipjarrett3487]

RIP Bernard Cribbins 1928-2022

[@johnproffitt2576]

Good to see Bernard Cribbins reliving his time as a Paratrooper for charity. Of course those who served at the time and since have similar experiences parachuting at lower levels from older Aircraft and Barrage Balloons. I can recall all had a special sense of humour being heroes and famous in their own right, who deserved greater recognition.

[@MrDREWASIDE]

Billy connoly was also a T. A. PARA.

[@stephaniewood9261]

A life well lived, you have earned your rest and reunited now with your wife! ❤️

[@beeeeeesbury]

Rest in peace Bernard, a great man, and a great actor. Perfectly captured everyone's grandad on doctor who.

[@davidrobertson5700]

Thank you for your service Bernie

[@JeffGR4]

Bernard Cribbins is brave and heroic-as well as an accomplished actor!!!!!

[@ancientmariner7473]

Hats off for Bernard Cribbins, absolutely marvellous to see him again !

[@lawrencemartin1113]

RIP Mr Cribbins. I will miss you and the joy you brought to us all. They don't make them like him any more.

[@Philo68]

Salute to my fallen Airborne brother. RIP sir.

[@Clayton-S.]

Bernard Cribbins, Voice of and narrator of the Wombles, Jackanory star, Dr Who movie star, proudly displaying his Parachute Regiment badge as Wilf Mott in Nu Who, gentleman and legend..RIP. Good rest, Good Sir.

[@WolfoftheWoods02]

Bernard is one of the reason this nation has Great in it's name. His like will not be seen again for a long time...until the nation is in dire peril. Rest easy Sir

[@jimi71smw]

i had the honour and privilege of meeting the man himself and we talked about his time in Palestine, he will be missed dearly.

[@xl51956]

Right said Fred climbing up Ladder ! 👏👏👏

[@josephking6515]

👍

[@DrGun-re1kd]

It was good to see Bernard again. Thank you for the link to Support Our Paras.

[@johnnunn8688]

I’ll miss him. Big part of my life, growing up. Utrinque Paratus, Bernard.

[@Legionnaire7777]

Respect to another brother 👍🏻

[@chuckberry5355]

Respect Bernard.

[@sandpiper2012]

Respect...

[@robertchubb1518]

R.I.P Bernhard...a great actor and one from my childhood days with happy memories

[@thefurrybstard1964]

Rest In Peace Bernard Cribbins. Your Like shall not pass this way for many a year.

[@neilwilson5785]

Good guy. We will all miss him.

[@saddlebum6595]

Bernard Cribbins, Para - Legend.

[@garrygreen3210]

Legend, period.

[@1stinlastout165]

A determination that never leaves you no matter how old we get!

[@robbieorourke5534]

RIP Bernard, a great man....and actor.

[@namesake-mx9nl]

Bernard Cribbins will be missed very much . I hadn't heard of this fundraising Bernard did , so he may not have been in the public eye as much as he had been , but he was still making the world a better place .

[@simons.2948]

Bernard was fantastic, RIP you true legend

[@mickwful]

I saw him a few times at Airborne forces day in the Shot.

[@stevenstallabrass3819]

He is my childhood rip Bernard! 😢

[@slottyken]

I liked Bernard Cribbins. Sadly another part of my childhood gone.

[@malcpaul996]

I never knew he was in the Paras. Although I am ex REME, I have a lot of respect for the Paras as I have many friends who are ex Para and my dad was a Para. RIP Bernard and my dad.

[@alvindimes4729]

Never knew he was a Para, and 3rd Battalion as well, my father was a 3rd Battalion Par as well, fought at Arnheim and was taken as a POW there.

[@eugenebell3166]

Never knew he was a para, such a gentle soul

[@andrewdaley3081]

Same here. 🇬🇧👍

[@levimacdonald5188]

Very generous of Bernard to donate such a large sum of money . Kind gentleman he is💯👌

[@bostavely204]

GREATEST AND MOST FEARED UNIT IN THE WORLD .LIONS AMONGST MEN

[@alchapman4621]

Great entertainer & gentleman. I remember him in faulty towers spoooooons!!!!! Quality. RIP SIR!!

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

Well done Bernard. Excellent

[@lonesomeStu]

What a Great Guy.

[@para2082]

Top man brother..

[@lib556]

I never knew he'd been a Para. Whenever I think of him, I think of that Fawlty towers ep he was in...

[@maryclynch9356]

Well done Bernard. Thank you for saving our country. xxx

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Against the Israelis?

[@ritathomas5457]

Wonderful man but he did join after the war but was still a Para and served country well

[@mikeycraig8970]

RIP You total legend!

[@craigbutler6243]

They seem to dish out O.B.E's to anyone for anything now days. Bernard was derseving of his 100%

[@petertunks3970]

In the days that Bernard served British paras didn't have a reserve chute, that came in after Suez in 1956 (I think) the MOD (or War Office as it was then) thought reserves were a waste of money as most wouldn't be used and in a war situation wouldn't be recovered to use again. The mind boggles!

[@frankloughlin8418]

Hi Pete. The chutes were used again and very usefully, ask any woman who was near a DZ during the war.

[@MusicKD100]

the altitudes were much lower with the Brits , so it was a trade off , safer by being quicker more accurate, or higher , time to operate a reserve but far more exposed , far more warning to the enemy ...the Americans still jump higher than the Brits...I once jumped with the yanks from 1500 feet and the kid beside me said that was the lowest jump he had done

[@jimomaha7809]

I know that a small unit of the Royal army service corps was responsable for recovery of any usefull/repairable equiptment left on the dropzone but only after the operation was over. Many civilians "recovered" whatever they thought they could use. In Arnhem the RASC first collected supplies left on the dropzones. Later they had other things, than collecting parachute equiptment, on their mind.

[@JammyDodger45]

I was 'lucky' enough to be offered a slot on the Troop Trials for the LLP, the pre-production model was horrible, it always put you into the ground backwards no matter what riser you pulled. Part of the trial was 4 x jumps at 600ft which looked seriously low from in the door, the clean fatigue one was ok but the 3 x kit ones were manic. The early chutes took roughly 100ft to fully deploy so if you didn't drop your kit straight away you were landing with it on. On the upside the trade off for being LLP Guinea Pigs was a tandem HAHO or HALO jump (simulating a SF troop inserting with a technician/scientist type strapped to them) so all the backward landings were worth it.

[@kevinward3088]

RIP Bernard , Only recently before he psssed , I learned he was a Para. Explains his presence as an actor. As a kid , loved him in Fawtly Towers " Hotel Inspector " episode , him battling the Daleks in Doctor Who , narrating the Wombles ( the British military term for litterpicking is Wombling ) & as a regular on Jackanory , a great storyteller.

[@spencerbaldwin8589]

What a wonderful man. It so sad to him and many of his generation leave us. The world isn't a better place without people like Bernard Cribbins. At least we still have all his wonderful films, music and TV shows, who can forget his wonderful portrayal of the Spoon Salesman from Sheffield in Fawlty Towers who Basil thought was a Hotel Inspector, classic comedy 😄 RIP Bernard god bless you🙏

[@hunyesmith03]

RIP Bernard Cribbins. :(

[@carlseddon2392]

R.I.P mucher we will all RV with you one day

[@davidjohnston9505]

Every man an emporer 🇬🇧

[@d.d.4703]

Great man. A role model..

[@andrewclarvis8976]

Rest in peace Bernard, a true gentleman

[@uxbridgeuk]

R.I.P Bernard Cribbins, my dad was also in Palestine

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Mr. uk? Anonymous Liar.

[@FrenzY2144]

@@MichaelKingsfordGray what?

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

@@FrenzY2144 Grow up, you imbecilic infantile anonymous coward.

[@flybobbie1449]

Lots served in Palestine, my granddad did during the war, he was RSM.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

@@flybobbie1449 Yet another lying coward! RSM bobbie??

[@mikeyoung7660]

Magic one of my favourite people

[@colinnewmarch1106]

A showbiz legend RIP Bernard

[@barryporteous4904]

RIP Bernard. It would have been nice if we could hear him conversing with the Paras more - instead of the commentary.

[@David-og7di]

I really used to dig Bernard Cribbins as a British kid. I never would have thought that he was a para. What a cool guy.

[@stephenrice4554]

A fine man who served his country and lived well . 👍🇬🇧

[@matthewdickson7838]

RIP to a true legend rest easy sir 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🥃🥃

[@paulp96275]

Never be replaced great Bloke god bless 🥲

[@berlinmitte10117]

Never knew that. My uncle was in Egypt in the early 50s.

[@DianaKazimiera-]

R.I.P. Mr.Bernard Cribbins 🕊️🕯️ Beautiful document...great respect

[@Andy85uk]

I thought he was just playing a Para veteran in Dr Who never know he actually was one

[@elizadawne3896]

Russell T Davies got Wilfs back story from things that Bernard had experienced himself.

[@andreedowns4561]

WELL DONE MATE....NOW YOU FLY ON THE PEGASUS....!!!!!!!

[@cyclingtj]

Salute, and Rest In Peace. Airborne....All The Way!!

[@rogueriderhood1862]

I remember once reading an article where Bernard was talking about his military service, he said he once ;had to sweep the parade ground with a toothbrush for some military misdemeanour.

[@thegrinch8161]

Well done to you for your service and to all who've served and not forgetting those that have lost everything, thank you.🙏👍

[@missionpassed4584]

love bernard

[@angusclark8330]

The best Doctor Who we never had.

[@andrewtongue7084]

Utrinque Paratus - "always ready" - & we were, too. RIP Mr. Bernard Cribbins.

[@chrisstrider]

One of the best

[@MsBettyboo01]

Wow!!!! What a great man x

[@jeffswords645]

I wish this was in mono.... but otherwise my left ear enjoyed this

[@nigeldewallens1115]

I know that feeling! sigh!! it's not easy hey!!

right said fred was a big hit he had also man in the hole funny man

[@cycleSCUBA]

Serves his Country in the Parachute Regiment, then decades entertaining his Country in showbiz. A life well spent, I'd say. Rest in Peace, Bernard.

[@gerrypowell2748]

RIP.para and comedian❤️

[@Azzi_0161]

Respect

[@petertyson4022]

RIP. It's been fun watching you. 🎥

[@masterfarr8265]

Mr.Hutchinson from Fawlty Towers XD

[@MSDS777]

Absolute splendid fellow

[@SimUKUltimateRealism]

A true British Legend. RIP 🙏

[@casper1240]

RIP Bernard a good life lived m8

[@waynerichardaves5375]

R.I.P and thanks for your service

[@keithdavies1395]

It should have been 'Sir Bernard'. But they'd rather give Knighthoods to people who race cars, or destroy English institutions like BHS.

[@gordonbennett835]

Well done Bernard you did good on and off screen. 3 rd battalion eh

[@dafyddthomas7299]

Rip Bernard Cribbins = acting and paratrooper legend.

[@lowfatmofat2152]

Airborne Bernard forever.

[@alanwitton5039]

Total respect