Ronald Brittain MBE MSM (2 September 1899 – 9 January 1981) was a regimental sergeant major (RSM) in the British Army. Reported on widely in the newspapers of the day, he featured in several British military training films during the Second World War. He was said to have possibly the loudest voice in the British Army.[1]
On retiring from the army in the 1950s, Brittain's fame enabled him to enjoy a career in advertising, voice-over work and acting, playing characters that resembled an archetypal Sergeant Major.[2]
Early life
editBrittain was born in Gordon Terrace, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool, the son of a gardener. After leaving school, he worked in a local butcher's shop until 1917, when he enlisted in the King's (Liverpool) Regiment during the First World War.
Military service
editBrittain transferred into the South Wales Borderers, where his imposing height of six feet three inches soon saw him promoted. Eventually Brittain transferred to the Coldstream Guards.
He was attached to the training staff at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he became well known for his parade ground bellow. Known to the cadets as "The Voice", he was credited as the originator of that phrase so beloved of sergeant majors: "You 'orrible little man!". It was said he could reduce gentleman cadets — many of them foreign princes and titled sons of the aristocracy — to trembling wrecks.
In his later years, he was assigned the position of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guards Depot. He also served at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, where it was estimated that around 40,000 officer cadets passed through his parade ground.
Retirement
editIn 1954 Brittain retired from the army after 37 years' service (20 years as an RSM); he was well above the normal retirement age for service personnel. After a spell as a salesman for an outsized clothing outfitters, he acted in films and plays. He also lent his legendary voice to a number of radio and television advertisements. In 1959 his voice was featured on a record, "Regimental Rock" released on the Saga label. Still an imposing figure in old age, Brittain was a popular presence at public functions and a member of the Society of Toastmasters.
Death
editBrittain died at Chester in 1981, aged 81.
Award and decorations
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Complete as at 1953.[3]
Filmography
edit| Film or Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| They Were Not Divided (1950) | Regimental Sergeant Major |
|
| You Lucky People! (1955) | Appearing as himself | |
| Carrington V.C. (1955) | Sergeant Major |
Uncredited |
| Alfred Marks Time (1956) | Performer |
BBC TV Series |
| The Criminal (1960) | Kitchen warder |
|
| The Missing Note (1961) | Commissionaire | Uncredited |
| The Inspector | MP Sergeant | |
| The Amorous Prawn (1962) | Sergeant Major | |
| 55 Days at Peking (1963) | Sergeant Major | Uncredited |
| The Spy with a Cold Nose (1966) | Commissionaire | |
| Casino Royale (1967) | Sergeant Major | Uncredited, (final film role) |
Discography
editThe Saga Satellites with RSM Brittain - Regimental Rock (Saga Records, 1959)
Notes
edit- Citations
- ^ My life of top hat and tales – Edinburgh Evening News – Friday 22, 2002
- ^ Aldershot military museum, National service in Aldershot
- ^ [1] As depicted worn in 1953 British Pathe news clip.
- Bibliography
Leasor, James. (1955). The Serjeant-major; a biography of R.S.M. Ronald Brittain, M.B.E., Coldstream Guards. London: Harrap. OCLC 2154501.
