Stringer Davis
| Stringer Davis | |
|---|---|
with Margaret Rutherford
|
|
| Born |
James Buckley Stringer Davis 4 June 1899 Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, UK |
| Died | 29 August 1973 (aged 74) Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, England, UK |
| Years active | 1938-1973 |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Rutherford (1945–1972; her death) |
James Buckley Stringer Davis, generally known as Stringer Davis (4 June 1899 – 29 August 1973), was an English character actor on the stage and in films and a British army officer who served in both World Wars. He was married to actress Margaret Rutherford.
Stringer Davis was born on 4 June 1899 in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England. His father George Davis was a bank clerk, his mother Ethel a housewife. Davis attended the independent Uppingham School and received military basic training there. In August 1918, he volunteered for military service and was sent to the front in World War I as a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. He was discharged from military service in September 1919, about 10 months after the conclusion of the war.
Davis' parents separated shortly after his return from the war. His mother lived in a spacious house in Reading, England, and Davis lived in its vicinity in a boathouse overlooking the River Thames. He began his theatrical career as a member of the Oxford Repertory Company, working as both an actor and director. In 1930, he met Margaret Rutherford, his future wife, for the first time. At the time, Rutherford was still largely unknown. She wrote in her autobiography about her first encounter with her husband-to-be: "I noticed his bright blue eyes, his casual elegant clothes and his polite way. I couldn't take my eyes off him....He had that special something. His name was Stringer Davis." He made his on screen debut in a BBC television live drama Charles and Mary in 1938.
The 40-year-old Davis put his acting career aside to volunteer again for military service in 1939. He served as a lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment and later was part of the British Expeditionary Force deployed in France. He participated in the Battle of Dunkirk and was one of the many British soldiers evacuated on 4 June 1940. Davis remained with the army until almost the end of the World War II, with tours of duty in north Africa and north west Europe.
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