Sadly Richard Todd died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Youngsters (i.e. almost everyone except moi) may not have heard of him, but to a post-war generation he was the dashing hero of many a film, including The Dam Busters, where he played the part of Guy Gibson.

Here he is in his youth:

Richard Todd didn't only play war heroes, he was himself a real war hero.

In the Longest Day (1962), which is about the D-Day invasion, Richard Todd plays his own Commanding Officer, and alongside him was another actor, whose name I sadly do not know, playing the part of himself.

R.I.P. Richard Todd, a true gentleman and hero, both on and off the silver screen.