Prison camp’s band of heroes
A SECOND World War prisoner taught himself to play music and formed a PoW camp band which saved lives by performing for extra rations.
Ted White only had basic skills when he was captured but he emerged from internment a talented musician who would go on to write songs for Dame Vera Lynn and perform with some of the world’s biggest stars.
His story was revealed as he was joined by family and friends to celebrate his 100th birthday last week at a care home in Truro, Cornwall.
Ted, who had worked as a railway station clerk, was in Jersey when the Channel Island was occupied by the Nazis in 1940.
He was sent to the Laufen Castle internment camp in Bavaria. Food in Camp Ilag VII was scarce and he and his fellow internees were wasting away.
Having previously played the clarinet and saxophone, he hit upon the idea of forming a swing group and got word out to the Red Cross that he needed some instruments.
They were sent trumpets and trombones and they even managed to find a drum kit and double bass. Ted learned how to write music and taught himself and other internees the instruments.
He formed the band, called The Swingternees, which provided entertainment for prisoners. They became so proficient they were sent out to perform to German citizens and were paid in extra rations.
When the war ended Ted returned to Britain and joined the Billy Ternent Band which toured the music hall circuit and broadcast regularly as the house band for BBC radio shows of the day how to play Ted and fellow internees at their POW camp in Laufen Castle, Bavaria including Variety Bandbox. On concert tours the band accompanied legendary performers including Frank Sinatra, Dame Gracie Fields and Bob Hope.
Ted left the band in the 1950s as demand for his writing grew, leading to him giving up playing to concentrate on composing, arranging and conducting.
He became attached to the BBC TV orchestrations department where he worked on soundtracks for much-loved classics including Fawlty Towers, Steptoe And Son, The Good life Variety Show.
The father of two and grandfather – who became a widower when his wife Mary died aged 82 – only stopped writing songs three years ago aged 97.
Ted said yesterday: “The camp was very monotonous so I spent a lot of time writing music. The Red Cross sent us paper and writing materials and people were interested in learning to play.
“I’ve always enjoyed music, it’s been my life.” and The Royal