Magic at War

"I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any." This blog article, published on 19th March 2021, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of British comedy magic legend, Tommy Cooper.   As you might expect, I'm going to focus on Tommy's wartime experiences, including the story of how he picked up his trademark fez. Early years Thomas Frederick Cooper (1921-1984)  was born in Caerphilly, Wales. His family moved to Exeter,  Devon  when he was three. A t the age of eight, an aunt bought Tommy a magic set and he would spend hours perfecting all the tricks.  After finishing school, Cooper left the family home to become an apprentice shipwright at Southampton. "This country is at war with Germany" On 3 September 1939, two days after German forces invaded Poland, Britain declared war on Germany. World War Two had begun. Despite being in a reserved occupation, Cooper managed to enlist into the military to serve his country. I...

Celebrated New York magician and World War Two veteran, Sol Stone, sadly passed away in early March 2021, aged 98.  In his honour, this special blog recounts Stone's wartime service, including his narrow escape from becoming a prisoner-of-war and the moment - in the midst of war - when he discovered the power of magic to bring wonder to people's lives. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1922, Stone first became hooked on magic when he was seven years old. His father took him to see  master illusionist Howard Thurston. The show made a strong impression on Stone. After, he would spend hours in Brooklyn libraries looking for books on magic. He built up a small act and took part in magic contests and school shows. Growing up during the Great Depression, performing magic helped Stone fund his college studies. Sol Stone with a dove production (c1930s) (Source: Sol Stone) In 1942, aged nineteen, Stone enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. He joined  the 739th Squadron, 454th Bombard...