Bernard Cribbins
A beloved British entertainer whose warm, everyman charm graced everything from children's television to the big screen for over sixty years.
1928–2022 (age 94)·British actor·Birthday: December 29·The Silent Generation
Biography
Bernard Cribbins was the kind of performer who felt like a national treasure from the moment he appeared on screen, his career a delightful map of British popular culture. He began in rep theatre before finding fame with comic novelty records like 'Hole in the Ground' and a string of film roles in the 1960s, including the classic 'The Railway Children'. For generations, his narration of the 'The Wombles' made him the comforting voice of childhood. His versatility was remarkable, moving seamlessly from bawdy Carry On films to poignant stage drama. A late-career renaissance introduced him to a new global audience as Wilfred Mott, Donna Noble's grandfather in 'Doctor Who', a role he infused with such heartfelt depth that he became an instant fan favourite. Cribbins never seemed to be acting; he was simply being, with a twinkle in his eye and an unshakeable connection to his audience.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Bernard was born in 1928, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bernard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1928
#1 Movie
The Singing Fool
Best Picture
Wings
Bernard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1928Born
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1933Started school
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1941Became a teenager
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1944Could drive
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1946Could vote
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
1949Turned 21
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1958Turned 30
NASA founded
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Volare" — Domenico ModugnoBest Picture: Gigi
1968Turned 40
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1978Turned 50
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1988Turned 60
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1998Turned 70
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 80
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2022Died at 94
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Key Achievements
- Narrated the beloved children's television series 'The Wombles', becoming the voice of the show for its entire original run.
- Played the station porter, Albert Perks, in the enduringly popular 1970 film adaptation of 'The Railway Children'.
- Appeared in four of the 'Carry On' film comedies, including 'Carry On Spying' and 'Carry On Jack'.
- His role as Wilfred Mott in 'Doctor Who' (2007-2010) is celebrated as one of the most beloved companion relatives in the show's history.
Did You Know?
He was awarded an OBE in 2011 for his services to drama.
Cribbins was the first person to record a song written by The Beatles, releasing 'In My Life' and 'Yesterday' as a single before the band's own versions.
He served as a paratrooper in the British Army's Parachute Regiment during his national service.
He provided the voice for the character of the storyteller in the children's TV series 'Jackanory' for many years.
“I've been very lucky. I've never been out of work and I've enjoyed every minute of it.”
