Max Arthur
OBE (25 February 1939 – 2 May 2019) was a military historian, author and actor who specialised in first-hand recollections of the twentieth century. In particular his works focussed on the First and Second World War.
In the earlier years of his life, Arthur was an actor appearing in a number of minor roles on television. Most notably as Zuko in the
Doctor Who
''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
episode
Planet of Fire
''Planet of Fire'' is the fifth serial of the 21st season in the British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts on BBC1 from 23 February to 2 March 1984.
In the serial, the Doctor's ...
.
He also appeared in the film
Bloodbrothers (1978 film)
''Bloodbrothers'' is a 1978 coming-of-age film directed by Robert Mulligan, and starring Richard Gere, Paul Sorvino, Tony Lo Bianco and Marilu Henner. It was based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Richard Price. It was nominated for an Ac ...
and the television series
Grange Hill
''Grange Hill'' is a British Children's television series, children's television drama series, originally produced by the BBC and portraying life in a typical Comprehensive school (England and Wales), comprehensive school. The show began its ru ...
.
Later in his life he changed direction and became a historian. As a historian his scholarship focussed in drawing together testimony from soldiers of their experiences during wartime.
His most noted works were ''Forgotten Voices of the Great War'' (2002) and ''Forgotten Voices of the Second World War'' (2004) both in association with the
Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museums (IWM) is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. Founded as the Imperial War Museum in 1917, the museum was intended to record the civil and military ...
.
He also presented two television documentaries: ''The Brits Who Fought For Spain'' (2008-9), for The History Channel UK and 'Dambusters' for Optimum Releasing.
Arthur was appointed
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
(OBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to military history.
On 2 May 2019, Arthur died of leukaemia aged 80.
Published works
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References
External links
Forgotten Voices website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arthur, Max
1939 births
2019 deaths
British non-fiction writers
British military writers
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
People from Bognor Regis
British male writers
Male non-fiction writers