Stanley Baker (1927 – 1976)

Actor Stanley Baker seen here with a lorry from Rhyd Y Polon Garage, West Street, Gorseinon during the filming of “Hell Drivers”- 1957.

Stanley Baker was one of Wales’ finest actors. Born in Ferndale, Rhondda on 8^th February, 1927, he starred in many films, including, The Cruel Sea (1953), Knights of the Round Table (1954), Richard the Third (1956), Campbell’s Kingdom (1957),

The Guns of Navarone (1961) and Perfect Friday (1971). However, his dream was to make a film of the famous South Wales Borderers’ Stand at Rorke’s Drift during the Zulu Wars. This came to fruition when in 1963, he co-produced and starred in the film “Zulu”. This proved not only to be one of his greatest films, but was the film that gave fellow actor Michael Caine instant success.

Stanley Baker died in 1976 having been granted a knighthood by the Queen only a month earlier. Although he never officially received this honour he is greatly missed by an army of fans.