BUTLINS FILEY 1966 LESLIE at Redcoats Reunited

Hello “A.J”
My name is Joyce Lawrence. I am Leslie’s widow. Les became a Redcoat at Butlins Filey 1966, after he left the Royal Horse Guards Band where he was a trombonist/vocalist. Being thirty-five, he was older that most of the other Redcoats, so was chosen as House Chairman, and alternated between both York House and Kent House. [Right is Redcoat Don McDermot.]

HOUSE CHAIRMAN - York House

HOUSE CHAIRMAN - York House
[Right is Redcoat Don McDermot.]

MISS CHECHE COMPETITION

Butlins Filey 1966 Redcoats Reunited Les 6

Left is Compere Dave Thomas. Leslie is swingin on 3rd and 1st.

When he left Butlins, after just the one season, he became an Entertainer in the Clubs, doing vocal/comedy impressions and instrumentals (trombone). He went under the name “Lee St. Lawrence,” then became part of a duo called “Chip ‘n’ Dale” (Lee Dale). They were well-known in the clubs for their Glen Miller medleys. He was known as “Les” at Butlins, but in the clubs as “Lee.”
Lee married me, Joyce, in December 1967. We have three daughters and a son .
Lee’s big claim to fame is that he was the engine driver in the 1970 film "The Railway Children" – with Jenny Agutter.
It would be lovely to hear from any of the Redcoats he worked with who remember him. I know he was good friends with Dave Thomas, but I don’t know if Dave is still with us.

Joyce Lawrence

Lee as the train driver in "The Railway Children."

BUTLINS FILEY 1966

Leslie Lawrence