ENSA Overseas Recording Broadcasting Services to include two records, the...

ENSA Overseas Recording Broadcasting Services to include two records, the labels read: Personal Call Prog 9 Arthur Askey Side 1, Side 3, Side 6 and Side 9 together with an Electric Recording vinyl "The Victory" Military Band songs Mucking around the Garden and John Brown's Body sung by Willie Gadd [3] Note: For the benefit of soldiers and airmen in the battle zones or stationed in lonely outposts and Sailor's on board the Royal Navy's ships, an exclusive radio programme was "canned" every week. Over 750th shows were recorded in Theatres from March 1942 to January 1943. Funded from a Treasury grant, it was realised that this novel and "zippy" idea was a powerful morale-booster; covering all tastes from comedy to symphony orchestras. Theatre, Radio and Music stars recorded for free with additional material supplied by the ENSA and the BBC. The records were then shipped or flown overseas by ENSA to places where radio equipment for picking up BBC Shortwave was lacking and were played by local Radio Stations during a designated listening-time for the servicemen. The Navy's ships received the records in the most convenient port of call and afterwards passed them on to other ships. Arthur Askey and Flight-Lieutenant Richard Murdoch re-united to record "The Proposal" sketch for E.N.S.A in January 1943