William Evelyn Kingwell
William Evelyn Kingwell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1889 Edmonton, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 1947-01-19 |
| Occupation(s) | Bank clerk, disc jockey |
| Years active | 1931 (as disc jockey) |
| Known for | Pioneer English-speaking disc jockey broadcasting from France |
William Evelyn Kingwell (1889 – 19 January 1947) was a British bank clerk who, on 6 September 1931, became the pioneer English-speaking disc jockey broadcasting from France. He was engaged by Leonard Plugge to present records during a Sunday evening program on Radio Fécamp, located in Normandy.
Early life and family
Kingwell was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, in 1889 as the son of a bank inspector.[1] He was married to Jessie.[2]
First World War
During the First World War, Kingwell served with the Royal Field Artillery, receiving a promotion to second lieutenant in 1914,[3] but suffered injuries from a gas attack that necessitated his return to England.[1] Additionally, he held service with the Royal West Kent Regiment.[4]
Career
Although initially directed by his father toward banking, Kingwell’s career in this sector was interrupted by wartime service.[1] Following the war, he resumed work in banking and held the position of chief cashier at a Lloyds/National Provincial branch based in Le Havre, France.[5]
It was at this bank that Kingwell encountered radio pioneer Leonard Plugge, who required financial support to acquire gramophone records for his International Broadcasting Company (IBC). Plugge invited Kingwell to host record presentations on the radio every Sunday evening, an offer Kingwell accepted. The inaugural broadcast took place on 6 September 1931 using airtime Plugge secured from Radio Fécamp in Normandy,[1] establishing Kingwell as the first English-language "disc jockey" broadcasting out of France.[5]
Kingwell encountered difficulties performing his duties, possibly linked to residual effects from his gas exposure; on one occasion he lost his voice and had his son fill in. Subsequently, Major Max Staniforth joined him before Kingwell eventually stepped down from broadcasting.[6]
Death
Kingwell passed away on 19 January 1947, leaving behind an estate valued at £520. His widow Jessie was granted administration of his estate.
See also
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedConn - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedprob - ↑ Supplement to The London Gazette, 10 December 1914.
- ↑ Family Search WWI Service Records.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedwall - ↑ Wallis, p. 197.
- Articles with short description
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- 1889 births
- 1947 deaths
- English DJs
- People from Edmonton, London
- English bankers
- Royal Field Artillery officers
- Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment soldiers
- British Army personnel of World War I
- September 1931 in Europe
- 20th-century English businesspeople
- Military personnel from the London Borough of Enfield
- Pages with reference errors