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Jean Alexander, Trinh Thi Ngo, Ian Mercer, Joseph Harmatz, Joan Marie Johnson

Obituary series. Matthew Bannister remembers actress Jean Alexander, broadcaster Trinh Thi Ngo, naturalist Ian Mercer, 'Avenger' Joseph Harmatz and singer Joan Marie Johnson.

Matthew Bannister on

Jean Alexander - the actress best known for playing Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street.

Trinh Thi Ngo. Nicknamed Hanoi Hannah, she broadcast propaganda to American GIs during the Vietnam war.

Ian Mercer the naturalist who became the first Dartmoor National Park officer and the first Chief Executive of the Countryside Council for Wales.

Joseph Harmatz, part of a group of Jewish vigilantes who set out to murder millions of Germans just after the second world war.

And Joan Marie Johnson - one of the three women singers in the Dixie Cups who scored a major hit with The Chapel of Love.

Producer: Neil George.

Available now

28 minutes

Joseph Harmatz

Matthew spoke to his son, Ronel Harmatz.

Born 23 January 1925; died 26 September 2016 aged 91. 

Jean Alexander (pictured)

Matthew spoke to former TV editor, Peter Grant.

Born 11 October 1926; died 14 October 2016 aged 90.

Trinh Thi Ngo (‘Hanoi Hannah’)

Matthew spoke to former war correspondent Don North who interviewed her.

Born 26 November 1930; died 30 September 2016 aged 85.

Ian Mercer

Matthew spoke to Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of Britain’s oldest conservation body, the Open Spaces Society.

Born 25 January 1933; died 20 September 2016 aged 83.

Joan Marie Johnson

Born 15 January 1944; died 5 October 2016 aged 72.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest Ronel Harmatz
Interviewed Guest Peter Grant
Interviewed Guest Don North
Interviewed Guest Kate Ashbrook
Producer Neil George

Broadcasts

  • Fri 21 Oct 2016 16:00
  • Sun 23 Oct 2016 20:30

Podcast