John Snagge

about

John Derrick Mordaunt Snagge OBE (8 May 1904 – 25 March 1996) was a long-time British newsreader and commentator on BBC Radio. Born in Chelsea, London, he was educated at Winchester College and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he obtained a degree in law. He then joined the BBC, taking up the position of assistant director at Stoke-on-Trent's new local radio station. He broadcast his first sports commentary (of a Hull City versus Stoke City football match) in January 1927, after the BBC obtained the rights to cover major sporting events. In 1928, Snagge was transferred to London to work as one of the BBC's main announcers alongside Stuart Hibberd. From 1931 until 1980, he commentated on the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. He provided commentary for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and again in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. At the start of World War II, Snagge was made the BBC's presentation director and delivered important radio announcements as the war unfolded. By the time of the D-Day landings in 1944, he was presenting the magazine programme War Report which featured regular news from the beaches of Normandy. In the early 1950s, Snagge played a role in negotiations that led to the radio comedy series The Goon Show being commissioned by the BBC. He was also the subject of many running gags during the show, and provided many self-parodying announcements, usually recorded. He also featured as himself in the episode The Greenslade Story, alongsi

top songs

albums

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Through Childhood to the Throne / Memories of Coronation Day (2nd June, 1953)

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The Complete Greatest Speeches & Moments Ever

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The Home Front: Archive Broadcast Recordings 1939-45

The Sounds Of Time

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Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

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Greatest Speeches & Moments Volume 2

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Historic Voices VIII - The Voices Of World War II

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Victory In Europe 1944-45

The Most Famous Speeches

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The Voices of D-Day

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The War at Sea 1939-45

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