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MIBTRE HOUSE A Brief History
124 THE KING’S ROAD CHELSEA LONDON SW3 4TP
Thomas Woodrooffe
At Flat 8 from when it was built until World War Two was the very well known and respected broad- caster Thomas Woodrooffe.
Thomas Borres Ralph Woodrooffe – Broadcaster & Writer was born in 1899 and joined the Royal Navy where he reached the rank of Lieutenant- Commander.After his retirement he became a Commentator and news reader for BBC Radio.
He was the voice over for the opening ceremony of the notori- ous 1936 German Olympics and Neville Chamberlain’s infamous return from Munich in 1938.
However he was best known for his drunken performance in 1937 when he was commentating on the Spithead Review. He was so incoherent that he was taken off air after a few minutes and sus- pended by BBC Director-General John Reith for a week.
Woodrooffe was also the main commentator on the 1938 FA Cup Final between Preston North End and HuddersfieldTown.After 29 minutes of extra time the match was still goalless and he declared “If there’s a goal scored now, I’ll eat my hat.” Seconds later Preston scored and it is said that he did go on to eat a hat, albeit a cake shaped as a hat.
He was considered a national treasure in much the same way as the Dimbleby clan are considered today on televion and radio, most especially the late and great father, Richard Dimbleby.
(top: left to right) Thomas Woodrooffe; Neville Chamberlain - “Peace in our time”
1938 FA Cup Final between Preston North End and Huddersfield Town 1-0 to Preston in extra time! (bottom left) Jesse Owens 1936 Olympics