Jack Train

Who was Jack Train?

Jack Train was a British radio and film actor popular during the Second World War.

Born in Plymouth, Devon, Train was on BBC radio in many productions, but his characters in the BBC series ITMA with Tommy Handley gave him fame. He appeared in several British films, none top-rated.

In ITMA, the wartime comedy show, he created Colonel Chinstrap, a pickled former Indian Army officer who perpetually believed he was being offered a drink, replying: "I don't mind if I do". Chinstrap was based on a real person. Train was visiting the BBC's chief announcer and news reader, John Snagge, when in came a bleary-eyed former army man, another friend of Snagge's. The arrival said: "John, I've just done the most marvellous piece of business. I've bought a water heater on 10 years' hire purchase and what the gas company don't know is that I am drinking myself to death." It was not difficult for Train to turn him into Colonel Chinstrap, actors being encouraged to create characters from experience. When the man heard the show he failed to recognise himself but commented: "Wonderful character. I knew silly buggers like that in India."