MoAccording to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the movie celebrity Donald Crisp was born as George William Crisp to James and Elizabeth Crisp at the family home in Bow, London (historically known as Stratford-atte-Bow) on July 27, 1882. He was one of eight children, four boys and four girls.
Although US Census records indicate the London birthplace and date to be correct, some sources maintain he was born in Aberfeldy in 1880. Indeed, the Scottish Film Council raised a plaque on the Locus building in Aberfeldy square some years ago indicating that date and his point of origin in the town.
Crisp always claimed to be of Scottish descent. He served as a trooper in the 10th Hussars in the Boer War where his path crossed with that of a young Winston Churchill just at the start of the latter’s long political career. According to family memories, Crisp’s brother-in-law James Needham provided him with the fare to travel to America in 1906, where he forged a career as an early motion picture producer, director, screenwriter and actor. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1942 for his performance in How Green Was My Valley.

Research Assistance Sought

Russell Leadbetter is authoring a book about the man and is keen to track down any documentary evidence of the claim that he first saw the light of day in Aberfeldy. He would be glad to hear from anyone who could supply this information or indicate where it might be sourced.
He can be contacted at CLOAKING