(Florence) Elsie Waters; Doris Ethel Waters

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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(Florence) Elsie Waters; Doris Ethel Waters

by Francis Goodman
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 3 May 1947
Given by the estate of Francis Goodman, 1989
Photographs Collection
NPG x88158

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  • Francis Goodman (1913-1989), Photographer. Artist or producer of 1400 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.

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The Waters sisters studied piano, violin and elocution at the Guildhall before joining the family orchestra, which included their brother, actor Jack Warner. It was with their cockney alter egos, Gert and Daisy, however, that they made their names, remaining popular some 40 years on stage and radio from their Début in 1930. Boasting that they never broadcast the same act or song twice, their radio series included Gert and Daisy's Working Party (1948), Petticoat Lane, (1949) and Floggit's (1956). During the Second World War they made films for the Ministry of Food as well as touring with ENSA.

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Events of 1947back to top

Current affairs

Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey. Philip renounced his title of Prince of Greece and Denmark, to become Duke of Edinburgh when he married the heir to the throne.

Art and science

The first Edinburgh Festival includes performances by Kathleen Ferrier, Alec Guinness and Margot Fonteyn. The Festival is now a major annual international arts event that takes place over three weeks every August, and includes top class performers in theatre, music and dance as well as lesser-known performers who take part in the parallel 'Fringe Festival'.

International

India is granted independence from the British Empire and the former British Raj is partitioned into India and Pakistan. After various revolts and several years of civil disobedience led by Gandhi and his Quit India Movement, Britain agrees to disband the Raj and grant independence to India.
Palestine is partitioned into a Jewish State, an Arab State and a small internationally administered zone.

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