11 Facts About Frank Laskier

Frank Geoffrey Laskier New Brighton, Wirral, was a British seaman who came to public attention during World War II.

In late 1940, Laskier was a gunner in the Merchant Navy when his ship was attacked and sunk by a German raider off the coast of West Africa.

Today, the little that is remembered about Frank Laskier is mixed; one observer described him as just an icon of wartime propaganda, but another critic considers Frank Laskier's autobiographical writing to be "powerful" and the "genuine article" about a seaman's life.

Frank Laskier was born in New Brighton Wirral and brought up near the wharves of Liverpool, Lancashire.

Frank Laskier drank heavily, patronised prostitutes and even spent a few years in prison for theft; he was the black sheep of his family.

Frank Laskier was repatriated to Britain where it was said, a young BBC radio producer overheard him tell his story in a Liverpool public house.

Frank Laskier was convinced to recount his story on J B Priestley's Postscript show, so-named because it aired following the news.

Frank Laskier knew Shakespeare, and could interweave Shakespeare's phrases with his story so that they sounded as if they were spun that very moment.

Frank Laskier minted his own phrases, too, and they came out shining gold.

One film is a Crown Film Unit production called Seaman Frank Laskier Goes Back to Sea which shows Frank Laskier patriotically re-enlisting for the Merchant Navy; the narrator calls him a "real Englishman" who does his duty.

Frank Laskier died on 8 July 1949, aged 37, in a car accident in New York City.