[1] Duncan's father was a regimental sergeant major in the army and his mother was a postmistress.

His professional acting debut was in Juno and the Paycock in May 1944 at the Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow.

He grabbed the bridle, stopping the horse, but the cart it was pulling ran over him causing a fractured kneecap and cuts and bruises.

He received the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct[4] and £1,360 in damages from Sapphire films.

[2] He also played the ditch digger in the 1969 film Ring of Bright Water who dispatched the star otter Mij with his spade, towards the end.