[4] He had trained as a musician at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Chelsea,[5] 1900-1905 where he was entered by his mother Clara (a nurse) after the death of his father William, Sergeant Drummer Gloucestershire Regiment, on St. Helena after 25 years service.
[6] He appeared in numerous films, including Second Choice, Stars on Parade and Aunt Sally,[9] and founded the 11-piece dance band The Savoy Orpheans.
[13] In 1943, he returned to London's West End to direct the hit show The Lisbon Story at the Hippodrome.
[15] His last production was as musical director for George Formby's Zip Goes a Million at the Palace Theatre in 1951, but he collapsed and died in London during the run of the show in May 1952, aged 62.
[14] Somers married a widow, Doddy Payne (nee Watts) on 9 September 1912 in Fulham, London;[16] she already had three children from her previous marriage.