Gwenda Wilkin

In 1949 Gwenda represented Britain in the Accordion World Championship in Spa, Belgium securing an impressive 6th position for her young age.

In the summer of 1950 Gwenda rose to stardom playing at venues throughout Britain and in 1952 she was asked to join ENSA (later called the CSE) by Gracie Fields to tour internationally entertaining the British Troops.

Gwenda spent most of the 1950s touring abroad performing for Troops with Gracie Fields and Vera Lynn who both became lifelong friends.

Vic Evans and Chester Harriot accompanied Gwenda throughout her African tour and became her firm friends until their respective deaths, speaking on the telephone every week into old age.

Gwenda retired from show business towards the end of the 1970s due to health problems and returned to school to study veterinary practise and animal husbandry.