- published: 25 Sep 2013
- views: 50
Desmond Wilkinson Llewelyn (12 September 1914 – 19 December 1999) was a Welsh actor famously known for his role as Q in 17 of the James Bond films between 1963 and 1999.
Llewelyn was born in Newport, Wales, the son of Mia (née Wilkinson) and Ivor Llewelyn, who was a coal mining engineer. He originally wanted to be a minister, but during his education at Radley College, he worked as a stagehand in the school's productions and occasionally picked up small roles. His son Justin followed him to Radley and was also a leading light of the school's stage productions.
He was brought up in Blaen-y-Pant House situated on Bettws Lane, Bettws. The house is now used as a care home for the elderly.
The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 halted his acting career; Llewelyn was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army, serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. In 1940, he was captured by the German Army in France and was held as a prisoner of war for five years.