Frederick William Treves (29 March 1925 – 30 January 2012) was an English actor with an extensive repertoire, specialising in avuncular, military, and titled types.
Early life Treves attended the Nautical College, Pangbourne and in World War II he served in the Merchant Navy. On his first voyage his ship, the refrigerated cargo liner , was part of the Operation Pedestal convoy to Malta. On 13 August 1942 Waimarama was bombed by a German Junkers Ju 88 aircraft. The ship's deck cargo included containers of aviation spirit that burst into flame. Waimarama exploded and 83 of her 107 crew were killed.
Cadet Treves, then seventeen years old, helped save several of his shipmates, and was consequently awarded the British Empire Medal "Frederick William Treves, Cadet. The ship was hit by bombs while in a convoy and burst into flames fore and aft. The fierceness of the fire forced an Officer who could not swim to jump overboard. Cadet Treves, who was on his first voyage, swam to where the Officer was struggling in the oily water, ordered him to keep still, and, taking him by the head, got him away from the ship. Treves then found a piece of wood, to which the man was able to cling for support until rescued. But for the coolness and skill of the Cadet the Officer would have drowned." and Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea.
After the war Treves trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Career Treves had over a hundred television credits, including roles in A For Andromeda, The Cazalets, The Jewel in the Crown, Strangers and Brothers, A Dance to the Music of Time, The Politician's Wife, To Play the King, Lipstick on Your Collar, Summer's Lease, Bomber Harris, Trevor Griffiths' version of The Cherry Orchard, David Edgar's Destiny, The Naked Civil Servant, Mr. Bean, Drop The Dead Donkey, The Railway Children and Strange Experiences.
Treves also guested in many continuing dramas, such as All Creatures Great and Small, Rosemary & Thyme, Monarch of the Glen, The Bill, The New Adventures of Black Beauty, Silent Witness, Kavanagh QC, Jeeves and Wooster, Inspector Morse, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Lovejoy, Rumpole of the Bailey , Yes, Prime Minister, Bergerac, Midsomer Murders, Heartbeat, Follyfoot, Crown Court, Miss Marple, Minder, Z-Cars, The Avengers, Doomwatch and in the Doctor Who story Meglos.
Treves' films included Freelance (1971), One Hour to Zero (1976), Sweeney 2 (1978), Charlie Muffin (1979), The Elephant Man (1980), Nighthawks (1981), Defence of the Realm (1985), Paper Mask (1990), The Fool (1990), Afraid of the Dark (1991), Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1995) and Sunshine (1999).
As well as screen appearances, Treves also had a wide stage and radio career, and appeared with the National Theatre from the late-1970s in David Hare's Plenty, Bernard Shaw's The Philanderer, Arnold Wesker's Caritas, Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh, and two Shakespeares – Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing (1981) and Menenius in Coriolanus (1984).Treves in Coriolanus on the Ian McKellen website
Personal life Treves was from a medical family; his father was a physician and his great uncle was Frederick Treves, the surgeon who became famous for discovering Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man". In the David Lynch film The Elephant Man, the surgeon is played by Anthony Hopkins and Treves himself appeared in the character of Alderman.
Treves married Jean Stott in 1956. The marriage produced three children, a daughter and two sons. His elder son is the actor Simon Treves.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1953 Wheel of Fate 1956 Jumping for Joy Attendant Uncredited The Long Arm Detective Tailing Creasey High Terrace Police Constable West 1957 The Mark of the Hawk 2nd Officer 1960 Carry On Constable Radio Announcer Voice, Uncredited 1971 Freelance Car Driver 1976 One Hour to Zero Superintendent Parry Devices and Desires Reverend Granville Moulton 1978 Sweeney 2 McKyle On a Paving Stone Mounted 1979 Charlie Muffin Wilcox 1980 The Elephant Man Alderman 1981 Nighthawks Police Chief Inspector – London 1983 A Flame to the Phoenix 1986 Defence of the Realm Arnold Reece The Natural World – The Man Eaters of Kumaon Jim Corbett 1990 Paper Mask Dr. Mumford The Fool Samuel Simpson 1991 Afraid of the Dark Eye Surgeon 1993 Closing Numbers Anna's Father 1995 Mad Dogs and Englishmen Sir Harry Dyer Mr. Bean Colonel Episode: "Hair by Mr. Bean of London" 1999 Sunshine Emperor
References
Obituary – Dr Who
External links
Performances in the Theatre Archive, University of Bristol