William John Hooper
Encyclopedia
William John ‘Bill’ Hooper (born 21 August 1916 in London, England) was a British cartoonist. He is best remembered as the creator of the wartime comic character Percy Prune.
, London. However, he dropped out of university after just two terms. Hooper then went to Ireland
to work as an armed bodyguard, before eking out a living as a painter.
he enrolled as an air gunner, but was soon transferred to ground staff. During the war he met Anthony Armstrong, editor of the training manual, Tee Emm, and together they created the character of PO Prune as a way of instructing wartime pilots what not to do if they wanted to save their lives and their aircraft.
In the post-war years, Hooper and Armstrong produced a number of successful books. Hooper worked as political cartoonist for the Sunday Chronicle
, and later for the BBC as presenter of the series ‘Willy the Pup’. He also formed a studio of artists to create animations for BBC programmes. He produced a strip cartoon for The Star
newspaper before returning to television as, first, an artist and later a presenter. He was also worked for several years as a columnist for the Sunday Pictorial. His wife Noelle died in 1979. His son, John Hooper
, is a journalist and author.
Early life
Hooper was educated at a boarding school in Kent. After school he was sent to work as a laboratory assistant in a Windsor medical clinic. This introduction to science led him to begin a degree in metallurgy at Imperial CollegeImperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, London. However, he dropped out of university after just two terms. Hooper then went to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to work as an armed bodyguard, before eking out a living as a painter.
Career
At the start of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he enrolled as an air gunner, but was soon transferred to ground staff. During the war he met Anthony Armstrong, editor of the training manual, Tee Emm, and together they created the character of PO Prune as a way of instructing wartime pilots what not to do if they wanted to save their lives and their aircraft.
In the post-war years, Hooper and Armstrong produced a number of successful books. Hooper worked as political cartoonist for the Sunday Chronicle
Sunday Chronicle
The Sunday Chronicle was a newspaper in the United Kingdom.The newspaper was founded in Manchester by Edward Hulton in August 1885. He was known for his sporting coverage, already publishing the Sporting Chronicle, the Daily Dispatch and the Athletic News. The paper initially cost one penny and,...
, and later for the BBC as presenter of the series ‘Willy the Pup’. He also formed a studio of artists to create animations for BBC programmes. He produced a strip cartoon for The Star
The Star (London)
The Star was a London evening newspaper founded in 1788.The first edition was printed on 3 May 1788 under the editorship of Peter Stuart. Founding sponsors of the new paper included publisher John Murray and William Lane of the Minerva Press...
newspaper before returning to television as, first, an artist and later a presenter. He was also worked for several years as a columnist for the Sunday Pictorial. His wife Noelle died in 1979. His son, John Hooper
John Hooper (journalist)
John Edward Francis Hooper is a British journalist, author and broadcaster. He is currently the Rome correspondent of The Economist and The Guardian.- Early life :...
, is a journalist and author.