Spike Milligan, a British comedian, actor, writer, and musician, was born to an Irish father serving in the British Raj in India. He spent his formative years in India, attending Roman Catholic schools, and later in England at Lewisham Polytechnic, where he developed a passion for playing the fool and the trumpet in local jazz bands.
As a young man, Milligan was conscripted into the British Army at the outbreak of World War II, serving as Gunner Milligan in the Royal Artillery during the North African and Italian campaigns. However, his time in the army was cut short when he was hospitalized with shell-shock after getting too close to an exploding shell.
After his escape from army life, Milligan began his career as an author and humourist, going on to create the iconic radio show "The Goon Show" with Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe, and Michael Bentine. These shows are widely regarded as revolutionary in the world of comedy, even predating the work of Monty Python.
Despite his success, Milligan struggled with the pressure of writing all the scripts, which led to a breakdown and a diagnosis of clinical manic-depression. However, he continued to write prolifically, producing a wealth of comic poetry, novels, and his multi-volume autobiography.
In addition to his work in comedy, Milligan was a passionate environmental campaigner and was known for his eccentric personality. He is often referred to as the last of the great British eccentrics, and his legacy continues to be celebrated to this day.
