The classic British war film, The Yangtze Incident was on TV the other day, and we recognised at once William Hartnell in a key role, and Richard Todd, the star of the film, who is a former Doctor Who guest star. Later in the film Bernard Cribbins turned up, and we then turned to IMDB where I immediately recognised three more names that I have come across in the history of Classic Doctor Who. A detailed search threw up some more. So here is the Yangtze-Doctor Who connection in full.

In 1957, veteran actor William Hartnell was Leading Seaman Frank in The Yangtze Incident. Of course, he needs no explanation for Doctor Who fans. He is the First Doctor.

Richard Todd, the 1950s matinee idol, played the hero, Lieutenant Commander Kerans, RN in The Yangtze Incident. In 1982, he played another military man, Sanders in Kinda.

Ewen Solon played ERA Williams RN in The Yangtze Incident. He had two roles in Doctor Who. He was Chal in The Savages, during the First Doctor’s last season and Vishinsky in the Fourth Doctor story, Planet of Evil.

Chal

Vishinsky

Bernard Cribbins was an uncredited but impossible to miss Sonar Operator in The Yangtze Incident. In 1966, of course, he was in the non-canon movie, Dalek Invasion: 2050. But most recently he made it to official Doctor Who stardom as Wilf Mott, Donna’s granddad. He is, incidentally, the only veteran of The Yangtze Incident to appear in the revived series.

Cyril Luckham was an uncredited rating on board the HMS Amethyst. In Doctor Who he played the Guardian or White Guardian in the episodes Ribos Operation and Enlightenment.

Richard Leech played Lieutenant Strain RN in The Yangtze Incident. He was Gatherer Hade in the Tom Baker episode, The Sun Makers.

Veteran actor Kenneth Cope was Mr. McNamara in The Yangtze Incident. He played Packard in the last of the E-Space Trilogy, Warriors' Gate.

Tom Bowman had a bit part in The Yangtze Incident and in Doctor Who, too, being a sentry in The Highlanders. Locating an image of him is nigh impossible, but he deserves a mention.

Edward Dentith’s first film role was as an uncredited sailor in The Yangtze Incident. He played Major-General Rutlidge in the Second Doctor story, The Invasion.

Sadly, many of these actors are no longer with us. The march of time caught up with them. But this tribute is well deserved.