Robb Wilton [real name Robert Smith] (1881-1957) was an actor and music-hall artist. Making his stage debut in his home town of Liverpool in 1899, he became well known as a radio and variety character comedian, with characters representing petty officialdom. He found particular fame during the Second World War, and was known for his opening line or catchphrase "The day war broke out…"
In 1903 Wilton married the actress Florence Palmer, who regularly performed as his partner in sketches.
Reference: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography; Busby, R., 'British Music Hall. An illustrated Who's Who' (London. 1976).
This collection contains: biographical items; photographs; scripts.
This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See
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This collection was purchased by Warwick University Library on behalf of the Theatre Studies Department and was accessioned in the Centre in 1977.
This collection has been weeded for duplicates.
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