Butlin's Icons - The Redcoat Wall

View Norman on the Butlins timeline by clicking on these words (opens new page)

Norman Bradford

Norman Bradford was a personal friend of Billy Butlin and had met in a London nightclub in London. Having been offered a job by Billy Butlin to help build the first Butlins camp, Norman would bring his engineering skills to Skegness. On the day of opening, Norman would also wait at the train station to welcome the new guests to the area and tell them about Butlins, It was later that night in the club that Billy Butlin noticed that the customers were not getting involved in the activities and looked bored.

This was not what Billy Butlin had planned as he asked Norman to hop on the stage and break the ice. On this very night, history would record a moment when the saying "Hi-De-Hi" was created and the first ever time that the Butlin's magic was born. Norman was asked the next day to help find a uniform for a team of entertainers after this successful night. Coming back with a blazer with the colours of the camp, Billy Butlin had said it did not fit the idea of this new department. That is when the Redcoat blazer was introduced and with the help of Billie Ditchfield, the iconic Redcoat had started.

View Billie on the Butlins timeline by clicking on these words (opens new page)

Billie Ditchfield

The photo that is shown on this website is from Mark Banks collection and is from an important sheet from the early days of Butlin's. The sheet is called "At your service" and on this is Billy Butlin (who was not a Sir at this stage) with Norman Bradford, Bunny Brooks, Captain Bond and Billie Ditchfield (there are others also). This shows that Billie Ditchfield was a part of the Butlins company in the very early stages and is considered to be a person who contributed a great deal to appear on this important sheet.

Billie Ditchfield's history continues with the connection to the Redcoats in the very early days of the company. As Norman Bradford and Bunny Brooks would put on the Red Blazer for the first time, Billie would help towards the making and design of the first Redcoats uniform. As the entertainers had shown the meaning of the Redcoat on the stage, Billie would be working in the background showing the meaning of the uniform and how it represented the Butlins name.

Another key moment in the Butlin's history is that Billie Ditchfield is also one of the two first female Redcoats. Having worked hard in the design of the uniform, Billie would one day put on the blazer that she helped create. Being a Redcoat in Butlins would come to Billie naturally as she would help create new memories for so many people. Kay Bury is the second female Redcoat to wear the blazer in Butlins.

Kay Bury

As a camper in 1936, Kay would see all that was on offer and could feel the magic of the Butlin's atmosphere.Kay fell in love with Butlin's and all that it has to offer. After nine years of waiting, Kay would start work in Butlin's Filey in 1945 where Rocky Mason tells the story on Butlins Memories "In a conversation we had, the camp was half full of holidaymakers and still half full of troops". Working as an entertainment manager secretary and hostess, the story of Kay Bury in Butlins had only just started.

As Kay's career continued in Butlin's, she would become one of the two first female Redcoats. Raising up to the rank of Chief hostess, Kay would work in every camp in the summer season. During the winter times, Kay would make her way to the hotels to continue to show the Butlin's magic. With a desk in the head office, Kay's journey and involvement in Butlin's would be never-ending as there is much to do to help create that new memory for the campers.

Kay's responsibilities also continued beyond the holiday camps and hotels. During the Butlins Reunion at the Royal Albert Hall, Kay was asked to look after the VIP business people and stars who attended the event. The work she had done in the Butlins company had a large impact when a bar in Butlins Clacton was opened, it was named after her called "Kay's Bar". The story of Kay Bury is certainly one of amazement and shows a strong and powerful meaning of Butlin's magic.

One of the first people to wear the Redcoat blazer and help the campers have more fun. Mr. Brooks was also a part of the team that helped construct the first-ever Butlin's Holiday camp.

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Bunny's Story

The story of Rocky Mason is one of a strong passion for the name and its meaning. Starting in Butlin's Filey, Rocky would become an inspirational person who helped many develop their careers.

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Rocky's Story

Chris is a close friend of the Butlins Memorabilia website and continues to offer his knowledge of the company we all love. Working as a Redcoat in the Butlins Hotel, Chris story.

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Chris Story

Babs is an amazing person who started her Butlins story as a young child to become a Redcoat with two names and then onto this website close friend.

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Babs Story

The story of Les Edward and Butlin's is an amazing read. A friend of this website, Les continues to offer his knowledge and has some of the most interesting stories from his time in Butlins.

Karen worked alongside Mr Rocky Mason and also with her mother at Butlins as Redcoat.

Known as Redcoat Worzel, Martin workged at Minehead from 1990 - 1992. I personally remember seeing him during my time at Butlins and thankful for allowing me to add you to the website.

Martin's Story

Known as Redcoat Dippy, John worked at Butlins as a lifeguard, Redcoat, sound engineer and stage manager. I am thankful to John as he was working at Butlins when I went there for a holiday

John's Story