1940

History of the Doctor Who Universe

 * Barbara Wright is born.


 * (26th May - 4th June) - British, French, and Belgian forces become trapped by the German army at the Battle of Dunkirk, initiating a rescue mission to evacuate as many Allied soldiers as possible. The Doctor is present at the battle and witnesses the evacuation. Decades later, Professor Amelia Rumford will invoke "that Dunkirk spirit" while encouraging K-9 in his stand-off with the Ograe ("Timewyrm: Exodus," "Just War," "The Stones of Blood").


 * December - The Doctor visits Guernsey.

January

 * 19 - Mike Reid, who had an uncredited role as a soldier in "The War Machines" and appeared as Frank Butcher in "Dimensions in Time," is born in Hackney, London.

June

 * 7 - Ronald Pickup, who played the physician in "The Reign of Terror," is born in Chester, England.


 * 8 - Carole Ann Ford, who portrayed Susan Foreman, is born.


 * 18 - Michael Sheard, who portrayed many memorable characters on Doctor Who, is born in Aberdeen, Scotland.

July

 * 7 - Beatle Ringo Starr, who appeared as himself in "The Chase," is born in Liverpool.

August

 * 18 - Barry Justice, who played King Charles IX in "The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve," is born in Lucknow, India.

September

 * 3 - Pauline Collins, who played Samantha Briggs in "The Faceless Ones," is born in Exmouth, Devon, England.

October

 * 9 - Beatle John Lennon, who appeared as himself in "The Chase," is born in Liverpool.

Unknown date

 * Mark Heath, who played Ralph in "The Moonbase," is born in Kingston, Jamaica.