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Fulton Mackay appeared in several British sitcoms during the course of his acting career before his death aged 64 in June 1987. The actor appeared in Coronation Street as Dr Graham, who ministered Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner at various times. The Scottish-born star also guest-starred in, amongst many other roles, Doctor Who, The Vital Spark and the Morecambe and Wise comedy thriller Night Train to Murder. He played a leading role in the first two series of Special Branch and the first two seasons of the UK version Fraggle Rock were book-ended by appearances by Mackay as a kindly lighthouse keeper. On film he has a pivotal role in the popular movie Local Hero.
Mackay is also known for his starring role in the hit series Porridge. But prior to his on-screen appearance, the trained quantity surveyor served with the Black Watch during the Second World War and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) thereafter.
Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire in Scotland, Mackay was brought up by a widowed aunt following the death of his mother.
After he left school, the actor volunteered for the Royal Air Force in 1941, but was not accepted due to a perforated eardrum.
He later enlisted in the Black Watch regiment, who played a significant role in World War Two, with various battalions participating in campaigns across Europe and North Africa.
Mackay served for five years during the Second World War, which included three years spent in India.
Outside of the main branches of the armed forces, the Black Watch, external (Royal Highlanders) regiment suffered the greatest number of casualties (1,003).
The regiment lost 44 soldiers in a single day at El Alamein in October 1942 – a battle which marked a turning point in the war in the Middle East and North Africa.
El Alamein is now the final resting place for 7,240 soldiers – approximately 498 of them Scottish – who lost their lives fighting the Axis forces in North Africa during World War Two.
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