Frederick (Fred) Betts was a professional actor in England after the Second World War, working with the Unity Theatre in London 

He also worked extensively with amateur theatre, both before the war and during it, when he taught in London secondary schools and formed “The Shakespeare Players” company.

He moved to New Zealand in 1955 and his first performance here was in several Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society’s productions and was the first Christchurch actor to join the Canterbury Theatre Company.

The company collapsed and eight UK professional actors were caught with insufficient funds to return home.  Fred took on the role of NZ Equity’s first organiser and organised assistance for them from the local community and the Arts Council.

He moved to Australia where he found work on the small screen.

In New Zealand his work included over a hundred radio plays for the N.Z.B.C. and several TV shows including