Glasgow roots of Hollywood star celebrated as plaque is unveiled

And while the late actress's Scots roots might have been widely known having spent her early years with her family in Helensburgh, her connection to Glasgow was a late discovery.

Birth records which emerged a few years ago confirmed that the star of films such as the King and I, From Here to Eternity and An Affair to Remember, was born in Glasgow's West End.

The star was born Deborah Jane Trimmer in a private nursing home in the city on September 30, 1921. Her parents, Arthur and Kathleen, were living in Helensburgh at the time.

Lord Provost Philip Braat unveils plaque at Deborah Kerr's birthplace

Her father, Arthur, is listed on the birth certificate as a civil engineer. He had married Kathleen Smale at a ceremony in Lydney, Gloucestershire, just over two years earlier, in August 1919.

To mark what would have been her 100th birthday, a blue plaque was finally unveiled at Ruskin Terrace, which at the time of her birth on September 30, 1921 was known as St James Terrace.

Yesterday Glasgow's Lord Provost Philip Braat unveiled the plaque while residents from the building where the star was born looked on.

James McIvor, lecturer in television, at Glasgow Clyde College, had been involved in finding Ms Kerr's true birth place. He was delighted to be able to bring people together for what would have been the leading lady's birthday. During her career she starred opposite screen icons including Yul Brynner, Cary Grant and Burt Lancaster.

Hollywood star Deborah Kerr was born in Glasgow (Image: free)

And as a nod to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, the King and I in which she starred, dancers twirled along the street to iconic song Shall We Dance as the ceremony got under way.

Mr McIvor said: "I came to know about Deborah Kerr when I along with the students were planning to do a documentary on her for a project that was planned to go ahead in Helensburgh back in 2014-15.

"It was then began researching the web and there was a reference to her being born in Glasgow.

"I thought that was unusual because, like everybody else, I had heard that she had been born in Helensburgh."

With his curiosity roused, Mr McIvor set about finding out more and discovered her place of birth.

He added: "I contacted the Births, Deaths and Marriages office in Glasgow and requested a copy of her birth certificate which they dully sent, and it confirmed that she was indeed born in Glasgow and not Helensburgh.

"I thought it was important to be able to do this on what would have been here 100th birthday and we have had a great deal of support from the residents who now live in the building."

Residents Laura and Mark Dunn only learned of the connection when Mr McIvor knocked on their door a few months ago.

Mrs Dunn said: "It came as a surprise as we had no idea that Miss Kerr was born here. The first we knew was when Mr McIvor knocked our door and told us about the story.

"It is lovely to think there is a touch of Hollywood glamour and that someone like Deborah Kerr was born here. We were delighted to be here today."

Lecturer James McIvor made the Glasgow connection with Deborah Kerr

Wendy Falconer has been living in the building for 40 years but was not aware of the historic links with the star.

"It is very special to have this link and lovely to have a plaque which marks her place of birth," said Ms Falconer. "I have lived here for around 40 years and it is strange to think of her being her for a while when she was born 100 years ago."

Miss Kerr was nominated for the best actress Oscar six times before being given an honorary award by the academy in 1994.

Miss Kerr's daughter Francesca Shrapnel told The Herald she was sure her mother would have been delighted with the honour.

Mrs Shrapnel said: "She was just three when the family headed south. I have been reliably informed though, that often when she was asked about being a typical English rose, she would reply, tongue in cheek, that she was actually a Scottish Thistle.

"I’m sure she would be delighted to be receiving this honour from the country of her birth."

Lord Provost Philip Braat had the honour of unveiling the plaque and said the city was proud to claim Miss Kerr, who died in 2007 at the age of 86, was one of their own. It is thought her last visit to Glasgow was in 1990 when the city had been named European City of Glasgow. She was part of the international jury for the European Film Awards.

Mr Braat said: "To find out that a true star of the Hollywood golden era was born in Glasgow was quite a special moment. It was down to Mr McIvor's sleuthing that the connection with the city was made. On the 100th anniversary of her birth I am extremely proud to unveil a plaque. She has become officially cemented in the rich cultural heritage of our fantastic city.”