Stanley James Carroll Beck ( 21 February 1929 -- 6 August 1973 ) was an English actor best remembered for his role as Private Joe Walker , the cockney spiv in the popular BBC sitcom `` Dad 's Army '' .
Stanley James Carroll Beck ( 21 February 1929 -- 6 August 1973 ) was an English actor . He is best remembered for his role as Private Joe Walker , the cockney spiv in the popular BBC sitcom `` Dad 's Army '' .