Captain George Mainwaring | Dad's Army Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit George Mainwaring was born in 1885. He is a pompous, blustering figure with overdeveloped sense of his importance, fuelled by his social status in Walmington-on-Sea as the bank manager, and his status as Captain and commander of the local Home Guard volunteer unit. He believes in following rules and orders to sometimes ludicrous degrees. He is class conscious and a snob, considering himself upper-middle class and looking down on anyone he considers beneath him, which may be because he struggled to rise above his working class background. His pretensions stand in contrast to Wilson , who is genuinely Upper Middle Class, Mainwaring is often bitter about Wilson's having attending public school, believing it made him 'wet', while his own state-school background is an attribute. Mainwaring and Wilson's relationship is mainly based on the fact that Mainwaring has always had to struggle and fight for everything in his life, whereas Wilson has just sat back and let it all come to him, (despite being a strong autocrat, Mainwaring fully believes that people should work and earn everything they get in life).

Mainwaring is prudish and repressed, and can be judgemental about people who do not share his moral outlook. Mainwaring Mainwaring's pomposity and snobbery work against him, as he is frequently dependent on those he considers beneath him, and his arrogance is frequently punctured by circumstance and the people around him, such as Arthur Wilson , his chief clerk with whom he shares an antagonistic friendship, and Private Walker , a black-marketeer who interjects during Mainwaring's lectures with a quip or a sly revelation that Mainwaring is benefitting from underhanded deals. Mainwaring is particularly jealous of Wilson, who is more relaxed and charming and possesses combat experience that Mainwaring does not, and takes every opportunity to remind his sergeant who is the senior. As a bank manager, he is efficient if ruthless and stingy; as a military commander he is barely competent, confused by the 24-hour clock, and his plans result in chaos. Mainwaring has no combat experience, which causes tension with the other members of the Home Guard, particularly Wilson, who was a decorated Captain of World War I.

(In World War II, John Le Mesurier who played Wilson, had been a Captain while Arthur Lowe was a Sergeant Major). He did, however, serve in the army of occupation in France, "during the whole of 1919 — somebody had to clear up the mess." (He tried to enlist in 1914 but was rejected with poor eyesight; Arthur Lowe tried to enlist in the Merchant Navy prior to World War II but was also rejected with poor eyesight.) Despite his shortcomings as a leader, Mainwaring considers himself an excellent military tactician. His height and background is frequently demonstrated to show a Napoleon Complex; he is frequently referred to as 'Napoleon' by his nemesis Hodges . In one episode, A Soldier's Farewell , Mainwaring dreams he is Napoleon Bonaparte , and is thwarted at the Waterloo by a Duke of Wellington looking like Wilson.

His pomposity and conviction of his prowess see Mainwaring yearn to be in control of any situation, and he behaves in an arrogant manner; this is demonstrated by the first episode, in which he organised the Home Guard unit and appointed himself commanding officer despite lack of experience or qualifications (and had to wait until the episode Room at the Bottom before he received his commission). In Command Decision he was prepared to relinquish control so the platoon could gain rifles, arguing defence of the country was more important than his ego. In addition he was prepared to "march in the ranks as Private Mainwaring" when he was briefly de-commissioned. This implied he was more overzealous than a control freak. Mainwaring's patriotism can lead to xenophobia (he is not keen on the French because they are emotional, the Russians because their communism, and the Germans and the Italians because of them being such deadly enemies).

Mainwaring often refers to Hitler and the Germans as if he is leading his own personal war, insisting that "In fact I do wish he'd have a go - I'm spoiling for a fight" in Asleep in the Deep , regarding his desire in an air raid to get out of a bunker and face the attacking Germans (who are in planes and beyond his reach). Mainwaring's patriotism and eagerness to see combat blind him to follies or any British failings; whenever Wilson points out a rational if somewhat defeatist outcome to a scenario, Mainwaring's response is "I don't want to hear any of that sort of talk, Wilson." Mainwaring sees all regular British servicemen, 'Our Boys', as exceptionally brave and resourceful, the Germans as inept and cowardly. Mainwaring is not entirely unlikeable or unsympathetic; it is apparent several times that he devotes his energies to his Home Guard unit for a sense of comradeship and purpose lacking in other parts of his life, such as his career and marriage.

On one occasion when his men spurned a parade to play darts against the ARPs he expressed bewilderment, saying coming to the platoon is "the highlight of my day." It is frequently implied that he is trapped in a loveless and unhappy marriage to Elizabeth , his unseen wife, who is domineering, neurotic and withholding of affection. For example, in the 5th series episode If the Cap Fits... Mainwaring reveals he learned the bagpipes on his honeymoon in Scotland because "there was nothing else to do". His bravery and courage cannot be denied: he is willing to endanger himself for his country and platoon, and is willing to take the risks that he will order his men to undertake. In The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage , the platoon thought the Germans had invaded and Mainwaring, with the rest of the platoon, fought what they thought was the German army but turned out to be other members of the platoon. He also cleared bricks from of a bombed-out corridor which could fall at any moment. Mainwaring insisted he work in the most dangerous position even though in drawing lots he had picked the safest ( Asleep in the Deep ).

In A Man of Action , Walmington-on-Sea is cut off when a bomb damages the railway and waterworks. Mainwaring imposes martial law and takes power from the Mayor. Under his law people need permits to take a bath, and looters will be shot. He changed position when this power was taken from him by an official from GHQ. Mainwaring described such the act and martial law as "monstrous". He is also an excellent shot with handguns, as shown in Battle of the Giants where he shoots an ascending balloon at an exceedingly long range, whilst holding his handgun with one hand. Both he, and Wilson, respond to this with Good heavens! indicating that Mainwaring isn't even aware of his own skill. Mainwaring is proven almost immediately wrong after making a statement. He claims to know something only to be proven wrong. Men under him, however, are mostly devoted to him. There are scenes in which Mainwaring is shown as kind-hearted, notably in his "brief encounter" with Mrs Gray in Mum's Army . Dad's Army ends with the Second World War still in progress, Mainwaring giving Mrs. Fox away as she marries Corporal Jones because her own father is dead.

There is hint as to Mainwaring's fortunes after the war. However, a proposed radio sequel, It Sticks Out Half a Mile , was to have featured Mainwaring returning to England having spent two years in Switzerland manufacturing cuckoo clocks, intending to renovate a decrepit pier, only to have to negotiate a loan with the local bank manager - Arthur Wilson (Arthur Lowe was to have starred, but only recorded a pilot episode before his death). The first episode of Dad's Army also shines light on Mainwaring's future; briefly set in the then-present day 1968, it features Mainwaring as guest-of-honour to the launch of Walmington-on-Sea's 'I'm Backing Britain' campaign, where he is referred to by Wilson as an alderman and chairman of the Rotary Club. Capt. Mainwaring Edit Statue of Captain George Mainwaring, erected in Thetford in June 2010 In June 2010, a statue of Captain George Mainwaring was erected in the Norfolk town of Thetford where most of Dad's Army was filmed.

The statue features Captain Mainwaring sitting to attention on a simple bench in Home Guard uniform, with his pace stick across his knees. The statue is mounted at the end of winding brick pathway with a Union Flag patterned arrow head to reflect the opening credits of the TV series, and the sculpture has been designed so that members of the public can sit alongside Captain Mainwaring for the purpose of having their photo taken. Dad's Army uncovered: 35 things you need to know about the BBC comedy classic - Mirror Online TV Dad's Army uncovered: 35 things you need to know about the BBC comedy classic It has been 35 years since Dad's Army finished its original telly run - check out our essential need to know facts about the comedy favourite Share Get celebs updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email Despite its original run ending 35 yesterday, Dad’s Army still has a prominent pride of place in British TV history. More than just a comedy, few other shows have contributed as many immediately recognisable moments that are remembered so fondly across all ages.

So are the show's stars - Clive Dunn's recent sad passing evidenced one again how Dad's Army has stayed with viewers across the years. Think you know everything there is to know about this national telly treasure? Think you’re dooooooooooomed? Well don’t panic! Here are 35 facts on the adventure of the Home Guard during Britain’s finest hour! 1. Television and beyond! Dad’s Army ran for an epic 80 television episodes across nine series from 1968 to 1977 as well as a number of short sketches. But it wasn’t all about television: the Captain Mainwaring and his men also crossed radio and stage on their way to becoming national treasures. 2. Almost Mainwarings Arthur Lowe is most famous for his role as bumbling Captain George Mainwaring, a character some of his co-stars thought resembled him! But he wasn’t the first choice. Some BBC bosses, including Head of Comedy Michael Mills, were against his casting and the role was offered to Thorley Walters and even future Doctor Who Jon Pertwee before Lowe took on his most famous part. 3. They don’t like it down ‘em!

Arthur Lowe certainly knew what comedy he liked and knew what he didn’t. In one episode he refused to film a scene where Private Frazer tries to free a bomb from Captain Mainwaring’s trousers. After a few rewrites, as you may remember, Corporal Jones ended up taking the bomb for the team. But Arthur Lowe insisted on something a bit more permanent: he had a clause written into his contract that he would never have his trousers removed! 4. War veterans View gallery Corporal Jones may always be the first of the platoon to want to ‘stick it up ‘em’ but the late Clive Dunn , who served four years in prisons and prisoner of war camps in Austria during WW2, was a pacifist. Other members of the cast and crew had fought not only in the Second World War, but also the First such as Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey). During WWII, Arthur Lowe served as a Sergeant Major and John Le Mesurier a Captain, while director/producer David Croft rose to the rank of major after joining the Royal Artillery in 1942. 5.

Real Home Guard Of the television Home Guard platoon only John Laurie (Frazer) and Arnold Ridley (Godfrey) had actually served in the real Home Guard during the Second World War. Ridley had joined the Home Guard’s forerunner, the Local Defence Volunteers in 1940, narrowly escaping injury or death when his cottage was hit by a bomb in 1944. Laurie was also a veteran of the First World War, as a member of the Honourable Artillery Company. 6. Permission to sing, sir! Video Loading Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now The late Clive Dunn achieved fame as one of the most quotable characters in Dad’s army, Corporal ‘Don’t Panic’ Jones. But at the same time he was playing the role, he also managed to score a number one hit single with 1971’s ‘Grandad’ – a song that featured none other than Rick Wakeman on keyboards. It certainly wasn’t the end of Dunn’s musical career - he even released his own album, ‘Permission to Sing Sir!’ 7. Private Perry!

One of the show’s most popular characters, Private Pike (played by Ian Lavender ) was based on writer Jimmy Perry’s real life experience as a teenager being molly-coddled by his mum. "She didn't go so far as making me wear a scarf, but she came pretty near" he said. Shouldn’t have told us that, Pike! 8. Almost Walkers While Pike may be semi-autobiographical, and perhaps because of it, Jimmy Perry wrote the character of spiv Private Joe Walker to play himself. Eventually James Beck was cast after co-writer David Croft told Perry to choose between acting or writing! Despite the ultimatum, Perry did manage to fit in a cameo in the sixth episode of the first series ‘Shooting Pains’ as Charlie Cheeseman. 9. The real life Walmington-on-sea The outside scenes of the fictional Walmington were actually filmed in Thetford, Norfolk. You’ll know if you’re there: Since 2007, a statue of Captain Mainwaring has sat on a bench by the Little Ouse river. 10. Mrs Mainwaring Where was Mrs Mainwaring?

(Photo: BBC) 1968 was a great year for unseen wives. Not only did Dad’s Army start in the UK, but it was also the year that Colombo kicked off across the Atlantic. “She hasn’t left the house much since Munich” Captain Mainwaring said about his never-seen wife... Or did she? Mrs Mainwaring actually made an appearance in the Dad’s Army Annual 1974 story ‘Mum’s Army’. 11. The American remake Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Yes, another one! ABC filmed a pilot in 1976 for their version of Dad’s Army - The Rear Guard featured the WWII antics of the American Civil Defense! You can’t blame them for adapting the classic u-boat episode ‘The Deadly Attachment’ for the first show, but a full series was never commissioned. Perhaps the idea of a German invasion of America was just a bit too far-fetched! 12. Game on One for Dad's Army fans of a slightly younger generation Sadly the heyday of Dad’s Army was over far before video games hit the shelves. But that hasn’t stopped tributes popping up.

The Sega Mega-CD version of Mortal Kombat had a special cheat called ‘Dad’s code’ which replaced the names of original fighters such as Sub-Zero, Raiden and Kitana with those of Mainwaring, Frazer, Pike and gang! 13. Where’s the movie? If you sit back with your complete Dad’s Army DVD collection of all nine series you might think something’s missing. Where’s the 1971 film? In fact, while the series is owned by the BBC, the film is owned by Columbia Pictures. When it was made in between television series, they insisted on a number of changes, including recasting Mrs Pike. 14. Carry On Dad’s Army! There were a number of cross-over actors between the two comedy franchises. Ian Lavender (Pike) starred in Carry on Behind while Bill Pertwee managed to make two Carry On films. Actresses fared a little better.

Barbara Windsor guest starred as a fairground sharpshooter in the sixth episode of the first series while the late Wendy Richard not only appeared in two Carry On films, co-starring with Barbara Windsor in the early 1970s, but also managed to play two separate characters in Dad’s Army. 15. Don’t panic! Dad's Army, Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, James Beck, John Laurie, Ian Lavender and Arnold Ridley (Photo: PA) The BBC are normally ready for a crisis... Even today Auntie keeps an episode of Dad’s Army in the wings as an emergency back-up just in case a show goes off air. Sound far-fetched? It happened when the 6 o’clock news was hit by a power-cut in 2000. 16. The missing episodes In the 1960s, BBC storage policies weren’t future proof. With VHS not even a glimmer in a VCR, programmes rolls took up lot of valuable space. So the BBC decided to bin episodes of many classic shows! Early episodes of Doctor Who are perhaps the most famous casualties, but Dad’s Army was not immune.

While the comedy came out of it better than most, three episodes from the second series remain lost to this day. 17. How popular? In the late 1960s, early Dad’s Army first screened to an audience of 8 million, a figure a lot of TV executives would beg for today. However, in the 1970s heyday of audience figures the sit-com found itself near the top of the pile, attracting more than 18 million viewers at its peak. 18. One of Britain’s best sitcoms (Photo: Daily Mirror) In 2004, Dad’s Army came fourth in a BBC poll to find Britain’s best sitcom. It may have lost out to new pretenders The Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder and Only Fools and Horse’s but it beat Fawlty Towers into fifth. 19. Dad’s Army: The Sequel! It happened! In 1981, a sequel called ‘It Sticks Out Half a Mile’ was recorded for BBC Radio, starring Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier. Sadly, Lowe died soon after the recording, but a full 14 part series was made at the insistence of Lowe’s widow.

The new series featured former Warden Hodges and former Private Pike renovating a pier with a loan from ‘Uncle Arthur’. 20. The radio show! Before the sequel, ‘Dad’s Army’ was no stranger to radio. Many of the television episodes were adapted for BBC Radio 4 by writing duo Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles. As you may expect, some classic scenes had to be adapted for the new media, but the main change was the addition of a ‘newsreader’ who added an extra WWII atmosphere to each installment. 21. The stage show! In 1975 the hit TV series even transferred to the stage, featuring many of the original cast under what could be greatest show name ever: ‘Dad's Army: A Nostalgic Music and Laughter Show of Britain’s Finest Hour’. It may have been twice disrupted by bomb scares during its four month run in the West End, but went on to tour the country until September 1976. Clive Dunn who plays Corporal Jones right to left Ian Lavender as pike and James Beck as Private Walker (Photo: Daily Mirror) 22. Private Den!

In 2007 the stage show was revived, with adaptations of classic television scripts. The show ran for a year with ex-Eastender villain Leslie Grantham as Private Walker. 23. The Stage Show Down Under! Audiences could enjoy Dad's Army—The Musical in Australia and New Zealand in 2004 and 2005. If you’re itching for a look, you can find some clips on the series DVDs. 24. The Dad’s Army Appreciation Society Former cast members Bill Pertwee (Warden Hodges) and Frank Williams (the Vicar) set up the Appreciation Society in 1993. The Society helped set up the Dad’s Army Collection and its 1,700 members host a variety of events around the country proving that the show still has a strong fan base. 25. That theme tune! 30. One’s favourite show When Bill Pertwee, Captain Mainwaring’s nemesis Warden Hodges, collected his MBE in 2007 he let slip a royal secret... Her Majesty is apparently a Dad’s Army fan.

The Queen Mother was also said to enjoy spending an evening watching the show - her VHS copies of the show can be seen in the Castle of Mey, her Scottish residence in Caithness. 31. Festive army Dad’s Army became a familiar sight in the festive schedules with specials in 1971, 1975 and 1976. But yuletide recognition was some time coming: in 1968, 1969, 1970 and then again in 1972 the show only featured in short specials as part of the BBC’s Christmas Night with the Stars. 32. ‘You stupid boy!’ Dad's Army (Series) - TV Tropes Dad's Army You need to login to do this. Get Known if you don't have an account Share "Who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler? If you think we're on the run. We are the boys who will stop your little game, We are the boys who will make you think again. Cos, who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler? If you think old England's done." Permission to describe Dad's Army here, sir? Permission granted.

Dad's Army was an ensemble sitcom on The BBC about the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard platoon in World War II, a band of mostly elderly volunteers who would have been their (fictional) town's first line of defence, had the Germans invaded (Walmington-on-Sea and Eastgate (their rival town) are mirrored in the real Northern Kent seaside towns of Birchington-on-Sea and Westgate). The show aired for nine years (1968-77), though the war had only lasted six. While waiting for the invasion, the platoon did its best to prepare, resulting in many hilarious mishaps . They occasionally did some military work, such as guarding downed German pilots, and took part in training exercises with the regular army, where they were often surprisingly successful. They also had a vigorous rivalry with the neighbouring platoon and with the Chief Air Raid Warden, who sometimes tried to sabotage the platoon. Almost every character involved had a catchphrase that most British people can still repeat with very little memory-searching. The characters included: Captain George Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe) - pompous bank manager, no combat experience, appointed himself captain. Pronounced "Mannering".

Catchphrases: "Stupid boy" (directed at Pike), "Good thinking, Wilson. I was wondering who'd be the first to spot that " (whenever Wilson points out what he's doing wrong), and "I think you're getting into the realms of fantasy Jones" (at the end of one of Jones' rambling monologues). Sergeant Arthur Wilson (John Le Mesurier) - diffident deputy bank manager, Captain in the Royal Artillery during World War I, of a higher social class than his superior as well as more experienced - alternatively verging on being a Cloud Cuckoo Lander at times. Was strongly implied to be having an affair with Pike's mother, with a suggestion that he might actually be the boy's father. (One episode revealed that he already had a daughter by his estranged wife.) Catchphrase: "Are you sure that's wise?" (usually in response to the Zany Scheme of the week) as well as "How absolutely lovely!" when responding to something that Mainwaring would prefer to treat as Serious Business .

Lance-Corporal Jack Jones (Clive Dunn) - butcher and 30 year veteran of the British Army, having served in the Sudan and WWI, longwinded but eager for action. Four catchphrases: "Don't panic" (while panicking), "Permission to speak, sir?", "They don't like it up 'em" (talking about the African tribesmen ("fuzzy-wuzzies") he fought in his youth and flourishing a bayonet ), and "Sir, I should like to volunteer to be the one to... " (whenever Mainwaring looks for a volunteer for something). Private Frank Pike (Ian Lavender) - mollycoddled teenager . Was often seen wearing a scarf. Always addresses Wilson as "Uncle Arthur", though Pike may in fact be Wilson's (illegitimate) son. Catchphrase: "Uncle Arthur?" Private James Frazer (John Laurie) - Scottish undertaker, former Royal Navy cook, very gloomy.

Catchphrase: "We're doomed!" (words can't quite describe his delivery, but it would not look out of place on the set of a Hammer Horror film, on a villager warning the hero not to go up to the castle.) Private Charles Godfrey (Arnold Ridley) - Even older than the rest of the platoon, excessively polite and friendly and a butt of constant humour relating to his weak bladder. Catchphrase: "Might I be excused ..." (Gesturing to the bathroom, or a convenient hedge) Private Joe Walker (James Beck) - good-natured spiv who evaded conscription on dubious grounds. (Allergic to corned beef. Allegedly...) Usually to be found trying to sell people things. Occasionally came good by happening to have just the item the platoon needs - for a price, of course. The actor died during the course of the series and was replaced by... Private Cheeseman (Talfryn Thomas) - Welshman with a camera, big teeth and glasses, introduced only in later seasons.

(First appeared as a one-off press photographer character the year before he became a regular.) Almost no-one remembers him, he didn't stay long, and his departure gave a small boost to... Private Sponge (Colin Bean) - farmer, generic guy, used when one of the main cast needed a supporting character to talk to. Later put in charge of the second half of the platoon, and given slightly more plot relevance. ARP Warden William Hodges (Bill Pertwee) - a grocer, Mainwaring's would-be nemesis . Catchphrases: "Now look 'ere, Napoleon ...", "Ruddy 'ooligans! and "Put that light out! PUT THAT BLOODY LIGHT OUT!" Maurice Yeatman, the Verger (Edward Sinclair) - Hodges' fawning lackey (He's exactly the same with the Vicar too) The Rev. Timothy Farthing (Frank Williams) - The Vicar Mrs Pike (Janet Davies) - Pike's neurotic, overprotective mother who often interrupts him in the middle of platoon activity. Suspiciously close "friend" of Wilson.

Mrs Fox (Pamela Cundell) - overbearing and flirty local woman, often causes trouble when the platoon is involved in arranging public events. Later marries Jones at the end of the series. Captain Square (Geoffrey Lumsden) - leader of the Eastgate platoon and occasional rival to Mainwaring. Catchphrase: "You blithering IDIOT!" Much humour was derived from Mainwaring's resentment of Wilson. Even though Mainwaring was in charge, both at work and in the Home Guard, Wilson was from a much higher social stratum and eventually inherited a title. His effortless charm and dignity utterly infuriated Mainwaring, the archetypal " pompous little man ". The interplay between the two characters was always beautifully worked and the series is often held up as an example of near-perfect character comedy, enhanced by the acting talents of Arthur Lowe (Mainwaring) and John Le Mesurier (Wilson).

Lowe has merely to bristle his moustache to render the audience helpless with laughter; Le Mesurier was hired because (in the words of a member of the production team) "He suffers so beautifully." The show, whilst at all times remaining funny, also had more serious plots, like the way the platoon react when they find out that Private Godfrey was a conscientious objector in World War I . The show did not have an arc, but it did have continuity. During the first season, the platoon's equipment gradually improved as the regular army provided them with surplus gear. Over the series, Jones had a romance which culminated with a marriage in the final episode. Came fourth in Britain's Best Sitcom . A feature film remake was released in February 2016 starring Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring and Bill Nighy as Sgt. Wilson. We're Doomed, a Docudrama about the behind-the-scenes making of the show, aired in December 2015. This show provides examples of: Abhorrent Admirer : Mrs Fox occasionally fills this role, although Jones didn't seem to mind her too much ...

AB Negative : In one episode, Pike is finally called up to join the Royal Air Force. During a blood donation drive, he finds out that he has a very rare blood type, and the RAF later rejects him as they would not be able to give him a blood transfusion should he need one. Pike doesn't tell the rest of the platoon this until after they've held an expensive fish and chip supper to say goodbye. Anti-Climax : Frazer's story about the "old empty barn" among others. Armed Farces Ascended Extra : The previously unnamed Private Desmond, when he joins the main characters on a mission in the episode "Sons of the Sea." It's never explained why they didn't use Sponge, who by this stage was getting more lines and character focus. Ash Face : Happens to Mainwaring when he attempts to shut off the power to the lighthouse, but ends up blacking out the entire pier, in "Put That Light Out!". Bad Omen Anecdote : The dour Scot Frazer is fond of doing this, much to Mainwaring's exasperation.

Banana in the Tailpipe : In the first episode, while having a discussion of how to take on a tank with improvised weapons, Jones suggests plugging the exhaust with spuds (potatoes). Mainwaring points out that it wouldn't work because tanks have long, thin exhaust pipes. Jones asks why they can't use long, thin spuds. Baseball Episode : Well, Cricket episode, Home Guard vs. ARP Wardens. Bawdy Song : Godfrey's song about a monk, although we're only ''told'' he sang it, not what it was about. The cast's reactions are more than enough for us to guess. Beware the Nice Ones : Sergeant Wilson. In the last episode it was even revealed that he had been an artillery captain during the First World War. Additionally, Private Godfrey, who was revealed as having been a conscientious objector during the First World War, but had served as an unarmed stretcher bearer, rescuing injured soldiers during the Battle of the Somme, for which he was awarded the Military Medal. Big Damn Movie : The Movie has this atmosphere to it, even though it's adapted from the early episodes. Blind Without 'Em : Corporal Jones.

He accidentally signs the desk when he enlists in the Home Guard. Borrowed Catchphrase : In one episode, an army officer demands to know why Mainwairing believes a stranded German pilot will give himself up any minute. Mainwairing, in no mood to explain that the reservoir he landed in is being filled and the German will be under water in ten minutes simply replies that "It seems that they really don't like it up 'em." Near the beginning of the 2016 film, we see Hitler borrow the lines from the title song. Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Churchill? Also in the 2016 film, Mainwaring borrows Jones's "Don't panic, don't panic" when breaking the news that a Nazi spy is in Walmington. Breaking the Fourth Wall : The cast turning to the camera and toasting the real Home Guard at the end of the final episode. Break Out the Museum Piece : In an early episode the platoon go to the museum with the intention of taking weaponry, but do not succeed in finding anything usable. The museum's caretaker who is trying to stop them, however, makes good use of the pieces inside to stop them entering.

Butt Monkey : If anyone is going to be getting soaked to the skin, clumsily tripping over themselves or otherwise being made to look like an idiot, it's Private Pike. This was something of a justified / invoked trope, since the actor was one of the younger members of the cast and thus one of the few who was actually capable of doing such physical comedy without potentially risking serious injury or illness. Catch Phrase : Aside from their individual catchphrases, a character tended to say, "There is a war on, you know" in almost every episode. Character Outlives Actor : Walker. When actor James Beck was taken into hospital, Walker got a Written-In Absence , leaving a note in his place on patrol to explain that he has gone to conduct "business" in London. Beck later died and Walker was never heard of again - at least on television, When the show was remade for radio other actors continued the role after Beck's death, and when the show got a radio sequel years after the end of its run, Walker was mentioned as alive and having returned to Walmington-on-Sea. He's also seen in the scene set in 1968 featuring several of the characters that opens the very first episode.

Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys : Discussed by Mainwaring, who does not rate the French ("no use after lunch - all that wine and garlic is very debilitating"), and Wilson, who, being an actual veteran of WWI, does. Chekhov's Gun : In the episode "Battle of the Giants", Walker mentions having made flags for both their platoon and the Eastgate platoon. They will be used at the end of a contest, in short form, whoever flies their flag first, wins. Although just a passing remark, it turns out later that Walker made both flags say "Walmington-on-Sea" so they would win whoever flew the flag first. In the 2016 movie, the mention by Walker's girlfriend that Rose Winters's dress is Chanel. This leads the men to the discovery that she is the Nazi agent they're looking for - Cissy and Dolly Godfrey contacted the Chanel company, who confirmed that Rose is a regular customer from Berlin. Child Soldiers : Jones was one, joining the British Army as a drummer boy in 1884. Chuck Cunningham Syndrome : Miss King vanishes without a trace after series one.

Also happens to Private Cheeseman ; Ascended Extra Private Desmond, who had a role in one episode and was never heard from again; and Private Bracewell, a character who appears only in the first episode. Word of God has it that Bracewell was intended to be a recurring character but was cut because the producers felt his character was too much like Godfrey's. Classically Trained Extra : John Laurie as Private Frazer. The actor was somewhat bitter about being best remembered for this role rather than his theatrical work. According to show writer Jimmy Perry, most of the background platoon members were played by retired actors or writers rather than the usual extras. Deadpan Snarker : Wilson. Downer Ending : 'Mum's Army' — Mainwaring falls in love, but the woman leaves him rather than destroy his life with a scandal. Draft Dodging : Frank Pike doesn't want to evade military service, but his medical test reveals a rare blood group. He's excused from active service on the grounds that they'd have nothing to transfuse him with in the event of injury. So he stays in the Home Guard instead - except that he doesn't admit to this until after the platoon has held a fish-and-chip supper in his honour.

A now Missing Episode from series two was based around Walker's attempts to evade the draft. He fails, and has to join the army - but is soon discharged when he turns out to be allergic to corned beef, the only rations available. Drill Sergeant Nasty : A few one-off characters fit this trope. Drill Sgt. Gregory in "Room at the Bottom" and Captain Ramsey in "We Know Our Onions" are excellent examples. Dropped After the Pilot : The pilot episode had a character called Private Bracewell who never appeared again. Word of God says it was decided that he was too similar to Private Godfrey and dropped. Early Installment Weirdness : Every episode of Series 1 begins with faked newsreel footage, combining real-life World War II footage with material containing the show's actors. This was dropped starting with Series 2. For some bizarre reason the first episode has a laugh track over the title sequence, which ends up rendering the series' theme tune completely indecipherable. Fortunately, this was never done again.

The black-and-white episodes have a much more crudely animated title sequence, very little location filming, and lack the ending montage that the colour episodes had (instead featuring the actors superimposed over a still image, with the technical credits rolling over a black background). Edible Ammunition : In "We Know Our Onions", the platoon, having failed to retrieve the cache of rubber ammunition they were supposed to use, win an initiative test by firing onions at their attackers. Establishing Character Moment : Almost every episode started with Mainwaring inspecting the troops, giving first time viewers a quick run down of the main cast Frazer: We're dooooomed! Facepalm : Sergeant Wilson, frequently. Forgotten Framing Device : The first episode started in the 1960s with Captain Mainwaring addressing a Rotary Club dinner and reminiscing about his time in the Home Guard, before flashing back to the story of the founding of the platoon. This was never referred to again in the remainder of the series. Frozen in Time : The series started in 1940, went through 1941, and then at a point roughly in the middle decided to stay somewhere in 1942.

Justified, in that after 1942 it became increasingly clear that the Germans weren't going to win, Britain wasn't going to be invaded, and there was less overall need for the Home Guard. Gentlemen Rankers : Sergeant Wilson behaves very much like a cool, calm, collected, and softly spoken officer (in contrast to the order barking martinet that was Captain Mainwaring) in his WW2 Home Guard duties, however this was eventually explained as him actually having been an officer in the First World War. Getting Crap Past the Radar : Barely even trying. In the episode "The Four-and-a-Half Feathers", Jones describes his patrol in the Sudan encountering an elderly fakir (a sort of monk, pronounced "fa-keer"). Jones constantly refers to him as the "Old Fakir" (pronouncing it as "fak-er"). Say it out loud and wonder how that made it past the censors... And at least one episode title. "Round And Round Went The Great Big Wheel" is a quote from a really filthy song. The Ghost : Mainwaring's wife. Closest we get to seeing her is the large overhang she leaves in the bunk bed.

She is finally seen in the 2016 movie. The Guards Must Be Crazy : In the episode where the platoon are delegated to guard a captured German submarine crew, the platoon do pretty well on this score. It's Hodges who falls for the old sick prisoner trick and lets the Germans get the upper hand. Mind you, Mainwaring really should've left his revolver with Wilson or Jones before going over to help. Handcar Pursuit : The climax of "The Royal Train" involves Hodges on a handcar chasing a runaway train with the platoon aboard, so he can throw them the widget they need to stop the train. Then they throw the train into reverse, and it becomes Hodges on a handcar fleeing a runaway train instead. Hidden Depths : Captain Mainwaring knows how to play the bagpipes. (See Sexless Marriage for the reason why.) Leeroy Jenkins : Corporal Jones. Let's Get Dangerous!

: In a sense; while the platoon rarely saw anything in the form of a genuine military operation, every so often the viewer was reminded that behind the bumbling Mainwaring and his men were brave soldiers fully prepared to fight and die in the defense of their homes and country if it came down to it. And none braver than Mainwaring himself, who would be the last man out of a bombed building and once faced down a desperate German prisoner with an unloaded gun. (It turned out that the German's gun was unloaded too.) Typified by this exchange in an early episode when the elements of the platoon believe an invasion is underway and elect to stay and try and delay the German advance to give the regular army time to counter-attack. Captain Mainwaring: It'll probably be the end of us, but we're ready for that, aren't we, men? Private Frazer: Of course. The Movie (which RetConned most of the first episode) Ms. Fanservice : Miss King, a character in the first series, was intended to be this. She was then inexplicably written out , and hardly anyone remembers she was ever in the show. Later on, Mrs Pike would often take the role.

The Napoleon : Captain Mainwaring. Hodges eventually calls him "Napoleon" to irritate him. In one episode, he even literally dreams that he's Napoleon. No Longer with Us : Corporal Jones gets one regarding his mother: Pike: Why don't you have a word with Mr Jones' mother? [facetious, since Jones is elderly] Jones: [sadly] You leave my mother out of this. My mother's gone to another place. Pike: [quietly] Sorry, Mr Jones. Jones: Angmering. Narrative Profanity Filter : In "The Two-and-a-half Feathers" Jones speaks of serving under an incredibly profane sergeant but whenever the sergeant is shown swearing, all the actual curses are replaced with spitting noises. Not So Different : For all their class-conscious rivalry and dislike of each other, both Captain Mainwaring and Warden Hodges are rather pompous men who've let the sudden burst of power and authority they now have as a result of their wartime duties go to their heads a bit too quickly. That said, Mainwaring has a sense of personal integrity that Hodges is entirely devoid of. Mainwaring and Wilson also count.

Mainwaring is envious of Wilson's social position in life (upper class, gets on easily with others) while Wilson is envious of Mainwaring's professional position. (Manager of the bank and Leader of the home guard platoon) Not What It Looks Like : In one episode, Pike borrows a bank staff car to take Hodges's niece on a date to the cinema; but the car breaks down and it takes him all night to push the car back to Walmington-on-Sea. Hilarity Ensues the following day as he hopelessly tries to convince everyone that's all they were doing during the night ... Obsolete Mentor : Corporal Jones is a veteran of many wars but his love of bayonets is more often a hindrance than a help. Of Corsets Funny : In one episode, the various members of the Home Guard are desperately attempting to look younger to avoid being transferred to the ARP. Captain Mainwaring notices that Sergeant Wilson is standing straighter than usual and it is revealed that he is wearing a girdle (or, as he refers to it, a "gentleman's abdominal support"). Only Sane Man : Sergeant Wilson. Pike and Walker also have their moments.

Pantomime Animal : In "Operation Kilt", the platoon attempts to use a pantomime cow to sneak up on a highland regiment during a training exercise. Things do not according to plan when a bull takes an interest . Parachute in a Tree : "Time On My Hands" centres on the characters' efforts to pull down a German pilot whose parachute is caught on the town clock. Patriotic Fervor : Captain Mainwaring often naively harps on about the strengths of the allied forces, but quickly dismisses any positive remarks about the Nazis with "We'll have none of that talk here!" Our side displayed "British initiative!", while similar behaviour by the enemy was derided as a "typical underhand Nazi trick!" Perilous Old Fool : Corporal Jones, a veteran of three wars and probably a bigger danger to his allies than he ever could be to the enemy. Phony Veteran : Captain Mainwaring had a habit of exaggerating his military service in the Great War. Mainwaring: I served in France [quietly] during the whole of 1919. Wilson: I thought the war ended in 1918. Mainwaring: Someone had to clean up the mess!

Real Song Theme Tune : Averted, though the Dad's Army theme is often mistaken for a real wartime song. It was actually written by Jimmy Perry and performed by Bud Flanagan, who was a popular singer in the 1930s and 1940s. Red Baron : Jones was known as "the Mad Bomber" in WWI due to his interesting grenade drills. Retcon : The Movie retcons most of the first episode. Mrs Fox's first name is initially given as Marcia, but becomes Mildred in the final episode of the show. Square is first introduced as "Corporal-Colonel Square" and later becomes Captain. Handwaved by the show's producers stating that he had simply received a promotion ("Corporal-Colonel" being an amalgamation of his current rank in the Home Guard and his previous one while in the military, Truth in Television as this was done in real life with some veterans). In the first episode, Fraser runs a philatelist's shop. In later episodes, he's an undertaker. Several minor characters' names were retconned over the course of the show. Mrs.

Yeatman's name is initially given as Anthea, then Tracy and finally Beryl. Mr. Blewitt's name changed from Norman to Sidney, while Walker's recurring girlfriend was named Edith Parish in her first appearance but became Shirley in subsequent episodes. Retired Badass : He may not seem it, but Jones more than qualifies for this trope after spending 30 years in the British Army and serving with distinction in Sudan and WWI. Rising Water, Rising Tension : In "Asleep in the Deep", a bomb falls on the local pumping station as Godfrey and Walker are patrolling there, trapping them. When the platoon try to free them, they get stuck with them, and when a pipe bursts the room rapidly begins filling with water. The Rival : Hodges. Captain Square occasionally fills this role as well. Runaway Train : In one episode, the unit had to move a train out the way of an incoming one after the drivers got drunk, but ended up with a runaway train after it turned out they'd left the brake wheel back at the station and that the line was all downhill from that point.

Cue Captain Mainwaring climbing over the train roof, the warden, vicar and verger on a handcart trying to bring them the brake wheel and then them having to go damn fast the other way after the platoon accidentally put the train into reverse. The Runt at the End : Corporal Jones is always a beat behind the rest of the platoon when drilling. Sea Mine : In "Menace from the Deep" the Walmington-on-Sea platoon is stranded on the Walmington-on-Sea Pier. The situation becomes worse when a sea mine drifts underneath the pier. When Hodges falls of the pier, the magnetic mine is attracted to his steel helmet. Secret Weapon : The platoon are called on to stop a radio-controlled mobile bomb (based on the real-life Panjandrum ) that's rampaging around the countryside. Screw the War, We're Partying! : Pvt. Walker - skirt-chaser and black marketeer who has avoided the draft due to a 'corned beef allergy'. Justified somewhat: a Missing Episode did actually have Walker drafted, and discharged on medical grounds because of the allergy - corned beef was the only rations available!

Second Face Smoke : In the episode where the platoon are delegated to guard a captured German submarine crew, the German officer is smoking a cigarette and blows smoke in Mainwaring's face. Mainwaring waits until he's out of sight to cough and splutter. Separate Scene Storytelling : Technically speaking, the entire show. The very first episode begins in 1968, with Mainwaring addressing his men as part of the "I'm Backing Britain" campaign. The entire show is his fond recollection of those halcyon days... Sexless Marriage : Explains why Mainwaring learned the bagpipes: Mainwaring: I spent my honeymoon in a remote village in Scotland called InverGeechie. It was a wild and lonely place. The nights were long... and there was nothing else to do. Sharp-Dressed Man : When out of uniform Walker wore incredibly well tailored suits. Shoo Out the New Guy : Private Cheeseman. Also counts as a Replacement Scrappy . Happened in-universe when the Vicar joined the platoon and proved such an annoying burden that everyone made sure he left again soon after.

A Simple Plan : The Walmington-On-Sea platoon could produce a chaotic outcome to the simplest of tasks. The So-Called Coward : Private Godfrey, as detailed above. Also Corporal Jones in "The Two and A Half Feathers". A veteran of the Sudan War claims that he was saved by a native tribeman after Jones left him out in the desert to die. The tribesman was Jones dressed in Arab robes; he remained silent about his role in order to cover up a scandalous affair the veteran was involved in. Soldiers at the Rear : Private Joe Walker's "allergy" to corned beef. Sound to Screen Adaptation : Reversed: there is an original cast radio series based on the TV episodes. Spin-Off : The aforementioned radio series, It Sticks Out Half a Mile, broadcast between 1983-84. It centred around Hodges, Pike and Wilson teaming up to renovate the abandoned pier in a nearby seaside town, and was later turned into an original TV series called High and Dry The pilot featured Mainwaring and Wilson. Arthur Lowe died soon afterwards hence Mainwaring being replaced with Hodges.

Then, when John Le Mesurier passed away after recording one series, it was decided to just put it to rest (as a direct Dad's Army Spin-Off , at least). Spotting the Thread : The U-Boat crew's plan to take the platoon prisoner via a grenade down Jone's trousers is foiled when the Colonel notices that Jones isn't wearing his full uniform, out of charcter for Mainwarring to let anyone in his platoon do so and out of character for Jones himself. And then he literally spots the thread of string connecting the grenade pin to the U-Boat captain's hand. Spreading Disaster Map Graphic : The Animated Credits Opening shows Swastika-emblazoned arrows sweeping over western Europe (including one that gets lost for a bit), while the lone Union Jack arrow retreats back to its start point, then sticks its tail out further and pulls back across the Channel. All set to a jaunty tune about how Britain's not beaten yet . Squirrels in My Pants : In "Room at the Bottom", Corporal Jones gets ants in his pants and, while trying to remove them, accidentally signals the platoon to advance into an ambush.

Strapped to a Bomb : In a classic episode, the over-age Walmington platoon are tasked with guarding the captured crew of a U-boat. The Germans try to escape and take Corporal Jones as a hostage, rigging a hand-grenade down his trousers that will explode if the Captain's wishes are not complied with. Fortunately, Sergeant Wilson has seen to it that there is no detonator in the grenade... but only he knows this... Suicide as Comedy : Subverted. After Wilson hands Mainwaring the letter telling him he is no longer in charge of the platoon Wilson steps outside as it is read. A few seconds later a gunshot is heard to which Wilson blurts "My God, he's shot himself!" Fortunately it was an accident with the rifles outside and Mainwaring is instead having a more traditional Heroic B.S.O.D. . Surrounded by Idiots Mainwaring: You know, Wilson, over the years that I've come to know the members of the platoon, I've become quite fond of them. But I can't help feeling, sometimes, that I'm in charge of a bunch of idiots.

That Came Out Wrong : Captain Mainwaring manages to get a block of rationed cheese as a surprise for his wife. However, when he telephones her with the good news, things don't quite go as he planned. Mainwaring: Yes, Elizabeth. I think I may have a little surprise for you tonight ... One episode revolved around the platoon trying to find out whether a parachute that had landed in a nearby field was a British parachute (which are white) or Nazi parachute (which are cream.) Unfortunately, Walker had found it and had it made up into women's lingerie to sell. Hilarity Ensues as Mainwaring visits each of Walker's customers and has to ask to see their underwear ... Wholesome Crossdresser : Jones: Please let me be a nun Mr Mainwaring. Wrong Genre Savvy : Frazer, with his Doomy Dooms of Doom pronouncements, appears to think he's a character in a horror. Luckily for him, he's a sitcom character. You Didn't Ask : In one episode where the platoon helps to gather in a harvest, Mainwaring asks Sponge, a farmer, to show the others how to operate a threshing machine.

Sponge admits that he is a sheep farmer and doesn't know how the machine works. When Mainwaring demands to know why Sponge never said so before, Sponge points out that Mainwaring never asked him ... You Look Familiar : Michael Knowles played various small roles in different episodes. John Ringham played Private Bracewell in the first episode and returned later as Captain Bailey for several episodes. "And Captain Bailey has two Military Policemuuuuurn with him!" :: Indexes :: The man who was Captain Mainwaring | Express Comment | Comment | Daily Express EXPRESS COMMENT The man who was Captain Mainwaring THIRTY years ago, the actor Arthur Lowe died sudddenly and alone aged 66. The sad irony is that today Dad’s Army, the TV comedy which made him famous as the self- important Captain Mainwaring, is more popular than ever. PUBLISHED: 00:00, Mon, Apr 16, 2012 Arthur Lowe's wife Joan Cooper [] Don't tell him Pike!

That classic line which comes as part of a hilarious encoun- ter between Captain Main- waring and a captured German U-boat commander in an episode of the ever- green comedy series Dad’s Army is regarded by many as the funniest line in British television history. The actor who delivered it, Arthur Lowe, made – and continues to make – millions laugh with his wonderful portrayal of the self-important and accident-prone bank manager turned Home Guard captain, helping to turn his character into one of the best-loved comedy creations of all time. Yet for all the pleasure he gave Arthur Lowe had a sad demise. Thirty years ago this week the man who was Captain Mainwaring died alone in hospital following a stroke suffered in the dressing room of a Birmingham theatre. Only a handful of people attended his funeral with his wife Joan, to whom he was devoted, one of the absentees. “It was very sad because none of us could say goodbye to him,” said Pamela Cundell, who played Mrs Fox in Dad’s Army.

It was very sad because none of us could say goodbye to him Pamela Cundell, who played Mrs Fox in Dad’s Army Another cause for regret was that Lowe, who was only 66, didn’t live to see the full extent of the popularity of Dad’s Army. “If he had lived longer he might have been knighted. As it was he didn’t even get an OBE. He would have loved some sort of official recognition,” says Jimmy Perry, the creator and co-writer of the series. For Lowe stardom came relatively late in life. Born in Hayfield in Derbyshire in September 1915 he was the son of a railwayman and after leaving school at 16 worked in a bicycle shop and then in an aircraft factory. IT WAS his experiences while serving in the Army in Egypt which whetted Lowe’s appetite to become an actor. He founded his own drama group and was then transferred to the Field Entertainment Unit in Alexandria. His fellow soldiers saw similari- ties between Lowe and the role he was to become most associated with. “The part [of Captain Mainwaring] was just made for him. He could be very pompous at times,” recalls ex-soldier Norman Littlechild.

After being demobbed Lowe started working with a Manchester repertory company and it was there that he met the woman who was to be the love of his life. “Who’s that man with the gorgeous voice? I think I’m going to marry him,” a vivacious 22-year-old actress called Joan Cooper told a girlfriend when she first heard Lowe during an audition. However there was one problem: Cooper was already married to another actor and had a five-year- old son. Cooper and Lowe became infatuated with one another and started a secret affair. What the couple didn’t know was that Cooper’s husband Richard Gatehouse was also having an affair – with an 19-year- old actress. In order for the divorce to go through Cooper and Lowe had to be “caught in the act” so Gatehouse paid a hotel waiter £5 to find the pair in bed. In 1948 Lowe and Cooper were married and when their son Stephen was born Cooper put her acting career on hold. It was a sacrifice that Lowe would never forget. In the Fifties Lowe worked mainly in the theatre but in 1960 he landed a role in Coronation Street as Leonard Swindley.

It was a big break but having to leave his wife and son at home in London during the week while he worked in Manchester caused problems with Joan becoming lonely and taking to drink. Lowe slid into depression. His son recalled: “One would quite often see him in private moments looking quite down.” Then in 1968 came the television series that was to shake Lowe from his torpor and turn him into a major celebrity. If ever a man was born to play a role then Arthur Lowe was born to play Captain George Mainwaring, the lead character in Dad’s Army. “He was a one in a million,” says Jimmy Perry. “One cannot fault him. He was not only very funny but very real.” Lowe loved the role. “It’s a wonderful part,” he told an inter- viewer in 1972. “Mainwaring is prudish and pompous. He’s an extremely brave little man who would gladly go through hell and high water for Walmington-on-Sea. He’s also a very good bank man- ager – good for the bank that is.” The success of Dad’s Army led to a feature film, a stage show and a Royal Variety performance.

For Lowe, however, not all the trap- pings of stardom were welcome. A very private man he didn’t enjoy being recognised by the public when off-duty. In his book Dad’s Army: The Story Of A Classic Television Show, Graham McCann relates what happened when Lowe was entertaining members of the cast on his much-loved river boat and spotted a “snotty- nosed kid” staring at the group from the riverbank. “He startled his guests by suddenly shouting, ‘Weigh anchor!’ moving the boat out a mere 100 yards and then promptly dropping the anchor again. ‘We don’t want that sort of thing going on,’ he explained.” WHEN Dad’s Army dis- banded in 1977 Lowe’s reputation was at its peak. He was offered film work in Hollywood and looked set to go on to reach greater professional heights but he lost out by insisting that his wife be offered parts in the same films. “It was damaging to him,” Lowe’s agent Peter Campbell told a television documentary. “Their talents were not equal.” Lowe combined television work with a punishing schedule of theat- rical performances, which put his health under increasing strain.

Added to this he had narcolepsy, which is characterised by excessive sleepiness and falling asleep at inappropriate times. On April 15, 1982 Lowe was appearing with Joan in RC Sheriff’s mystery play Home At Seven at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham but an hour before he was due on stage he was found collapsed in his dressing room. He was rushed to hospital but Joan, believing he would soon recover, didn’t bother to pay him a visit. Lowe died alone in the early hours of the following morning. Joan opted to carry on touring with the play rather than attend her husband’s cremation. “She always said that Arthur had said that if anything happened to him she was to go on working and not take the time off,” Pamela Cundell explained. Although Joan failed to mourn her husband publicly, privately she was devastated. She moved back to Lowe’s home town Hayfield and took increasing solace in alcohol, dying seven years later. Arthur Lowe’s death saddened the nation but the man who was Captain Mainwaring would undoubtedly have been touched that 30 years on we are still relishing his unique comic talents. Most read in Express Comment

Question: What was the first name of Captain Mainwaring in the TV Series Dad's Army?
Answer: GEORGE