A yank Afghan veteran here, I started watching this show because of you. I secretly call this Grandad's Army. My grandad survived the bombing of London as a kid. He and his parents went to the US, when he became of age he joined the Canadian Army. Went back overseas to finish out the war. Then he immigrated to the US. He passed in 02, shows like this make me feel connected to him. Cheers!
Suffering from PTSD myself after my own Military experiences, i discovered Dad's Army and began watching at least one episode first thing in the morning, and again last thing at night. Looking back now, i think that it worked as a kind of sub-conscious therapy. Now, years later, i can honestly say without any doubt or exaggeration, that Dad's Army saved my life.
After WW1 and WW2 a large section of the population had done military service and seen combat, I think that they were able to debrief themselves in the years afterwards as they were able to relate to each other and support each other, this doesn’t mean that PTSD didn’t exist, it did but they at least could understand the effects having been through it themselves. Now of course there is no compulsory military service so issues like PTSD are more prevalent because less of the population have an understanding. I hope this makes sense, it’s just my own thoughts and is in no way intended to belittle those with this problem. Thank you for your service…
My grandfather was in the first war then from 1925 served in the territorials right upto 1939 where he was based at morcambe training young soldiers, having three sons of call up age we think it was too much for him and he took his own life a week before it was announced we were at war with Germany. My fathers older brothers did serve and were captured at Anzio but came home eventually. It's so sad and I we can never imagine what's going through his mind and all those other soldiers that have served their country.
Arnold Ridley (Godfrey) saw active service in WW1, sustaining several wounds in close-quarter battle. His left hand was left virtually useless by wounds sustained on the Somme; his legs were riddled with shrapnel; he received a bayonet wound in the groin (no antibiotics in those days) and the legacy of a blow to the head from a German soldier's rifle butt left him prone to blackouts after the war. He was medically discharged from the army with the rank of lance corporal in May 1917, yet the volunteered for WW2. The generations of the past are just in a different class. Selfless, non complaining with surely something to teach us today?
You are correct. I went into those details in my video specifically about Arnold Ridley: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-w7NwNFn5AWQ.html
As funny as it was, the most memorable scene is at the closing of the final episode, where the platoon are stood down on the seafront, after a false invasion alert sent them scurrying from Jones's wedding celebration. The major cast members discuss the Home Guard from all over the Country, and in a piece to camera, raise their glasses in a toast to " Britain's Home Guard " .... always brings a tear to my eye !!
I can't remember whether I've seen the last episode or not tbh, I don't think the later series get repeated that often now but hopefully it'll do the rounds again at some point, excellent video as always 👍
Amazing stories, thanks a lot! I'm across the pond, a retired US Navy veteran who enjoys military comedies like Dad's Army and Hogan's Heroes. I served alongside the Aussies in Iraq in 2004. When Dad's Army was made, those were the days when many actors, writers and film makers were veterans. Now, at least in the US, they are a very rare thing. Perhaps that's why I don't watch newer shows anymore, its gone against my patriotic morals too much. I'm happy Dad's Army had a long run so I can watch all those episodes I haven't seen yet!
As a young male in the UK growing up, "Dad's Army" was must see tv. I knew a little of the stories, but you wove them together much better than any newspaper story I ever read on the subject. Well done!
Undoubtedly one of the best, in a long line of British comedy series. Never get tired watching these fine actors at their work. "Dad's Army" will always be a personal favorite.
My Father, ex Home Guard and ex India/Burma absolutely loved this show and I especially am thankful for the pleasure it gave him and the link it helped me forge with him
My Grandfather served in the Home Guard, I remember he was annoyed that the show was a comedy. It was a very desperate time, expecting an invasion by the Nazi's, and he didn't feel it was a subject for merriment. But he did watch it and mentioned to me that the beginning was accurate. First they were issued with arm bands, a little while later they got a rifle, sometime later they were issued with three bullets - with these they were expected to stop Hitler invading. I still have his arm band.
My granddad was injured at Passendael while serving in 'K11' during WW1 (11th bn Essex Regt/Kitcher volunteers)and was a Sgt in the 'Mutton Lancers' (West Surrey Regt/Home Guard) during WW2. He always laughed at Mainwaring & Co because it was so true to life. My mother recalls being blown off the outside loo at the age of 6 when a doodle bug landed nearby and blew the window in.
My father was sent to be disciplined by Captain Le Mesurier for something very silly. He said he was exactly the same in the real army as he was in Dads Army.
A great documentary. I was born in 1945, My Dad served through the war in the Royal West Kent Regiment and was evacuated at Dunkirk and then his war ended when he was wounded at the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944/ His life in tatters much of it spilled over to me. Dad,s Army a one off. Cannot and will not ever be repeated. Thank you so much for this very thoughtful and informative presentation.
Soft easy humour, addictive viewing, every week a new episode. What made it work so well for me was the contrast between the characters and their interplay. Little did i realise how much of this was based on their real wartime experiences. Thank you for your detailed research and story. I would never have known.
Dad lied about his age in 1936 and joined the Queens Light Husars because he liked the uniform. The girls liked it too. When the horses were dropped he didn't go to tanks, he became a motorcycle dispatch rider, they had a choice. Dad's Army was his FAVOURITE TV show, he loved it. I now wonder if he knew he served with a Walmington on Sea veteran. He probably did, but wouldn't talk about his 5 years in a Japanese PoW Camp. He was captured in Hong Kong. Loved this series 👏 it took me back to laughing 😃 with Dad. Great memories. Thank you 😊
@@annwilliams6438 he never blamed his captors, he blamed the politicians. "None of them wanted to be there either. They wanted to be home." My dad was a difficult to know. Always his own person and took shit from noonday. Very respected and liked. Rarely talked about the PoW Camp unless he was drunk. I miss him.
@@cliftonmanley3882 I am so sorry to hear of your dads experiences! Mine did not serve as he was in a protected service being in the civil engineering trade and worked on that I know of Airports and the building of the Mulberry Harbours! We got to know of a service man that tried to come out with us on our boat but could not cope he too was out in the field that you dad was and I think a POW! He never talked about it either! I miss my dad too! He died in 1999
@@nigeldewallens1115 it's hard to see what's happening in Ukraine. Dad said he wanted to escape Europe's endless wars. It's why I was born in Australia. Putin is straight out of Hitler's playbook. And again we have the US dithering... it makes me angry
Happiest memories watching Dad’s Army with my Dad in the 1970’s. Every Saturday evening after dinner. Britain was still a great country then. My Dad loved this show. He was in the RAF training in Wellingtons as a navigator at the end of the war. Luckily missed having to go into action. Thank you for the great memories.
My Grandfather served in the RTC as a Sergeant, he met John Le Mesurier before he was posted to India, but maintained contact with each other whilst my grandfather carried out duties as an instructor, they remained friends until John’s death in 1983, my grandfather died in 1985. The greatest generation!
I loved 'Dad's Army' when I were a lass. Also, my children, both born in the 1980s, adored 'Dad's Army', they found it very funny. My parents (born 1916 and 1919 and both in the Forces in the 1940s) also loved the show, of course they remembered those days. It's timeless comedy, performed by great actors. An absolute classic.
Arthur Lowe "where he served on searchlight duties" gives the impression he was operating search lights. As he was RAOC (and later REME) it is more likely that he was FIXING searchlights
i can't believe that picture of the back of Tidworth camp you showed. I was based there during the 1980's, and we used to run up that hill every friday before going home for weekend leave. great seiers on Dads army one of my favorite programs thanks
WRT Clive Dunn: It's my opinion that him being younger than the other "old" characters is why so many of the "dangerous" things happened to him - Despite looking old, he was probably one of the fittest members of the main cast.
Dads Army was always a great favourite of mine, I guess I'm part of the 18million who watched it back in the day!! Most of the episodes are on RU-vid so I went through them all one after the other a few years ago. Amazing stories of each actor from the past . Thanks very much and good luck from Spain!!
@@TheHistoryChap Hi Chris, Well should be up over 20° today but only a few days ago it was freezing here. We get some pretty cold weather down here in winter unless you live on the coast. I'm about an hour inland and high up in Granada, southern Spain. The mountain tops down here are still covered in snow and people are still skiing. In taht cold snap of a few days ago there was some heavy snowfalls in Majorca would you believe!! Have a great weekend!!
What a wonderful mix of stories and histories of the cast, I will have to discover that comedy since I enjoy British comedy. Well done, sir you have paid a wonderful tribute to the men of this historic series.
Watched this as a kid, will always love it. The very first episode, “The Man and the Hour” was set in present day 1968, when the series started, Cpt Mainwaring gives an address at the rotary club from memory, recalling his memories of his time with the men of the Walmington on sea Home Guard. It then flashed back, and stayed flashed back for the entire 80 plus episodes over the 9 years it ran. They don’t make TV like this anymore !
@@TheHistoryChap I visit Great Yarmouth with the kids frequently, Arthur Lowe’s statue is sat on a bench by a canal in Thetford, Norfolk, I always visit. The Dads Army museum is also worth a view, which is a few minutes away.
I found your channel because of your Dad's Army videos and really love them. I've only watched a handful of your other videos so far. Your videos are informative, very well presented, enthusiastic and so so warm. They are so great to watch with a splash of humour to keep things upbeat while never showing any disrespect to the serious sides of the real war. Fantastic. My father did his national service, he did some of his duties at Suez but rarely spoke about his experiences. More down to modesty than anything else. He also was in the background of 'I was Monty's double' he was much too small to see but he knows that was part of the filming.
I have watched this whole series at least 4 times, and can't help but wonder if "thats really wise" because it never gets old, and I may develop an addiction to it ! When Mainwaring said, "In the name of King George the sixth, I demand you open this door !" To the caretaker of the armaments museum, who was Jones' Dad, Jones told Mainwaring, "It won't do you no good to talk to him about King George the sixth, he still thinks Queen Victoria is King !" I was hooked !
I have my great grandfathers obituary, a Pipe Major Royal Scott’s and Scott’s guards, fought in Sudan , Boer war, and was still in the army at The Somme in WW1, where his service and life ended, aged 54, rest well Murdo, he also had taught the royal family Scottish dancing. Two of his sons were also pipers. These men existed.
Thanks Chris, great round-up of the Dad’s Army cast service record. It was a wonderful series and it is illuminating to realise how much of the characterisation must have come from their own experiences. Keep ‘em coming!
Well done Chap. I was noodling around on YT looking for something light and entertaining (in all this current horror) and boy did I get it. Brilliant presentation. The charachters always put a smile on my face and it is humbling (as a Vet myself) to understand what they contributed in WW1/WW2. My late uncle was a 17yo member of the Home Guard while doing his engineering apprenticeship at Camell Laird and of course the family joke was that Pike was created in his image. Great to know that other former service men from recent conflicts have found Dads Army "thereputic" (good on you lads)
I worked for an older lady whose husband became a radio operator on American bombers. By the time he got to England at the age of 40. She said all the crews called him Pops and she was the first person to use the phrase Dad’s War
My father was a member of the RAAF who served with the RAF in England for three years during WWII. He was in his early 20s at the time and before he passed away described the sight of, what were to him, elderly Englishmen marching with broomsticks. Dads Army on Australian TV in the 70s and 80s certainly brought back memories for him before he passed away.
I’ve loved this series. I’ve been watching Dads army since my early teens, and still catch the occasional one that I’ve missed in the repeats shown almost daily on TV. It is a testament to the series that they are all still loved and enjoyed 50 years later. Listening to this background history produced by Chris Green has given some wonderful insights into the actors and their counterparts in the real Home Guard. My grandad was too old to serve in WWll but he proudly joined his local Home Guard in Norwich . I just wish I had asked him more about it whilst he was alive. I’ll bet there were some wonderful stories. Thanks Chris!
@@TheHistoryChap Richard Todds story is a fascinating mix of fiction and fact interacting! He was a Lt in real life in the Para relief force to the Ox and Bucks at Pegasus Bridge (Benouville) on D-Day...and then played Maj John Howard (CO of that coup de main unit) in the movie The Longest Day! Fantastic!
Chris, You often ask for suggestions to research topics. I have one that you may like to consider, and it goes back 60 years or so when I collected Indian Army cap badges. I recall regiments that I had no clue about, and it was before the age of Internet so difficult to research. Regiments such as Probyn's Horse, Hodson's Horse, "Jumbo" Lancers and countless others. As Indian regiments (and Pakistani Regiments) played such a part in the 14th Army and so many other theatres of both World wars, you may like to consider doing some episodes. If you are up for it you might want to look at doing similar with East and West African regiments - maybe West Indian also. Do keep up the good work. John.
Brilliant series. Love the theme tune as well. Jimmy Perry wrote the lyrics and Bud Flanagan nailed it in one take. It was his last recording as he passed away shortly afterwards.
Fascinating stuff. I remember reading in Le Mesurier's autobiography 'A Jobbing Actor' about how he and Arthur Lowe never got on. I suppose that made their parts much easier!
I had the pleasure of chatting to Colin Bean about 20 years ago. He was a really nice fella and told me quite a bit about the cast's roles in the war. I have to say this was an interesting video, thanks
Reminds me of a story from when dad was in basic training [late 1940s], he and a couple of others decided to ''race'' three army trucks around the perimeter of the grounds - it used to be an air force base - on the perimeter road. All went well until they reached one bend which was rather more curved than the others and dad managed to overturn the lorry. Not too much of an issue - no damage and they were all confined to barracks with some extra punishment thrown in, namely cutting the lawn in front of the officers mess by hand with manicure scissors - until the officer discovered that dad didn't have his driver's licence. He actually came out a winner in that respect, he was told to report to the requisite office and had his driver's licence issued on the spot. Not certain that overturning an army lorry without a licence is the best way to gain said licence but it worked for dad. He and his mates were sent to REME as a result, probably the right choice as it happened.
❣️ My favourite comedy about the wartime is 'Allo 'Allo, somehow I never latched on onto Dad's Army to the same extend, but it has always been enjoyable to watch.
My grandfather, Thomas Malcolm Coates, survived WW1 France, being gassed, and he served in the Home Guard in WW2. He was active in amateur stage dramatics during his early life, and had a fine bass singing voice. He also played the fiddle. His brother George died at Gallipoli during WW1.
I can remember when Dad's army came up to Thetford for filming most of the cast would stay at main hotel while the film crew stayed at my grandparents hotel except there was also one cast member who would also stay with with us as well and that happens to be John Laurie. In the mornings he would come down for breakfast but never ate in the restaurant but use to come into the kitchen to eat. I always think he enjoyed the company. Yes I have in fact met most of the cast when I was young but I also remember many of the film crews who use to disappear in the morning without paying and the BBC film crews were notorious for doing this. One call to the director general of the BBC by my grandparent and all accounts were settled out of their wage packets. Also David Croft lived in Honington which is just a few miles away from Thetford so hence a good reason why many of Dad's army outdoor scenes was filmed up and around the army battle areas near Lynford , West Toffs
@@annwilliams6438 BBC crews were earning far above what the average wage of the time. In fact it's not cool of the crews to disappear very early in the mornings not paying when they knew they would get reimbursed in the first place.
@@jonathanpatrick8506 of course it wasn’t. I get the basis of the comment - I am making an additional observation - why were the BBC not paying for board and lodging for assignments away from home?
Thanks for doing this. I watched your other videos relating to Dads Army and this wraps it up excellently. Born in 1964 I watched the original showings of this series with my family. At the time I found it quite funny but didn’t really understand much about it. Now in later years I re-watch it through the eyes of an amateur historian and its still nothing short of wonderful. I’m sure I’m not the only one who seriously appreciates the amount of research you put into this. I wonder how you feel about doing a similar format with the shows, It Ain’t Half hot Mum and Get Some In? I,m pretty sure you would please not only myself but a damn good number of others who watch this. Oh yeah, I subscribed too! Wouldn’t want to miss another posting. Good show major, jolly good show!
My daughter who was born in 1984 loved Dads Army from a very young age use to watch it every week, she is now 39years old and still watches it every chance she get
One of the back row of the platoon, a non-speaking role, was show advisor and actor Alec Colman. He was also a Home Guardsman before joining the regular army. I had the privilege of interviewing him for my documentary about the Home Guard and Civil Defence. My grandad was a warden :)
Good morning, Chris [Oz time], This particular Dad's Army series has been brilliant. As a lad from England, I loved the Dad's Army series. I now have a couple of special edition DVD sets. Thank you again for another brilliant video. Cheers, I am off to get a coffee with a huge grin on my face.
There is some excellent research here. My very sincere congratulations. I was particularly impressed by your finding the encounter between Ridley and Philby. Two more different individuals one could hardly imagine. Thank you.
Co scriptwriters Jimmy Perry and David Croft, drew on their own experiences during WW2, especially Perry. It also must have brought back mixed memories for most of the cast and the many viewers. I believe the acting was much in line with their real characters, and Clive Dunn would ad lib his lines at times. Wonderful.
Love your videos. To me, it's the best one yet. My young life growing up on Dad's Army, I love it so. You do know Chris that they don’t like it up em. Thanks.
Another wonderfully researched and illustrated video. Thank you. Terrific video, of a terrific series, cast writers and crew. How lucky we were to have their talents during and after the wars.
My parents ( ex RAF) were avid fans of Dads Army and one of Mum's brothers was in the real Dad's Army, so I had to watch too, no complaints except ache ing ribs from laughing.
There's a statue of Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring by the river downtown ~ Hello from Thetford , Norfolk the filming location of the TV series (but not the Films)
Thanks for this series: really fascinating to find out about the cast’s real life service history. And yes please to a video on the Battle of Sedgemoor too! I grew up in Westonzoyland, so I’ve always been aware of it: we celebrated the Tercentenary in a big way in 1985 and, to mark leaving the village primary school, we always went for a night-time walk up to the battlefield around the date of the anniversary. So looking forward to watching that- thanks!
Never did I think one of your videos would have even a small connection to Star Wars! Also I am not surprised the sergeant figured out that bolt trick. I was a sergeant and we looked for that kind of insanity lol.
G'day Chris, Thank you so much for this 'talk down memory lane'. The series, 'It Ain't Half Hot, Mum' and 'Dad's Army' were both on TV while I was in the RAAF. Of course, due to various duties I was unable to catch all the episodes but I can tell you they were hot favourites in all three Messes. I had joined so long ago now, that we still had a smattering of people who joined up, as young men during the last half of WW2 and had 'connived' to stay in for as long as they possibly could. They were our true role models even if, as one of them was, still a Corporal, whom we all suspected had 'lost his stripes' at some stage. We never asked, of course, because apart from role models they were, to us 'lads', real heroes. For the senior officers, it was slightly different, back then. They didn't adhere to the compulsory discharge date that applied to NCOs and other ranks. I remember our Senior Chaplain who wore a Pathfinders' badge on his Dress uniform, along with various WW2 campaign medals plus a few 'gongs' for bravery plus the D.F.C. He truly earned his respectful nickname of 'Sky Pilot'. When ever we tried to draw him out about his wartime service, he'd always modestly change the subject. Speaking of Burma, my uncle D'arcy was with the 2nd/40th Battalion, most of which had the great misfortune of being made POWs very soon after arriving in the S.E.A. theatre, their vehicles and heavy weapons being on another transport ship. D'arcy and many of his comrades were brutally tortured and abused by their Japanese and Korean guards. His prowess as an expert axeman from Tasmania he credited for his ultimate survival. He was deeply affected by his experiences but he maintained a bright outlook on life and I can remember him enjoying 'Dad's Army' for a short couple of years before he passed away. These personal memories made me seek out reruns of 'Dad's Army' and 'It Ain't Hot, Mum' whenever I could. Thanks again for this great video. Of course, I've subscribed to your channel and 'rang the bell'. Cheers, and all the best, Bill H. Tasmania.
Hi Bill, Thanks for sharing those memories and I'm glad that my video rang a few bells for you. By the way, the landlord in my village pub when I was a boy had been a pathfinder. He said that he was never scared of any raid but (as pub landlord) was slightly unnerved to see a ghost outside his pub in the 1970's!
As a young fellow I watched Dad's Army and enjoyed the show - now that I'm in my 60's I believe we are close to a major war again - and I actually hope that they will restart the Home Guard - and I certainly will join and defend dear old England. The Home Guard was used in the 1944 war movie set in the town of Chillingbourne. 🎥
@TheHistoryChap - Thanks very much for this! It's fun and entertaining and also helps to ensure that the memory of the wartime service of so many British men is kept alive. I'd say "yes" to videos from you on both the Battle of Sedgemoor and Lawrence of Arabia.
There was an RAF officer - I think it may have been Peter Wykeham-Barnes, but I could be wrong - who fought in the Second World War and who later finished up at a senior rank and worked within NATO. He started every meeting by saying 'hello, my lovely friends,' which makes me think of John Le Mesurier. He was, by all accounts, an incredibly good leader and that's always inspired me to be infallibly kind and to expect the best of people.
If you look on the shoulder patch of the dads army uniform you'll see the C platoon markings as C.P and many fans will tell you it stands for Croft and Perry.
I found this absolutely fascinating. I knew about Arthur and John Le Mes because I've read their biographies and I knew something about Arnold's and John L's wartime experiences but this is still brilliant. John Le Mes's story about his enlistment can be beaten. Michael Bentine although obviously not of Dad's Army fame was actually arrested for desertion whilst on stage at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre by military police as he was on the move all the time with his troupe and didn't get his call up papers! Harry H Corbett was in the Royal Marines in the far east and after the japanese surrender much to his annoyance wasn't to be demobbed for quite some time. He was sent with a platoon to check that a small island believed to be the last hiding place of some japanese troops was either clear or that the defending enemy was willing to surrender. The answer was a banzai charge... Harry killed a number with his knife and bare hands. When his ship docked at a british base he had it away on his toes so to speak. He deserted. That experience must have haunted him till the end.
Hats off to you. I enjoy Dad's Army still today and here in Chile, we do find ourselves partnering with britain many times over. Great video, great stories and lovable work.
That show was a major part of my childhood. Started rewatching it a few years ago and expected to be disappointed it might not be as good as I thought. I was wrong. As a grown up I enjoyed the characterisation even more. Between the writing, acting, and the BBC technology used to film it, the show looks like it was shot last week.
Thank you for this most informative and interesting video about Dad's Army. We do appreciate all of your hard work to bring us all of this information, about such a great comedy written by great Jimmy Perry and David Croft.
Laughter is the best medicine. It's not surprising these stories of the men who played the roles - nearly all veterans of either of the world wars, lucky to have survived. Comedy I think was their way of dealing with the more painful memories. Dad's Army was a wonderful show.
Amazing stories all who continued to serve in the field of entertainment to the benefit of us all. A great story preserving their history. Thanks Chris
Thank you so much for this video! I love "Dad's Army", having discovered it last year on britbox. I've watched it at least three times. When you got to Harold Bennett, I immediately thought of his hilarious portrayal of Young Mr. Grace. This Yank is a total Anglophile!!
