"the Merchant Navy prior to the Second World War but was also rejected with poor eyesight.) Despite his shortcomings as a leader, Mainwaring considers himself an excellent military tactician. His height and background are frequently mocked as indicating a Napoleon Complex and often referred to by his nemesis, ARP Warden Hodges. In one episode, ""A Soldier's Farewell"", Mainwaring dreams he is Napoleon Bonaparte and is thwarted at the Battle of Waterloo by a Duke of Wellington resembling Wilson. His pomposity and conviction of his prowess mean that Mainwaring yearns to be in control of any situation and he behaves in"
"Captain Mainwaring and who was an active Conservative. When Dunn was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975, it was reported that Lowe would only accept a higher-rated honour from the Queen. The playwright Tom Stoppard has been rumoured to have written a play based on this clash of personalities and politics in 1970s Britain. After ""Dad's Army"" ended, Dunn capitalised on his skill in playing elderly character roles by playing the lead character Charlie Quick, in the slapstick children's TV series ""Grandad"", from 1979 to 1984 (he played the caretaker at a village"
"Captain Mainwaring Captain George Mainwaring () is a fictional character portrayed by Arthur Lowe in the BBC television sitcom ""Dad's Army"". He is the bank manager and Home Guard platoon commander, in the fictional seaside town of Walmington-on-Sea during the Second World War. He has become widely accepted and regarded as a classic British comic character owing to the popularity of both ""Dad's Army"" and Lowe's portrayal of him. Mainwaring was born in 1885 to Edmund Mainwaring and is a pompous, blustering figure with an overdeveloped sense of his importance, fuelled by his social status in Walmington-on-Sea as the bank"
"manager named Mainwaring and his chief clerk named Wilson, both of whom are in the Home Guard. When he hears the names Mainwaring and Wilson, Gary begins singing the ""Dad's Army"" theme song. In June 2010, a statue of Captain Mainwaring by sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn was erected in the Norfolk town of Thetford, where most of the TV series ""Dad's Army"" was filmed. The statue shows Captain Mainwaring sitting upright on a simple bench in Home Guard uniform, with his swagger stick across his knees. The statue is mounted at the end of a winding brick pathway with a Union"
"Gorilla Warfare (Dad's Army) Gorilla Warfare is the third episode of the seventh season of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 29 November 1974. Mainwaring casts himself as a highly important secret agent whom his platoon must escort to a clandestine destination. GHQ has put out counter-agents to catch him, so the platoon decides to trust no-one. Hodges arrives with news of """"an 'orrible hairy monster on the loose"""". The platoon arrive at the church hall and load their equipment onto Jones' van, ready for a weekend exercise. The exercise concerns guerrilla warfare, the"
"Mum's Army ""Mum's Army"" is the ninth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 20 November 1970. Captain Mainwaring's plans to involve the women of the town in the platoon become rather too personal. Mainwaring is convening a parade, and is growing fed up of Jones' slowness. Walker suggests nodding his head whenever he wants them to come to attention, and Jones will understand. Mainwaring dismisses this, but Jones takes it on board, standing to attention and standing at ease whenever Mainwaring nods his head. Mainwaring informs the platoon"
"Mainwaring shouts out to Hodges ""ask the Germans if they can swim"" to which Hodges replies ""never mind them! I'm the one who can't swim!"" Come In, Your Time Is Up ""Come in, Your Time is Up"" is the fourth episode of the eighth series of the British situation comedy ""Dad's Army"" that was originally broadcast on Friday, 26 September 1975. Mainwairing's platoon discovers a German aircrew in an inflatable dinghy on a lake. Pike suggests they shoot through the dinghy and sink them, but his Captain reminds him about 'being a sporting nation and playing with a straight bat.'"
"not to shoot revealing himself as an army officer. The Colonel congratulates them on winning the exercise, while a slumped Mainwaring passes out. Gorilla Warfare (Dad's Army) Gorilla Warfare is the third episode of the seventh season of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 29 November 1974. Mainwaring casts himself as a highly important secret agent whom his platoon must escort to a clandestine destination. GHQ has put out counter-agents to catch him, so the platoon decides to trust no-one. Hodges arrives with news of """"an 'orrible hairy monster on the loose"""". The platoon"
"Flag patterned arrowhead to reflect the opening credits of the TV series and the sculpture has been designed so that one can sit next to Captain Mainwaring and have one's photo taken. In the 2016 film based on the sitcom, Mainwaring is played by Toby Jones. In 2019, the three episodes of Dads Army that are missing from the BBC archives are being re-shot by UKTV Channel GOLD, in which actor Kevin McNally will take on the mantle of Captain Mainwaring. Captain Mainwaring Captain George Mainwaring () is a fictional character portrayed by Arthur Lowe in the BBC television sitcom"
"tells him to clear off. The boy states that he is going to ""tell his Uncle Willie,"" who turns out to be the Chief Warden, Hodges. Hodges confronts Mainwaring and his platoon about the way they treated his nephew. After a war of words breaks out between Hodges and the platoon, his nephew states that ""they are as bad as the Wardens,"" which prompts Hodges to turn his anger on his nephew and they both storm out of the church hall. After having a laugh, Mainwaring turns to the vicar and the verger and states that ""this never would have"
"The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones is the first episode of the third series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Thursday 11 September 1969. Lance Corporal Jones allows the platoon to use his butcher's van as an armoured car and Mainwaring meets the new Chief ARP Warden, William Hodges the greengrocer. Following a lecture on the gases the enemy will use, Captain Mainwaring reads a communiqué sent by GHQ, which says that there isn't enough communication between the ARP and the Home Guard, so the new"
"Lowe walked in and read for the producers. Lowe, who went on to become most recognised as Captain Mainwaring in sitcom Dad's Army, was already an established actor by the time of his Coronation Street casting, having been in several feature films, but it was his turn as pompous Mr. Swindley that made him a household name in the early 60s. In December 1961, only a year after the show's launch, a strike of the actor's union Equity meant that Lowe, who was not under contract with the show at that point, was forced to leave the series along with"
"but Wilson points out that it's only because they were the first platoon in the area. Mainwaring inspects the men, and is shocked to see that they are all wearing their medals (except for Pike who has been forced, by his mum, to wear his Scouting merit badges instead). He riles Wilson about the unimportance of medals, and then is even more disgusted when he learns that Chief Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Warden Hodges also has medals. Before the ceremonial parade the platoon gather in the church hall, but Mainwaring appears in civvies, saying that his wife has sent his"
"attempts, the old man gets up off the stretcher, declaring ""I'll walk to the flippin' hospital!"" The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones is the first episode of the third series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Thursday 11 September 1969. Lance Corporal Jones allows the platoon to use his butcher's van as an armoured car and Mainwaring meets the new Chief ARP Warden, William Hodges the greengrocer. Following a lecture on the gases the enemy will use, Captain Mainwaring reads a communiqué sent by GHQ, which"
"featuring the characters from the show at a Christmas party, among whom was Mainwaring's unseen wife Elizabeth – or rather, what the children thought she looked like (Mainwaring remarks ""Good grief. What a remarkable likeness!""). Arthur Lowe made a second appearance as Captain Mainwaring on ""Blue Peter"" with the ""Dad's Army"" van which would appear in the forthcoming London-Brighton run and showed presenter John Noakes the vehicle's hidden anti-Nazi defences. During its original television run, ""Dad's Army"" was nominated for a number of British Academy Television Awards, although only won ""Best Light Entertainment Production Team"" in 1971. It was nominated"
"arrives stiffly, wearing the pair of size 6 shoes. He hobbles into the office, just as Mr Sedgewick arrives with the pair of boots he left for repair last week: a 6½. The men joke with Mainwaring, not realising the truth, even when Mainwaring jovially tells Jones to lead the men off on their twenty-mile march. Boots, Boots, Boots Boots, Boots, Boots is the third episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 9 October 1970. Captain Mainwaring implements an unpopular series of lengthy marches to achieve the three Fs"
"Uninvited Guests Uninvited Guests is the twelfth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy TV series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday, 11 December 1970. Following the bombing of ARP HQ, Hodges moves his wardens into the church hall alongside the Home Guard. Mainwaring, appalled by this development, protests to the vicar, Area HQ, the Civil Defence people and a fellow Rotarian, and eventually Hodges' mob are ordered to leave, but not for another week. While Mainwaring is testing his new communication system, talking through sweet tins strung together by string, trouble is brewing on the"
"Boots, Boots, Boots Boots, Boots, Boots is the third episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 9 October 1970. Captain Mainwaring implements an unpopular series of lengthy marches to achieve the three Fs - fast feet, functional feet and fit feet. Mainwaring is giving a lecture on transportation, and tells the men that whatever mode of transport they use, it all comes down to the same thing: the three Fs - fast feet, functional feet, and fit feet. Producing two diagrams, he gives one to Wilson. Mainwaring unrolls his"
"Arthur Lowe Arthur Lowe (22 September 1915 – 15 April 1982) was an English actor. His career spanned over thirty years, including starring roles in numerous theatre and television productions. He played Captain Mainwaring () in the British sitcom ""Dad's Army"" from 1968 until 1977, was nominated for seven BAFTAs and became one of the most recognised faces on television. Lowe began his working life shortly before the Second World War (1939–1945) and he featured in many theatrical performances. It was not until he landed the part of Leonard Swindley in the British television soap ""Coronation Street"" that he became"
"and Hodges tells him to 'put that light out'. The Two and a Half Feathers The Two and a Half Feathers is the eighth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 13 November 1970. New platoon member, George Clarke reveals that he served with Jones in the Sudan and questions the Lance Corporal's service record. It is lunchtime in Walmington-on-Sea. Mainwaring, Wilson and Pike are in the British Restaurant, ordering their lunch. Wilson orders toad in the hole, and Mainwaring and Pike order the fish and potato pie, but"
"to sort them out. The door closes, and Mainwaring and Jones think that Wilson has received a good beating. They are, therefore, shocked when Wilson enters without a scratch on him. Hodges is terrified and leaves. Some time later, Mainwaring forgives the men for their lapse in behaviour, and confirms to the platoon, that Jones was wrong about Mrs Mainwaring. They will not be having a child in the near future, and their marriage is quite blissful as it is. Absent Friends (Dad's Army) Absent Friends is the sixth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ""Dad's"
"of Captain Square who has offered them a pound each to foil Mainwaring. The platoon embark on the exercise with various adventures, making surprisingly good progress, managing to avoid the schemings of Hodges and Yeatman. Hodges and the Verger, while walking through some woodland, are suddenly pursued by what appears to be a gorilla. Meanwhile, a man in a white coat approaches Mainwaring with a story about a missing gorilla, trained by the War Office for war work. Sensing a ploy, the platoon are very dismissive of this information, even when Hodges, having taken refuge in a tree, tells them"
"Chief Warden is coming to discuss co-operation. Mainwaring is disgusted to learn from Wilson that the new Chief Warden is that 'common fellow' Mr Hodges. Mainwaring believes that Hodges' occupation (a greengrocer) doesn't entitle him to be Chief Warden. Wilson agrees by saying that he has dirty finger nails. When Hodges arrives, he and Mainwaring have a brief argument about who should get the church hall every Wednesday evening. Some time afterwards, Walker talks to Jones about his delivery van. He reckons that he should lend it to Mainwaring as platoon transport. Jones is suspicious, so Walker admits that it"
"the Expression"" (1966) and its sequel ""Turn Out the Lights"" (1967). Leonard Swindley was not a role Lowe relished and he longed to move on. During the months he was not playing Swindley, he remained busy on stage or making one-off guest appearances in other TV series such as ""Z-Cars"" (1962) and ""The Avengers"" (1967). In 1968, Lowe was cast in his best remembered role, as Captain Mainwaring in the BBC sitcom ""Dad's Army"" (1968–1977). His colleagues on the show later remarked that the role resembled Lowe, pompous and bumbling; Lowe had a clause written into his contract, specifying that"
"a coin to determine who goes first and Mainwaring calls heads, but it turns out tails. Hodges decides to bat first. Mainwaring assigns the men to their fielding positions: Frazer and Walker, first and second slips, Wilson mid-on, Jones wicket-keeper, Godfrey deep-cover (conveniently close to the pavilion), Pike silly mid-on. Pike thought it might be an insult but Wilson reassures him that is the proper name. Hodges is first up to bat and taunts Jones as 'Granddad', but he replies that he will soon whip his bails off, and Pike telling him not too stand to close as he'll get"
"from the pavilion. Frazer says he not too sure of the rules but will play. Mainwaring decides to accept the challenge and appoints himself Captain. The Home Guard men begin a practice session with Mainwaring giving them the benefit of his wisdom - but is immediately bowled out by Pike. His bowling is just as bad with Jones scoring a six of one of his deliveries. Meanwhile, Hodges appoints a famous bowler, E. C. Egan, as a temporary ARP warden so that he can play on their team. When Egan asks what he should do if the siren goes off,"
"(now the self-appointed commander) begins to enroll them. He makes Wilson his sergeant and Jones his lance-corporal. ARP warden Hodges bursts in and tells the commander to ""shove off"" because he needs the hall for an ARP lecture. Mainwaring is forced to let Hodges use it and instructs the platoon to meet in the hall later. Later, Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson are inspecting the platoon, Godfrey has a gun and Mainwaring believes that he should have it because he is the officer, but Godfrey refuses. The platoon are told about tanks and how to defeat then. The men play"
"hose and buckets of water. Eventually Wilson puts out the fire with a pinch of salt, despite Hodges's scepticism. Just as they are about to exit the roof, Mainwaring, Hodges and their men are trapped in a thunderstorm by a falling ladder, leading Mainwaring to ask Wilson if ""the Fire Brigade wouldn't mind popping round"". Uninvited Guests Uninvited Guests is the twelfth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy TV series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday, 11 December 1970. Following the bombing of ARP HQ, Hodges moves his wardens into the church hall alongside the"
"parade is forming, and Hodges is still under the impression that his Wardens are leading the parade, so he is shocked when Mainwaring's platoon form up in front of him. Mainwaring signals the Verger, who is Skipper of the Sea Scouts' band, to lead off. As they march off, Hodges' Wardens attempt to overtake the platoon, and it turns into a marching race through Walmington. The Sea Scout band was an actual sea scout troupe from Great Yarmouth - The 5th St. Mary's Sea Scouts Posted by the (then) 11 year old scout who had to pull his sock up"
"television appearances included the Granada series ""Crown Court"", both as a judge and as a barrister. He also appeared as a barrister in the BBC Series ""Misleading Cases"" starring Roy Dotrice as Albert Haddock. Mr. Walters was usually the opposing barrister to Albert Haddock; ""The Lotus Eaters"" and ""Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"". Walters was considered for the role of Captain Mainwaring in ""Dad's Army"", before the part was assigned to Arthur Lowe - Walters was offered the role by producer David Croft but turned it down. In the DVD commentary to ""The Man Who Haunted Himself"", actor Roger Moore mentioned"
"been adapted on a number of occasions. Some changes were made when this episode was adapted for radio. In particular, it was The Vicar, not Hodges, who became the hostage. (Initially the grenade was set to be inserted into Mainwaring's trousers, but Arthur Lowe refused and so Jones was chosen instead.) The Deadly Attachment ""The Deadly Attachment"" is the first episode of the sixth series of the British television sitcom ""Dad's Army"" which was originally transmitted on Wednesday 31 October 1973. It has become one of the best known episodes of the series due to the rare encounter between the"
"Mainwaring sitting on a park bench, was unveiled next to the Little Ouse river on 19 June 2010. This was preceded by a stage show re-enacting several ""Dad's Army"" episodes which was shown over the course of several nights, including The Godiva Affair. Jones' van which was used in the series is displayed at the nearby Charles Burrell Museum. Thetford is twinned with the towns of: Thetford Thetford is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is on the A11 road between Norwich and London, just south of Thetford Forest. After World War"
"Absent Friends (Dad's Army) Absent Friends is the sixth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ""Dad's Army"" that was originally transmitted on Friday 30 October 1970. Taking advantage of Captain Mainwaring's absence, the platoon take part in a pub darts match against the ARP wardens. Sergeant Wilson is singing to himself in Mainwaring's office. Suddenly, Mainwaring enters, which is a shock to Wilson, as Mainwaring had gone to a Lodge meeting in London for the weekend. Wilson asks if it was cancelled, but Mainwaring admits he didn't go after all as Elizabeth doesn't like being in"