Who's Who in Dad's Army

It's a roll call of the Dad's Army characters, so everybody get in line quick, smart on the double!

of 8

Captain Mainwaring

Played by Arthur Lowe

The self-appointed Home Guard platoon commander, Captain George Mainwaring is a pompous snob with an inflated sense of his own importance. As a bank manager in Walmington-on-Sea, Mainwaring sees himself as a natural figure of authority although he is slightly embarressed by the fact he never saw active combat in WWI, despite being a lieutenant. Underneath all his bluster, he does have a good heart and is brave, loyal and extremely patriotic.

CATCHPHRASE: "You stupid boy!"
Sergeant Wilson

Played by John Le Mesurier

Mainwaring's second-in-command, both in the bank and in the Home Guard, Sergeant Arthur Wilson is, in fact, socially superior to Mainwaring being educated at public school and a Captain in WWI. With his soft-spoken, unassuming and slightly dreamy nature, he's well-liked and happy to play second fiddle, but he's not above quietly questioning Mainwaring's judgement from time to time.

CATCHPHRASE: "Do you think that's wise, Sir?"
Lance Corporal Jones

Played by Clive Dunn

The oldest member of the platoon (although Clive Dunn was 48 when he took the role), butcher Jack Jones is an army veteran, having served in many military campaigns and he certainly has long-winded tales to tell about every single one of them. Young at heart, he's enthusiastic, easily excitable and slightly eccentric and, whilst he can be a bit of a handful sometimes, his willingness to show deference to his superiors pleases Mainwaring no end.

CATCHPHRASE: "Don't panic!"
Private Frazer

Played by John Laurie

Curmudgeonly and crotchety, Private James Frazer has a gloomy outlook on life and is something of a troublemaker within the Home Guard platoon. The dour Scottish undertaker, who previously served in the Royal Navy, is clearly unhappy with his lowly rank and yearns for more status. He's often the first to criticise or contradict his superior officers and sow the seeds of doubt and unease amongst the men.

CATCHPHRASE: "We're doomed. Doomed!"
Private Godfrey

Played by James Beck

He calls himself a 'wholesale supplier' but, really, cheeky chappy Private Joe Walker is a black marketeer. However, Mainwaring usually overlooks Walker's shameless profiteering and puts up with his constant wisecracks as he can often supply the platoon with useful items. Young enough to be called up for the army, the cheerful charmer claims to have avoided conscription due to an allergy to corned beef (!)

Following Beck's death in 1973, the character was written out of the last three series.
Private Godfrey

Played by Arnold Ridley

A retired shop assistant, amiable Private Charles Godfrey is the frailest member of the team, prone to memory lapses, nodding off to sleep or holding up proceedings because of his weak bladder. Serving as the platoon's medical orderly he was actually a conscientious objector during WWI but was nevertheless awarded the Military Medal for heroic actions as a combat medic during the Battle of the Somme.

CATCHPHRASE: "May I be excused, Sir?"
Private Pike

Played by Ian Lavender

The youngest of the platoon by a long chalk, Private Frank Pike is a teenager but acts as if he were a lot younger. Mollycoddled by his domineering mother (who seems to have something going on with Sergeant Wilson), Pike is something of a wimp, usually ordered to wear a scarf to protect him from illness. Naive and slow-witted, Pike lives in a bit of a fantasy land and it's no wonder that he's often at the receiving end of Mainwaring's scorn.
ARP Chief Warden Hodges

Played by Bill Pertwee

You'd think that the possibility of a Nazi invasion would be enough of a threat, but Mainwaring's platoon have another adversary in the bossy and boorish shape of William Hodges. The town's greengrocer, he's been made Chief Air Raid Warden and revels in his power. Constantly antagonising Mainwaring and his men, he's quick to turn any incident into an Air Raid Protection matter, fuelling a bitter rivalry with the Home Guard.

CATCHPHRASE: "Put that light out!"

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Captain Mainwaring

Sergeant Wilson

Lance Corporal Jones

Private Frazer

Private Godfrey

Private Godfrey

Private Pike

ARP Chief Warden Hodges