Dad's Army

Introducing the Walmington-On-Sea home guard. During WW2, in a fictional British seaside town, a ragtag group of Home Guard local defense volunteers prepare for an imminent German invasion.

Comedy

Seasons

1. The Man and the Hour

Air Date: 1968-07-31

After listening to a radio broadcast asking for men to form what was to become known as the Home Guard, George Mainwaring, a local bank manager, decides to act and form the platoon of his own accord. He appoints himself as Captain and recruits his chief bank clerk Arthur Wilson as the platoon sergeant as well as enlisting the bank's office boy Frank Pike. Several of the local tradesmen - including James Frazer, a philatelist shopkeeper; retired shop worker Charles Godfrey; Jack Jones the butcher and black market businessman Joe Walker - also volunteer their service for 'King and Country.' And so, The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard was born.

2. Museum Piece

Air Date: 1968-08-07

With the shortage of weapons, Capt. Mainwaring goes to the local museum to see if any of the guns on display can be used by the platoon.

3. Command Decision

Air Date: 1968-08-14

Capt. Mainwaring, worried about the lack of weapons, gets a visit from Col. Square, an old soldier who offers to donate some guns from his collection, providing he can take command of the platoon. Mainwaring agrees until he sees the state of the guns.

4. The Enemy Within the Gates

Air Date: 1968-08-21

Capt. Mainwaring is giving a lecture on recognising enemy agents when he learns that for every Nazi captured there is a reward. Later on Jones and Walker capture two Luftwaffe airmen, although a Polish officer intends to claim the reward. Back at HQ the airmen escape on Godfrey's watch.

5. The Showing Up of Corporal Jones

Air Date: 1968-08-28

Just when the platoon finally gets its uniforms, LCpl. Jones is told that unless he can complete the assault course in 15 minutes he will have to leave, so Mainwaring and the rest of the platoon think of a plan to help him.

6. Shooting Pains

Air Date: 1968-09-11

When news that the Prime Minister is to pay a visit to the area a shooting contest is held to see which of the local platoons will form the honour guard. Walker gets a crack shot from the theatre touring show (Barbara Windsor) to take part as a member of the platoon but a surprise is in store for everybody.

1. Operation Kilt

Air Date: 1969-03-01

When six members of the Highland Regiment attack the Warmington-on-Sea's HQ, the platoon has to come up with a scheme to capture the attackers.

2. The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage

Air Date: 1969-03-08

When the church bells start to ring, the platoon leaps into action. Jones takes half the platoon to Godfrey's cottage to set up a machine gun post while Wilson, not knowing where Jones has gone, also heads for the cottage where they both mistake each other for the enemy and prepare to attack.

3. The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker

Air Date: 1969-03-15

Walker is finally called up but Mainwaring tries to get his call-up deferred because of his value to the platoon, but he is still conscripted, only to find out that he is allergic to the army's corned beef.

4. Sgt. Wilson's Little Secret

Air Date: 1969-03-22

Sgt. Wilson overhears Mrs. Pike telling Frank that she is expecting a child. Wilson assumes that she is pregnant and that he is the father, but it turns out that she is looking after an evacuee. Mainwaring advises that Wilson marry her, until she clears up the misunderstanding.

5. A Stripe For Frazer

Air Date: 1969-03-29

Capt. Mainwaring promotes Frazer to Lance Corporal, thus causing friction between him and Jones. When Frazer starts getting above himself, Mainwaring cancels the promotion.

6. Under Fire

Air Date: 1969-04-05

The platoon is fire watching when the men see a man using a torch. Convinced that they have discovered a spy, they arrest him only to find that they have made a terrible mistake.

1. The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones

Air Date: 1969-09-11

Mainwaring is under orders to be more co-operative with the ARP wardens; a task that's made very difficult by their newly appointed chief. Walker strikes a deal with Jones to make it easier for him to carry rationed goods without being stopped by the police - he is to let the platoon use his butcher's van as a troop carrier and ambulance by day and let Walker use it by night. He bribes Jones with the promise that Jones will receive petrol coupons for it. Unfortunately things don't entirely go to plan...

2. Battle School

Air Date: 1969-09-18

The platoon travels to a secret location to be trained at a battle school. After a long train journey and a march in which they get hopelessly lost, they arrive late and end up missing two meals and the third is virtually inedible. Starving and tired the platoon tackles the assault course in which they try their best to get back at Mainwaring for getting them lost. The platoon then has to capture the 'enemy's camp' held by Capt. Rodrigues and his men. This task looks impossible but can Mainwaring save the day and win back the respect of his troops? Meanwhile Walker tries to raid the nearby farm to get food for his starving comrades.

3. The Lion Has Phones

Air Date: 1969-09-25

Capt. Mainwaring teaches the platoon the tactical use of the phone system when a German plane crashes into the town's reservoir. Because Mainwaring and Wilson cannot decide what to do it is left to Walker to come up with a plan to make the Germans surrender.

4. The Bullet is Not for Firing

Air Date: 1969-10-02

When a low-flying German aircraft attacks Warmington-on-Sea, the platoon, under the command of LCpl Jones, fires at the aircraft and uses up all its ammunition. Mainwaring is furious and orders an investigation.

5. Something Nasty in the Vault

Air Date: 1969-10-09

The bank takes a direct hit during an air-raid, but the bomb fails to explode, leaving Mainwaring and Wilson stuck in the vault with it. When the bomb disposal officer leaves to collect the right tools, the platoon members take matters into their own hands.

6. Room at the Bottom

Air Date: 1969-10-16

Capt. Mainwaring is found not to have held the King's Commission so he is reduced to the ranks and Sgt. Wilson takes over command of the platoon. After a disastrous war game against the Eastgate Platoon, his men ask the Colonel for him to be reinstated.

7. Big Guns

Air Date: 1969-10-23

The platoon is given a heavy naval artillery piece but the town's bandstand, a rare example of Victorian ironwork, stands in its field of fire. The town council insists it must be preserved but Mainwaring reasons that a demonstration of the gun's capabilities will quiet any protests.

8. The Day the Balloon Went Up

Air Date: 1969-10-30

The platoon captures a runaway barrage balloon and while trying to secure it, Capt. Mainwaring is carried aloft.

9. War Dance

Air Date: 1969-11-06

The platoon holds a dance where Pike is going to announce his engagement to a local girl. Sgt. Wilson tries to get him to change his mind but Pike will not be put off.

10. Menace From the Deep

Air Date: 1969-11-13

The platoon is assigned guard duty on an isolated, disused pier for a week. However, thanks to Pike's poor judgement over how to moor the boat, they end up stranded with no contact with the mainland and no food. Attempts at Morse code only prompt Hodges to pursue the platoon to get them to 'Put that light out!' and he ends up stranded himself. If that wasn't enough, Jones spots a stray mine under the pier, but does Hodges have a solution that'll 'bowl them over'?

11. Branded

Air Date: 1969-11-20

Godfrey asks to leave the platoon because he doesn't want to fight. Mainwaring is furious and the rest of the platoon shuns him until they find out that he was a hero from The Great War. So he rejoins the platoon as a medical orderly.

12. Man Hunt

Air Date: 1969-11-27

The platoon is told to be on the lookout for any abandoned parachutes so Walker tells Mainwaring that he has found one. They also take on a dog which they use to track an escaped German pilot but accidentally arrest a bird watcher.

13. No Spring for Frazer

Air Date: 1969-12-04

The search begins for a spring clip for a Lewis gun that Frazer has lost whilst cleaning it. The trail leads them through Frazer's workshop to a Funeral Director, to Mr. Bluett's dining room table, to a graveyard. The platoon stops at nothing, committing various crimes including house breaking and grave robbing to get the clip back. But will they find it in time to save Frazer from a court martial?

14. Sons of the Sea

Air Date: 1969-12-11

Capt. Mainwaring has the idea of small armed patrols to wreak havoc upon the enemy using a small re-processed boat the bank has acquired. After a practice on the river they get lost in the fog, and thinking they have drifted across the channel and are about to be captured by the Germans, they are in for a shock when they find out where they really are.

1. The Big Parade

Air Date: 1970-09-25

Mainwaring watches a film reel at the cinema which shows Winston Churchill inspecting Army troops and their mascot - a ram, of course where Mainwaring's concerned. If another platoon has a mascot, so must his. Sponge volunteers one from his farm but they have to catch it first; something that of course ends in complete disaster with Pike up to his neck in it - literally. Meanwhile the town parade is being organised and of course Mainwaring wants the platoon to lead, but Hodges has other ideas...

2. Don't Forget the Diver

Air Date: 1970-10-02

During home guard manoeuvres LCpl Jones, disguised as a log and helped by Frazer in a diving suit, floats down the river in order to attack the Eastgate platoon's headquarters.

3. Boots, Boots, Boots

Air Date: 1970-10-09

Capt. Mainwaring decides to harden the platoon's feet by long route marches. When the platoon has had enough the men find a clever way of stopping him.

4. Sgt - Save My Boy !

Air Date: 1970-10-16

The platoon has moved to a new HQ's position on the beach. When Pike fails to turn up they find him caught up in the barbed wire at the waters edge. With the tide coming in, Mainwaring and Wilson mount a rescue mission, but someone else gets there first.

5. Don't Fence Me In

Air Date: 1970-10-23

The platoon guards some Italian POW then suspicion falls on Walker that he may be helping them to escape. Mainwaring then sets a trap with a surprising outcome.

6. Absent Friends

Air Date: 1970-10-30

In Capt. Mainwaring's absence Wilson organises a darts match against the ARP in the local pub. When Mainwaring returns unexpectedly they have trouble getting the men back on parade.

7. Put That Light Out!

Air Date: 1970-11-06

The platoon is manning the local lighthouse and accidentally switches on the light and can't find a way to switch it off. During an air raid they must find a way to cover up the glare.

8. The Two and a Half Feathers

Air Date: 1970-11-13

LCpl. Jones goes to a reunion of his old regiment. While he is away an old comrade who fought in the same battle joins the platoon and accuses Jones of cowardice. Upon his return Jones has to tell the real story.

9. Mum's Army

Air Date: 1970-11-20

Capt. Mainwaring decides to enlist women to the platoon to assist with the war effort. After initial interviews go rather less than satisfactory, a Mrs. Fiona Grey walks into his office and into his life. Mainwaring is flattered that Fiona not only has similar views to him about the war, but also is complementary about his persona. He finds himself falling in love. Unfortunately the men very quickly realise and start to gossip behind his back and Fiona decides to leave, but can Mainwaring get to the station in time to stop her?

10. The Test

Air Date: 1970-11-27

In a cricket match between the platoon and the ARP wardens, Chief Warden Hodges has a secret weapon up his sleeve: he plans to recruit Ernie Egan (played by England's fast bowler Fred Trueman), a professional cricketer. But all does not go as planned.

11. A. Wilson {Manager}?

Air Date: 1970-12-04

Sgt. Wilson becomes a manager of his own branch and gets a commission on the same day. But hours later his new branch is destroyed during an air raid. Mainwaring offers him his old job back and his former rank.

12. Uninvited Guests

Air Date: 1970-12-11

When the ARP Headquarters has been destroyed, Hodges and the wardens move into Mainwaring's office and the two of them start arguing over space. Later the chimney catches fire and they have to work together to put the fire out.

13. Fallen Idol

Air Date: 1970-12-18

While the platoon is at a training camp, Mainwaring gets drunk with the other officers during the night and misses the live grenade training the following morning. Later during the training one of the grenades lands in Jones's van and Mainwaring rides to the rescue.

1. Asleep in the Deep

Air Date: 1972-10-06

The pumping station of the reservoir has been damaged by a bomb with Walker and Godfrey trapped inside. Hodges is determined to overrule Mainwaring's rescue attempt until it's discovered the structure of the building is very unsafe and they draw lots to decide who are going to be the ones to dig the stranded men out. After successfully reaching Walker and Godfrey, the roof caves in and everyone but Jones ends up trapped in the underground bunker that is now rapidly filling with water. But does Godfrey have a solution that is more useful than asking to be relieved?

2. Keep Young and Beautiful

Air Date: 1972-10-13

Vanity swoops through the platoon after Parliament decides that Home Guard members who are not fit for battle must be reassigned to the ARP and ARP wardens that are fit and able should be reassigned to the Home Guard. The platoon obviously doesn't want this to happen so resort to some rather shocking measures to fool the Area Commander into believing the men are suitable staying where they are.

3. A Soldier's Farewell

Air Date: 1972-10-20

During the journey home after a night at the cinema, Mainwaring comes to the assistance of a clippie after Hodges accosts her. Later Mainwaring dreams of being Napoleon with the clippie as Josephine.

4. Getting the Bird

Air Date: 1972-10-27

Rumour sweeps through Walmington-on-Sea that Wilson is seeing a young girl. He goes AWOL and is found drunk. It turns out that the girl is his daughter. Meanwhile Walker has taken delivery of pigeons that have been stolen from Trafalgar Square, and has to find somewhere to hide them. Then the platoon assembles for church parade. What could go wrong?

5. The Desperate Drive of Corporal Jones

Air Date: 1972-11-03

The platoon practices house clearing by using the office, unaware that the vicar and Hodges have got caught up in the action. Later during a live firing exercise the platoon is sent to the wrong map reference. When Jones discovers the mistake he drives to the rescue.

6. If the Cap Fits

Air Date: 1972-11-10

The platoon is given a lecture on the German army but because Frazer keeps on complaining, Mainwaring makes him Acting CO of the platoon. Later, when the Colonel asks the platoon to attend a dinner, Mainwaring has to play the bagpipes.

7. The King Was in His Counting House

Air Date: 1972-11-17

While Capt. Mainwaring holds a party at his house for the platoon the bank is hit by a German bomb. After guarding the money all night he has to find a way to transport it to the Eastgate branch for safety.

8. All is Safely Gathered In

Air Date: 1972-11-24

Godfrey asks for a holiday from the platoon in order to help an old girlfriend who runs a farm to bring in the harvest. Recognising it as vital to the war effort, Mainwaring assigns the whole platoon to help.

9. When Did You Last See Your Money?

Air Date: 1972-12-01

When Jones arrives at the bank to deposit £500 from local shopkeepers for the servicemen's canteen, he realises his packet contains half a pound of sausages instead of the money.

10. Brain Versus Brawn

Air Date: 1972-12-08

During an exercise Mainwaring and the platoon have to find a way to gain access to an ammunition dump. After dressing up as firemen they are called to a real fire.

11. A Brush With the Law

Air Date: 1972-12-15

When the light is left on in the church hall, Chief Warden Hodges suspects that Mainwaring is the culprit and takes him to court. The verger knows what happened, but Hodges will not let him tell the truth.

12. Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel

Air Date: 1972-12-22

The platoon is asked to provide guard duty at a testing ground for secret weapons, but when one of the devices gets out of control the platoon has to give chase.

13. Time On My Hands

Air Date: 1972-12-25

A German pilot has bailed out and is caught hanging by his parachute on the clock tower. The platoon climbs up to rescue him but after Jones breaks the ladder, it's the platoon that needs rescuing.

1. The Deadly Attachment

Air Date: 1973-10-31

The platoon finally gets to grips with the enemy when it has to guard some Nazi submariners. But the Germans turn the tables on Mainwaring and try to escape, resulting in Jones ending up with a grenade down his trousers.

2. My British Buddy

Air Date: 1973-11-07

The platoon decides to give a party to the visiting American troops. When the Yanks start to get fresh with the platoon's girlfriends, all hell lets loose.

3. The Royal Train

Air Date: 1973-11-14

When classified news is shared that the King is to travel through Warmington-on-Sea by train, Capt. Mainwaring and the platoon are detailed to form a guard of honour. Then, when another train breaks down on the main line, blocking the King's route, the platoon swings into action.

4. We Know Our Onions

Air Date: 1973-11-21

The platoon has gone to a camp to undergo an efficiency test. Meanwhile Walker has a van load of onions he's sold to Hodges, who isn't letting them out of his sight, thus he has pursued the platoon to the camp. Later, with no blank shells to use on the test, Mainwaring has a brainwave regarding what to use as ammunition!

5. The Honourable Man

Air Date: 1973-11-28

When a relative of Sgt. Wilson dies, he inherits his title. Then, when a Russian factory worker visits the town to boost Anglo-Russian relations, Mainwaring is asked to present the key to the town - until the mayor hears about Wilson's title, and asks Mainwaring to step down.

6. Things That Go Bump in the Night

Air Date: 1973-12-05

The platoon gets lost on a wild and stormy night and has to take shelter in an old and deserted house that is used for training tracking dogs. When Pike gets his uniform wet he changes it for an old German uniform, but when the dogs get loose, they chase Pike and the platoon across the fields. Note: Last regular appearance of James Beck as Pte. Joe Walker. Walker only appears in the external scenes as Beck was taken ill shortly before the studio scenes were recorded.

7. The Recruit

Air Date: 1973-12-12

Capt. Mainwaring has gone into hospital for an operation on ingrowing toenails. Meanwhile Wilson as acting CO has asked the vicar and the verger to join the platoon to make up the numbers. Note: This is the first episode not to feature James Beck as Pte. Joe Walker, although Beck is still included in the closing credits.

1. Everybody's Trucking

Air Date: 1974-11-15

As all the road signs have been removed from the area, the platoon is ordered to put up temporary ones to help a large convoy on manoeuvres that is due to drive through the area, but due to the condition of the ground Jones's van gets stuck in the mud.

2. A Man of Action

Air Date: 1974-11-22

Pike gets his head caught in the park railings and the platoon is summoned to help. Meanwhile a large bomb has exploded near the town and has put out the gas and water supplies. When Mainwaring returns to hear what has happened he puts the town under martial law.

3. Gorilla Warfare

Air Date: 1974-11-29

On a field exercise acting as commandos meeting a secret agent, represented by Mainwaring, the platoon must trust no-one for GHQ has sent out counter agents to catch them. The appearance of a gorilla compounds their problem.

4. The Godiva Affair

Air Date: 1974-12-06

The platoon dresses up as Morris Dancers as part of a carnival to raise money for the town's Spitfire fund, which is still £2,000 short. A Lady Godiva figure will lead the parade but there is confusion over who this will be.

5. The Captain's Car

Air Date: 1974-12-13

Lady Maltby offers her Rolls Royce to Capt. Mainwaring for use as his staff car. After the car has been disguised with camouflage paint, it has to be repainted black, because the mayor's car has run out of petrol, and there's no official car to greet a visiting VIP.

6. Turkey Dinner

Air Date: 1974-12-20

After the platoon accidentally shoots a turkey, attempts are made to return it to the local farmer, but he will not accept it so the men come up with the idea of providing a dinner for the local OAPs.

1. Ring Dem Bells

Air Date: 1975-09-05

The Colonel orders Mainwaring and the platoon to make a training film with a couple of well known actors but unknown to Mainwaring they are to play the Germans Mainwaring refuses to take part but the rest of the platoon are ordered to When the filming is cancelled Mainwaring and the men still dressed as German soldiers are spotted in the local pub and the alarm is given

2. When You've Got To Go

Air Date: 1975-09-12

Pike finally gets his call up papers and is to join the Airforce but when his blood that has been donated for the red cross is checked it is found to be from a rare group and he is excused military service Then he has to find a way to break the news to the platoon

3. Is There Honey Still For Tea?

Air Date: 1975-09-19

Godfrey's cottage is due to be demolished to make way for a new airfield but no-one can bring themselves to break the news to him until Jones finds out that he already knows. In the end Frazer, knowing the family history of the General in charge, bribes him to get the airfield moved 200 yards. This results in some rather amusing consequences. The door to Mainwaring's bank office is replaced with a paper door, apart from the insult of not having a proper door Mainwaring is even more annoyed at the fact that Pike the Colonel and Jones manage to destroy it within minutes of it being installed.

4. Come In, Your Time Is Up

Air Date: 1975-09-26

Captain Mainwaring gives a lecture on field craft in the vicar's garden, covering what to eat and how to erect a tent. Later, apart from having to put with the vicar, verger, Hodges and a gang of boy scouts, their field maneuvers are also interupted by three German fliers who have been shot down and are trapped in their dinghy in the middle of the lake... ""Handi hoch! Handi hoch!""

5. High Finance

Air Date: 1975-10-03

Cpl Jones has problems with his bank account. When Mainwaring tries to help, he finds that the trail leads through the platoon, on to Mrs Pike, and ends with Mr Hodges.

6. The Face On the Poster

Air Date: 1975-10-10

Mainwaring has visions of promotion for himself and Wilson and of expanding the platoon into a company, so he embarks on a recruitment drive. A poster is drawn up and Jones is voted to be in it. Unfortunately a mix-up at the printers results in Jones being branded an escaped prisoner of war instead.

1. Wake-Up Walmington

Air Date: 1977-10-02

The people of Walmington-On-Sea are becoming apathetic about the war effort. When practicing on a firing range, Mainwaring is told to keep the noise down and Hodges is verbally assaulted for his efforts as chief warden. Mainwaring decides to scare his townfolk by getting the platoon to dress up as fifth columnists and marching through the countryside 'asking ze questions!' Will their plan work? Or will Mainwaring just end up looking rather silly infront of Captain Square and the Eastgate platoon?

2. The Making of Private Pike

Air Date: 1977-10-09

Capt Mainwaring is to be an umpire in a war game exercise so he gets the use of a car Pike meets a girl and uses the car to take her out but they stay out all night and the whole town is shocked

3. Knights of Madness

Air Date: 1977-10-16

During a ' Wings For Victory ' fundraising event the platoon decide to stage a reenactment of the battle between St George and the Dragon but friction starts when Hodges and the wardens plan the same thing

4. The Miser's Hoard

Air Date: 1977-10-23

Frazer is busy counting up his earnings when his doctor visits and accidentally knocks over a money box revealing that Frazer is far from poor. Concerned, the doctor alerts Mainwaring, who alerts Jones and very soon Frazer's fortune is the subject of town gossip. Eventually the platoon, Hodges, the Vicar and the Verger are spying on Frazer to see what he does with his money. Will they get their hands on it, or does Frazer have a sneaky trick up his sleeve?

5. Number Engaged

Air Date: 1977-11-06

The platoon take over from the regular army in guarding some vital telephone wires During an air raid a bomb lands in the wires and a way has to be found to get it down before it explodes

6. Never Too Old

Air Date: 1977-11-13

Lance Corporal Jones wants to marry Mrs Fox but has to get Capt Mainwarings permission. During the reception an invasion alert is called and Jones spends his wedding night on the beach doing guard duty

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Rating

7.4/10

Release Date

1968-07-31

Episodes

77 (9 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Production Companies

BBC