"Dad's Army": What Was The Military Career of Lance Corporal Jones?
Lance Corporal Jack Jones is one of the most loved characters in the classic British comedy "Dad's Army".
Constantly referring to his exploits in the Sudan, the North West Frontier (India) and the First World War.
This is this story (both in fiction and in real life)
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The Nile Expedition (Jack Jones first campaign)
• The Nile Expedition to...
The Battle of Omdurman (Lance Corporal Jones & Kitchener versus the Dervishes)
• What Happened At The ...
Plus the story of the real-time war service of the "Dad's Army" caste:
• Dad's Army - Revealing...
As I have produced my (many) videos about the British military campaigns in Sudan, many of you have commented about Lance Corporal Jones using his catchphrases:
"They don't like it up 'em"
"permission to speak, Sir"
"Don't Panic"
So I thought I would make a short video exploring his long (& fictitious) military career.
The local butcher, Jack Jones, is a member of Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard during World War Two.
This fictitious Home Guard unit are the stars of the classic BBC comedy: "Dad's Army".
What I found amazing is that the BBC created a back story for the character of Lance Corporal Jones.
researching the medal ribbons that Jones wears on his Home Guard uniform I have put together a timeline of his military career in the 1st battalion, Warwickshire Regiment.
The story starts when young Jack Jones joins the Royal Warwickshire's in 1884 as a drummer boy.
he is to spend 31 years serving in the British army where he participates in the Gordon Relief Expedition, the re-conquest of Sudan under General Kitchener, the Boer War, the North West Frontier of India and the First World War.
#lancecorporaljackjones #dadsarmy #dontpanic #kitchener #britisharmy
#ww2
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:58 Royal Warwickshire Regiment
2:54 Jack Jones joins army
3:36 Sudan
5:09 With Kitchener
6:53 Boer War
9:01 North West Frontier
10:31 First World War
12:36 Home Guard
14:05 Dad's Army
16:15 The History Chap
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My name is Chris Green and I am on a mission to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or KZhead animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
While the characters in Dad's Army are all made fun of in various ways, there are many times when they show great courage and a willingness to risk their lives in the defense of their little section of Britain's coastline. Under the laughter there was a very serious message.
Indeed there was. Thank you for posting.
And the show was written from a place of affection.
By the time the Home Guard was disbanded in 1944 they were actually a very effective, well trained and well equipped milita (there are those cynics who have said that is the reason why they were disbanded…🤔). There were Home Guards who fired shots in anger..
I found this quote somewhere, so true.. “We love Captain Mainwaring's platoon as well as laugh at them because we know that, if the Nazis had landed, men not so very different from them would have died rather than let them pass.”
@@christopherdean1326 it’s worth noting that under the banner of the Home Guard were the auxiliary units, small cells of men who knew the local terrain intimately, their job was to become a resistance force and wage a guerilla war against the occupying forces, they were specially trained and would’ve been entirely ruthless.
This shows respect by the shows writers and producers to service people. Well presented. Thank you.
One of the show's writers was in the Home Guard, so based it on his experience in Hertfordshire.
@@TheHistoryChap due you think that Jones may have used his skills as a Butcher during his days in the army? I don't know if this was meant to be canon or not but in the new Dads army film we learn a bit more about his Military career. on their way to arrest Wilson at the railway station I believe he mentions that he served in a Catering unit
And knowing full well they’d be judged by their viewers for accuracy, too.
It really does!
This show has always impressed me with the level of detail in the production. The detail in Jones' medals just shows how much care in even minor details there really was. This raises this show to yet another level. The rifles (P14s), the Lewis LMG, and the M1928 Thompson were spot on for the unit and the era. If you can, watch the first season where they don't have guns, except for Godfrey, no uniforms, and an armband with LDV (Local Defence Volunteer, the predecessor to the Home Guard). In another season Jones' van is powered by gas stored in a bag on top of the van, something that was tried briefly in the early war years. An interesting fact. Most of the cast were veterans of WW2 and the actor who played Godfrey, like his character, was a veteran of The Great War and served in the Home Guard in WW2. So they had a lot of source material to use for the episodes. I remember when the ABC (Australia) used to broadcast this show and I bought the DVD sets. The humour is timeless. Highly recommended you watch it.
According to Wiki, Jones was based on a elderly Lance Corporal the the writer Jimmy Perry served with in the LDV. But a real credit must be given to the Costume Designer who would have had to do the actual research into the appropriate medal ribbons.
I believe you are right, Peter. I read that Mainwaring's comment "Stupid Boy" was something that Jimmy Perry's father had said to him.
I believe Perry based Pike on his own younger self.
@@barryalexander2909 Like Pike, Perry joined aged 17 and had an overprotective mother.
@@carlbirtles4518 yes but was she shagging the Home Guard Sergeant though? Lol
Hello Peter how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
My Grandfather was in the SWB (24th Foot) he went from Tsing Tao to Galipolli to the Western Front, and was captured six months before the final push which probably saved his life. He was a Sgt in his local Home Guard, my Father was also Home Guard while he waited to be called up, I always liken them to Sgt Wilson and Pike. I also had an Uncle ( William Rouse) who was a signal boy and was a member of the flight from Kandahar. My Dad was part of the first wave on Gold, and was one of the first to enter Belsen. Myself I served in Submarines during the cold war. I am the last of my family to serve in the forces, I have QE2 Medal, and Falklands Medal. My sons are not interested in any of the medals the family holds
Graham, what an amazing story of family service for their country. Thanks for sharing.
@@TheHistoryChap I just love your video's, full of facts and no fluff, keep it up
I know Americans say things like 'thank you for your service,' which I can't quite say as I'm too English, but thanks all the same. And I hope your sons discover an interest later in life.
My great grandfather was in the 4 th bal SWB he was killed around Gallipoli , I found his grave in a ANZAC New Zealand outpost he was 33 yrs old died 6-8-1915 lest we forget
Your sons are the brainwashed generation we now have,they won't fight a war and none of the millions of immigrants we take in will either.
as an ex serviceman I oftan thought about the " principles and methods" of Dads Army, theyre willingness to fight no matter what the enemy might have thrown at them, the sense of humour under all circumstances, and their absolute resolve to overcome all obstacles. Truly they captured the "essence" of being British and NEVER giving in to an agressor.
I think the fact that all the old Actors had served in WW2 or WW1 as well as the writers who i believe were both officers. Its their knowledge of Army life that made this show believable as well as funny. Most Actors who have never served dont have that military bearing, they just act
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
If they had their backs against the wall it would be difficult to take a bullet in the back. And they would have known how little the invasion force would care for their lives, families and businesses. Artillery would probably have been the most destructive as it had been before.
I can't help but wonder at the depth of talent of those who served in the Home Guard. My father, who served in North Africa from about 1935 until the end of the Germans in North Africa, was chosen to be Sir Percy Hobart's driver in about 1937. Dad used to tell stories of his friendship with Sir Percy, who apparently didn't suffer fools gladly, and who kept dad as his driver until Sir Percy was ordered home. Dad thought that he'd seen the last of Sir Percy, but later in the war, now a WO2 serving with the 7th. Armoured Division (of course), dad was back in England, and was sent round to Home Guard units to give them a feel for what had been happening in North Africa. The way he tells it, he walked into one particular HG unit, and immediately came to a crashing, WO salute. Sir Percy just smiled at him, and said something to the effects that it was OK, he didn't have to salute him any more - he was only a Lance Corporal. Dad always had a very soft spot for Sir Percy Hobart, and was very proud to have served as his driver.
Percy Hobart wasn't cashiered, so he still held a commission. Technically his commission should have been saluted (salute the rank not the man) but as it turned out Sir Percy Hobart was THE visionary and his superiors who "knew better" were not. I don't think the UK (or the US actually) fully understands the many contributions Sir Percy made to VE day, both before the war and during it. Clearly, the Germans learned a great deal from him (and a few others of course) before the war and applied it very effectively until another corporal decided he could do it better.
@@davesherry5384 D-Day would certainly have been a lot worse without Hobart's "Funnies".
@@davesherry5384 One of my father's stories was about Sir Percy and the Alemein Line, which Dad always claimed was staked out by Sir Percy and his staff. Another related to a young aide who was attached to the party as the navigator, who had a nasty habit of shouting out "Turn right" (or whatever), and if the driver didn't IMMEDIATELY respond, regardless of the speed they were travelling, would heap abuse on the wretched driver (Dad). After this happened a number of times, Dad was fed up, and dragged the wheel around, throwing the car into a sideways screech. When they came to a halt, Dad was again berated, of course. The "navigator" never accompanied them again, and Dad heard Sir Percy utter that "if the trumped-up little so-and-so had treated me as he did Bob, I would have done that long ago!"
I'd really like to know a lot more about Sir Percy!
Hello John how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
Dad's Army made my Father very angry when he first heard of it. An insult to the British Army he said, in which he'd served with distinction having volunteered in 1939 for 7 hard years with his 3 brothers, "because it needed to be done" entering as a Private, "doing my bit", leaving as an acting major. It took one episode to convert him. Thank you for this enchanting account of Jones.
Thanks for watching
@@TheHistoryChap Thank you for sharing your considerable work. It was a pleasure to hear and see.
An acting major? Like Clive Dunn was an acting lance-corporal? Bit of a thespian, was he? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Say no more! 😉
Bloody marvellous... practically grew up watching Dad's Army and still love watching it even to this day !
Ditto sir!
Seeing them charging with fixed bayonets with drum roll (on exercise) at the end of every episode gives me the "lumpy throat" feeling
The creators and script writers of Dad's Army , Jimmy Perry and David Croft , managed to entice John Le Mesurier to accept a major role in their new creation . However John only accepted on the condition that his close friend and fellow actor , Clive Dunn was offered an equally important role in the series . Perry and Croft agreed . Dad's Army , definitely worth a butcher's hook .
The writers had the wit to have the two top players slightly the wrong way round. If a real selection were to be made for real conditions it would be the bank manager who was 2IC. But not so funny, they wouldn't have as much opportunity for humour.
A fantastic historical portrayal of the much loved Dads Army. We miss those guys we really do. Thank you 🙏 😊
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Much loved indeed. Only one member of the cast, Ian Lavender (Pike) is still alive, sadly.
Now deceased as of Feb 2024.@@Nooziterp1
@@Nooziterp1Not any more. Pike has died this month - February 2024. RIP Stupid Boy Pike!
My father was in the 4th Queens Own Hussars with Clive Dunn. The regiment was posted to the Middle East arriving on 31 December 1940 and as part of the 1st Armoured Brigade in the 6th Australian Infantry Division fought in the Greek Campaign. As the rear-guard in the Corinth Canal Bridge action the regiment was overrun and surrendered losing all senior officers and over 400 men as prisoners of war. Jones was one of those captured and spent the rest of the war in prisoner of war camp. My father made it to Crete and then taken to Cairo on a RN ship. From the original 550 men in the regiment, another 135 plus were killed or drowned with the remaining 115 making it to safety. In June 1941, the regiment was reconstituted in Cairo and rejoined the 1st Armoured Brigade. Badly mauled during the Battle of Gazala in May 1942 and having lost almost an entire squadron, which had been attached to the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), in June 1942, the regiment was temporarily amalgamated with one squadron from the (similarly depleted) 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars to form the 4th/8th Hussars for the Battle of Alam el Halfa in August 1942 and the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942. The regiment fought with distinction in the Italian campaign during the allied advance into the Axis territories. Winston Churchill became Honorary Colonel of the Regiment in 1941 and served until amalgamation. He had served in the regiment when he was a young man as mentioned in the video.
My Uncle Thomas Carpenter met Clive Dunn in POW camp Stalag 18A. He told me that Clive was very active in organising the camp variety shows.
My Dad (RAF and Royal Engineers 1958-1974) loved this show and he has (and me too) watched every surviving episode (he probably watched the lost ones too). Sadly he had a stroke 3 years ago and his memory is not quite the ticket anymore but I think this will be his one last pleasure from a great creation.
Mark, your dad must have been in the ACB and 51, 52, or 53 Sqns RE
@@brianbrown826 Possibly, he was in 38 Engineer Regiment and had tours in Aden, Germany and Northern Ireland
@@brianbrown826 I was attached to 5004 sqn ACB for Operation Hardrock in St Kilda, in 1958.
We do know what happened to the members of Walmington on Sea Home Guard. The very first episode of the first series of Dad's Army begins with a reunion dinner of the group at which they are all present and Mainwaring gives a speech which introduces the concept of the ensuing episodes of their adventures.
Thanks for sharing.
I just watched an episode of "Dads Army" called the turkey dinner as I had never heard of this TV show. The problem I had was that while I understood what the officer and the young man was saying I couldn't understand a word of the older men. Now I know they were speaking English, but exactly what part of England were they from? Luckily I could click on subtitles and so started over and I must admit it was a very funny show! I think if I ever visit England I am going to need an interpreter to travel with me!
PERMISSION TO SPEAK!....Great episode thank you! 👏🏻🇬🇧
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Dad's Army was on Netflix last year and I watched every episode they had. As funny as the show was it was about men who really did their duty. No one knew what was going to happen and for all anyone knew they were going to put their lives on the line for their King, their Country, and their neighbors.
yes, I'm sure if Hitler had invaded many of these men would willingly have put their lives on the line for their country.
Not only does this show how the writers took the back story of Joney seriously it shows they were also paying respects to all vets of WW2 and shows why more moden series and movies are not as good as the old ones
Good point. Thanks for taking the time to post.
"Dad's Army" aired in Sweden during the 1970's too, as well as Finland, it seems... I remember this series very well from my own childhood, whether or not it had any influence on career choices, or the fact that I was later to enlist in local Home Guards Batallion for ten years, is another issue... The theme song of the show was also frequently played on Swedish radio as late as the 1980's even, mainly during tounge-in-cheek references to then current events... still, it had a serious message there..
Arnold Ridley - (Private Godfrey), had a distinguished military career in WW1, was serverly wounded a number of times, and invalided out of the army in 1917, strangely enough as a 'Lance Corporal'. In 1939 at the out break of WW2 he rejoined the army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the BEF in France and later escaped during the fall of France on a Royal Navy Destroyer during the Battle of Boulogne. Once home he was medically discharged from the regular army as unfit, only to re-enlist in the Home Guard. I wonder if some of Lance Corporal Jones' character is based on the real life Private Godfrey's exploits.
It is very popular today for people to want to tell a story about fictional movies and characters as if they were "facts" like 10 "facts" you probably don't know about Star Trek (pure fiction). I am a Trekker, but that's beside the point. Well, you managed to put together more facts about fiction in a way that I have not seen before. Your discussion about the campaign ribbons was exceptional. I truly enjoyed learning about the true facts behind them. Well done!
Very well done, I'll never forget the look on Capt Mainwarings face the 1st time he saw Jones's medals. Superb performance by Arthur Lowe.
I remember that scene too. :)
That was tremendous, thank you. My grand father was gassed in ww1 and invalided out, he still managed to win the Croix de Guerre for carrying messages behind enemy lines. He was also rather bitter about the stupidity of how a lot of ww1 was managed. He was an air raid rescuer in ww2 pulling people out of bombed buildings and searching through them too. In later life he worked for the water board in Stoke on Trent. I remember him enjoying a good pipe of tobacco, the smell of which, now very rare, is really evocative. Nothing like a good rough shag! He too had some sayings. "There's a lot of people dying who didn't used to", undeniably true. Whenever he had a banana "ooh I am a lucky lad ", wartime shortages made things like bananas, into small luxuries. And, for the last 20 years of his life, " I'm not long for this world", sadly, once, he was right. I've always thought that Jones suffered from PTSD as did so many and who through no fault of their own were accused of being cowards. Corporal Jim Forester of the 7th 8th Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Known by the ww1 Germans as the ladies from hell due to wearing kilts. Gone but not forgotten. Thank you for sparking reminiscences.
Hello Andrew how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
Thanks for taking the time to comment
I must applaud the scholarship (?) that went into both this video and the creation of Jones' back story by the BBC. Who knew the Corporal Jones lore went so deep?! Always my favourite character from the programme and his passing references to various Victorian campaigns actually helped spark my interest in military history as a boy.
Thank you for that VERY entertaining video! "Dad's Army" was shown here in the US in the early 1980s on Public Television and was wildly popular. Being a former Marine I always got a kick out of L/Corporal Jones' "Give 'em the bayonet! Stick it up 'em! They will not like it!" And I always wondered what those ribbons he wore symbolised, I reasoned it was a LONG career in the British Army. It looks like the makers of the TV show really did their homework on Jones' character. Thanks again!
They don’t like it up ‘em sir, they do not like it up ‘em… Clive Dunn was originally against that line, he felt it was too rude but the British public thought otherwise… 🙂
Thankfully, Dad’s Army was spared the shame of an American remake.
@@carlbirtles4518 Well, as I understand it there was a British feature film made of "Dad's Army" several years ago. The general consensus I heard from across the pond was it sucked.
@@wayneantoniazzi2706 There were two feature films Wayne. One contemporary with the TV series with the original cast, and was pretty good. The second from about 2016 had a great cast but it just didn’t feel the same. Anyway, glad you liked the TV show. And remember, they don’t like it up ‘em!
@@Chris-mf1rm Right! "Spirit of the bayonet!"
Weirdly enough, it was watching Dads Army that first got me into British military history. This video is fascinating. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed.
Private Godfrey actually went over the Top on the First day of the Somme. Brave man. May need an episode on him too ?
May very well do so in a few months time after I have got through current schedule.
@@TheHistoryChap Please do. As far as I recall, Arnold Ridley earned an MM....
The first thing to remember: There's no substitute for cold steel. They do not like it up 'em, THEY DON'T LIKE IT UP 'EM!
I am Chuckling away.
Living in the US, my dad had a plethora of old radio programs, one of which was Dad's Army, and is most certainly one of my favorites. It wasn't until maybe 20 years ago that I found out that it was a TV show as well. Once I got my hands on some DVDs of DA, I always wondered why LCPL Jones did not have higher rank, given the number of ribbons and now with your excellent explanation of them, the question is even more intriguing.
Class system 👈😑
Probably due to a request to not be promoted any higher. He easily could have made an NCO rank given his time in and service, but given his character, I suspect that he requested to remain in the fight.
Great piece and good to see that his medals reflected actual military service. In one episode the tells Pike about a chocolate tin he was given as a gift by Queen Victoria, which his mate nicked from him; these tins were given to all service personnel for New Year 1900, so the QSA would slot in for that period.
Got one of those tins here, really nice
King George V gave out brass (coloured?) tobacco tins to men in the trenches. Who cares about lung cancer when there is a more likely death from lead poisoning. The tins were nicely embossed with his face shown in raised relief.
Thanks for sharing. Have seen them in museums.
I saw that episode. Actually, Jones kept it unopened for 25 years, gave it to a friend to look after whilst in hospital, and opened the tin to discover sand instead of chocolate.
Thanks for such a great breakdown of the history behind Jones's decorations. Other members of the Walmington on Sea platoon won notable awards. Private Charles Godfrey won the Military Medal for heroic services as a medic during the battle of the Somme. Scotsman Private James Fraser was shown wearing the Polar Medal for participation in the Shackleton Expedition. This expedition is not made clear, but most likely the 1907-1909 voyage as the 1914-1916 Endurance expedition wouldn't have been back in time for the Battle of Jutland, which Frazer took part in as a cook. Other characters outside the platoon also have their share of medals. ARP Chief Warden Hodges and Vicar Timothy Farthing have the 1914 Star, British War Medal, and Allied Victory Medal. The Verger has an interesting backstory that is only hinted at in the show. He is the scoutmaster of the local Sea Scouts. He also was shown to have experience with the platoon's issued naval gun. Likely he served in the RN or Merchant Navy. This is supported by the single medal he was once shown wearing. It may have been a scout decoration, but it strongly resembled the Messina Earthquake medal of 1908. Even more impressive is the long list of awards adorned by Mainwaring's rival, Captain Square of the Eastgate platoon. The 'Pompous idiot' has the Distinguished Service Order, Queen's South African War Medal, King's South African War Medal, all three WW1 medals, India General Service Medal, General Service Medal, King Edward VII Coronation Medal, George V Silver Jubilee Medal, King George VI Coronation Medal, and later episodes depict him also wearing the Egypt Medal, Queen's Sudan Medal, and Africa General Service Medal. I think I've missed out a few of his other awards. Square was very proud of Jones's awards, saying he wears an illuminated history of the British Empire. It was a little sad that Captain Mainwaring never had any decorations, having seen military service as the army of occupation in 1919. In contrast, his actor Arthur Lowe served in WW2. The show should have ended in 1945, with the Walmington on Sea platoon marching in London before the King with Mainwaring awarded the British victory and defence medals.
BBC recently streamed a bunch of episodes on iplayer, including the one in which the Platoon are quietly ridiculing Mainwaring for his lack of gongs. Pike turns up wearing his swimming badges. Stupid boy.
The series did seem to end abruptly but it seems that Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and John Laurie were quite ill..
Thanks for both sharing those illuminating character stories and for sharing your wish about Mainwaring and the platoon participating in the Victory Parade.
I think that may have been one of the gags in the show, but Mainwaring was shown to have courage in the German submarine episode.
@@barryalexander2909 Actually, those were badges awarded to Pike when he was in the Boy Scouts. Also, the episode “Sgt, Save My Boy” mentions that Pike was a non-swimmer.
Very enjoyable - an ardent lifelong Dads Army Fan - a fictional story but showing the backbone of the fighting British of the time.
I’m glad you enjoyed this video.
What a wonderful bit of research about a fictional character. I was kid in the 70's and remember 'Dad's army' so well.
The mention of the 300 Canadian boatmen at 4:25 reminds me that, in Perth, Ontario, Canada, up until about 15 years ago, the head office of the Canadian Woodsmen of the World insurance company was in operation. This was an insurer created specifically for those boatmen, whose descendants still had business with the company until recently. The company is now defunct.
Thanks! I enjoyed this very much. I always thought that part of the real magic of Dad's Army was the way that the Actors played their committment to to the defense of the UK utterly straight. You always had the feeling (evidenced by episodes like "The battle for Godfrey's cottage") that had it come to an invasion they would have all stood firm - and all died. TV at it's finest.
Hello Tom how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
There were many who’s military careers didn’t match with official records. Take John Capes of HMS Perseus fame. He wasn’t even part of the crew but was hitching a ride to Alexandria on HMS Perseus and was the only survivor when it sunk after hitting an Italian mine. His escape story wasn’t really believed until the wreck was found many years later and everything was as he described. Great video by the way. I was brought up on Dads Army and still watch it.
You should really do a video about Arnold Ridley, who played Godfrey in DA. His warrecord is impressive. And maybe the other actors real warrecords. On corporal Jones in South Africa, could he have gone with the 2nd battalion, as you suggested, but stayed as an instructor for the local South African units ? Or maybe he was a prisoner of the Boers. Great episode.
Arnold Ridley has a fascinating story (both real & also fictional). I like both of your ideas about Jones in South Africa.
Arnold Ridley - served in WW1 in the Somerset Light Infantry, was wounded in action and at one pointed was bayoneted in the groin and hit over the head with a rifle butt. Medically discharged in 1917 at the rank of Lance Corporal. In 1939 he took a commission as 2nd Lieutenant reaching the rank of Captain in 1940 but was discharged on medical grounds. He joined his local Home Guard unit. Arthur Lowe - joined the TA in 1939, the Duke of Lancasters Own Yeomanry, he then went onto the RAOC and REME serving in Egypt, he finished at the rank of Sgt Major in a field entertainment unit. John Le Mesurier - commissioned as an officer with the Royal Tank Regiment in 1941, served in the UK and was posted to India in 1943, demobbed in 1946 at the rank of Captain. John Laurie - served in the Honourable Artillery Company in WW1 and in the Home Guard in WW2. Clive Dunn - trooper in the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars in WW2, served in the Greek campaign, captured after his regiment was forced to surrender after being overwhelmed by the enemy and held as a POW in Austria for four years. I believe one of the script writers served in the Home Guard too aged 17, he based Pike on himself.. 🙂
In addition to what I have said, all of the characters have their own back stories, for example Private Godfrey is a conscientious objector, nevertheless he served as a battlefield medic in WW1 (conscientious objectors were often given non combatant roles like this). He was awarded the military medal for his actions but doesn’t wear it.
@@mjspice100 Battlefield medics/stretcher bearers were often the most exposed personnel in the field. They were often deliberately targeted - and even if not, bullets and shrapnel are totally indiscriminate. One of the most decorated private soldiers in Australia's WW1 army was stretcher bearer Ernest Albert Corey. He was uniquely awarded the Military Medal 4 times!
Also William Harold Coltman, VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar, Mentioned in Despatches, the most decorated Other Rank in WW1, was also a stretcher bearer.
One of your very best! Respectful and compassionate. Corporal Jones deserves every ounce of love he received in Dad's Army.
Jonesy was always my favourite Dad’s Army character, with Sergeant Wilson coming a close second. Thank you so much for this wonderful exposition of the career the scriptwriters and costumers crafted for him. Having such a complete history of the character he was to play must also have helped Clive Dunne enormously to make the role his own. You’ve just added another layer to my love of this wonderful, gentle and most British of comedies. Again, thank you.
I was LC Jones for 16 yrs in a tribute group known as the Real Dads Army and I had the medals sewn on in the correct order as the 'wardrobe' stitchers were all over the place. I had in the 90s met most of the living characters and Bill Pertwee often set up a bookstall to sell his books when we were around or at a venue. We also had the blessing of Croft and Perry who signed and commented on photos of us. I also owned bits and pieces of the DA uniforms obtained from a Silvermans Theatrical outfitter sale but sold them on to a dedicated collector pal . Look up The Real Dads Army a Sussex based group. They have Vids and old B&W type of vids doing real HG training as SX23 a real Battalion that existed. Peace and Gravy
Hello Michael how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
And still watched in my home regularly.
At the start of the first episode of Dad's Army there is a brief scene before the opening titles showing Captain Mainwaring giving a speech after the war with all the main cast shown in the background. This suggests that all the major characters made it through the war and therefore all would be eligible for the defence medal.
Chris that was beautiful. My dad was a ww2 vet & an episode of Dad’s Army would frequently spark questions from “us kids” (albeit from an Australian perspective). A friend of the family (“Auntie” Eileen) was ex pat UK & had (fundraising?) lunch with Clive Dunn; it was here that she learned Clive had served under a British officer who served under Kitchener in the Sudan!
How interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for putting Lance Corporal Jones, "Jonesy", in the limelight at last. He is one of my heroes!
What a wonderful exposition! I'm really impressed with L/C Jones's career!
Thanks for watching. I really enjoyed putting it together.
Smashing vid and a really good choice for analysis. As a young lad, I watched Dad's Army from the beginning but it drove my Dad wild (he was in the RAC during WW2 and landed on D-Day+1) as he always felt they were taking the mick out of real servicemen who wanted to do their bit in the Home Guard. I never realised that the BBC was anywhere near accurate (guess I'm coloured by the BBC of the last 20 years). Anyway my Dad's Dad was given Pip, Squeak and Wilfred for his service in WW1 - but I never knew they were called that until this vid!! Many thanks 👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed and that you know understand Pip, Squeak & Wilfred.
👍🙏🇬🇧
I watched with my dad, he thought it was very 'real', having, as a Boy Scout been 'attached' to the Home Guard to run messages. He also was involved with the delivery of the two 'Smith Guns' for the local platoons. He told a tale of a big Home Guard exercise during which the platoon he was 'runner' to was hidden under a long yew hedge in the grounds of the local 'big house'. They were camouflaged with twigs in their helmets and so on, but the butler arrived, having been sent by his Lordship to enquire if the gentlemen would like something to drink.
Fantastic episode loved your detailed break down of a much loved character.
David, thanks for watching and for giving me some feedback. I have to admit that I loved researching this story.
I love these stories, it's nice to know they took so much trouble with the characters back story. With modern programmes that don't last half as long as Dad's Army, there doesn't appear to be any thought to back stories. Thank you very much for doing the brilliant research.
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
What a lovely detour from your usual (excellent) postings. Dad's Army was and is, my all-time favourite comedy series. Ridiculous and sublime at the same time. British comedy wrapped up in one perfect parcel. Thank you.
It was a lovely detour, well put!
Good morning, Chris, I did my growing up with the Dad's Army. I was a bit concerned that you were going to tear the seam in my dream. But you have made my growing up even more exciting, which is a bold statement in itself. Anyway, a huge thank you for keeping my faith in LCpl Jones. During my service I have been compared somewhat with him. I never rose above the rank of corporal and had trouble keeping that rank on my sleeve. Just a brilliant video, well done. Chris, I watched the video a couple of times and I think you might have missed LCpl Jones face; I am sure I saw him at the back in a couple of the pictures. 👍
A fantastic and detailed description of LCPL Jones. Always wondered if what he said on Dad's Army was true. Now I know the story. More remarkable to me is that Clive Dunn was a combat vet of WW2. A salute to him and many of the other cast members who also served in WW2. Again great piece. Loved it!
Dunn was nearly killed by an RAF bomb dropping on his pow camp in Austria. I recall he had just left a hut when it was hit.
Outstanding.
He was also a member of Oswald mosley's brown shirts and was a fascist. So in short Clive Dunn was a nazi . That means he only served because he had to.
Great video! A lot of research has gone into that - well done! And hats off to the creators, as they must have done a lot of research, too, in creating Jones and making him so real - even though very few viewers would ever have picked up on it. That said, in its running time a lot of veterans would have enjoyed the show, and may well have picked up on things like the medal ribbons if they didn't connect with Jonesie's stories. Good job. I used to watch the show when I was a kid. My Mum turned 15 in 1939 and lived in Euxton, Lancashire - very close to the then ROF, which was a target for the German bombers. On the other side of them was the Leyland Motors factory, just a couple of miles away. The show brought back memories for Mum and Dad - Dad worked for deHavilland Aircraft in Horwich/Lostock, another target. They used to tell me and my brother and sister that the Dad's Army show was actually very true to life - the LDV's often bungling and fumbling their way through, but always getting there in the end (contemporaries apparently nick-named them Look, Duck and Vanish). But those guys did a great job, as did the whole community really - even Mum did her bit as a teenager: firewatch duties overnight at the Grammar School, volunteer cooking for hundreds of American troops at the nearby base, among other things. Again, great video! Thank you!
Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to write such an in-depth post
Firstly, I must say how much I enjoy how you relate history with such enthusiasm. Now, (and don't panic,) you said, “Despite eighty episodes, they never actually got to the end of the war in 1945.” The very first episode depicts alderman Mainwairing as the honorary guest, at a Rotary Club dinner, in 1968. How do we know it was 1968? I remember so clearly the period, to which alderman Mainwairing referred, when he described the 'I'm Backing Britain' campaign. It was early 1968.
Thank you! This was an absolute delight for this Dad's Army fan!
Great video Chris and my grandfather's brother served with the Berkshire Regt and was awarded the Khedive's Star and the Egypt medal for serving at Tofrek and Suakin. I believe it was after these battles that Queen Victoria awarded the Royal title making them the Royal Berkshire Regt. Steve.
Fascinating stuff. I think he also got a gold record for _Granddad._
He did indeed.
The History Chap's videos are forever stirring memories of glimpses of former glory still visible when I first visited London as a teenager in 1968. A. I called on Mr Newman, an old and distant family connection. This gentleman told me he had worked with horses in County Kildare and then left Ireland to work with the Duchess of Westminster's horses in France. He learned to speak French. At the start of WW2, he joined the British Army and was paid an extra shilling a week as a French speaker, although he never spoke French for any official purpose during the entire war. He told me of his harum scarum experiences (which I've forgotten) during the rout of 1940, and of his evacuation from some port in northern France. He spent the rest of WW2, in the Home Guard and was quite proud of it; he showed me his greatcoat, his medal, and a demobilisation certificate expressing thanks for his service. (I'm wondering now why would someone would have been transferred from front line service to the Home Guard in 1940?) B. During that same trip, I was dropped off in the wrong place by a cranky taxi driver in front of a pub in Camden Town. I went inside and was approached by a doddery looking old woman. The barman started to warn her off, but I quickly realised that the story she wanted to tell me about her father was one I'd heard before, so I insisted on listening. This is how I remember her story: The old lady's father was an Irish immigrant to Britain who became friendly with a Welshmen. They both joined the British Army and were sent to Africa. When the Prince Imperial was killed, her father and some Welsh comrades were sent back to Britain as an escort for the body of the Prince Imperial. Queen Victoria spoke to her father at the funeral of the Prince. I don't know whether she knew who this Prince Imperial was, or why his death was such a big deal. However, as far as I could tell, she spoke truthfully about the death of Prince Louis Napoleon in the Zulu War.
Absolutely spot on Chris and although fictional in content, your piece reflects the respect we should have for all service people young and old who stepped up when the chips were down in 1940. Had they not done that, Europe, and perhaps the world would have been a very different place. Keep up the good work.
When I started work, aged 15 in 1969, I met so many of these WW2 veterans and a privilege to have known them, including my Dad, Rifle Brigade 8th Army Desert Rat, They was the last of the best we had.
Hello Roy how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
Hello Maria, thanks, have a great week
@@albert21able Thank you Roy. Nice to meet you here. Can i get to know if you don’t mind please😊
@Maria Russo Yes, that's fine
Thanks for sharing.
Lance Cpl Jones was based on an old soldier who was in the Home Guard with Jimmy Perry one of the writers. He too had served in Sudan and used to say 'They don't like it up 'em.' Jimmy Perry also based Pvt Pike on himself.
Jimmy Perry & David Croft were brilliant writers and their attention down to the tiniest historic detail is amazing. They don't write shows like this anymore.
Hello Paul how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
Always enjoy your videos Chris! 'Two and a Half Feathers' is my favourite episode which is dedicated to Jones' account of a patrol prior to the Battle of Obdurman with the actors of the home guard taking on the role of Jones' comrades in the Sudan, A must watch. Thanks and keep the videos coming
Another interesting - and entertaining - video, fascinating that they made so much effort to represent his fictional background in giving him all the appropriate medals. One point, though - (12:40) Britain was never 'alone' in the Second World War. While Poland's territory had been conquered by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, Polish military units continued the fight, first in the defence of France and then alongside the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish throughout the war, starting at Narvik. Polish pilots served with distinction in the Battle of Britain (303 Squadron being the most famous), Polish troops guarded the coast of Scotland, ORP Pioruń played a crucial role in the hunt for the Bismarck, the 1st Polish Armoured Division liberated Breda without a single civilian casualty, the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade performed well in the disaster of Market Garden (but were blamed by the 'heroic' Montgomery for his failure), and the Polish II Corps captured Monte Cassino where the rest of the Allies failed twice. I know it's only one line, but it's important that the 'Britannia Stands Alone' myth is challenged, for the sake of all the Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, French, Norwegians, Danes, Irish volunteers, Indians, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and many others who, even in 1940, stood shoulder to shoulder against Hitler :)
Excellent idea to film a history of one of the greatest British comedy characters. I was astonished when I discovered the war exploits of his fellow actor Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey).
Check out my video on Arnold Ridley. i released it yesterday.
I go every year to Aswan on the nile Egypt 🇪🇬... kichener had a Island 🏝 there . While stationed there , he planted the island with fantastic tree's and plants from around the world 🌎... The island is beautiful. And is a Egyptian museum, this keeps it in good order .. cheers Simon
Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy how events from long ago still have a way of creeping into our lives in this day and age.
Hello Simon how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
@@mariarusso3790 hello , iam doing ok thank you .... dont like the cold lol how are you ? greetings from England
@@simonnoble7589 Hello, nice to hear from you Simon. Yes. It’s cold here in Minnesota where i live as well. I’m glad you write back. I came across your pic here that’s why I messaged you 😊
@@mariarusso3790pic was from holidays in Egypt 2 years ago . cheers for now . keep warm
That was a wonderful documentary, a credit to the memory of the Home Guard and of course Dad's Army.
Hello Steve how are you. Hope you had a pleasant weekend 😊
Thank you so very much for educating us about the medals, and thank you for sharing.
My pleasure
Another superb and wonderfully lighthearted episode, Chris. I have heard rumours about the characters of Capt Mainwaring and Sgt Wilson: in real life, Arthur Lowe was a sergeant, and John LeMesurer was a captain. In the final episode, John LeMesurer's character appears wearing a WW1 captains uniform. Would you care to dig into this and maybe make an episode about them? If this is true, it shows a wonderful playfulness on the part of the writers.
I'd often wondered how feasible Jones campaign medals were. So- thanks for that :) Also, you got me thinking about the South Africa anomaly, could Jones have been a POW in the Boer War ( like Churchill)? Hence his extended stay in South Africa (after his Regt had left) and a reluctance to talk about the Boer War- especially if he'd be captured for some idiotic / embarrassing reason.
That's a really interesting theory, but would they get a medal even if they were a POW?
That's a fascinating theory. Thanks for sharing.
Not sure what the rules were for POW's getting war medals. I guess they participated in the war so they would have deserved them.
@@TheHistoryChap perhaps he add an hand in the relief of Ladysmith?,,,,,very tasty,very sweet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
@@TheHistoryChap I think they did get issued with them. I remember seeing an interview with a guy who’d been a Japanese POW, he said he had medals but didn’t use them or look at them because he felt that he and the others were let down by the government of the time.
I was just thinking the other day, Chris, how your videos reflect Jones' military career! How funny that you did a video on him! Some of your best work. As a fan of the show, I loved it! Keep it up!
Tris, thanks for your kind comment and for your continuing support.
Great video, thanks for making it!
Thanks for another great episode ❤
The amount of detail the BBC and the writers went to for this character is fantastic. The Home Guard Disbanded on the 31 December 1945 but became inactive 3 December 1944. Ironically the German equivalent, the Volksgrenadier, became active in the autumn of 1944. When the Home Guard was made active 14 May 1940 many of the men were WW1 veterans and as such may have had the most combat experience of any British unit. One of the things not depicted in the show was the fact that many WW1 veterans suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and found it very difficult when out on patrol. Despite the newspaper headlines Britain did not issue a formal declaration of war in 1914. I believe the Foreign Office Minister told the press that Britain was at war but there was no formal announcement. Interestingly Private Godfrey who was played by Arnold Ridley was depicted as a WW1 conscientious object whereas the actor suffered so many wounds in combat during WW1, including the Somme, he was discharged on health grounds. He did serve in the Home Guard at Caterham.
The German equivalent of Homeguard was Volksturm. Volkgrenadiere were more second line units, and there were about 50 divisions of them. They participated in the Ardennes and defence of the Siegfriedline. They were also equiped with the most modern weapons, like Sturmgewehr 44, unlike Volkstum who were more like Homeguard, and equiped with antique weapons, or only a Panzerfaust.....
A really good story and loved your research.
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a fantastic story Chris, and thank you for sharing all that knowledgeable information, keep them coming. 👍
Brilliant... Thank you.
I just found this channel yesterday, it’s a dime in the rough!
Well, thank you very much. Loads more videos planned for this year.
Loved your program /show , most interesting. Thank you so much 😀
My pleasure. Thanks for watching and supporting.
Thank you for taking the time to put this video together, it was a pleasure to watch.
Very well presented and informative! Very enjoyable and looking fore ward to the next one!
What a terrific idea for a video, and terrific research as always. Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Great presentation about Jones' army career, the Warwickshires and The Home Guard .... Thankyou 🙂
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
very enjoyable thanks for posting
Brilliant Chris as always
Wonderful episode.
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to ocmment.
I always remember my grandfather telling me about his time in the Home Guard (he was too young at the start of the war to join his preferred service, the RN). He wasn't issued with a firearm until late November 1940, until then he was issued with a length of scaffolding with a bayonet welded to the end. He was quite optimistically instructed, in the event of an invasion, to hide underneath a descending German parachutist, impale them with his "pike", and then take their firearm and fight on with that.
Great idea for a vid Chris. Researched and delivered woth your usual dilligence and enthusiasm 👍🏻
Great video thanks looking forward to seeing more of yours videos
Thank you, Chris, that was a lovely video. When you mentioned that his parents were called George and Mildred I had to go off and google if the sitcom "George & Mildred" had been written by the same people, but sadly is wasnt. What a great tie in that would have been.
The did write "It Aint Half Hot Mum"
@@TheHistoryChap oh Battery Sergeant Major Williams episode incoming? :D
@@KaitlynnUK Oh and 1 on "the only bearer who was bearable!"PLEASE!
It's the fuzzywuzzies sir! They don't like it up em! No sir, they don't like it up em! Also really good video! Was brought up with this in the age of streaming TVs.
18 million viewers a week. No recordings, no watch later...18 million tuned in (almost 1 in 3 British households).
Clearly, medals are able to tell quite the story. Well done, Chris! Nice touch with the change of background.
Show em the cold steel!
He would have liked that.
I wouldn't have thought it possible to make such an interesting video about Cpl Jones. Absolutely brilliant, thanks...
Great stuff, you've answered so many questions. thanks. Have subscribed.
This is one of the best channels on KZhead! It deals with matters other channels shun. Thank you
This was a great video! Please do more videos of this type.👍👍
A great idea for a video! How informative.
Wonderful little lesson on military medals, really appreciate this particular video.
Have loved Dad's Army since a child, this was a fascinating episode.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Simply brilliant.
Thank you for doing this Dad’s Army is one of my favorite watch with my grandfather before he passed away thank you !!