DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather Section 1 : Main Characters : Chief Air Raid Warden William Hodges CHARACTER: Chief Air Raid Warden William Hodges PLAYED BY: Bill Pertwee (60 TV episodes and 33 Radio Shows. Also in all 13 episodes of ‘It Sticks Out Half a Mile’). FULL NAME: William Hodges NICKNAMES: Bill, or sometimes Bert. Referred to as Uncle Willy by Scots Nephew Hamish Post war was known as Bert ADDRESS: Not confirmed, but believed to live above Greengrocer’s Shop in Walmington-on-Sea. TELEPHONE NUMBER: Not Known DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH: Place not known, presumed to be Walmington area. Date of birth was June 1893. BRIEF DESCRIPTION: About 5’9” in height, medium build, blackish hair about to start going grey, loudly spoken, with a bent nose, which Lance Corporal Jones claimed was from always sticking it into other people’s business. In 1948, almost 8 years later, it seemed he had hardly changed. HOME GUARD RANK: Not in Home Guard. Joined ARPs on outbreak of war as an Air Raid Warden, and soon after was promoted to Chief Air Raid Warden, rank being indicated by his white helmet and thin yellow bar with thicker bar below on arm of uniform. CIVILIAN / DAYTIME JOB: Greengrocer during WW2. Was also a Landlord, but we only know of one property he owned, that being Mrs Pike’s residence. In 1948 put a caretaker / manager in shop and started a bit of wheeling and dealing. Later met up with Frank Pike in Frambourne-on-Sea in a venture to refurbish and open up the Frambourne Pier, which he claimed to have visited as a child. WORK ADDRESS: Hodges Greengrocers, (93) High Street, Walmington-on-Sea. Not much information on business but we know it was next to Frazer’s Funeral Parlour, and was once located at 21 Quay Road, Walmington. Onions seemed in short supply and were 1/- a pound black market 1 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather (retail) being supplied by Private Walker. Had two shop assistants - Nellie & Mabel. From 1948 work address was Frambourne Pier, Frambourne-on-Sea. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER: Not known but definitely had phone in shop. After 1948 work telephone number was Frambourne 272 EDUCATED AT: Not fully known, but we do know he attended at one time Brantly School for Boys near Eastbourne. QUALIFICATIONS: None identified KNOWN FAMILY / RELATIVES: Married to Beatrice, but no known children. It would appear Beatrice was quite a well built, beefy lady with varicose veins whom he met in Clydebank during WW1 where she was runner up in a Miss Build a Battle Ship Contest in 1917. Appears to have been quite bossy towards him, and like Mrs Mainwaring, did not venture out much which is probably why we never met her either during the War or his time in Frambourne when she remained in Walmington. Date of marriage would be about 1929 to 1932. After the War she got up at 4am each morning to drive a truck to Covent Garden Market. Hodges claimed they were happy. Had a nephew of Scottish origin called Hamish, and a niece called Sylvia who was in the ATS. Due to different ages and background it is unlikely that they were brother and sister, so we can assume Hodges had at least two siblings. Also known to have an Aunt Ethel who was married to Sigmund Murphy, a former Austrian who lived at the corner of Mortimer Street and was once arrested by the Home Guard Platoon for flashing to enemy aircraft. KNOWN ASSOCIATES: Rev Timothy Farthing, Verger Maurice Yeatman, Mr Alberts, Gerald and other ARP Colleagues. KNOWN ROMANTIC ENCOUNTERS: Had a soft spot for one of his tenants - Mavis Pike. Admitted he had always fancied her, even overlooking her rent arrears if she was nice to him. This got him into trouble with Sergeant Wilson who hit him. Described by Frazer as a ‘mingy bluebeard’ when his dealings with Mavis came to light. However, it must be said that Mavis did encourage him sometimes by going to darts matches etc. with him. Known to help Mrs Fox with her blackout curtains, and was invited to her wedding as ‘A friend of the Bride!’ Between the Wars in 1929 he was going out with a lady called Myrtle (maiden name not known). During that year they went on a trip to Bognor. Hodges went to get a drink for Myrtle but never came back. Myrtle eventually married a Policeman called Slivey from the Frambourne Force. PREVIOUS MILITARY CAREER: Served in France in WW1, corps / regiment not known. In 1917 may have served alongside Americans under General Pershing, or as Hodges put it, ‘Some Perishing General.’ Also served as a POW Guard, where he learned some German. This could have been in Clydebank where he met Beatrice. 2 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather DECORATIONS: WW1 Medal plus two others. Would have qualified for Defence Medal after 3 years Service with the ARP Organisation. PREVIOUS BACKGROUND: See details in other sections. FAVOURITE PHRASES: ‘Put that light out.’. ‘You ruddy hooligans,’ (normally addressing the Home Guard Platoon). ‘You’ve done it this time.’ AILMENTS: Liable to dizzy turns and Heart and Nerve problems. As a result probably also suffered ulcers and high blood pressure. Shape of nose indicated it may have been broken at one time. Had an unexplained injury to bandaged index finger on right hand at time of going to end of Pier to see why the Home Guard were flashing a light there. Banged his head and felt dizzy when in Lance Corporal Jones’ van and he braked suddenly. Platoon’s Smith Gun ran over his foot but despite being in obvious pain, did not seem to suffer any permanent injury. Got thumped on the chin in the church hall by Arthur Wilson when it came to light that he had been trying to date Mavis Pike. In 1948 sustained injuries to a ‘delicate’ part of his anatomy when a turnstile on the Pier jammed whilst he had one leg on one side and one leg on the other side. Once got thumped by a young lady in Frambourne whilst carrying out a survey and she misunderstood the question. HOBBIES / SPORTS: Undermining the Home Guard Platoon’s war effort. Very proficient cricket bowler, could bowl a superb ‘Yorker’ according to Sergeant Wilson. Unable to swim. Darts. Known to enjoy a flutter on horses with aBookie called Frank, and once bet Captain Mainwaring £5 that he could hit a mine off the Pier with a wooden ball - Hodges won! Sergeant Wilson dryly observed he could bowl even better with his clothes on. Tried to join the Rotary Club in Frambourne in 1948 but after attending a cocktail party found it was all too ‘La Di Da’ for him. Member of local Chamber of Commerce in Walmington during War. Represented the ‘Breakaway Committee’ and told Captain Mainwaring they wanted the Honourable Arthur to make the presentation at the forthcoming visit of a Hero of the Soviet Union. PETS: None identified. VEHICLES OWNED: Green Bedford Box Van based on the KD Series, and bearing the Reg. PMP 782. The van was sign written for his business. (See separate file - Hodges’ van). Had a motor cycle and sidecar combination Reg. JVB 54 for ARP Duties. Also had another sidecar combination Reg. No: ATO 574 at one time, which had been commandeered to chase a runaway experimental wheel packed with explosive. Once commandeered Mr Bluett’s tricycle and a tourist’s tandem to help in chasing a runaway barrage balloon. Also had a bicycle. CHARACTERISTICS: Vain, abrasive, obnoxious, contemptuous, nasty, sneaky, devious, (admitted he used Pike for his connection to Arthur Wilson to get loan for Pier in 1948), loved getting people into trouble. Was also a bully and a coward. Admitted he enjoyed the War and never enjoyed anything so much as being Chief 3 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather Warden. Once described by Lance Corporal Jones as being a blabbermouth after a couple of pints when he was in the Red Lion. Described as „yellow‟ by Frazer and Jones. However, it must be said by 1948 he had mellowed somewhat but was still as devious as ever. ECCENTRICITIES: Dirty fingernails, which he still had in 1948. Hatred of Captain Mainwaring and his Home Guard Platoon. Even had Captain Mainwaring earmarked as a potential defector if the Germans invaded, not knowing that Captain Mainwaring had him down as a potential defector. Passed gossip in his shop. Liked ‘Certain shows’ as during visit to London in 1948 saw show at the Windmill Theatre 3 times in one night! FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: Often referred to a a loud and obnoxious man, but in reality he was just ‘doing his job’ as best he knew how. He did not worry that he upset anyone - he had an important and safety related job to do. Unfortunately any enemies he made as an ARP Warden carried over into his social life. Once described by Godfrey as being corrupted with power, and told by Godfrey later in the war that he was the most common, rude and vulgar man he had ever encountered. Conversely, on another occasion, Mr Godfrey said that he thought Mr Hodges ran the Civil Defence very well and it was a very dangerous job. Jones and Frazer once described him as having a yellow streak a foot wide down his back.