DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather Section 1 : Main Characters : Private James Frazer CHARACTER: Private Frazer PLAYED BY: The late John Laurie (All TV and 64 Radio Episodes, not appearing in The Enemy Within the Gates, Sgt Wilson’s Little Secret, The Bullet Is Not For Firing) FULL NAME: James Frazer NICKNAMES: Jock, (Sometimes used by Lance Corporal Jones), Taffy (exclusively used by Private Walker). ADDRESS: 91 High Street, Walmington-on-Sea (above Funeral Parlour). Also had a workshop at Junction of High Street and Salthaven Road. After the War appears to have bought a house on the seafront, exact address unknown. Landlady of Funeral Parlour was Miss Twelvetrees who donated the £10 monthly rental to the local orphanage. TELEPHONE NUMBER: Walmington-on-Sea 533 or 455. DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH: During 1871 on The Isle of Barra, Hebridean Islands, Scotland. BRIEF DESCRIPTION: About 5’10” in height, craggy features, balding thin grey hair, slight stoop, round staring eyes, which he would roll when in a crisis or telling a story, broad Scottish accent. In true naval style, had tattoos on his arms. HOME GUARD RANK: Private, but served as Platoon OC in rank of Captain for a few days in an attempt by Captain Mainwaring to stop his persistent moaning. Briefly promoted to Sergeant with rest of platoon due to a clerical error, when Pike misinterpreted platoon orders. Also served as a Lance Corporal alongside Jones in competition for a Corporal’s position, but lost out, probably because steak and sausages were a more worthwhile bribe than stamps or coffins. Wrote to authorities suggesting he was given command of the platoon when Captain Mainwaring was reduced to Private. Tried to take Jones’ stripe when he lost £500, Frazer claiming Jones had gone ‘potty’, and was not fit to be a Lance Corporal, and he (Frazer), was next in line for promotion. Was official Lewis Gun operator in earlier days of War. During this time he lost the butterfly spring for the weapon causing all sorts of problems in trying to find it. It was later found in his tunic pocket. Was put in charge of liquor permits when Captain Mainwaring declared Walmington to be under martial law. Once imitated an ARP Warden complete with helmet and armband to try and lure George Jones outside the Peabody Museum to allow the rest of the Home Guard Platoon to commandeer some weapons from the building. 1 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather CIVILIAN / DAYTIME JOB: Originally ran a Philately shop on Coast Road but decided that in Wartime making coffins would be a better money spinner. This was a craft he had learned on the Isle of Mingulay. Began originally supplying coffins to Mr Drury, and assisted by pall bearing etc., but later became a mortician in his own right, doing the full service, aided by his boy assistant Heathcliffe. He once claimed that people said he ‘had a rare skill at beautifying the late lamented’ and that ‘in my calling I am no stranger to sorrow.’ Also claimed he never touched alcohol when going on a professional call (see separate File James Frazer - Funeral Director). WORK ADDRESS: As previously stated, ran a Philatelist‘s shop on Coast Road, but later opened Funeral Parlour at 91 High Street next door to Jones the Butchers, all Walmington-on-Sea. Also had separate workshop facility near Junction of High Street and Salthaven Road. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER: Walmington 455 or 533 EDUCATED AT: No firm details known, but it is assumed he attended the local schools on the Isle of Barra. It is known one of his schoolmates was Charles Renfrew-McAllister who later became a Sir and whom Frazer blackmailed much later in life, in an attempt to save Godfrey’s Cottage. Once claimed to be a student of history and a man of superior intellect. QUALIFICATIONS: Not confirmed but probably held certificates in cookery, was a qualified shooting marksman, having picked off the mines when in the navy during WW1. Claimed he once came first in aircraft recognition and was the finest stalker in the Highlands. Also claimed to be a fieldcraft expert. Probably had to qualify with the relevant professional body as an Undertaker. KNOWN FAMILY / RELATIVES: Never married, but sister did and had a daughter Blodwyn, whom he once took to a platoon Dance. Believed to have several brothers who may have all gone to sea like James. Mother was not good at making gravy, it often being thin and weak. Father appeared to be a violent character who belted his children nightly, but years later James claimed it made men of them. Once claimed father had been a Sheep Farmer. Also said once his father played the flute but this comment may have been a ‘get out’ after Captain Mainwaring heard him criticising his suit. Had a cousin called Angus who had a daschund. KNOWN ASSOCIATES: Chamber of Commerce Colleagues, Mr Elliot, Mr Swann, Mr Hodges, Mr Jones, Mr Walker. Also his Home Guard comrades including Pike who he loved scaring with his spooky stories. Had a bond with Godfrey whom he would telephone at nights with the days gossip. May have had a working relationship with fellow Scot Dr MacAveady who may have put some business his way. Also counted Sponge, Desmond, Hancock and Cheeseman amongst his colleagues. Other known associates were Wally Regan (a lighthouse keeper and old school friend), Jethro (died during War aged 86), with whom he sailed the Southern Seas, and Jock MacKay, a fellow Caledonian Society member, who left when Frazer raised the fees, leaving Frazer as the only member (he obviously had not recruited Dr MacAveady). Also had a friend Willy Stewart, who was also in the Southern Seas with him and was diving for pearls when he was attacked 2 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft. File compilations copyright Gordon Brodie & Christopher Leather by a giant squid, got the bends and died. Frazer bought his diving suit from his Mother for ten shillings. Also had a short lived acquaintance with George Clark, a generous drinking partner whom he met in The Anchor, and he introduced to the Home Guard Platoon, Clark being an Ex-Warwicks Comrade of Lance Corporal Jones. KNOWN ROMANTIC ENCOUNTERS: Only known romance is with a girl called Jesse whom he once described as ‘a fine lassie with big sturdy legs.’ It appears that she fell in the sea on one of her trips along the cliff-tops. It later transpired that she had been picked up by a ship and taken to Singapore from where she had written to James requesting £40 so she could come home and marry him. Despite always carrying the letter he refused the request! He also knew a Miss Ironside from the Gasworks, a ‘sonsie lassie’, whom he introduced to the Women’s Home Guard Section, being attracted by her strong thighs! Claimed that although a bachelor he had never been wanting for a lassie. PREVIOUS MILITARY CAREER: Served in Merchant Navy for 30 years from the age of 14. In WW1 joined the Royal Navy serving on Minesweepers as a cook, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, but was demoted for striking an officer with a boat hook - tendering the excuse that he (Frazer) was drunk. We know that he was a crack shot in the RN, picking off the Mines. Possibly served on HMS Defiant. Also a good shot on land, providing he could move his rifle up and down to simulate the movement of a ship! Served at the Battle of Jutland, and took part in the Shackleton Expedition. Once claimed he was torpedoed at Jutland and saved the ship by stuffing his clothes into the hole, but this may have been to counteract Lance Corporal Jones’ claim that they used icicles as bullets due it being so cold on the North West Frontier. Returned to Merchant Navy after the War, serving until the early 20s when he settled in Walmington. Kept his Naval sword, which he used for making toast despite its bent shape! DECORATIONS: Jutland Medal - possibly given as British War Medal Polar Medal - had a white ribbon and was awarded for the Shackleton Expedition. Also had two others - not yet identified. PREVIOUS BACKGROUND: Very much as already stated. As well as spending younger years on Isle of Barra, where he claimed life was hard, but so were the men - claimed to have spent some time on Isle of Mingulay. Claimed that he was a Fisherman in Hebrides at one time. FAVOURITE PHRASES: ‘We’re doomed, doomed.’ ‘I mind the time when I was a wee bit laddie on the Isle o’ Barra, a wild an’ lonely place ye understand.’ ‘Folly, sheer utter folly.’ ‘Silly Auld fool’ (normally aimed at Lance Corporal Jones). ‘Rubbish, sheer rubbish’. AILMENTS: Few details but injured his foot once whilst practising a sword dance for a platoon function. Also got a splinter in his nose when having to crawl through a smoke filled hut on a training exercise. Also injured his feet when showing Walker how to jump off a ladder so that he would get flat feet and fail his Call-up medical. Sustained injuries to left arm tackling some Irishmen who were trying to free Patrick Reagan, a suspected IRA terrorist who the platoon had arrested. Indicated he had to do his own dentistry with pliers 3 DAlcop Dad’s Army copyright Jimmy Perry & David Croft.