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Dad's Army - S01E01 - The Man and the Hour
 

Dad's Army season 1 episode 1

The Man and the Hour

 
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 on his own. He appoints himself as Captain and recuruits his chief bank clerk Arthur Wilson as the platoon sergeant as well as enlisting the banks 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 business man; Joe Walker also volunteer their service for 'King and Country'.. And so, The Walmington-On-Sea Home Guard was born.
 
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Dad's Army / S01E01 : The Man and the Hour
Season 1, Episode 1 | Aired on July 31, 1968 | TV-PG | 30 min. | BBC One
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EPISODES
Season 1
Season 1
Season 1
Season 9
Season 8
Season 7
Season 6
Season 5
Season 4
Season 3
Season 2
Season 1
Specials
 
 
  • Dad's Army - Episode 1 - The Man and the Hour
    Episode 1
    The Man and the Hour
  • Dad's Army - Episode 2 - Museum Piece
    Episode 2
    Museum Piece
  • Dad's Army - Episode 3 - Command Decision
    Episode 3
    Command Decision
  • Dad's Army - Episode 4 - The Enemy Within the Gates
    Episode 4
    The Enemy Within the Gates
  • Dad's Army - Episode 5 - The Showing Up of Corporal Jones
    Episode 5
    The Showing Up of Corporal Jones
  • Dad's Army - Episode 6 - Shooting Pains
    Episode 6
    Shooting Pains

Dad's Army season 1 episode 1 Recap and FAQ

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Episode Summary

In Walmington-on-Sea, Alderman George Mainwaring is honored at the "I'm Backing Britain Campaign," reflecting on Britain's resilience during its darkest hour. Amid WWII, Mainwaring and the townsfolk prepare for a potential Nazi invasion, forming the Local Defence Volunteers (later known as the Home Guard) from a diverse group of citizens. Despite challenges like a lack of equipment and the need for improvisation, they embody the indomitable British spirit, readying to defend their town with whatever means necessary, from petrol bombs to ingenuity.

Full Episode S01E01 Recap

### Introduction of Alderman George Mainwaring - The chairman introduces Alderman George Mainwaring as the guest of honor at the launching of Walmington-on-Sea's "I'm Backing Britain Campaign." - Mainwaring speaks about his unwavering support for Britain, especially during its darkest hour in 1940. ### Mainwaring's Speech - Mainwaring recalls the resilience and determination of the British people during WWII, despite the odds being against them. ### Preparation for Defense - The townspeople, including Mainwaring and his platoon, prepare for the possibility of a Nazi invasion by fortifying their town with sandbags and other improvised defenses. - Mainwaring's platoon struggles with the logistics of fortifying the town, including dealing with the high tide and the limited supply of sand. ### Formation of the Local Defence Volunteers - Mainwaring receives a dispatch from GHQ Eastern Command, announcing the formation of the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), later known as the Home Guard. - Anthony Eden's radio broadcast calls for men aged 17 to 65 to join the LDV. ### Recruitment and Enlistment - Mainwaring sets up an enrollment office and begins to recruit and enlist volunteers for the newly formed platoon. - A diverse group of locals, including a philatelist, a retired sailor, a civil servant, and a butcher, enlist in the platoon, each bringing their unique skills and experiences. ### Initial Challenges - The platoon faces organizational challenges, such as the lack of formal military equipment and the need to improvise weapons and tactics. - Mainwaring and his platoon demonstrate ingenuity in preparing to defend their town against the potential invasion, despite their limited resources. ### Training and Equipping the Platoon - The platoon undergoes basic training, including learning how to deal with tanks using improvised weapons like petrol bombs and crowbars. - Mainwaring emphasizes the importance of ingenuity, improvisation, and the unbreakable British spirit in the face of adversity. ### Conclusion - Despite initial setbacks and challenges, Mainwaring's platoon becomes a symbol of the British determination to defend their homeland. - The episode ends with the platoon, now fully assembled and somewhat equipped, ready to face any threat, embodying the spirit of resilience and tenacity that Mainwaring spoke of in his speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Alderman George Mainwaring?

Alderman George Mainwaring is a distinguished citizen of Walmington-on-Sea, known for his roles as a banker, soldier, magistrate, alderman, and secretary of the Rotary Club.

What event is George Mainwaring attending as the guest of honor?

George Mainwaring is the guest of honor at the launching of Walmington-on-Sea's "I'm Backing Britain Campaign."

What historical period does the story refer to?

The story refers to the period of World War II, specifically highlighting the year 1940 as Britain's darkest hour.

What is the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV)?

The Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) is a force formed of local volunteers to guard strategic points against enemy parachutists, later known as the Home Guard.

How does the community of Walmington-on-Sea prepare for the possibility of a Nazi invasion?

The community prepares by fortifying the town with sandbags and other improvised defenses, and by forming the Local Defence Volunteers to guard against any potential invasion.

Who are some of the notable characters that enlist in the Local Defence Volunteers?

Notable enlistees include a philatelist shop owner, a retired sailor and Chief Petty Officer, a retired civil servant from the Civil Service Stores, and a keen butcher who fought the fuzzy-wuzzies in the Sudan.

What challenges do the Local Defence Volunteers face?

They face challenges such as a lack of formal military equipment, the need to improvise weapons and tactics, and organizational issues.

How does Mainwaring plan to deal with tanks using improvised methods?

Mainwaring's plan involves using a petrol-soaked blanket, matches, a crowbar, and petrol bombs as improvised weapons to attack and disable tanks.

What is the significance of the unbreakable British spirit mentioned in the story?

The unbreakable British spirit symbolizes the resilience, determination, and ingenuity of the British people in defending their country against threats, despite limited resources.

How does the episode portray the community's response to the war effort?

The episode portrays the community's proactive and unified response to the war effort through volunteerism, ingenuity in preparing defenses, and a collective determination to protect their homeland.

 
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