PRIVATE CHARLES GODFREY

(Redirected from Private Godfrey)

'Private Charles Godfrey' MM is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and retired tailor portrayed by Arnold Ridley on the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''.

Contents

Personality

Personality

Godfrey is a gentle, mild-mannered and kindly old man, although is a more complex character than is evident. He is the oldest member of the platoon and is the only member of the platoon that has retired. In the episode "Branded", it becomes clear that he was a conscientious objector in World War I, a revelation that initially makes him an outsider. However, after saving Mainwaring's life, his sister reveals that, far from avoiding service, he in fact served with distinction as a stretcher bearer with the Medical Corps, and heroically saved several men's lives during the Battle of the Somme (an accomplishment he plays down modestly), earning him the Military Medal. This led to him being promoted to First Aid supervisor of the platoon (Ironically Arnold Ridley had actually served in World War I and had been injured as well). He is a long standing friend of Sergeant Wilson, and in the episode "High Finance" he lends Wilson a large sum of money when Mrs Pike is blackmailed by Hodges.
He lives in a picturesque cottage with his hard of hearing sisters, Dolly and Cissy, whom he is clearly very fond of and often brings them up in conversation. When there is any need for provisions, his sister Dolly often provides upside-down cakes.
He is immensely loyal to Captain Mainwaring, who often feels quite guilty whenever he has criticised Godfrey:
:Mainwaring: ''"If you're not fit for active service, perhaps you shouldn't come at all."''
:Godfrey: ''"I didn't want to disappoint you, sir."''
:Mainwaring: ''"Well done Godfrey."''
::from the episode "Everybody's Trucking".
He served for forty years in the Army department of the Civil Service Stores as a tailor. An aspect of his old age is his weak bladder, which lets him down and postpones all platoon activity, hence his catchphrase "might I be excused, sir?", and his tendency to fall asleep can be similarly categorized; "I must have dozed off!".