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"Sgt. Wilson's Little Secret" is an episode in the British tv comedy series
Dad's Army ''Dad's Army'' is a British television British sitcom, sitcom about the United Kingdom's Home Guard (United Kingdom), Home Guard during the World War II, Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (TV producer), David Crof ...
. It was originally transmitted on Saturday 22 March 1969.


Synopsis

Tensions rise when Sgt. Arthur Wilson’s close friendship with Mavis Pike, a local bank clerk, starts sparking rumors in the village of Walmington-on-Sea. The gossip takes a surprising turn when Mavis reveals that she’s pregnant, leading the Home Guard members—and especially Captain Mainwaring—to assume that Wilson is the father. Mainwaring, proud of his moral standards, is scandalized by Wilson's supposed indiscretion and can't resist meddling in what he believes is Wilson's personal responsibility. As the rumors spread, the platoon is abuzz with opinions on Wilson's presumed impending fatherhood. Wilson, in his typically laid-back and reserved manner, seems indifferent to the speculation, much to Mainwaring’s annoyance. The situation reaches a climax during the Home Guard’s maneuvers, where the misunderstandings and assumptions pile up, leading to comedic mishaps. Eventually, the truth is revealed, and the episode ends on a note of camaraderie, as the misunderstanding is humorously cleared up, much to the relief of everyone involved.


Plot

When Mrs Pike plans to take in an evacuee, Wilson misunderstands and thinks that she is pregnant. Mainwaring orders him to marry her, and just as the preparations are under way, Mrs Pike leads in a 10-year-old Cockney evacuee also named Arthur. The wedding doesn't take place.


Cast

* Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring *
John Le Mesurier John Le Mesurier (, born John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley; 5 April 191215 November 1983) was an English actor. He is probably best remembered for his comedic role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the BBC television situation com ...
as Sergeant Wilson * Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jones * John Laurie as Private Frazer * James Beck as Private Walker *
Arnold Ridley William Arnold Ridley (7 January 1896 – 12 March 1984) was an English playwright and actor, known early in his career for writing the 1925 play '' The Ghost Train'' and later in life for the British television sitcom ''Dad's Army'' (1968–77 ...
as
Private Godfrey Private Charles Godfrey MM is a fictional Home Guard soldier, first portrayed by Arnold Ridley in the British television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. He is retired and was previously a tailor for the Civil Service Stores or the Army & Navy Stores. ...
*
Ian Lavender Arthur Ian Lavender (16 February 1946 – 2 February 2024) was an English stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in ''Dad's Army'', a BBC sitcom set during World War II, of which he was the last survivi ...
as Private Pike * Janet Davies as Mrs Pike *Graham Harboard as Little Arthur (portrayed by
Bill Pertwee William Desmond Anthony Pertwee (21 July 1926 – 27 May 2013) was an English actor and comedian. He is best remembered for playing Chief ARP Warden Hodges in ''Dad's Army'' and P.C. Wilson in '' You Rang, M'Lord?''. Early life Pertwee was bo ...
in the audio drama)


Notes

Until 2001, when two "lost" episodes (" Operation Kilt" and " The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage") were found, "Sgt. Wilson's Little Secret" was the only episode surviving from the second series. Even though in this episode it becomes common knowledge (erroneously as it turns out) that Sergeant Wilson and Mrs Pike are expecting a baby and so have decided to get married, from the next episode onwards things appear to have been retconned and as a consequence their “relationship” becomes a secret again to everyone, including Frank Pike.


Further reading

*


External links

* Dad's Army radio episodes Dad's Army series 2 episodes 1969 British television episodes {{DadsArmy-tv-stub