For the American football player see Charles Godfrey (American football)
| Private Charles Godfrey MM | |
|---|---|
| Dad's Army character | |
| First appearance | The Man and the Hour |
| Last appearance | Never Too Old |
| Portrayed by | Arnold Ridley |
| Information | |
| Occupation | Retired shop assistant/tailor |
| Affiliated with | Home Guard |
Private Charles Godfrey MM is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and retired shop assistant (Civil Service Stores) portrayed by Arnold Ridley on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army.[1]
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Godfrey is a gentle, mild-mannered and kindly - though more complex than is evident - old man. He is the only member of the platoon that has retired. In the episode "Branded", it becomes clear that he was a conscientious objector in the First World War, 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 Royal Army 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.[2] Arnold Ridley actually served during the First World War with the Somerset Light Infantry, and fought in the Battle of the Somme where he was severely wounded.[3] These injuries gave a practical reason for his role, as it was much easier for Ridley to carry the first aid bag than a heavy rifle.
Godfrey 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 picturesque Cherry Tree 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.[4]
He is immensely loyal to Captain Mainwaring, who often feels quite guilty whenever he has criticised Godfrey:
He served for 35 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, "May I be excused, sir?", and his tendency to fall asleep can be similarly categorised; "I must have dropped off!".[5]
Although Private Godfrey rarely wore his medals, he was awarded some during the First World War.
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