Actor and Playwright best recognized for his portrayal of Private Charles Godfrey in the late 1960s television series Dad's Army. He also authored the long-loved mystery play The Ghost Train which was first published in 1927.
He worked extensively in the theatre before volunteering for the British Army in the outbreak of World War I. Between the first World War and the second, he tried to establish a film company but eventually failed and rejoined the Service for the war.
In 1982, he was appointed an Order of the British Empire for his services to the theatre.
After two failed marriage, his third and final marriage to Actress Althea Parker produced a son named Nicholas. He died in 1984 after a fall at the retirement home Denville Hall. He is also recognized as the great-uncle of Star Wars Actress Daisy Ridley.
John Laurie, Ian Lavender, and James Beck all joined him in portraying Privates on the British comedy Dad's Army.
