Arnold Ridley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arnold Ridley
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Ridley in 1921
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| Born |
William Arnold Ridley
7 January 1896 Walcot, Bath, Somerset, England.
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| Died | 12 March 1984 (aged 88) Northwood, London Borough of Hillingdon, England.
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| Resting place | Bath Abbey Cemetery, Widcombe, Somerset, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Bristol |
| Occupation | Actor, playwright |
| Years active | 1918–1984 |
| Spouse(s) | Hilda Kathleen Mary Cooke (m. 1926–1939), Isola Strong
(m. 1939)Althea Parker
(m. 1945) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Daisy Ridley (great-niece) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | Captain |
| Service number | 103363 |
| Unit | Somerset Light Infantry Caterham Home Guard |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
William Arnold Ridley, OBE, was an English playwright and actor. He was born on January 7, 1896, and passed away on March 12, 1984. He became famous for two main things: writing the popular play The Ghost Train and playing the kind, elderly Private Godfrey in the well-known British TV show Dad's Army (1968–1977).
He was also the great-uncle of actress Daisy Ridley, who is known for her role in the Star Wars movies.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arnold Ridley was born in Walcot, Bath, England. His father, William Robert Ridley, was a gymnastics instructor and owned a shoe shop. Arnold went to the Clarendon School and the Bath City Secondary School, where he was a very good sportsman.
He later studied at the University of Bristol. While there, he took part in student plays, even playing the main character in Hamlet. Before becoming a professional actor, he also worked as a student teacher in Bristol.
Military Service in Two World Wars
Arnold Ridley volunteered to join the British Army when the First World War began in August 1914. He was first turned down because of a minor foot problem. However, in December 1915, he joined as a private soldier with the Somerset Light Infantry.
He fought in the war and was seriously injured in battles. His left hand was badly hurt, his legs were hit by shrapnel, and he received a bayonet wound. A blow to his head also caused him to have blackouts later in life. He was discharged from the army in May 1917 because of his injuries. He received two medals for his bravery: the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
When the Second World War started in 1939, Ridley rejoined the army. He became an officer and served in France. He was a "Conducting Officer," meaning he helped supervise journalists visiting the front lines. In May 1940, he returned to Britain on a ship called HMS Vimiera, which was one of the last British ships to leave during the Battle of Boulogne. Soon after, he was discharged again due to health reasons. He then joined the Home Guard in his hometown and toured the country with ENSA, an organization that entertained troops.
Acting and Writing Career
After leaving the army in 1916, Arnold Ridley started his career as a professional actor. In 1918, he joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre company, where he played many different roles.
One evening, while waiting at a railway station, Ridley was inspired to write a play called The Ghost Train (1923). It was a mystery story about passengers stuck at a haunted railway station. The play was a huge success in London's West End, running for 665 performances. It was so popular that it was made into a film several times, including versions in 1927, 1931, and 1941. Ridley wrote over 30 other plays, including The Wrecker (1924) and Recipe for Murder (1932).
He also adapted the famous Agatha Christie novel Peril at End House into a play in 1940. His play Beggar My Neighbour was later turned into the film Meet Mr. Lucifer (1953).
Ridley worked as an actor for many years. He played Doughy Hood, the village baker, in the radio show The Archers. He also played the Rev. Guy Atkins in the TV show Crossroads from 1964 to 1968. However, he became most famous when he was cast as Private Godfrey in the popular TV comedy series Dad's Army, which ran from 1968 to 1977. Private Godfrey was a gentle and kind medic in the Home Guard platoon.
Arnold Ridley continued acting into his eighties. In 1982, he was given an OBE award by the Queen for his contributions to theatre. In 1976, he was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life, where he was surprised by the host.
Personal Life
Arnold Ridley was married three times. His last marriage was to actress Althea Parker in 1945, and they had one son, Nicolas. He was also a Freemason.
In his younger days, he was a keen rugby player and served as President of Bath Rugby from 1950 to 1952. His great-niece is the actress Daisy Ridley.
Later Years and Death
Arnold Ridley passed away in a hospital in Northwood in 1984 at the age of 88. This happened after he fell at his home in Denville Hall, which is a special home for retired actors. His body was cremated, and his ashes were buried in his parents' grave at Bath Abbey Cemetery. He left his collection of theatre items to the University of Bristol, which has made them available online.
Works
Arnold Ridley was a talented writer and actor. Here are some of his most well-known plays:
- The Ghost Train (1923)
- The Wrecker (1924)
- The Flying Fool (1929)
- Recipe for Murder (1936)
- Peril at End House (1945, based on an Agatha Christie novel)
- Beggar My Neighbour (1953)
See also
In Spanish: Arnold Ridley para niños
