Bill Pertwee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bill Pertwee MBE
Born	William Desmond Anthony Pertwee (1926-07-21)21 July 1926 Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England
Died	27 May 2013(2013-05-27) (aged 86) Truro, Cornwall, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1959–1997
Spouse(s)	Marion Rose ​ ​ (m. 1955; her death 2005)​
Children	1
Relatives	Michael Pertwee Jon Pertwee Sean Pertwee Roland Pertwee (cousins)

William Desmond Anthony Pertwee (born July 21, 1926 – died May 27, 2013) was a famous British comedy actor. He was known for playing Chief ARP Warden Hodges in the TV show Dad's Army. He also received an award called an MBE for his charity work.

Early Life and School

Bill Pertwee was born in Amersham, England, on July 21, 1926. He was the youngest of three boys. His father was a salesman who sadly passed away when Bill was 12 years old.

His family moved many times when he was a child. They lived in places like Hereford, Newbury, and Worthing. Because of all the moving, Bill went to many different schools. These included Frensham Heights School and Southend College.

During World War II, Bill left school. He worked for a company that made parts for Spitfire planes. He couldn't join the Royal Air Force (RAF) because of a health issue. Later, he worked in an office and as a salesman for a clothing store in London.

Becoming an Actor

Bill Pertwee started his acting career in radio shows. He appeared in Beyond Our Ken (1959–1964) and Round the Horne (1965–1967). He also helped warm up the audience before many TV shows.

His Role in Dad's Army

Bill's most famous role was ARP Warden Hodges in the TV comedy Dad's Army. He played this character from 1968 to 1977. He also played Warden Hodges in the radio versions of the show. Later, he was in a radio show called It Sticks Out Half a Mile, which was a follow-up to Dad's Army.

Bill was the president of the Dad's Army Appreciation Society. He also wrote a book about the show called Dad's Army – The Making of a Television Legend.

In July 2008, Bill and other actors from Dad's Army met at the Imperial War Museum. They celebrated 40 years since the show first aired. Bill also appeared on the TV show This Morning. In 1975, he was part of the Dad's Army stage show. He even released a song called "Get Out And Get Under The Moon."

Other Acting Roles

Bill Pertwee also acted in two Carry On movies: Carry On Loving (1970) and Carry On Girls (1973). He was in other films too, like The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971) and Psychomania (1973). He often played postmen in movies like Love Thy Neighbour and Man About the House.

On TV, Bill appeared in the last episode of It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1981). He was also in an episode of Hi-de-Hi! (1986). From 1988 to 1993, he played PC Wilson in You Rang, M'Lord?.

In 1999, Bill was surprised on the TV show This Is Your Life. This show celebrates people's lives and careers. In 2006, he sang in a World Cup song called "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Jurgen Klinsmann?"

Later Life and Family

Bill Pertwee passed away on May 27, 2013, at the age of 86. He had been unwell for about a year. He died peacefully at his home in Cornwall. Just a few days before, he had attended an event in Thetford, where the Dad's Army Museum is located. People there noticed he looked very weak.

After Bill's death, and the passing of other cast members, Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike, became the only surviving Dad's Army actor.

In 2011, a painting of Bill Pertwee was put on display at the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford. Bill was a supporter of the museum and the Dad's Army Appreciation Society.

Bill married Marion Macleod in 1955. They had one son named Jonathan James Pertwee, born in 1966. After his wife passed away in 2005, Bill lived in Topsham, Devon.

In 2007, Bill was given an MBE award by the Queen. This award recognized his amazing work for different charities. He was also involved with groups like the "Railway Ramblers" and the "Royal Variety Charity," which helps entertainers.

Bill Pertwee was related to other famous actors. His cousins were Michael Pertwee and Jon Pertwee. He was also a godfather to one of the sons of his Dad's Army co-star, Ian Lavender.

Film, TV, and Radio Roles

Film

Television

Radio

Images for kids

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  Bill Pertwee, the famous actor.

See also

In Spanish: Bill Pertwee para niños