Arnold Ridley

Arnold Ridley
Ridley in 1921
Born
William Arnold Ridley

(1896-01-07)7 January 1896
Died12 March 1984(1984-03-12) (aged 88)
Resting placeBath Abbey Cemetery, Widcombe, Somerset, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of Bristol
Occupation(s)Actor, playwright
Years active1918–1984
Spouse(s)Hilda Kathleen Mary Cooke
(m. 1926–1939),
Isola Strong
(m. 1939)
,
Althea Parker
(m. 1945)
Children1
RelativesDaisy Ridley (great-niece)
Military career
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service
  • 1915–1917
  • 1939–1940
  • 1940–1944
RankCaptain
Service number103363
UnitSomerset Light Infantry
Caterham Home Guard
Battles / warsFirst World War

Second World War

William Arnold Ridley, OBE (7 January 1896 – 12 March 1984) was an English playwright and actor, earlier in his career known for writing the play The Ghost Train and later in life in the British television sitcom Dad's Army (1968–1977) as the elderly bumbling Private Godfrey, as well as in spin-offs including the feature film version and the stage production.

  1. ^ "Birth Index entry". FreeBMD. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 6 October 2021. Register of Births: Jan-Feb-Mar 1896. Surname: Ridley. Given Name: William Arnold. District: Bath. Volume: 5c. Page: 543.
  2. ^ "Death Index entry". FreeBMD. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 6 October 2021. Register of Deaths: 1984. Surname: Ridley. Given Name: William Arnold. DoB: 07 Ja 1896. District: Hillingdon. Registered: 06.84. Volume: 13. Page: 0934.