Inside Lancashire's real Dad's Army

The true story of Lancaster's Home Guard will be told in free talks before performances of a Dad's Army themed show at The Dukes Theatre.
Her Royal Highness Mary, Princess Royal, inspecting Lancasters Home Guard during the Second World WarHer Royal Highness Mary, Princess Royal, inspecting Lancasters Home Guard during the Second World War
Her Royal Highness Mary, Princess Royal, inspecting Lancasters Home Guard during the Second World War

To coincide with Dad's Army Radio Hour, which will be presented at the theatre on May 1 and 2, the curator of the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum, Peter Donnelly will talk about Our Dad’s Army.

From May 1940, when Britain faced almost certain German invasion, Lancaster and Morecambe's Home Guard stood ready to defend the district, and these part-time soldiers spent many hours training and on duty in addition to their day jobs - in order to protect Britain from attack.

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Using original archives and photographs, Peter will talk about the work of the local Home Guard and explain what they did operationally and also some of the training exercises they took part in.

Like a scene out of Dads Army, the officers of Morecambes Home Guard, have their lunch whilst the band starts to practice and other soldiers use a converted railway carriage to store their equipmentLike a scene out of Dads Army, the officers of Morecambes Home Guard, have their lunch whilst the band starts to practice and other soldiers use a converted railway carriage to store their equipment
Like a scene out of Dads Army, the officers of Morecambes Home Guard, have their lunch whilst the band starts to practice and other soldiers use a converted railway carriage to store their equipment

The talk will take place in The Dukes Gallery at 6.30pm on May 1 and at 1pm on May 2.

Performances of Dad's Army Radio Hour follow at 7.30pm and 2pm. There is also a 7.30pm show on May 2 (without a pre-performance talk).

Dad’s Army Radio Hour is a staging of classic radio scripts based on favourite episodes of the original television series penned by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

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Two actors play 25 cherished characters in a feat of vocal impersonation performed in The Round.

A band leads the Home Guard down Carr House Lane in LancasterA band leads the Home Guard down Carr House Lane in Lancaster
A band leads the Home Guard down Carr House Lane in Lancaster

Tickets for Dad’s Army Radio Hour are priced £15.50 and £16.50. Concessions receive a £2 discount. Tickets for the talk are free but must be booked in advance.

For more information and to book, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or email [email protected]