FANS of the original BBC comedy series Dad’s Army may be unaware that the legendary cast of the Walmington-on-Sea platoon filmed two public information films in Woodley.

Captain Mainwaring, Sergeant Wilson, Corporal Jones and all the top stars of the hit comedy were employed to highlight the correct procedure when using a ‘pelican crossing’ in 1976.

Sadly, one original cast member was ‘missing in action’, James Beck (Private Walker) had died in 1973.

Using the Crockhamwell Road Centre in Woodley, the short film used the comedic talents and catch phrases that any fan of the show would instantly recognise.

The opening sequence of the film clearly shows the platoon marching towards the crossing with the shopping precinct in the background.

A finger then presses the button whilst Captain Mainwaring says: “Ah, a Pelican Crossing, carry on Jones!”

Meanwhile halfway across the road the platoon ‘halts’ and Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn) utters his immortal line: “Don’t panic, don’t panic! Captain Mainwaring the lights are flashing, what shall we do?”.

At this point the laconic John Le Mesurier (Sgt. Wilson) assures his colleagues that: “One continues to cross if ones already on the crossing, there is plenty of time”.

Of course, as Wilson’s superior officer, Arthur Lowe (Mainwaring) replies curtly: “Precisely, carry on Jones!”

The film finishes with the squad on the other side of the road whilst a narrator’s voice can be heard saying: “The flashing green man means don’t start to cross the road, learn your blinking pelican signals.”

The second Dad’s Army road safety film is perhaps more of a follow up, to be shown at a later date or even in cinemas instead of on television.

ARP Warden Hodges (Bill Pertwee) can be seen approaching the crossing at the wheel of a truck and is annoyed at having to stop at a red light, his temper soon boils over when he spots the Home Guard along with his arch enemy, Captain Mainwaring. As he sees the slow-moving platoon is still crossing whilst the ‘green man’ is flashing he says: “Get your eyes tested Napoleon, can’t you see the lights have changed!”

Hodges starts to edge forward in his van, to push the startled soldiers out of the way, but is admonished by his passenger the Verger, ‘Mr Yeatman’.

As with so many episodes of the iconic series, Hodges soon boils over with frustration, especially when a policeman writes him a ‘traffic ticket’.

Public Information Films were commissioned by many government departments to highlight all manner of issues that were in the public interest, they often used stars of stage and screen to get their messages across.

The following edition of the Reading Chronicle on December 23 rather played down the excitement of the two days filming with a headline: ‘Dad’s Army filming upsets local traders’.

You can see the original two short films on social media and witness the only time Reading was ‘invaded’ by the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard.