Sergeant Arthur Wilson
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| Dad's Army character | |
| Sergeant Arthur Wilson | |
| Affiliated with | Home Guard |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Bank clerk |
| First appearance | The Man and the Hour |
| Last appearance | Never Too Old |
| Portrayed by | John Le Mesurier |
Sergeant The Honourable Arthur Wilson is a fictional Home Guard platoon sergeant and bank clerk portrayed by John Le Mesurier on the BBC television situation comedy Dad's Army.
Wilson is a carefree, generally cheerful, well-spoken man, although his personality is more complex than first meets the eye. He has somewhat of a mysterious aura about him, due to his constant vague and slightly dreamy personality. However, he is a sweet and kind man, who goes along with the flow of life. Wilson has two children, a daughter and a son, Frank Pike, (this has been confirmed by the writers in interviews).
Captain Mainwaring, (Wilson's senior in the Home Guard, and in the bank) once compared Wilson to Peter Pan, because he could never face up to his responsibilities. These responsibilities included Private Frank Pike, who hero-worships his "Uncle Arthur", but who may in fact be Wilson's son — Wilson has a long-standing secret relationship with Mavis Pike, Frank's mother. It is common gossip in Walmington-on-Sea, because both arrived in Walmington from Weston-super-Mare around the same time, and many other coincidences, that Wilson and Mrs Pike's relationship is more than "just close friends". It is assumed that Wilson's affair with the widowed Mavis began many years ago. Much mystery surrounds this topic, but as Mainwaring says: "tongues will wag". It is later revealed in Getting the Bird that Wilson is married but his wife left him years ago (he has a daughter from his first marriage). Presumably he has not sought a divorce to avoid the social stigma that was attached to divorcees.
Wilson's often dream-like state has often been the source of exaggerated mimicry by members of the platoon (mostly Walker and Fraser), but despite all this he remains well-liked by those who serve under him, and is notably admired by many (usually Jones, Godfrey, and most of all Pike). This is partly due to his relaxed and informal approach to matters of rank and authority; rather than barking orders at his men as per the stereotype of a platoon sergeant, he is more inclined to politely and pleasantly ask them "would you mind awfully falling in please?"
A constant source of tension (and comedy) between Wilson and Mainwaring is the difference in social class between the two; it is frequently stated that Wilson had the benefit of an upper-middle class childhood and education, prompting a great deal of jealousy and resentment from the lower-class Mainwaring (who conversely had to work his way up to everything he has achieved, and thus views Wilson as having it easy). Mainwaring will frequently reiterate his superior rank, both in the bank and in the military, as a way of maintaining some sense of authority and superiority over Wilson. Wilson, for his part, tends to gently undermine his superior officer through use of his casual charm and good looks, and through providing a frequent voice of concern whenever Mainwaring voices one of his latest plans, generally querying "Do you really think that's wise, sir?" in response to Mainwaring's enthusiasm. The contrasts between the two are established in several ways; as a civilian, Mainwaring wears a bowler hat, while Wilson wears a more fashionable Anthony Eden hat. In the episode The Honourable Man, Wilson became "The Honourable Arthur Wilson" after an uncle, a peer, died, making him a member of the aristocracy; thereafter, Mainwaring's jealousy of Wilson's lifestyle and popularity was amplified considerably. As the town folk suddenly became overly friendly, Mainwaring did all he could to stay centre of attention. Wilson, for his part, detested his sudden elevation in social rank and the pressures and pretentions it began to force on him.
The conflict between the two reached a head in the episode A. Wilson (Manager)? where Wilson is promoted to a manager of another branch and is also promoted to Second Lieutenant in a neighbouring Home Guard Unit. Wilson finds out that his promotion would have happened a long time ago but for Mainwaring telling his superiors that he wasn't up to it. In the ensuing conversation, all of Mainwaring's simmering resentment of Wilson's superior breeding is revealed. Tragically Wilson's new branch is bombed, so he has to return to Walmington and the platoon. His proud sign saying Arthur Wilson manager is among the debris. On his return to the platoon Wilson's first concern is whether he can keep his rank (meaning Second Lieutenant). "Of course", replies Mainwaring, and throws him the sergeant's stripes telling him to get them sewn on by Friday.
It is often suggested that Wilson secretly thinks Mainwaring is a bit of a pompous fool (and indeed, this would seem to be the truth), however despite their rocky relationship, the two remained loyal friends through thick and thin. However, Wilson does take many opportunities to gently undermine Mainwaring, usually by querying 'Do you really think that's wise, sir?' when Mainwaring is proposing something especially ridiculous. Wilson is often more worldly-wise and generally provides a more realistic and down-to-earth appraisal of any situation (both everyday and in the War at large) than Mainwaring, who is frequently blinded by his pomposity and fierce patriotism; as demonstrated in this exchange:
- Mainwaring: "They'll never get through the Maginot Line"
- Wilson: "Haven't you heard, they've gone round it"
- Mainwaring: "That's a typical shabby Nazi trick"
However, when pushed hard enough a different Wilson emerges. In High Finance, it emerges during an enquiry that Warden Hodges has been forcing his attentions on Mrs Pike by blackmailing her with a rent hike, Wilson slowly walks round the table and punches Hodges in the face, much to the amazement and adoration of Mrs Pike and Frank.
In the final episode, Wilson turned up at the wedding of Jones and Mrs Fox in a captain's uniform, having achieved the rank of Captain in World War I. He was very modest about it (in fact in the first episode Wilson claims to have been a Sergeant in the royal arillary and Mainwaring was genuinely, but pleasantly, surprised — although he still insisted that "it doesn't change anything, you know".
[edit] Trivia
Jimmy Perry, the creator of Dad's Army originally envisaged Arthur Lowe playing Wilson and Robert Dorning as Captain Mainwaring.[citation needed]
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