Dad's Army (TV Series)

We Know Our Onions (1973)

John Le Mesurier: Sgt. Arthur Wilson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Capt. George Mainwaring : [when Jones volunteered to be thrown over the fence]  That's the spirit! I like to see some guts!

  Sgt. Arthur Wilson : And you probably will...

• [Captain Ramsey is playing the part of a Gestapo officer, to train the Dad's Army in how to resist torture and interrogation by the Germans] 

  Captain Ramsey : [miming his actions as he holds up Wilson's hand]  I'm putting matches under your finger-nails. I'm setting light to them. Burning down. Now they've reached your fingers. You're in agony. How do you like that?

  Sgt. Arthur Wilson : [not really entering into the spirit of the pretence]  Well, to be absolutely honest, it isn't really bothering me very much.

• Captain Ramsey : Now, Captain. You are in a balloon, travelling across enemy territory with your men here. The balloon is losing height. You must push one of them out. Which one will you choose?

  Capt. George Mainwaring : Ah.

  [pauses] 

  Capt. George Mainwaring : I think I should call for a volunteer.

  Captain Ramsey : Can't do that. You must make a decision and choose one.

  [to Godfrey, Frazer, Pike and Walker] 

  Captain Ramsey : What must he do?

  Pte. Charles Godfrey , Pte. James Frazer , Pte. Frank Pike , Pte. Joe Walker : Make a decision and choose one!

  Capt. George Mainwaring : I prefer to throw myself out, naturally, but I realise that I am too valuable for that. So, I'm afraid it would have to be Private Godfrey.

  [Godfrey looks appalled] 

  Captain Ramsey : [to Frazer]  Comment!

  Pte. James Frazer : Sound common sense!

  Captain Ramsey : [to Pike]  Comment!

  Pte. Frank Pike : Well, whoever's thrown out, it certainly shouldn't be me. I've got the whole of my life ahead of me. I haven't done nothing, no living at all.

  Pte. Joe Walker : All the more reason you should be the one. I mean, what you've never had, you'll never miss.

  Sgt. Arthur Wilson : [to Ramsey]  Excuse me, sir. If the balloon's losing height, we could wait until it hits the ground, and then Godfrey could just step out.

  Pte. Charles Godfrey : Oh, thank you, Mr Wilson.

  Sgt. Arthur Wilson : Not at all, my dear fellow.

  [Ramsey looks speechless at Wilson's remark]