Actors Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, Arnold Ridley et al saw active service in one – or even both – of the world wars. Their experiences, along with those of writers David Croft and Jimmy Perry, helped turn Dad’s Army into an enduring and much-loved TV success.

Melody Foreman recounts the real-life stories of those who had ‘seen war and knew war’, showing how the power of laughter could triumph over harrowing events.