 John Laurie (I) (qv) was the only cast member to have served in  the Home Guard. But Clive Dunn (qv), Arthur Lowe (qv) and  John Le Mesurier (qv) had all served in the regular army during  World War Two. John Laurie (I) (qv) and Arnold Ridley (qv) had  also served in the regular Army, in World War One. Of the writers,  during World War Two Jimmy Perry served in the Home Guard (he based  the show on his experiences), and David Croft served in the ARP (and  later served in the regular Army as a Major).