We’re all doomed…

Correspondent Edwin Amey mourns the loss of quality television and mentions Dad’s Army, a comedy series from the 1960s to 1970s written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. (Entertain me, The News, January 13).

Set during the Second World

War in the fictional seaside resort of Walmington-on-Sea, Dad's Army is based upon the home guard, a factual group of local volunteers whose job it was to defend against a Nazi invasion.

It still makes me chuckle when I think of dour scot Private Fraser, a local undertaker known for his predictions of coming disaster.

These portents of doom are delivered in a cadenced croon, accompanied by much twitching of ears and rolling of eyes like a horse that smells bad water.

Seasoned warrior Corporal Jones had previously served in the Boer and First World Wars. His cries of 'Don't panic' and 'They don't like it up ’em' had viewers shrieking with laughter.

Despite being struck down by a corned beef allergy and thus cruelly rejected by the regular army, Private Walker still manages to provide a service selling contraband goods. In charge of the men is Captain Mainwaring the bank manager.

As hilarious as this show might have been, we owe a significant debt to the real home guard. Their loyalty and regard for fellow countrymen was unwavering, their courage leonine.

On a final note, I agree with Mr

Amey that censoring programmes such as Dad's Army is an outrage when considering today’s alternatives. Banal drivel like The X Factor and I'm A Celebrity slopped out by vacuous narcissists such as Ant and Dec, Phillip Scofield et al.

Despite being struckdownbya corned beef allergy and thus cruelly rejected by the regular army... ANTHONY FENLON