Dad's Army vicar had nearly £1million and left much to churches

Revealed: Late Dad’s Army vicar who would frequently clash with Captain Mainwaring in the beloved sitcom had a fortune of nearly £1million – and left much of it to local churches

• Frank Williams died just six days short of his 91st birthday on June 26 2022
• The star left an estate with a gross value of £893,721 and a net value of £666,193
• Church said he was an active part of community – and amateur dramatics society

The actor who played the vicar in Dad’s Army left much of his £893,000 fortune to local churches.

Frank Williams died just six days short of his 91st birthday on June 26 2022.

He was best known for playing the long-suffering Reverend Timothy Farthing in the BBC sitcom, where he frequently clashed with the pompous Captain Mainwaring.

His probate, which was released on Aprill 22, shows the star left an estate with a gross value of £893,721 and a net value of £666,193.

A major part of his property was given to Ronald Grainge – who he affectionately refers to as ‘Ronnie’. Actor Mr Grainge appeared in the stage production of Dad’s Army and lived with Mr Williams after he struggled with difficult tennants, he told The Telegraph in 2017.

Frank Williams died just six days short of his 91st birthday on June 26 2022 

He was best known for playing the long-suffering Reverend Timothy Farthing (right) in the BBC sitcom, where he frequently clashed with the pompous Captain Mainwaring 

He appeared in similar roles to Reverend Timothy Farthing in the BBC television sitcom Dad’s Army (pictured second left), as members of the clergy in You Rang, M’Lord? Hi-de-Hi!, What’s Up Nurse, The Worker and Vanity Fair

He also made several gifts to godchildren and friends. 

In his will, the actor gave £5,000 to the Right Reverent Edward Holland, who was also a trustee of his will and performed his funeral, alongside three local London churches.

Of the amount left after several stipulations, Mr Williams left two parts to The Parochial Church Council of St Margaret’s Church, Edgeware, ‘for such general purposes as the said Parochial Church Council shall think fit.’

He also left two parts to the Choir and Music Trust Fund of All Saints Church, Margaret Street, London.

And ten parts was bequeathed to the Parochial Church Council of John Keble Church, Mill Hill.

Church Warden of John Keble Robin Mace spoke fondly of Mr Williams, who had himself been a part of the Parochial Church Council and even sat on the General Synod for the Church of England.

He said: ‘Church life was really important to him and when he came to John Keble he involved himself in all the church activities.

‘He served on the Parochial Church Council and also got involved with the amateur dramatics society, The Good Companions.

Mr Williams’ probate, which was released on Aprill 22, shows the star left an estate with a gross value of £893,721 and a net value of £666,193 

Mr Williams left ten parts to the Parochial Church Council of John Keble Church, Mill Hill, where the Church Warden spoke fondly of him as an active part of the community – and the amateur dramatics society

He also left two parts to the Choir and Music Trust Fund of All Saints Church, close to his home in Margaret Street, London 

‘Even though he was professional he once stepped in for a show when somebody was ill.

‘He’d been in rehearsals, could remember all the lines and had the confidence to take over.’

Mr Holland was a curate at John Keble before becoming Suffragan Bishop in Europe and the area Bishop of Colchester.

Mr Williams requested that he should perform his funeral alongside the Reverent Canon Richard Buck and the Venerable Donald Smith in the form of a Requiem Mass.

He asked that it would be held at John Keble Church he would be laid to rest in the grave of his parents, in the Churchyard of St Margaret’s Edgeware, with a simple memorial stone added.

The household-favourite added that he would like notice of the service to be published in The Daily Telegraph, The Times and – ‘if practical’ – theatre newspaper The Stage. 

All costs were to be paid from his estate. 

Mr Mace continued: ‘Most of his acting was more famous for being in the clergy. His faith was really important. 

Mr Williams requested that he should perform his funeral alongside the Reverent Canon Richard Buck and the Venerable Donald Smith in the form of a Requiem Mass. He asked that it would be held at John Keble Church he would be laid to rest in the grave of his parents, in the Churchyard of St Margaret’s Edgeware, with a simple memorial stone added 

Mr Williams left two parts to The Parochial Church Council of St Margaret’s Church, Edgeware, ‘for such general purposes as the said Parochial Church Council shall think fit’

‘He was always generous. He was very active in all aspects of church life.

‘Churches rely on generous giving and donations, especially from from legacies. And that really just helps the church keep afloat and ensure the life of the Church continues. 

‘Frank was just a really nice person who was passionate about his faith and involvement in the church community.’

Mr Williams gave his share in his London house alongside all royalties, residuals or money payable from his work as an actor and writer to Mr Grainge.

And he gave his share in a Kent property free of inheritance tax to a Laurence Marcantonio, who lives at the property. It would pass to Mr Graige had Mr Marcantonio pre-deceased Mr Williams.

The on-screen vicar’s remaining property passed to ten different recipients – who recieved a certain percentage each.

Mr Grainge would recieve 76 per cent, alongside the shares of anyone who died before Mr Williams added to this. 

Donations to the three church groups make up a further 14 per cent of his remaining fortune.

The actor appeared in similar roles to Reverend Timothy Farthing in the BBC television sitcom, as members of the clergy in You Rang, M’Lord? Hi-de-Hi!, What’s Up Nurse, The Worker and Vanity Fair. Pictured: left, with Jimmy Tarbuck and Kenny Lynch in ITV show It’s Tarbuck 

A further 6 parts were given to his three godchildren, Steven Riley, Katherine Ward and Pascan Wyse.

The star’s death was announced in a statement on his dedicated Facebook page, which read: ‘So sorry to say that our beloved friend, colleague and actor, Frank Williams, passed away this morning.

‘He was almost 91, and we are grateful for all the years of joy, laughter and happiness he brought to so many. Thank you Frank! x’

The actor appeared in similar roles to Reverend Timothy Farthing in the BBC television sitcom, as members of the clergy in You Rang, M’Lord? Hi-de-Hi!, What’s Up Nurse, The Worker and Vanity Fair.

Born in Hampstead Heath, north London in 1931, an only child to parents William and Alice Williams, he went to school at Ardingly College in West Sussex as well as Hendon School – before beginning his career in acting at the Watford Palace Theatre.

This was his foot in the door to become part of one of Britain’s most legendary sitcoms, Dad’s Army, as the repertory theatre was run by the creator of the show, Jimmy Perry.

He once described his time in Dad’s Army as the ‘happiest period of his professional life’.

First appearing in season three of the show, he went on to act in more than half of the series and also featured in Dad’s Army’s two feature films.

He was the second-last surviving cast member of the main stars from the show – the only one still alive is Ian ‘Private Pike’ Lavender, 77, who is the youngest of the cast.

Usually referred to as The Vicar or His Reverence, Frank’s character Timothy Farthing was a well-meaning vicar of St Aldhelm’s Church, in Walmington-on-Sea, a fictional seaside resort in the south of England.

Set in World War Two, gentle if curmudgeonly Farthing looked to care for the ‘spiritual needs of his parishioners’ despite setbacks like sharing his church hall.

The veteran said of Dad’s Army, which first aired in 1968 and ended in 1977 after its ninth season, that ‘there was a feeling that season nine would be our last’ after arriving in the rehearsal room.

In an interview ahead of his 90th birthday, which he celebrated at an event in Leicester Square Theatre last July, Frank said: ‘Initially, I thought it was for just one episode but the character became a regular.

‘I ended up appearing in 39 of the 80 TV episodes, the original film, stage show and 14 radio episodes. It’s hard to believe that I’m celebrating that milestone.’

DAD’S ARMY CAST: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

ARTHUR LOWE

Arthur Lowe, who played Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army, had a 36-year-long career, won him seven BAFTAs. He died on 15 April 1982, aged 66, after a stroke

Fame and fortune came late for actor Arthur Lowe, the ruddy-faced, pompous Captain Mainwaring of Dad’s Army.

Fifteen years after first treading the boards in repertory theatres, he finally came to national attention as draper Leonard Swindley in Coronation Street in 1960.

And then in 1968, aged 52, he took on the role in the much-loved wartime sitcom for which he’ll always been remembered – and was considered to be one of the most recognised faces in UK television.

His career, spanning 36 years, won him seven BAFTAs. He died on 15 April 1982, aged 66, after a stroke. He was survived by his wife, actress Joan Cooper, who died from stomach cancer seven years later.

IAN LAVENDER

Ian Lavender was the youngest cast member playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army. Now aged 76, he is the only main character still alive today

Ian Lavender was the youngest cast member playing Private Pike in Dad’s Army. Now aged 76, he is the only main character still alive today.

He was only 22 when he was cast as the ‘stupid boy’ of the show and made him a household name in Britain.

After Dad’s Army, Lavender later moved into theatre and later into TV comedy shows like Yes Minister, The Hello Goodbye Man and ITV’s television gameshow Cluedo in 1990.

After surviving cancer and a heart attack, Lavender was hit by the potentially deadly condition last year during a brief return to EastEnders.

He first joined the soap in 2001 as Derek Harkinson, a gay friend of Pauline Fowler, and left in 2005. He returned in 2016 before succumbing to sepsis.

Lavender said he would like to be in EastEnders again but, after his sepsis diagnosis, fears the show wouldn’t be able to insure him. 

CLIVE DUNN

Clive Dunn OBE played Lance Corporal Jones in the BBC sitcom Dad’s Army, and like most other cast members, had military experience before playing in the WW2-set show

Clive Dunn OBE played Lance Corporal Jones in the BBC sitcom Dad’s Army, and like most other cast members, had military experience before playing in the WW2-set show.

Before he joined the army in the Second World War, Clive Dunn, born in Brixton, south London, had an acting career which featured a few small film roles in the 1930s.

He served as a trooper and was posted to the Middle East in December 1940. Dunn was also among 400 men who were taken as prisoners of war in the Corinth Canal in Greece in 1941.

Aged 48, Dunn was a younger cast member of the Dad’s Army line-up and played elderly butcher who had lots of military experience, making him a crucial part of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard.

He died aged 92 on 6 November 2012 as a result of ‘complications from an operation’ he had earlier that week.

JOHN LE MESURIER

John Le Mesurier appeared in more then 120 films and countless TV shows across a range of genres during his staggering 46-year career. He is pictured as his character, Sergeant Arthur Wilson in Dad’s Army

John Le Mesurier appeared in more then 120 films and countless TV shows across a range of genres during his staggering 46-year career.

Playing the middle-class Sergeant Arthur Wilson in Dad’s Army, Le Mesurier worked alongside his old friend Clive Dunn on the sitcom.

He was interested in the stage as a young adult, making his stage debut aged 23 in September 1934 at the Palladium Theatre in Edinburgh in the play Dangerous Corner.

Le Mesurier died on 16 November 1983, aged 71, from a stomach haemorrhage after a ‘complication of cirrhosis’ of the liver.

FRANK WILLIAMS

Actor Frank Williams, who was best known for playing Timothy Farthing in Dad’s Army, died at the age of 90 on 26 June 2022

Actor Frank Williams, who was best known for playing Timothy Farthing in Dad’s Army, died at the age of 90 on 26 June 2022.

Frank, who died just six days short of his 91st birthday on 2 July, appeared in similar roles to Reverend Timothy Farthing in the BBC television sitcom, as members of the clergy in You Rang, M’Lord? Hi-de-Hi!, What’s Up Nurse, The Worker and Vanity Fair.

Born in Hampstead Heath, north London in 1931, an only child to parents William and Alice Williams, he went to school at Ardingly College in West Sussex as well as Hendon School – before beginning his career in acting at the Watford Palace Theatre.

This was his foot in the door to become part of one of Britain’s most legendary sitcoms, Dad’s Army, as the repertory theatre was run by the creator of the show, Jimmy Perry.

He once described his time in Dad’s Army as the ‘happiest period of his professional life’. 

JOHN LAURIE

Scottish actor John Laurie played Private Frazer, a ‘gaunt-faced’ undertaker and Home Guard soldier in Dad’s Army

Scottish actor John Laurie played Private Frazer, a ‘gaunt-faced’ undertaker and Home Guard soldier in Dad’s Army.

In his book, Dad’s Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy, author Graham McCann described Laurie as ‘cantankerous’ and ‘mischievous’ and ‘enjoyed playing a kind of a professional pessimist’.

He performed in plenty of productions both on stage, on film and television, with his first film, Juno and the Paycock, which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. 

Laurie died aged 83 from emphysema on 23 June 1980.

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