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Dad's Army actor was bayoneted by a German soldier as he battled along an enemy trench, throwing grenades.

As Private Godfrey in Dad's Army, he was the least threatening of Walmington-on-Sea's ineffectual Home Guard.

A gentle, elderly bachelor and former conscientious objector, his character lived with his spinster sisters and was excused strenuous duties on medical grounds.

However, Arnold Ridley, the actor who played Godfrey, experienced hand-to-hand fighting in the trenches of the First World War, it can be disclosed.

The details of his exploits during the Battle of the Somme were unknown, even to his family.

Research into Ridley's war service has shown that he went "over the top" twice during the battle.