Geoffrey Lumsden

Geoffrey Forbes Lumsden (26 December 1914 – 4 March 1984) was a British character actor who had a lengthy career on television.

Geoffrey Lumsden as Captain Square in Dad's Army

Lumsden was born in London in 1914 and attended Repton School. By the time he had left school, both his parents had died. While living with his uncle he reluctantly trained as an engineer at a colliery. It was at the colliery that he first became interested in acting when he organised concerts for the workforce, and won a scholarship to train at RADA while still working there.

In 1938, he married Judith Cope. Working in repertory theatre, his theatrical career was interrupted by World War II during which he served in Burma. Returning to the theatre after the war, he became a playwright and appeared on various TV shows and films.[1] In 1947, he married Helen A. Syme at Cuckfield in Sussex.[2]

On Broadway he appeared as Sir Francis Getliffe in The Affair at the Henry Miller Theatre (1962) and as Major Hugh Beresford Maitland in Hostile Witness at the Music Box Theatre (1966). His 1978 farce, Caught Napping, starred Arthur Lowe, Bill Pertwee and Edward Evans.

His best known role was as Captain Square in Dad's Army, the pompous commander of the Eastgate platoon of the Home Guard, who is a rival of Captain Mainwaring. Other TV appearances included Rookery Nook, Upstairs, Downstairs, It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Edward & Mrs. Simpson.

Lumsden died in London in 1984, aged 69.

Selected screen credits
Year Title Role Notes
1952The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie MenMerrie Man #11
1961Man at the Carlton TowerStocker
1965Dateline DiamondsArmy Officer
1965The Night CallerCol. Davy
1968A Dandy in AspicRidley
1968Salt and PepperForeign Secretary
1968Hostile WitnessMajor Hugh Beresford Maitland
1970The Horror of FrankensteinInstructor
1973Yellow DogSir William Renfrew
1980Love in a Cold ClimateSir Archibald CurtlyTV Mini-Series, 1 episode

References
  1. Other Dad's Army Characters on the Dad's Army Appreciation Society website
  2. Geoffrey F Lumsden in the England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
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