Edward Sinclair

EDWARD SINCLAIR d1977. English actor best remembered for his role as the verger Maurice Yeatman in the classic BBC TV comedy series Dads Army. He was born in Oldham Lancs, the son of a stage actor. His father died when he was 14 ; drama school was too expensive, so he worked for amateur theatre companies. He served in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry during WW2 and later worked as a salesman before deciding to become a professional actor in his late forties. Although born into a theatrical family, Edward had to resist the temptation to turn professional until he had safely brought up his family. In the meantime, he continued to perform with amateur dramatics societies, enjoying the experience while continuing to earn a living from being a salesman. The earliest work in his belated main career was in radio before being noticed and offered small parts on TV. His first appearance in Dads Army was in the fifth episode (before audiences had been introduced to the Vicar) as the caretaker, only playing the verger from the second series. He also appeared in several films / theatre productions and was being offered work in panto just as the series finished, but sadly died soon after from a heart attack aged 63 while living in Somerset. His sudden death came as a severe shock to all his fellow cast members and Arthur Lowe stated at his funeral service ; "With the loss of Teddy, it is now quite clear that there will be no more Dad's Army ......."