Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 1

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton. 1/6. Young Milligan is called up, but arrives late to join his unit.

Another chance to hear Spike Milligan's war memoir read by lifelong Milligan fan, Paul Merton.

This was the first of seven volumes of Spike's war memoirs but it is also a comedy classic in its own right. First published in 1971, the book is peppered throughout with Milligan's gags, one-liners and surreal comic invention

Paul Merton's delivery of the gags, characters and Goonish events of the story vividly bring to life the experiences of the 22 year old Spike Milligan from call up through basic training in the early years of the war.

In part one, the young Milligan is called up but, owing to overexertion while trying to impress the girls from Catford Labour Exchange, arrives to join D Battery, 56th Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery in Bexhill on Sea three months late: "I'll make up for it," he tells the Battery Sergeant Major, "I'll fight nights as well!".

15 minutes

Last on

Fri 12 Jun 2009 21:15

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

See all episodes from Adolf Hitler - My Part in His Downfall

Broadcasts

  • Fri 25 Jan 2008 21:15
  • Fri 12 Jun 2009 21:15