Edward Sinclair

Edward "Teddy" Sinclair Perry (3 February 1914 – 29 August 1977), known as Edward Sinclair, was an English actor who played the role of verger Maurice Yeatman in Dad's Army. He also made appearances in Z-Cars and Danger Man.

For the British swimmer, see Edward Sinclair (swimmer).
Edward Sinclair
Edward Sinclair as the Verger Maurice Yeatman in Dad's Army
Born
Edward Sinclair Perry

3 February 1914
Oldham, Lancashire, England[1]
Died29 August 1977(1977-08-29) (aged 63)
Cheddar, Somerset, England
OccupationComedy actor
Years active1969–1977
Spouse(s)Gladys Green (1940–1977) (his death)

Sinclair was born in Oldham, Lancashire, 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 and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in the Second World War, and was a salesman before deciding to become a professional actor in his late forties. Although born into a theatrical family, Sinclair 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 Dad's Army was in the fifth episode (before audiences had been introduced to the Vicar) as the caretaker, playing the verger from the second series.

He also appeared in several films and theatre productions, and was being offered work in panto just as the series finished,[2] but died soon after from a heart attack while holidaying in Cheddar, Somerset. This came as a shock to the cast, and it was Arthur Lowe who stated at his funeral service, "With the loss of Teddy, it is now quite clear that there will be no more Dad's Army."[3]

Selected filmography

References
  1. GRO Register of Births: MAR 1914 8d 1347 OLDHAM - Edward Sinclair, mmn = Coltham
  2. Clark, Neil (5 May 2015). "GREAT survivor of Dad's Army: Frank Williams who played vicar is STILL performing at 83". Daily Express.
  3. Williams, Frank (2002). Vicar to Dad's Army: The Frank Williams Story. Canterbury Press. p. 188. ISBN 1-85311-543-6.


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