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{{Short description|British actor}}
{{Short description|British actor (1914–1984)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
[[File:Geoffrey Lumsden Captain Square.jpg|thumb|right|Geoffrey Lumsden as [[Captain Square]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'']]
[[File:Geoffrey Lumsden Captain Square.jpg|thumb|right|Geoffrey Lumsden as [[Captain Square]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'']]


'''Geoffrey Forbes Lumsden''' (26 December 1914 – 4 March 1984) was a British [[character actor]] who had a lengthy career on television.
'''Geoffrey Forbes Lumsden''' (26 December 1914 – 4 March 1984) was a British [[character actor]] who had a lengthy career on television. He often played pompous upper-class characters, army officers and the like.


== Biography ==
Lumsden was born in London in 1914 and attended [[Repton School]], where he was a contemporary of [[Denton Welch]]. 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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HoqHel5bnfMC&dq=Caught+Napping+1978+arthur+lowe&pg=PA79|title=Dad's Army: The Making of a TV Legend|first=Bill|last=Pertwee|date=3 November 2009|publisher=Bloomsbury USA|isbn=9781844861057 |via=Google Books}}</ref> 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 [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art|RADA]] while still working there.
Lumsden was born in London in 1914, the son of [[Alfred Forbes Lumsden]], and attended [[Repton School]], where he was a contemporary of [[Denton Welch]]. 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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HoqHel5bnfMC&dq=Caught+Napping+1978+arthur+lowe&pg=PA79|title=Dad's Army: The Making of a TV Legend|first=Bill|last=Pertwee|date=3 November 2009|publisher=Bloomsbury USA|isbn=9781844861057 |via=Google Books}}</ref> 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 [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dadsarmy.co.uk/othercharacters.html#Lumsden|title=Other ''Dad's Army'' Characters on the Dad's Army Appreciation Society website}}</ref> In 1947, he married Helen A. Syme at [[Cuckfield]] in [[Sussex]].<ref>[http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&uidh=000&rank=1&new=1&msT=1&MS_AdvCB=1&MSAV=2&gsfn_x=XO&gsln_x=XO&cp=0&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&_80018003=Lumsden&_F0005648=5h&_F0006310=406&_80004003=Syme&db=ONSmarriage1984&r=5538&noredir=true&gss=angs-d&pcat=34&fh=0&h=57974247&recoff=&ml_rpos=1 Geoffrey F Lumsden in the England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005] - [[Ancestry.com]] {{subscription}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dadsarmy.co.uk/othercharacters.html#Lumsden|title=Other ''Dad's Army'' Characters on the Dad's Army Appreciation Society website}}</ref> In 1947, he married Helen A. Syme at [[Cuckfield]] in [[Sussex]].<ref>[http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&uidh=000&rank=1&new=1&msT=1&MS_AdvCB=1&MSAV=2&gsfn_x=XO&gsln_x=XO&cp=0&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&_80018003=Lumsden&_F0005648=5h&_F0006310=406&_80004003=Syme&db=ONSmarriage1984&r=5538&noredir=true&gss=angs-d&pcat=34&fh=0&h=57974247&recoff=&ml_rpos=1 Geoffrey F Lumsden in the England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005] - [[Ancestry.com]] {{subscription required}}</ref>
On [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] he appeared as Sir Francis Getliffe in ''[[The Affair (play)|The Affair]]'' at the [[Henry Miller Theatre]] (1962) and as Major Hugh Beresford Maitland in ''[[Hostile Witness]]'' at the [[Music Box Theatre]] (1966).<ref name=ibdb/> He wrote and starred in the 1958 [[farce]] ''[[Caught Napping]]'' in the [[West End theatre|West End]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/4aq/caught-napping/production/jz7|title=Production of Caught Napping &#124; Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref> It was later revived in 1978 starring [[Arthur Lowe]], [[Bill Pertwee]] and [[Edward Evans (actor)|Edward Evans]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/4aq/caught-napping/production/sz3|title=Production of Caught Napping &#124; Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref>
On [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] he appeared as Sir Francis Getliffe in ''[[The Affair (play)|The Affair]]'' at the [[Henry Miller Theatre]] (1962) and as Major Hugh Beresford Maitland in ''[[Hostile Witness]]'' at the [[Music Box Theatre]] (1966).<ref name=ibdb/> He wrote and starred in the 1958 [[farce]] ''[[Caught Napping]]'' in the [[West End theatre|West End]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/4aq/caught-napping/production/jz7|title=Production of Caught Napping &#124; Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref> It was later revived in 1978 starring [[Arthur Lowe]], [[Bill Pertwee]] and [[Edward Evans (actor)|Edward Evans]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/4aq/caught-napping/production/sz3|title=Production of Caught Napping &#124; Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref>
His best known role was as [[Captain Square]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'', the pompous commander of the Eastgate platoon of the [[Home Guard (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]], who is a rival of [[Captain Mainwaring]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/449057/credits.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Dad's Army (1968-77) Credits|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Other TV appearances included ''[[Rookery Nook (1970 TV drama)|Rookery Nook]]'', ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' and ''[[Edward & Mrs. Simpson]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba5c96978|title=Geoffrey Lumsden|website=BFI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=10689|title=Geoffrey Lumsden|website=www.aveleyman.com}}</ref>
His best known role was as [[Captain Square]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'', the pompous commander of the Eastgate platoon of the [[Home Guard (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]], who is a rival of [[Captain Mainwaring]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/449057/credits.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Dad's Army (1968-77) Credits|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Other TV appearances included ''[[Rookery Nook (1970 TV drama)|Rookery Nook]]'', ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Edward & Mrs. Simpson]]'' and ''[[Jack the Ripper (1973 TV series)|Jack the Ripper]]'' (where he played the editor of the ''Daily Telegraph''), and two appearances in the [[BBC Television Shakespeare]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba5c96978|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212003450/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba5c96978|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2019|title=Geoffrey Lumsden|website=BFI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=10689|title=Geoffrey Lumsden|website=www.aveleyman.com}}</ref>


Lumsden died in London in 1984, aged 69.<ref name=ibdb>>https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/geoffrey-lumsden-101615</ref> His uncle was the first-class cricketer [[William Lumsden]].
Lumsden died in London in 1984, aged 69.<ref name=ibdb>>https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/geoffrey-lumsden-101615</ref> His uncles were the first-class cricketers [[Oswald Lumsden|Oswald]] and [[William Lumsden]].


==Selected screen credits==
==Selected screen credits==
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|1973|| ''[[Yellow Dog (film)|Yellow Dog]]'' || Sir William Renfrew ||
|1973|| ''[[Yellow Dog (film)|Yellow Dog]]'' || Sir William Renfrew ||
|-
|-
|1980|| ''[[Love in a Cold Climate (TV serial, 1980)|Love in a Cold Climate]]'' || Sir Archibald Curtly || TV Mini-Series, 1 episode
|1980|| ''[[Love in a Cold Climate (1980 TV series)|Love in a Cold Climate]]'' || Sir Archibald Curtly || TV Mini-Series, 1 episode
|}
|}


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[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Scots officers]]
[[Category:Royal Scots officers]]
[[Category:Military personnel from London]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]




{{UK-tv-actor-stub}}
{{UK-tv-actor-1910s-stub}}

Latest revision as of 10:40, 13 September 2024

Geoffrey Lumsden as Captain Square in Dad's Army

Geoffrey Forbes Lumsden (26 December 1914 – 4 March 1984) was a British character actor who had a lengthy career on television. He often played pompous upper-class characters, army officers and the like.

Biography

[edit]

Lumsden was born in London in 1914, the son of Alfred Forbes Lumsden, and attended Repton School, where he was a contemporary of Denton Welch. 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.[1] 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.[2] In 1947, he married Helen A. Syme at Cuckfield in Sussex.[3]

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).[4] He wrote and starred in the 1958 farce Caught Napping in the West End.[5] It was later revived in 1978 starring Arthur Lowe, Bill Pertwee and Edward Evans.[6]

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.[7] Other TV appearances included Rookery Nook, Upstairs, Downstairs, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Edward & Mrs. Simpson and Jack the Ripper (where he played the editor of the Daily Telegraph), and two appearances in the BBC Television Shakespeare.[8][9]

Lumsden died in London in 1984, aged 69.[4] His uncles were the first-class cricketers Oswald and William Lumsden.

Selected screen credits

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1952 The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men Merrie Man #11
1961 Man at the Carlton Tower Stocker
1965 Dateline Diamonds Army Officer
1965 The Night Caller Col. Davy
1967 Mrs Thursday Commander Barraclough 'The Train from Dunrich House', Stapleford Park, episode
1968 A Dandy in Aspic Ridley
1968 Salt and Pepper Foreign Secretary
1968 Hostile Witness Major Hugh Beresford Maitland
1969–1971 The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder Lord Rothbard
1970 The Horror of Frankenstein Instructor
1973 Yellow Dog Sir William Renfrew
1980 Love in a Cold Climate Sir Archibald Curtly TV Mini-Series, 1 episode

Selected stage credits

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pertwee, Bill (3 November 2009). Dad's Army: The Making of a TV Legend. Bloomsbury USA. ISBN 9781844861057 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Other Dad's Army Characters on the Dad's Army Appreciation Society website".
  3. ^ Geoffrey F Lumsden in the England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  4. ^ a b >https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/geoffrey-lumsden-101615
  5. ^ "Production of Caught Napping | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  6. ^ "Production of Caught Napping | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  7. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Dad's Army (1968-77) Credits". www.screenonline.org.uk.
  8. ^ "Geoffrey Lumsden". BFI. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Geoffrey Lumsden". www.aveleyman.com.
[edit]