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Episode 3

Spike Milligan's war memoirs, read by lifelong Milligan fan Paul Merton. 3/6. Spike recounts the barrack room japes and pranks that went on after lights out.

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.

The third episode recounts the barrack room japes and pranks that went on after lights out and the marvellous army eccentrics Spike met - including Gunner Octavian Neat who would appear naked in the barrack room to ask: "Does anybody know a good tailor?".

15 minutes

Last on

Fri 26 Jun 2009 21:15

Broadcasts

  • Fri 8 Feb 2008 21:15
  • Fri 26 Jun 2009 21:15