The Navy Lark

28 books in series
4.5 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

The Navy Lark: Series 1 and 2 Publisher's summary

The first two series of the vintage seafaring comedy – plus Special The Wrens’ Reunion

One of BBC Radio’s most popular and long-running sitcoms, The Navy Lark sailed the airwaves for an impressive 15 series between 1959 and 1977. Included here are the complete Series 1 and 2, featuring the madcap escapades of the merry crew of HMS Troutbridge, a Royal Navy frigate based on an unnamed island just off Portsmouth. Also featured is a special episode, The Wrens’ Reunion, recorded at the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate 21 years of the Women's Royal Naval Service.

It’s laughs ahoy as we meet conniving Chief Petty Officer Jon Pertwee, silly-ass Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Phillips, put-upon Commander ‘Thunderguts’ Povey (Richard Caldicot) and the constantly bemused 'Number One' (Dennis Price in Series 1 and Stephen Murray in Series 2). Below decks Ronnie Barker is just about working his passage as (Un)Able Seaman 'Fatso' Johnson, while Tenniel Evans and Michael Bates are making mischief in a variety of roles – and keeping them all on their toes is Wren Heather Chasen.

Superbly remastered and restored, these 43 classic shows are as hilarious as when they were first broadcast – so jump on deck and enjoy the maritime mirth, mayhem and misadventure!

NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary

Production credits
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Dennis Price (Series 1), Stephen Murray (Series 2), Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker and Tenniel Evans
With Pamela Buck and June Tobin

Remastered by Ted Kendall
Thanks to Andrew Pixley

Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases

For more information on the programme, contact:
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society
Honeysuckle Cottage
Little Street
Yoxford
Suffolk
IP7 3JQ

Episode guide

First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates:

Series 1
The Missing Jeep 29 March 1959
Operation Fag End 5 April 1959
Number One’s Chair 12 April 1959
The Fairground Lights 19 April 1959
The Comfort Fund 26 April 1959
Stuck up the Inlet 3 May 1959
The Admiral’s Party 10 May 1959
The Hank of Heather 17 May 1959
The Multiple Mines 24 May 1959
The Gun Mechanism Test 31 May 1959
The Whittlesea Bay Yacht Regatta 7 June 1959
The Psychology Test 14 June 1959
A Watch on the Initiative Test 21 June 1959
An Exercise in Filming 28 June 1959
The Smuggling Spy 5 July 1959
The Whittlesea Carnival and Fête 12 July 1959

Series 2
New at the Helm 16 October 1959
Fatso's Box Brownie 23 October 1959
Bringing Back the Barge 30 October 1959
The Mock Action 6 November 1959
Going Dutch 13 November 1959
The Figurehead 20 November 1959
Gunboat to Gumba 27 November 1959
Johnson Finds Treasure 4 December 1959
The Charter Trip to Antarctica 11 December 1959
Cementing Relations 18 December 1959
Strike Up the Band 25 December 1959
The Route March 1 January 1960
A Trip up the Thames 15 January 1960
Radar Talk Down System 15 January 1960
A Crisp Romance 22 January 1960
The Lighthouse Lark 29 January 1960
Pertwee Posted to Portsmouth 5 February 1960
Johnson's Diet 12 February 1960
Tug of War 19 February 1960
Return to Potarneyland 26 February 1960
The Cross Country Run 4 March 1960
The Morning After 11 March 1960
The Admiral's Present 18 March 1960
Secret Mission to Calais 25 March 1960
Mr Murray Goes Sick 1 April 1960
The Potarneyland Fishing Limit 8 April 1960

Special: The Wrens’ Reunion Recorded 5 November 1960

©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Show more Show less
You're getting a free audiobook


You're getting a free audiobook.

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Product List
  • Book 1-2

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 3-5

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 6-7

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 8-9

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 9

    The Navy Lark, Collected Series 9 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 10

    The Navy Lark: Collected Series 10 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 11

    The Navy Lark: Collected Series 11 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • The Navy Lark: Collected Series 11

    • Classic Comedy from the BBC Radio Archive
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 10-11

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 12-13

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 13

    The Navy Lark: Collected Series 13 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • The Navy Lark: Collected Series 13

    • 13 Episodes of the Classic BBC Radio Sitcom
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 14

    The Navy Lark: Collected Series 14 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 15

    The Navy Lark: Series 15 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • The Navy Lark: Series 15

    • The classic BBC Radio sitcom
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 14-15

    Regular price: $23.24 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $23.24 or 1 credit

  • Book 17

    The Navy Lark, Volume 17 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • The Navy Lark, Volume 17

    • Taking Some Liberties
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 21

    Navy Lark, The Volume 21 - Women In The Wardroom Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • Navy Lark, The Volume 21 - Women In The Wardroom

    • Women in the Wardroom
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 22

    Navy Lark, The Volume 22 - Doing An Unfortunate Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • Navy Lark, The Volume 22 - Doing An Unfortunate

    • The Navy Lark, Volume 22
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 23

    Navy Lark, The Volume 23 - A Fishy Business Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • Navy Lark, The Volume 23 - A Fishy Business

    • The Navy Lark, Volume 23
    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 24

    The Navy Lark: Volume 24 - You're a Rotten! Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • The Navy Lark: Volume 24 - You're a Rotten!

    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 25

    The Navy Lark: Volume 25 - Avoiding Redundancy Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    • The Navy Lark: Volume 25 - Avoiding Redundancy

    • By: Lawrie Wyman
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 26

    Navy Lark, The Volume 26 Audiobook By Lawrie Wyman cover art
    Not available on audible.com