"The Navy Lark" Series 02 / Episodes 12-16 (Jan 01, 1960 - Jan 29, 1960)

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Episodes
00:00:00 S02E12 1960-01-01 The Route March
00:26:56 S02E13 1960-01-08 A Trip up the Thames
00:55:17 S02E14 1960-01-15 Radar Talk Down System
01:23:19 S02E15 1960-01-22 A Crisp Romance
01:50:11 S02E16 1960-01-29 The Lighthouse Lark


Sail into laughter with HMS Troutbridge; nautical nonsense, classic comedy, and timeless crew capers from BBC Radio’s
beloved series.

This run of five episodes from early 1960 finds the crew of HMS Troutbridge plunging into fresh chaos as misunderstandings, misdirected orders, and personal blunders collide with naval protocol. Whether they’re bungling official duties, tangling with authority, or stumbling into trouble entirely of their own making, the team’s antics escalate with trademark wit and escalating absurdity. Each episode showcases the sharp timing, character clashes, and escalating farce that define the series, keeping Troutbridge lurching from one comic disaster to the next.

The Navy Lark is a classic BBC radio comedy that aired from 1959 to 1977, delighting audiences with its nautical nonsense and sharply drawn characters. Set aboard the fictional Royal Navy frigate HMS Troutbridge, the show follows the misadventures of a hilariously inept crew whose attempts at naval discipline are constantly undermined by scheming, confusion, and sheer incompetence. Central to the chaos are Sub-Lieutenant Phillips, whose navigational skills are as questionable as his romantic instincts; Chief Petty Officer Pertwee, a fast-talking wheeler-dealer with a nose for profit; and the long-suffering Lieutenant Murray, who tries in vain to keep order.

Written primarily by Laurie Wyman and George Evans, The Navy Lark became one of the longest-running radio sitcoms in British history. Its success stemmed from a blend of sharp dialogue, recurring gags, and a cast of beloved voice actors including Jon Pertwee, Leslie Phillips, and Stephen Murray. The show satirized military bureaucracy and naval life with warmth and wit, creating a world where even the simplest orders could trigger a full-blown farce. Its enduring charm lies in its ability to turn maritime mishaps into timeless comedy.

S02E12 – 1960‑01‑01
The new year begins in typical Troutbridge fashion as the crew misinterprets a routine assignment, triggering a chain of blunders that leave their superiors baffled and their shipmates scrambling to contain the fallout. What should have been a simple task becomes a showcase of confusion, misplaced confidence, and comic timing.

S02E13 – 1960‑01‑08
A visiting official’s inspection sends the crew into a panic, prompting frantic attempts to appear competent while hiding their usual disarray. Their efforts to impress only magnify the chaos, leading to a series of mishaps that unravel the inspection and expose their antics in spectacular fashion.

S02E14 – 1960‑01‑15
Troutbridge becomes entangled in a logistical muddle when a supply request goes awry, setting off a domino effect of misdeliveries, mistaken identities, and bureaucratic confusion. The crew’s attempts to correct the situation only deepen the mess, resulting in a hilariously tangled web of naval red tape.

S02E15 – 1960‑01‑22
A diplomatic visit turns into a comic disaster as the crew struggles to follow protocol while juggling cultural misunderstandings and their own natural incompetence. Every attempt to smooth things over creates new problems, pushing the event toward an international embarrassment only Troutbridge could engineer.

S02E16 – 1960‑01‑29
The crew’s efforts to organize a morale‑boosting event spiral out of control when conflicting plans, personal rivalries, and miscommunication collide. As the occasion teeters on the brink of collapse, Troutbridge’s finest scramble to salvage the evening, producing a finale of cheerful chaos and unintentional hilarity.