Private Joe Walker, portrayed by James Beck (21 February 1929-6 August 1973) was a black market spiv (or "Wholesales Supplier", as he politely puts it) who lived in Walmington-on-Sea. He was the second youngest member of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard. When his actor James Beck died suddenly on 6 August 1973 aged 44, near the end of filming for the sixth series, the character was written out. Therefore, Walker features in just under three-quarters of the episodes. Despite this, the character of Walker was possibly one of the most prominent and popular in the show.