The play, number 55 of 99, and episode 20 of series two, was first broadcast on 4 February 1947.The script for the play, which was written by Richmal Crompton, appears in volume three of David Shutte's books on the William plays for radio.
William was played by John Clark in this episode, as he was for the first 61 episodes.
In the story, William and Ginger, are discussing being detectives, like from the mystery books, and sussing out if a murder has taken place. Of course, they hear Colonel Messiter's house and hear him having an animated discussion with his niece, Jenny. The Colonel is saying that the gardener needs to get what's coming to him. While William and Ginger return to their homes for lunch, the Colonel speaks to his gardener, who he is displeased with as he hasn't touched the rhubard yet. He discovers that the gardener's mother is due for an operation and has his thoughts elsewhere. The Colonel sends the gardener off to be with his mother.
Upon their return, William and Ginger, at this time joined by Violet Elizabeth, cannot find the gardener anywhere. William decides he will dress up as the gardener and confront the Colonel and say "Do you know me", with Ginger saying that anything the Colonel says will be taken in reference against him.
The three children are taken for burgalars in Benson, the gardener's cottage. The Colonel and others go to confront them. Seeing the mess that the children have made, take the cottage as being ransacked int he search for Benson's money. William and Ginger enact their confrontation at the Colonel opens the bedroom door. Many voices speak over each other as the scene descends into chaos and the play ends.
I've embedded the play below, for your listening pleasure:
A short video of John Clark around the time he was playing William Brown has been made available by British Pathé and I have embedded it below:
