Indians React to A tribute to Battery Sgt Major Williams | It Ain’t Half Hot Mum

Hey Guys, today we are going to react to - A tribute to Battery Sgt Major Williams
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INDIA

[@Jamie_Pritchard]

That Indian/English accent is actually a Welsh accent, though the confusion is understandable, lol

[@HankD13]

I joined the British Army as a young soldier in the late 70's - and I am convinced most Sergeants I came across practiced in front of the mirror everynight immitating Windsor Davies. They used his lines on us. Hardest part of basic training was keeping a straight face. Fact.

[@user-he5so4gz4r]

Same here,joined in '77, trying not to laugh during room inspections or on parade was hard, especially as we were on the ground floor and watching as lockers,kit,beds and boots fell past our windows. Accompanied by screaming. Parade was dicier, one guffaw,grin or chuckle singled you out for extra drill, usually double timed!

[@davidcronan4072]

@@user-he5so4gz4r When I worked for British Gas many years ago, I visited the Colchester Army Prison to inspect our equipment. The female RSM invited me for a coffee and we were chatting away when she saw one of the "inmates" doing something she disapproved of. Instantly ( as though a switch had been turned on) she went into shouting mode and berated this guy. Then she came back to me, the switch was turned off, and she was back to her "normal" self.

[@jillferguson9260]

I really appreciate the way that you see the humor in this show, which is a classic and would now not pass the censors because of being perceived as racist.

[@philiphuntdavies8613]

He was a sergeant in the army before acting.👌

[@TheCaptain64]

Same here 1979

[@leehallam9365]

It's not an Indian accent, its a Welsh accent. The funny thing is that many years ago, Indira Ghandi said she always felt at home when she visited Wales as the accent seemed so similar.

[@keithdenyer3937]

It seems that those who imitate Welsh accent end up sounding Indian! There must be a vocal pitch similarity. Stanley Baxter, Impressionist from years ago, had this problem and would you believe it Geri haliwell once tried to sound Welsh on radio reading the traffic report and sounded Indian! But Windsor was indeed Welsh and actually chose his native voice rather than an English one when auditioning for this part.

[@josefschiltz2192]

Actually Don Estelle, who played 'Lofty' had a wonderful tenor voice and both he and Winsor Davies - Sgt Major Williams - had a hit cover of the song, 'Whispering Grass'. That would be very worth a reaction to, please!

[@MarkMcLT]

Definitely

[@richardcummins5465]

Windsor was a lovely fella and had a lovely family. I was privileged to know him slightly, as I was his milkman for a spell when he lived in Carshalton Surrey, mid eightties. Off screen he was a quietly spoken gentle man. Miss him .

[@andrewmoss8760]

Windsor Davies as Sgt Major Williams was the star of the show,. Without him it wouldn't have been half as good.

[@philsooty61]

Anyonr who has been in the British Army knows that Windsor's portrayal of a Battery Sergeant Major was spot on, they where all like that !

[@Bromley68]

I saw Don Estelle in his Lofty costume under a gazebo in the rain in Basingstoke town centre singing "Rhinestone Cowboy" An unsold pile of cassettes on a trestle table. No-one was paying any attention. One of the saddest things I've seen

[@Hazi64]

My late father adored this show. He did his national service in Burma, and said all those in, it ain't hot mom, were indeed he served with. 😅😅

[@user-jg5ie8rc1s]

Windsor Davies was a brilliant comedy actor. He was brought up just a stone's throw from me. Makes me proud to be Welsh.

[@milgeekmedia]

I am so happy that - as Indians - you do find this show funny and not offensive... This show was criticised in the UK at the time for being disparaging towards Indians. Yet my father - who served in the 8th Army in Africa in WW2 was adamant that this was a completely accurate recreation of life at a barracks in the middle and far east.

[@scottgalloway345]

The episode where Gloria gets a head injury & turns heroic....one of the best ever

[@johnritter6864]

Stereotypical British sergeant major

[@simoncurry5336]

As many others have written Windsor Davies who played the BSM Williams was Welsh and he's speaking with a Welsh accent in the clips. I remember him being on the Parkinson show in the 1980s. In that interview he said that before "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" sergeant majors were usually portrayed as Londoners or Irishmen and when he auditioned for the part he used Irish and London accidents. But the producer asked him to do it in his normal (Welsh) accent, preferred it and had him use it in the series. Which, led to Michael Parkinson (the interviewer) commenting that since "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" sergeant majors are usually portrayed as Welshmen.

[@crocsmart5115]

Windsor Davies,an English born Welshman. (His accent is Welsh,the accent comes from English being a foreign language in Wales so speaking English will be heavily accented by the native Welsh language). He was a fantastic character actor,”Grand Slam”, a comedy about Welsh rugby supporters going to France to watch the Welsh rugby team play is an absolute classic. Rhys Ifans in the film Notting Hill also uses his Welsh accent to great comic effect.

[@GeraintHughes-pp1cy]

the late great windsor davis was a welsh actor who played the battery sgt major, over the years i've met quite a few sgt's and they base themselves one one of the famous sgt's those being sgt major williams, sgt bilko or sgt major hartman from full metal jacket

[@mizofan]

Davies, as you know.

[@GeraintHughes-pp1cy]

@@mizofan quite right i need to start reading what i type

[@ewan_GTO]

Haha, funny that you guys thought he was doing an Indian accent. If people from other parts of Britain try to do a Welsh accent, they often sound like they are doing a terrible version of an Indian accent?

[@AaRr-bn3xx]

These days this would be considered racist and homophobic... Whereas we just found it hilarious !!

[@moominpic]

There is an episode where the matter of Indian independence comes up. There is a scene with Raji Ram, BSM Williams and an Indian flag. Worth a reaction.

[@Chris-mf1rm]

There’s lot of Anglicised Hindi words used in that programme by the British characters. This tradition developed because servicemen often spent years and years in India, and many of the words were brought back home and passed into common speech. A lot of it has died out now but some are still used. Right I’m off for a cup of char before I go doolally with thirst.

[@waynester71]

Windsor Davies was the absolute epitome of a British army RSM… known as Sergeant Shutup 😂 Brilliant

[@mudra5114]

I have seen an Indian police officer who looked very similar to that Sargeant Major. A brown version of him.

[@matc6221]

Love how you thought the Welsh accent was like Indian. The thing is a bit 😂. Most bad Welsh accent impressions end up sounding Indian.

[@postscript67]

The episode called "Forbidden Fruits" is very good. They have run out of bromide, the stuff they used to put in soldiers' tea to repress their amorous appetites, so everyone is getting very frustrated, with hilarious consequences.

I thought that's what they gave women so that they could have kids without arms and legs..?!

[@postscript67]

Thalidomide!

[@theoldgreymare703]

Frank Windsor the Sgt. Major and the "Indian" actor who cleaned his boots were both in India during WW2 so bought a authenticity to their roles.

[@keithdenyer3937]

Hello, I have to say you made a mistake here, frank Windsor was an actor, but not in this role. Frank was the policeman in softly softly, task force. Sgt major Williams was of course Windsor Davies. 🙂

[@kimwhitbread2799]

You should watch them all ..Hilarious!!!

[@KeithPrince-cp3me]

Theres an episode where there's an Indian congress protest outside the camp and one of the protestors is stung by a scorpion and the Battery Sgt Major Williams has to save him. You need to watch to the end.

[@oxfamshop]

The Actor who played the Sergeant Major was Windsor Davies . Show that he was in called never the twain was very good as well

confessions of a driving instructor

[@unklemunky8992]

Re his accent; it’s not because his character has been in India- the actor who played BSM Williams, Windsor Davies, was Welsh. Many people have observed strong similarities between Welsh & Punjabi accents.

[@hiramabiff2017]

It was such a crying shame to see this classic British series is now on the " Non Distribution Lists " for dvd ( basically on the banned list ) so no new copies. If your lucky you can still get a copy on certain sites... I did😁

[@tonylyons7711]

The Welsh accent can sound quite Indian at times.😂

[@TheCaptain64]

Brilliant love seeing you two react to IAHHM look up the song that Windsor Davis sang with Don Estelle "Whispering Grass" very funny .

[@kennymilroy2136]

I feel sorry for his children, with a voice like that, Oh and can also confirm that even Sgt's in the British Army were like the Sgt Major, my father was a Sgt in Burma until 1947, he also loved this show

[@ericj166]

Great series, enjoyable, infectious reaction. Thank you.

[@colinchaves9285]

You have to remember that he's a typical Sargent major so they spent most of their time trying to intimidate soldiers they didn't like by using derogatory terms. He feels let down because he wanted to be in the thick of battle instead of being in charge of a platoon of theatrical players. Oh and his accent is Welsh.

[@johncartwright8154]

It is said that 'La-di-dah Gunner Graham's' helpless laughter reaction in the line up was unscripted. Apart from the perceived racism, (as far as I'm concerned it was us Brits being more mocked and parodied) one of the main reasons this show can no longer be aired on mainstream was the homophobic slurs; 'Poof' being the main culprit!

[@pauldurkee4764]

You will probably find there were people like BSM Williams in armies all over the world, in the Indian army also, as they were heavily influenced by the British, they had to have voices like that to bark out commands over vast parade grounds.

[@zippy5131]

I remember Windsor Davies doing many safety films for the RAF, the funniest being the 'AZ' or in real terms 'HAS' (Hardened Aircraft Shelter, which is on KZbin ) I know had to sit through them. Happy days, at being shouted at by NCO's during basic training. Watch them all, you can't go wrong. Then watch 'Get Some In' which is also on here (KZbin) NCO's at there best. (Non Commissioned Officers).

[@Wilkins_Micawber]

My theory on the Indian accent was that it was aquired from the Welsh, because of the Welsh soldiers that served in India.

[@petevan8942]

Great reaction guys 😊

[@stephenwright8103]

Look forward to more episodes perhaps you can play for a bit longer would be appreciated 😄

[@ajivins1]

The Sergeant Major was desperate to get to the fighting but nobody else was! They managed to play a trick on him early on (maybe the first episode) which helps them stay put. I'll say no more...

[@ethelmini]

Fine pair of shoulders

[@arthurclarke905]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2HHnn5thJJ-ibs Don Estelle- Lofty and Winsor Davies - Sgt Major Williams the song, 'Whispering Grass'.

[@richardpearce2861]

The Sgt Major is Welsh and the accent is Welsh!

[@charliecroker6445]

Bombay trots or Delhi belly is polite way of saying you can't get off the toilet.

I would love to live in a world where Britain stilled ruled the world, the good old days. we can't even rule our own country now, the politicians give it away.

[@JustinCardiff]

It’s a Welsh accent. Sometimes, if you ask someone to try and do a Welsh accent, it can sound Indian!

[@johnbrereton5229]

Yes, that's very true, when I put on a Welsh accent it effortlessly becomes Indian for some strange reason.😊

[@noelbowerman1562]

You might like to check out ,"Love thy Neighbour " People think its racist ,but yes it is ,but the rasist always comes off looking like an idiot. Side note the two main characters, Eddie ,and Bill ( the black fellow) in real life ,were the best for friends ,throughout their lives.

[@ronturner9850]

I absolutely love all your reactions but your handling of it ain’t half hit mum is superb! You’re quite entitled to find this show offensive but I’m so glad that it hasn’t occurred to you and that you enjoy it as much as I do and as so many do. The Sgt Major and Lofty made a spin off record called ‘Whispering Grass’ which might surprise you so I hope you’ll take a look. Thanks again for all the fun and enthusiasm.

[@garyhull6689]

Super video!

[@eclectic_gamer]

Bombay trots also known as Delhi belly or 'the shits'

[@racheltaylor6578]

Windsor Davis did his national service between 1950 and 1952.

[@kevanbodsworth9868]

Its a Welsh accent a bit similar to the Indian accent

[@aidanflood7979]

The 1st episode is the one to watch

[@BigKelvPark]

Try 'Mind Your Language' - also features Dino (Chai Waller) Shafeek. It's about an adult education class for people who's firsyt language is not English. Has every stereotype imaginable and to some would be considered offensive today (just like IAHHM).

[@iansmart-fz5iq]

Could you have a look at the Punkah Wallah some time. He used to speak only in, I think, Hindustani and was never translated, but you got one English word at the end and you sourt of knew what he was saying

[@stuartryan610]

I will not have whispering in this Jungle! Sing Lofty!

[@stuartryan610]

Greetings to India from The land of sergeant Major shut up! 😁😁😁 The whole show is here on KZbin. Episode 1 is called Meet The Gang. Enjoy! Also look for Mind Your Language.

[@rodspence5105]

Sorry to burst the bubble Windsor Davies was actually english but was brought up in North wales .think it was London he was born

[@markoconnor6801]

His accent is welsh,character sgt major, we had one he became Rsm brilliant the old character make me laugh looking back 😊

[@daveofyorkshire301]

Get the box set it's an hilarious show.

[@idiot-cd6pl]

The accent is Welsh.

[@davidmaxwell6572]

Sgt major really was a Sgt major

[@gw6627]

You should watch the entire show, all episodes are hilarious, also find the ‘Whispering Grass’ video with Windsor Davies and Don Estelle

[@jamesohara4295]

It Ain't Half Hot Mum S04E06 - Flight To Jawani.

[@christopherquinn5899]

It's funny that you think that the Welsh Sgt Major has something of an Indian accent, because when British people try to imitate the Indian accent they often sound Welsh!

[@davidmarsh1167]

His accent is Welsh!

[@petermizon4344]

IF YOU CAN FIND THE FIRST EPISODE AND START THERE YOU WILL GET MORE CONTEXT, VERY FUNNY BUT WONT GO TODAY BECAUSE IF CERTAIN RACIST STUFF, BUT TO ME THE COMEDY BEATS THAT AS DOES THE COMEDY. LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR, WHICH JAS RACIST SLANTS BUT THE WHITE GUY ALWAYS COMES WORST OF OFF 😊

[@Happyheretic2308]

You can still buy the whole dvd box set 😊

[@nikitamckeever5403]

Welsh accent , does have a Indian twang

[@nigelmullen9546]

Watch the very last episode where they get back to the UK after tye war ends.

[@josephturner7569]

A mere 22 weeks and 7 years later. There must have been an episode for every day.

[@smithpm81]

this series was so funny

[@stuartryan610]

You need to see the soap opera entirely in Welsh. POBOL Y CWM (people of the valley) Made by the BBC for Welsh TV channel S4C. Channel 4/S4C and all the other spin off channels are owned by the BBC. Have a look. I watched it in the 90s when I was learning to speak Welsh. If you think English is difficult to learn try Welsh it will flip your mind. Equally if you are feeling brave also look for NOW YOU'RE TALKING. A 1990s made tv series teaching people to speak Welsh. It's also on KZbin. 😁😁😁😁

[@stuartryan610]

Additional - unlike most TV soaps this one is filmed on the day of transmission. 5 days a week.

[@MarkBambro]

LOL.

[@laurenceseale]

National Service? I don't think so.

[@kiwis0uth]

Welsh accent

[@dib000]

He sounds indian 😂🤣😂

[@krissiep1317]

This is horrible, you never said you had a second channel. Where’s the movies!?!

[@MrTracker614]

My recommendation is to watch all the episodes. This is comedy at it’s best. 😂

[@spacecoasttactical]

It's not a British Indian accent, his accent is Welsh