Olive Mercer (15 September 1905 – 2 January 1983), born Olive Maude Adams, was a British television actress perhaps best known for playing Mrs. Yeatman, the wife of Maurice Yeatman, the Verger in Dad's Army. Early life Born in 1905 in Hendon in then the country of Middlesex, now the London Borough of Barnet.1911 Census Record for Olive Maude Adams - Ancestry.com She was the daughter of Henry James Adams (born 1875), a theatre ticket agent,Baptism of Olive Maude Adams - 26 November 1905, Willesden, London - Ancestry.com and Fanny Maria (née Dunnett, 1875–1961).Family of Olive Maude Adams - Ancestry.com
Career She often played stern older women in situation comedies, including On the Buses, Billy Liar, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, and The Ronnie Barker Yearbook (1971).
However, she is best known for playing Mrs. Yeatman, the wife of Maurice Yeatman, the Verger, in nine episodes from the third to the ninth series of Dad's Army from 1969 to 1977. In his book: The Complete A-Z of Dad's Army, entertainment journalist Richard Webber lists Mrs. Yeatman's first name as Anthea, however Webber notes that over the course of the series, her first name is also given as Beryl, or Tracey, and that in early scripts, before any recording, she is referred to as Mrs. Harman.
As well as TV, she also starred in film, appearing uncredited in A Clockwork Orange (1971) as the Old Lady at Duke of York, and as the Cleaner in Sex and the Other Woman (1972).
Personal life and death In 1931, she married Charles Harry Mercer;Olive M Adams in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com they remained married until her death. Olive Mercer died in Hillingdon in 1983.
References
External links
Photos of Olive Mercer at Yahoo