There’s nothing like watching an old television series that fills you up with nostalgia. It’s almost like a bittersweet trip down memory lane; you reminisce all the fun times you had while watching the show, all the while being hit with the realization of all the years that have flown by.

It may sound sad but that’s how memories work. Everyone holds on to their favorite music, pictures, and even TV shows because of the nostalgic feeling attached to them.

Just William by Richmal Crompton

For baby boomer and millennial Brits, Just William is the show that reminds them of their childhood. This British television show aired from 1962 to 1963, though the Just William franchise has books, films, and theatre productions under its umbrella, too.

The show was an adaptation of Richmal Crompton’s famous book series of the same name. Crompton is said to have written 39 books for the Just William series in the span of 48 years from 1922 to 1970.

EBAY | These stories for children were widely celebrated all over the United Kingdom

But Who Is Richmal Crompton?

Richmal Crompton was no ordinary writer; she was one of England’s most popular short story authors. She pursued her love for literature by not only writing novels and short stories but also taught it as a subject. Her most notable work, though, is the Just William series, which follows the life of an 11-year-old boy named William and his group of friends called “The Outlaws”.

Getty Images | Hall of Fame legend; Richmal Crompton

These stories were destined for the big screen, as after they sold over 12 million copies in the United Kingdom, they were soon adapted for numerous shows and films.

The TV series was quite the hit as it not only aired in 1962 but also for 2 additional seasons from 1977-1978 and 1994-1995.

What Makes The 1962 Series So Special?

The 1962 Just William series was one of the most celebrated installments of the franchise. Aired on BBC for 2 seasons with 12 half-hour long episodes, the show filmed in black and white.

BBC | Dennis Waterman as William Brown in the 1962 Just William series

Unfortunately, all the episodes were erased by the broadcasting channel BBC but in 2016, the channel announced that they were able to recover the second episode from the first season titled William and the Leopard Hunter. The other 11 episodes remain missing.

While the show may never be recovered, it still has its own special place in the hearts of its fans.