Captain Mainwaring often a sympathetic subtext to his own personal neuroses; it is apparent several times that he devotes his energies to his Home Guard unit for a sense of comradeship and purpose lacking in other parts of his life, such as his career and marriage. On one occasion when his men spurned a parade to play darts against the ARP he expressed bewilderment, saying coming to the platoon is "the highlight of my day". It is frequently implied that he is trapped in a loveless and unhappy marriage to Elizabeth, his unseen wife, who is domineering, neurotic and withholding of affection.
Henry Mainwaring in the King's cause in the English Civil War, was exiled to France, and died in poverty. He was buried at St. Giles' Church, Camberwell, London, on 15 May 1653. Mainwaring married a daughter of Sir Thomas Gardiner in 1630. She died in 1633. His brothers were Sir Arthur Mainwaring, Carver to Prince Henry, George Mainwaring, the defender of Tong Castle, and Sir Thomas Mainwaring, the Recorder of Reading. The Mainwaring family was old and distinguished, probably having arrived in England in the train of William the Conqueror (1066). Henry Mainwaring Sir Henry Mainwaring (1587–1653), was an English lawyer, soldier,