Home Guard.

Owen, I had a quick look at that site - what fascinates me is the name Wilbraham. Thats a local family to us, and we have a Marton too, which is a common village name. I wonder if they are connected in any way?

[von Poop]

Originally Posted by Kyt

I get the feeling that it's a posed propaganda photograph rather than a 'news' photograph. The car maybe real but I doubt if the unit would have all been issued SMLEs (even Mk 1s) so early on, especially before their uniforms.

Got a little book on Home Guard vehicles, some units were fantastically well equipped from day one in vehicles, arms and equipment by wealthy benefactors.
One unit in Maidenhead stands out, it was run by a Col. Tickler who happened to own the local Jam factory, many different marks of extemporised armoured car were turned out by his boys using factory facilities and they appear to have had Vickers guns etc. from day one.

[von Poop]

Originally Posted by spidge

Don't know if this photo of the home guard vehicles has been posted before.

Have seen one but not as a group

D Day Tanks and countdown to 60th anniversary of D-Day from the Tank Museum Bovington

This one Spidge?

Totally understandable to read it so but Contrary to their homemade appearance those are actual type-approved military vehicles.
'Beaverette Mk.1's' Named after Lord Beaverbrook and basically lashed up for airfield/factory defence following the equipment losses by the BEF. They used to be incredibly rare in the collector world but many were 'found' scattered about in the 90's just dumped near the areas they'd defended.

Got a few pictures of units with little convoys of genuinely extemporised vehicles, I'll see if I can find 'em on the web.

[Owen]

I cannot drive past one of the gasometers in town without thinking of my Grandad up on top of it looking out for Jerry bombers!
After time in the Home Guard he went off to be an RAF Dog-Handler.

[gen]

My grandfather was in charge of a 'Home Guard' unit during the war in South Wales. Its such a pity that he did not talk to me about it.
During the day he worked for Vickers at RAF Llandow as an engineer. He won the BEM when he pulled a pilot out of a burning plane. Incidently he was an engineer aboard the R100 airship that made the trip to Canada in 1929. Sorry i was off topic there.

Are there any personnel records for the Home Guard? I would be interested in finding out anything i could about him and his unit.

Mike

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by gen

Are there any personnel records for the Home Guard? I would be interested in finding out anything i could about him and his unit.

Mike

Mike,

There are a few suggestions about tracing individual members of the Home Guard in the staffshomeguard website Guestbook:
GUESTBOOK

Chris

[Owen]

Just seen these figures.
Dads Army Gallery <<<< Edited in arrows for Kitty.

Owen where do you get them from? Ideal Chrstmas present for someone I know.

[Kyt]

Kitty, try here:

FOUNDRY make the best small metal cast models for gamers, collectors and painters. choose your region...

[von Poop]

Sure someone linked to these films before but can't find the thread, some great Home Guard stuff nonetheless:
Films from the Home Front