I hear [all?] of the Home Guard service records are still with the MOD and that a DOB is needed to search their extensive archive. Is it possible to search secondary supporting records without a DOB? I ask because though I have my grandad's name and unit I don't have his DOB. Secondary records exist in the London Metropolitan Archives (which include DOB, employment descriptions and service numbers) but am told these sort of records were almost immediately marked for destruction as soon as the war ended. They turn up in loft collections now and again but are very few and far between. So if anyone has access to or knowledge of the Chiswick Group of the Hammersmith Regiment that was based at the Evershed and Vignoles electronics factory that has William Ernest Green mentioned, I would much appreciate you getting back to me. I have seen the book about the factory on this site and see him mentioned therein but have no further leads. Any pointers welcome.
Can't help with info on the Home Guard, but can try helping with date of birth. What date/year did your grandfather pass away? Welcome to the forum. Edit:. Do you know where your grandfather was born and can you let me know where he died to help narrow the search? There are quite a few out here with the same name.
Your grandfather's correct unit designation would have been the Chiswick Company, of the 6th or 7th (Hammersmith) Battalion, Middlesex Home Guard.
might be worth contacting Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society for info Evershed and Vignoles - Graces Guide
Thankyou all for your replies. I have no details other than he looked well into middle age when his picture was taken in an end of parade group photo in Nov 1944. As for the area, all I know was he lived at 74 Hammersmith Bridge Road with Norah Denyer when he fathered my dad in 1941. I've been trying to wade through the seventeen or so candidates on Ancestry but to no avail so far as there's nothing to confirm or negate on a DOB basis. Thanks very much ARPCDHG for the unit designation. It was in fact the 7th! I am proud of his for his work. He was willing to fight the Nazis and my dad (his son) was willing in turn to fight the Soviets in the early 1960s. The book on the Evershed and Vignoles electronics factory and it's HG unit (mentioned elsewhere on-site) has helped me find out where my dad (his son) got his interest in electronics. From what I gather it was hardly touched in the war.
Solaris You may not have seen this. Not Hammersmith Bridge Road but close. There is a "Bridge Road" and "Bridge Road, Builder Avenue" listed. Your Father may not be a Wraight but one of the 3 people not shown. You haven't mentioned your fathers surname but if your father is listed it would give his dob. It is possible that you will be able to access this for free via your local library. 1939 Register on Find My Past has 74 Bridge Road, Builders Avenue Hammersmith London England First name(s) Last name(s) Birth year Percy R Wraight 1881 Mary E Wraight and 3 more people are on this record 2 more people who are officially closed. Hope this helps Tim
Hi Tim, Solaris I too tried FMP for him in the 1939 Survey but could not find him or the address. I found four William Greens but none of them seemed to match and a couple were too old for the Home Guard in the Second World War. I also tried Norah Denyer without luck for Hammersmith. Have you tried putting a request on Rootschat as the people there are good at the family history side and not so good at the military side (with a couple of exceptions!)?
